The Strength card is the eighth card in the Major Arcana, numbered VIII (8). This card represents inner strength, courage, patience, compassion, and self-discipline. Strength is not about physical power or brute force but rather about mastering oneself, overcoming challenges with grace, and using wisdom and patience to face adversity. It speaks to the ability to approach difficult situations with calmness and to use love and understanding as tools to tame inner turmoil and external challenges.

General Meaning:

The Strength card often depicts a person, usually a woman, gently holding the mouth of a lion, symbolizing the ability to tame or control the primal instincts, fears, or urges within. The woman represents compassion and gentleness, while the lion symbolizes raw power, instinct, and uncontrolled energy. This juxtaposition represents the strength that comes from inner peace and self-mastery, rather than domination or force. The card highlights the importance of resilience, patience, and maintaining calmness during difficult situations.

Upright Meaning:

• Inner Strength & Courage: The Strength card represents inner strength, courage, and the ability to face challenges without being overwhelmed. It speaks to the fortitude needed to deal with personal struggles, fears, or external obstacles. You are encouraged to approach situations with confidence and calm determination, drawing on your inner resources.

• Patience & Resilience: Strength emphasizes the importance of patience and resilience. Instead of rushing through difficult moments, the card suggests maintaining a steady, composed approach. It highlights the need to persevere and face difficulties with grace, knowing that this is how lasting success is achieved.

• Compassion & Love: The card also represents the power of love, compassion, and kindness in overcoming adversity. It suggests using your gentle nature and empathy to handle conflicts or challenges. Strength invites you to demonstrate compassion, not just to others, but also to yourself, recognizing your own needs and limitations.

• Self-Mastery & Self-Discipline: Strength is closely tied to self-control and mastery over one's own impulses and emotions. This card suggests that you have the ability to maintain composure and make wise decisions, especially in times of stress or conflict. It signifies a time to master your emotions and act with integrity and self-discipline.

• Taming of Fears: Strength is also about confronting and overcoming fears or doubts that may be holding you back. It suggests that now is the time to face what frightens you, knowing that with courage and patience, you can overcome those fears. This card encourages you to trust in your own power to create positive change in your life.

Reversed Meaning:

When Strength appears in reverse, it may indicate a lack of self-control, doubt, or vulnerability in the face of challenges. It suggests that you may be struggling with your inner strength or facing difficulties in maintaining patience and compassion.

• Self-Doubt & Weakness: The reversed Strength card may suggest feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt. You may be questioning your ability to face challenges or lack confidence in your own strength. It can indicate a time when you are feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about how to handle a difficult situation.

• Lack of Control: The reversed Strength can represent a loss of control over your emotions or impulses. You may be struggling to keep your temper, remain calm, or make rational decisions in stressful situations. It indicates that your patience and self-discipline are being tested.

• Fear & Cowardice: When reversed, the Strength card can point to an inability to confront your fears. It may suggest avoiding difficult situations or refusing to face challenges head-on. The reversed card indicates that fear may be paralyzing you or that you are failing to use your inner courage to push through obstacles.

• Overwhelmed by Emotions: The reversed Strength card can indicate a time when your emotions are running high and you're finding it difficult to maintain a level-headed approach. You may feel emotionally drained, reactive, or unable to manage your feelings effectively.

• Lack of Compassion: The reversed Strength card can also signal a lack of compassion, both toward yourself and others. It may indicate a time when you are being harsh or judgmental, or failing to approach situations with empathy and understanding. It can also reflect internal struggles or being overly critical of yourself.

Symbolism:

• The Woman: The woman in the Strength card represents inner strength, self-discipline, and compassion. She embodies the qualities of patience, resilience, and calm in the face of adversity. Her gentle touch and serene expression demonstrate the power that comes from love and understanding, rather than force.

• The Lion: The lion symbolizes raw power, instinct, and primal forces. It represents the challenges and fears that must be tamed or integrated in life. The lion is not conquered through force, but through patience, understanding, and controlled action. It speaks to the need to embrace and channel your own strength with wisdom.

• Infinity Symbol (∞): Often depicted above the woman’s head, the infinity symbol represents the eternal nature of the strength and wisdom that lies within. It suggests that true strength is limitless and can be accessed at any time. The symbol also speaks to the cyclical nature of life and the continuous need for self-mastery.

• The Lemniscate: The lemniscate (the figure-eight symbol) often appears above the head of the woman or the lion. It represents the unending flow of energy, symbolizing the idea that strength and wisdom are interconnected and that mastering both is a continuous journey.

• The Flowers: Flowers, often seen in the background of the card, represent growth, beauty, and the blossoming of inner strength. They suggest that true strength emerges when we nurture and tend to our inner selves, just as flowers bloom when properly cared for.

• The Gentle Grip: The woman’s gentle grip on the lion’s mouth signifies that true power comes from softness and understanding, not from aggression. It symbolizes the act of taming one's instincts or emotions, not through suppression, but by gentle guidance and compassion.

In Summary:

The Strength card is a symbol of inner strength, courage, and the ability to overcome challenges through patience, compassion, and self-discipline. It emphasizes that true power comes from mastering oneself, using love and understanding to face adversity rather than relying on brute force. Strength encourages you to confront your fears, trust in your abilities, and approach difficult situations with calmness and grace. When reversed, the card may suggest self-doubt, loss of control, or difficulty confronting fears, urging you to reflect on your own inner strength and work on regaining balance. This card reminds you that true strength lies in how you manage your emotions, face challenges with resilience, and maintain a compassionate and patient heart.