Strength
Strength is card eight in the Rider–Waite–Smith deck (it swaps places with Justice in some older decks). It's about a quiet kind of power — courage, patience and compassion that can calm even something wild.
What's on the card
A woman in white gently holds the jaws of a lion, closing or opening its mouth with no sign of struggle. The lion seems calm, almost affectionate. Above her head floats the infinity symbol, the same one seen above The Magician, and she wears a belt and crown of flowers. The landscape behind is peaceful. The message is that true strength here is gentle: instinct and raw emotion tamed through love and steadiness rather than force.
Strength Upright
Upright, Strength asks you to meet a challenge with calm courage. You may be dealing with a difficult person, a strong emotion like fear or anger, or a situation that tests your patience. Kindness and persistence will achieve more than aggression.
It's also a card of inner confidence and resilience — trusting that you can cope, and treating yourself with the same compassion you'd show someone you love.
Strength Reversed
Reversed, Strength can point to self-doubt, low confidence, or feeling overwhelmed by emotions. You may be giving your power away or not believing you can handle what's in front of you.
It can also show the opposite: strength turned into harshness, impatience or losing your temper. The reversal is a reminder to rebuild your inner steadiness first.
Keywords: courage, patience, resolve, gentleness
Strength in Love & Relationships
In love, Strength suggests patience, compassion and a relationship strong enough to weather difficulty. It can also point to passion managed with care. Reversed, it may reflect insecurity, jealousy, or tempers flaring.
Strength in Career & Work
At work, Strength favours persistence and handling difficult people with tact. Calm confidence will earn respect. Reversed, you may be doubting your abilities or reacting too strongly to stress.
Strength and Money
Financially, Strength counsels patience and self-control — resisting impulse purchases and sticking with a plan through leaner times. Reversed, it may point to emotional spending or anxiety about money.
Advice
Be gentle and firm at the same time.
Strength — Yes or No?
Strength leans towards yes, especially if success depends on patience and staying calm. Reversed, it suggests building your confidence before acting.
Zodiac Sign
In the traditional Golden Dawn system of correspondences, Strength is paired with Leo — worth a look if you want to see how this card's themes show up on the horoscope side of the deck.
Either side in the Major Arcana
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strength a positive card?
Yes. It represents courage, resilience and compassion — inner power rather than force.
What does Strength reversed mean?
Self-doubt, low confidence, or emotions running out of control.
What zodiac sign is Strength?
Strength is linked with Leo in the Golden Dawn system — hence the lion.
| Group | Cards | Traditional Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Major Arcana | 22 | Life’s big turning points and archetypal themes |
| Wands | 14 | Traditionally linked to fire — ambition, energy, creativity |
| Cups | 14 | Traditionally linked to water — emotion, relationships, intuition |
| Swords | 14 | Traditionally linked to air — thought, conflict, communication |
| Pentacles | 14 | Traditionally linked to earth — money, work, the material world |