Strength
Strength — Upright
The Strength card in Tarot illustrates the importance of using the power of love and understanding to address issues.
It is possible that recently or in the upcoming period, the Seeker will manifest these qualities to effectively resolve current problems.
Self-analysis and deep understanding of one's personality contribute to a thoughtful approach to their own fears and shortcomings, allowing them to successfully overcome them.
Through careful exploration of personal and professional traits, the Seeker enters a phase of development that strengthens self-esteem and leads to inner peace.
This card also hints at the successful execution of planned endeavors through the demonstration of kindness and compassion.
A meaning is only the beginning.
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Strength — Reversed
In its reversed position, the Strength card in Tarot indicates serious psychological issues. It's possible that the actions of the Seeker are motivated by deep, unrecognized fears that lead to destructive and reckless behavior.
The appearance of this card in the spread serves as a warning to the Seeker about the necessity of controlling impulsiveness, as uncontrolled anger can lead to irreversible consequences.
Interpersonal conflicts, misunderstandings, and hostility become clear signs of internal imbalance and conflict with others.
This card serves as a reminder of the importance of self-analysis and working on one's own emotions to achieve harmony both within oneself and in relationships with others.
Astrology
Strength is associated with Leo, ruled by the Sun, signifying courage, passion, and inner power. Leo adds boldness and warmth, while the Sun highlights self-expression and vitality. The card teaches gentle dominance and compassionate resilience.
Numerology
Number 8 symbolizes strength, courage, and emotional resilience. It reflects the essence of the card’s role in the journey, guiding insight through the lens of 8. The reduced number 8 brings focus to universal lessons and recurring themes.
Symbolism & Archetypes
Explore the symbolism — open a section to read more.
In the Strength card, associated with the eighth position in the Major Arcana of Tarot, the presence of the Kabbalistic letter Tet is notable, which is associated with the astrological sign of Leo. The image of the red lion on the card directly points to its connection with this zodiac sign.
Typically, Strength is placed at the eleventh position, but Arthur Waite moved it to the eighth place and Justice to the eleventh.
This rearrangement was first introduced by Waite and is based on the ideas of S. L. MacGregor Mathers, who proposed a new interpretation of the Kabbalistic connections of Tarot cards.
Mathers suggested that if you start the Tarot deck with the Fool card and swap the positions of the Strength and Justice cards, the astrological attributes from the Kabbalistic text Sefer Yetzirah would align precisely with the imagery on the Major Arcana cards.
In this new order, the card at position VIII, Strength, is associated with the sign of Leo and the letter Tet, while the card at position XI, Justice, is linked to the sign of Libra and the letter Lamed.
Thus, Waite encoded Mathers' Kabbalistic insights into his Tarot deck, affirming the close connection between Tarot symbolism and Kabbalistic teachings.
The card depicts a goddess resembling Venus, the symbol of love and beauty, who uses her charms to tame a wild beast dwelling in the depths of the soul.
She appears before us as a sorceress, achieving her goals through the power of love and spiritual understanding. She embodies the subconscious mind, which has been tamed, brought under control, and purified of negative impulses.
This card reflects that part of the soul capable of understanding and forgiveness, of growth and self-improvement, approaching oneself with respect and love.
It symbolizes the inner strength that allows a person to overcome inner conflicts and fears, achieving harmony and inner balance.
The Strength card in Tarot depicts a woman taming a lion, which symbolizes worldly passions. Above the woman's head is the symbol of life, similar to what is seen on the Magician card.
She possesses a benevolent force that has calmed the lion, which is tamed and bound by a floral chain. According to Waite, this card exchanged places with the Justice card, but for the uninitiated reader, this change is not particularly significant.
The strength represented on this card is closely tied to the spiritual mystery of union and operates on all levels of existence. It also symbolizes inviolable innocence and the strength that emanates from contemplation.
The symbolism of the floral garland embodies the idea of a sweet yoke and a light burden of divine law accepted deep within the heart.
The Strength card does not pertain to self-assurance in the usual sense but relates to the confidence of those who have found refuge in God, and whose strength emanates from Him.
The lion on the card represents passions, while the woman, named Strength, represents the higher nature liberated from these passions. This symbolism finds reflection in the biblical saying of the righteous treading upon the asp and the basilisk, taming the lion and the dragon.
In the Strength card, which belongs to the eighth position in the Major Arcana of Tarot, a woman dressed in white is depicted pacifying a red lion in a natural setting.
This card symbolizes the unveiling of hidden occult forces inherent in human nature, which possess a dual nature and require liberation through patience and prudence.
The woman on the card, embodying wisdom and spirituality, symbolizes the idea of occultism - know thyself. Her pristine white attire and the infinity symbol above her head point to her connection with the spiritual realm.
She tames the lion, representing her passionate nature, using her intellect while simultaneously restraining unconscious fears and anger. This is an allegory for psychoanalysis, where delving into the psyche and harnessing subconscious impulses contribute to self-development and self-awareness.
Reason aids in controlling instinctive impulses (the lion), opening the path to spiritual powers.
The Strength card is associated with the astrological sign of Leo, symbolizing directed will and love. The patience and discipline displayed by the woman improve behavior and awaken an understanding of divine love.
The strength used to tame the lion is not physical but arises from a source of spiritual love.
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