Strength in brief
In the Rider-Waite tradition, Strength stands for inner strength, courage and patience, the kind of power that works through gentleness rather than force. Modern readers often take it as a sign of calm resilience and compassion under pressure, while the reversed card points to self-doubt, low energy or raw emotion breaking loose.
Waite called the card Strength, or Fortitude, one of the cardinal virtues. Waite also moved it to number VIII and gave Justice the number XI, a swap he made “for reasons which satisfy myself” and chose not to explain.
The card’s picture
Waite described a woman “closing the jaws of a lion,” with the same symbol of life, the figure 8 on its side, hovering over her head as over The Magician. Waite wrote that the one point where his design differs from older cards is that her “beneficent fortitude” has already subdued the lion, which is now being led by a chain of flowers.
Waite read the chain of flowers as “the sweet yoke and the light burden” of divine law taken into the heart. Waite also wrote that in one sense the lion stands for the passions, and the woman for the higher nature in its freedom. In his notes on older packs, Waite added that one earlier version showed the woman opening the lion’s mouth, and that closing it is the better symbol.
Modern guides read the same details. Biddy Tarot reads the lion as raw passions and desires, tamed by her calming, loving energy without force or coercion. Biddy Tarot reads her white robe as purity of spirit and her belt and crown of flowers as the fullest expression of nature. Labyrinthos reads her calm control of the lion as courage, love and compassion, and the blue sky over the mountains as stability.
Upright meaning
Waite’s divinatory list for the upright card is power, energy, action, courage and magnanimity, and also complete success and honors. Waite wrote that the card “has nothing to do with self-confidence in the ordinary sense,” and elsewhere linked it to “the strength which resides in contemplation.”
Labyrinthos reads upright Strength as inner strength and fortitude in moments of danger and distress, and as the ability to stay calm and strong through struggle. Labyrinthos also reads it as compassion, patience and the fearlessness to speak one’s mind.
Biddy Tarot contrasts the card with The Chariot: The Chariot is outer strength and will, while Strength is inner strength and the human spirit’s ability to overcome obstacles. Biddy Tarot reads it as quiet influence and persuasion rather than control of others, and as stamina and persistence balanced by patience and inner calm. Biddy Tarot also reads the card as a call to tame raw emotions such as anger, and to channel them with forgiveness, love and compassion.
Reversed meaning
Waite listed reversed Strength as despotism, abuse of power, weakness, discord and sometimes even disgrace.
Labyrinthos reads the reversed card as a lack of the inner strength the card usually shows, with fear and a loss of confidence in one’s own abilities. Labyrinthos also reads it as forgetting one’s passions and the joy of doing what one loves, and as a call to rebuild confidence.
Biddy Tarot reads reversed Strength as a prompt to check one’s levels of inner strength and self-belief, and notes that a setback can leave a person vulnerable. Biddy Tarot also reads it as low energy that calls for rest and a short withdrawal, and in its shadow form as explosive behavior and lashing out, where the work is to channel emotion rather than repress it.
Strength in love
In love, Labyrinthos reads upright Strength as a passionate, fiery romance, strong but sometimes prone to anger or jealousy. Labyrinthos also reads it as compassion, empathy and inner strength drawing partners closer, with patience and gentleness in heated moments.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as some codependency rooted in insecurity, and as a reminder that two full lives bring more to a partnership. Labyrinthos also reads it as force and power becoming themes in a relationship, with one partner growing domineering.
Strength in career
For work, Labyrinthos reads upright Strength as drive and passion channeled into big steps, rather than allowed to take over. Labyrinthos also reads the card as a sign that the talent and skill are there and only courage is needed for bold moves.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as fear and self-doubt standing in the way of career hopes, with constant second-guessing. Labyrinthos frames the reversed card as a reminder that a person may be more capable than they believe.
Strength and money
Labyrinthos reads upright Strength in money questions as self-control, with impulsive spending kept in check.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads the card as compulsive spending, or the opposite, a hesitancy to spend on useful things. Labyrinthos also reads it as a feeling of insecurity about money whatever the real situation.
Strength as feelings
As feelings, Labyrinthos reads upright Strength as admiration and respect for another person’s resilience, courage and compassion, with feelings anchored in trust. Labyrinthos also reads it as one’s own self-confidence and emotional steadiness.
Reversed, Labyrinthos reads someone who lacks confidence in expressing emotions and holds back out of self-doubt. Labyrinthos also reads the reversed card as one’s own inner battle with insecurity.
Questions to reflect on
- Where is gentleness proving stronger than force?
- Which strong emotion is asking to be channeled rather than pushed down?
- What past challenge shows a strength easy to forget?
- Is rest needed before the next effort?