General Meaning
The Strength card symbolizes vital energy, fearless spirit, and the supremacy of moral strength over physical. This Major Arcana instructs not to hide one's instincts and weaknesses, not to flee from circumstances, but to battle and tame them, subduing them to one's will.
You are set to courageously confront the whims of fate, not through brute force, but by exhibiting your best spiritual qualities - persistence, patience, wisdom, and love.
Card Motto
Discover true strength—the power of the mind, spirit, and love.
by Marta Winter
Core Card Meanings Strength
Description and Symbols of the Card Strength
The Strength card is a depiction of courage and fearless spirit, self-improvement, and the struggle between physical and spiritual. We see a young woman, who has subdued a fearsome beast with her gentle, feminine inner strength.
The girl on this tarot card tames the regal lion not with a whip and aggression, but with tenderness, kindness, and affection. The fact that her power originates spiritually is signified by the white color of her clothing and the infinity symbol above her head. A wreath of flowers symbolizes her aspiration towards peace and love.
Meaning in Upright Position
The upright Strength tarot card gives hope — the goal is attainable, even if challenges lie on the path to it. You are filled with inner strength, energy, knowledge, and experience to overcome difficulties and claim victory!
This Major Arcana appears when you need to deal with inner barriers, your hidden desires, and thoughts. Often, mastering oneself, one's thoughts and desires is much harder than dealing with hundreds of negative external circumstances and adversaries.
The Strength card in a tarot spread signals the necessity of self-improvement, the taming of passions and the dark side of one's nature. Essentially, you must initiate a war — a war with yourself and your "inner lion". Here, you cannot do without courage, bravery, perseverance, and willpower. Self-control will give you control over your Fate! And to achieve success in your endeavors, you can rely not on brute force and aggression, but on compassion, patience, and respectful treatment of others.
Key meanings of the upright Strength card
- Inner strength and energy, resilience, courage, protection, test of endurance.
- Love, patience, persuasion skills, tact, reconciliation of sides.
- Desire to get down to business, control of the situation and one's actions.
- Healing, recovery, fullness of strength, endurance, liberation of inner resources.
Reversed Position
The Strength card in a reversed position signifies the presence of aggression, pressure, or manipulation in life. You may act as a tyrant or despot yourself, degrading and manipulating others. Or, conversely, you might be under the influence of someone who abuses their power.
In any case, there is some kind of imbalance in life, manifested in a lack or excess of strength and rigidity, which needs to be eliminated. This very distortion hinders the realization of your talents and aspirations!
Correcting the situation indicated by the inverted Strength card can be facilitated by putting your soul and thoughts in order, resolving contradictions, and eradicating those qualities that make you a slave to your own or others' desires.
Additionally, it is necessary to restore the balance between the physical and spiritual aspects of your life. For instance, while building muscles in the gym, don't forget to "work out" your brain too— enroll in a course or read a book on a topic of interest.
Key meanings of the reversed Strength card
- Cruelty, despotism, oppression, submission.
- Imbalance, internal disharmony, destructive impulses.
- Weakness, defeatist attitude, uncertainty, negative influence.
- Inability to cope with circumstances, losses, shame, illness, failure.
Meaning in Love Readings
The upright Strength card testifies to a passionate attraction between partners. There is mutual interest and attraction, their feelings are strong and intensify day by day. The relationship is safe from routine and mundane daily life, as it is filled with passion and vivid emotions. You fully devote yourself to the relationship and your partner, not holding back your feelings with your loved one.
Also, Strength may describe your partner as an artistic, energetic, decisive, and ambitious individual, who captivates you with their tenderness and love. They know how to gently and unobtrusively achieve their objectives, without engaging in unnecessary disputes.
In a reversed position, the card's meaning changes to the opposite, indicating extremes in the relationship, jealousy, and a propensity for excessive drama.
When divining about a suitor or lover
In divination about a suitor or partner, the upright card signifies that your chosen one is very persistent and patient in love. They know that relationships are not built easily and are ready to courageously overcome all obstacles.
The reversed card suggests that in love, your chosen one is a domestic tyrant. They are 110% sure of their correctness, and therefore cannot understand why their beloved person doesn't always rush to agree with them.
Reading for Money, Career
When Strength appears in a career spread, it speaks of enthusiasm, readiness to move towards a goal, and strong motivation to achieve what is desired. The individual is aflame with their idea, approaches its realization with creativity, sincerely believes in success, and attains it despite the difficulties.
The key to victory lies in the strength of spirit and inner resilience. You are willing to take risks or even sacrifice something dear for your goal. Or perhaps, to make things happen, it will require the application of physical strength?
In the reversed position, the meaning of the card changes to its opposite, indicating a misuse of strength, emotional impulsiveness, and yielding to difficulties due to lack of self-belief.
Reading for a Person
When interpreting this card in a reading for an individual, the upright position signifies an incredibly strong person (both physically and in character) who possesses a powerful inner core, determination, patience, and the gift of persuasion.
In the reversed position, it represents a person who is excessively influenced by others and is quite sensitive to the opinions of those around them.
Reading for Advice
In the upright position, the card advises you to look within yourself: you possess immense reserves of inner energy, and by mobilizing it, you will overcome any challenge.
When appearing in the reversed position in a spread, the card advises you not to exert pressure on those around you. Remember, the path of strength is not the easiest or happiest path.
Reading for Outcome
If the card appears in an upright position, the forecast for your situation is very promising. You will attain your desires through your perseverance, patience, and immense inner strength.
In the reversed position, the forecast for your situation is ambiguous. The lack of inner strength, determination, and self-confidence may hinder the realization of your intentions.
Meanings In Combination with All Tarot Cards
Major Arcana Combinations
With the 0 Fool card - Playful energy, wasting a chance, an athlete or engaging in sports.
With the 1 Magician card - Starting a new venture, becoming a private entrepreneur, daring to change one's life for the better.
With the 2 High Priestess card - Holding important information, exercising willpower to keep a secret, patience.
In combination with the 3 Empress card - A strong woman, efforts for a specific result, finding a profitable niche.
With the 4 Emperor card - Strict boss, charismatic leader, head of a company or family.
With the 5 Hierophant card - Spiritual mentor or pastor, iron will based on beliefs, pressure from religion or societal morality.
With the 6 Lovers card - Assistance is needed, a willful decision, unexpected and passionate feelings.
With the 7 Chariot card - Obsession with an idea, chaotic activity, the danger of hurting someone with words or actions.
With the 9 Hermit card - Healing, being a loner, working for oneself or on oneself.
With the 10 Wheel of Fortune card - Financial gain, the key is not to miss the opportunity, maintaining luck.
With the 11 Justice card - Slowing down a matter, a legal dispute with a positive outcome, the use of force.
With the 12 Hanged Man card - Painful romantic attachment, dependence on someone, tactical waiting.
With the 13 Death card - Intensive self-work, relentless changes, hopes not being fulfilled.
With the 14 Temperance card - Amicable divorce, temporary job or hobby, reaching a limit.
With the 15 Devil card - Intrusive influence from others, persistent admirer with ill intentions, living by instincts.
With the 16 Tower card - Outburst of anger, major argument involving violence, a state of impulse.
With the 17 Star card - Surge of inspiration, becoming a professional or gaining recognition, starting to earn a living doing what you love.
With the 18 Moon card - Obsession, serious danger, unruly temperament not receptive to arguments.
With the 19 Sun card - Justifiable self-esteem, basking in the rays of fame, love for attention.
With the 20 Judgment card - Smooth changes, oratorical skills, receiving support from family.
With the 21 World card - Being at peace with oneself, entering a large company or group, becoming an informal leader.
Wands Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Wands - Impulsiveness, drive, and demanding nature towards others, a successful leader or entrepreneur.
With the Two of Wands - Confusion or frustrating delay, wasting time, missing the chance to showcase one's winning qualities.
In combination with the Three of Wands - Inner exultation, finding a loophole, a career on the rise.
With the Four of Wands - Decision to start a family or move in together, establishing a household, receiving parental support.
With the Five of Wands - Letting criticism go unheard, ignoring the path of development, following one's own path or gaining experience.
With the Six of Wands - Catching the current, understanding the mechanism, and moving with doubled energy, becoming a favorite of fortune.
With the Seven of Wands - Overcoming difficulties, getting involved in fights, acquiring enemies or enviers.
With the Eight of Wands - Structuring work, everything falling into place, organizing management or taking the lead of a group without scandals and friction.
With the Nine of Wands - Losing interest, insisting on one's own, groundless hopes for luck.
With the Ten of Wands - Multitasking, distrust towards others, working to exhaustion.
With the Page of Wands - Enthusiasm for the process, interesting acquaintance, a promising young man or woman.
With the Knight of Wands - Getting rid of complexes, overcoming shyness, achieving success.
With the Queen of Wands - Successful entrepreneurship, good connections, the ability to establish contacts.
With the King of Wands - Excellent leadership, a great reputation and influx of clients, the ability to manage one's abilities and time.
Swords Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Swords - Pressure from above, unwavering will for success, resorting to forbidden methods.
With the Two of Swords - Domestic quarrels, baseless nitpicking, disregarding criticism.
In combination with the Three of Swords - Love intoxication, enchantment, lack of common sense.
With the Four of Swords - Need for rest, releasing tension, burning out or becoming disillusioned with an idea.
With the Five of Swords - Persuading someone, breaking the opponent, not receiving the expected benefit.
With the Six of Swords - Achieving one's goals with great difficulty, a long and exhausting battle behind, valuable life experience.
With the Seven of Swords - Forced departure or relocation, calculating profits or losses, accidentally discovering useful information.
With the Eight of Swords - Being confined within limits, restricted authority or influence, grievances from a spouse.
With the Nine of Swords - A bad sign, justified premonition, dwindling enthusiasm.
With the Ten of Swords - Defeat in work or personal life, emotional burnout, professional callousness.
With the Page of Swords - Intrusion, unpleasant relationships, bullying or social outcast.
With the Knight of Swords - Fearless friend, defending your better half, someone who stands by your side.
With the Queen of Swords - A hurt girl, seething hatred or envy, fighting against injustice.
With the King of Swords - Prosecutor, judge, or interrogator, serious life circumstances associated with the letter of the law.
Strength and Swords Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Cups - Professional intuition, a nose for profit or important connections, good calculation.
With the Two of Cups - Dominant romantic partner, head of the family, meeting with a pleasant and trustworthy person.
In combination with the Three of Cups - Being in the spotlight, well-deserved honors, fawning over the powerful.
With the Four of Cups - Forgiving debts, empathizing with someone's position, renouncing patronage.
With the Five of Cups - Deep understanding of things, correctness, secret knowledge that helps to understand what is happening.
With the Six of Cups - Taking someone under your wing, showing indulgence, helping someone in their career.
With the Seven of Cups - Outside influence, empty promises, attempting to profit by using authority.
With the Eight of Cups - Failed negotiations, canceled dates, refusal to cooperate.
With the Nine of Cups - Wholeness of personality, great possibilities, a reliable person.
With the Ten of Cups - Excellent relationships, union, united by a common ideology, a party, or a harmonious team.
With the Page of Cups - Intense infatuation, emotional obsession, maximalism, or loud calls to action.
With the Knight of Cups - Friendship with an energetic ally, liveliness, effective application of forces, event organization.
With the Queen of Cups - Resourceful, cunning woman, controversial personality, a vibrant rival.
With the King of Cups - Persuasive abilities, guru or political figure, dazzling attractiveness.
Pentacles Suit Combinations
With the Ace of Pentacles - Well-deserved success, substantial profit, exemplary financial management.
With the Two of Pentacles - Extortion, banking fraud, illegal fees, or small-scale enrichment.
In combination with the Three of Pentacles - Rights infringement, unfair contract, deception regarding wages.
With the Four of Pentacles - Lavish gift, veiled bribe, a stingy suitor or friend.
With the Five of Pentacles - Political struggle, government competition, taxes.
With the Six of Pentacles - Losing vigilance, criminal negligence, short-sightedness.
With the Seven of Pentacles - Government share, receiving subsidies or benefits, joint construction or mortgage.
With the Eight of Pentacles - Limiting needs or ambitions, skill development or upgrading qualifications, stagnation.
With the Nine of Pentacles - Social payments, old capital, investments in gold or precious stones.
With the Ten of Pentacles - Attempts to obtain funds or support, offering services, obtaining financing.
With the Page of Pentacles - Fresh perspective on problems, practical approach, intern or young employee with interesting ideas and enthusiasm.
With the Knight of Pentacles - Desire for wealth, advantageous acquaintance, setting priorities.
With the Queen of Pentacles - Clash of interests, opportunity to find a path to prosperity, drawing necessary knowledge.
With the King of Pentacles - Moneybag, available funds, sponsor or philanthropist.
Example Interpretation In a Daily Spread
A Card Has Fallen for You Strength? This Signifies:
Today might prove to be a challenging day, but you'll ultimately be able to turn any unfavorable event to your advantage! Don't be surprised if the situation and the people around you test your resilience. The card of the day suggests that this is actually for the best: setbacks will motivate you to mobilize your hidden reserves of strength and potential. So, confidently face the struggles ahead! You may even achieve something today that you never expected from yourself.