Tarot Card Strength A woman in white, wearing both a crown and girdle of leaves and berries, stands petting a lion that is responding just like a happy pet.  Above her head is an infinity symbol.  There are mountains and trees in the distance and the sky is a bright yellow.
Tarot card: Strength

Overview and common meanings of The Strength Tarot card

The Strength card of the Tarot is about mastering your passions so that they cannot master you, for it is only through self-mastery that true strength may appear.  This card reminds us of the importance of knowing our limits and finding balance.  On the journey of strength, fearless inward exploration cannot be accomplished when you are not in control of your emotions.  You must leave ego out of it to face yourself as you really are.  Balance is about finding that strength of spirit when dealing with stress.  True strength also shows kindness and compassion, because, when truly coming from a place of strength, this generosity of spirit is effortless.  The path of true strength brings terms that seem almost like oxymoron’s:  fierce serenity, passionate tranquility, ferocious peace. 

Other names for the Strength card, in varying decks:  Courage, Balance, Fortitude  

The Greatest Weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another

William James

Common Meanings

With strength, you can discover your higher purpose.  Raw emotions and longings can be conveyed in constructive ways when internal strength and flexibility are applied.  Inner strength and human spirit’s ability to overcome any obstacles in our path.  With this comes an Inner knowing that you can endure anything.  The Chariot card rules by external power, Strength by internal.  This is the quiet power behind the scenes that may not be obvious. It is a call to tame your animal instincts and gut reactions and channel those in a positive direction.  The strength card urges us to lean into the things that scare us and do them anyway.  It teaches us about moving towards inner peace by learning how to express raw emotions in a more positive and constructive way. 

The Many Faces of Strength

The Shadow side – or reversal- of strength indicates overwhelm, lacking self-confidence, the need to take care of yourself and get back into balance.  This is a call to figure out how to balance serving others without depleting yourself. 

The Journey of Strength 

As the first card of the second septenary of the Major arcana, which you may recall is about social and moral understandings; the separation of the ego and transformation of the Self toward spiritual equilibrium. This is the first step on that next mini journey that the fool makes throughout the major arcana.  This step, and this card, is all about learning to master your ego, for only by doing so can true strength be found.

Description

A woman in white, wearing both a crown and girdle of leaves and berries, stands petting a lion that is responding just like a happy pet.  Above her head is an infinity symbol.  There are mountains and trees in the distance and the sky is a bright yellow.

Themes of The Tarot Card Strength

  • Moral victory
  • Strength in action
  • Inner fortitude
  • Quiet persuasion
  • Courage
  • Determination
  • Patience
  • Compassion

The Number Eight

Stability and renewal, inner strength and wisdom and healthy balanced ego

Elements of the Strength Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Woman– graciousness, femininity
  • White robes – purity
  • Infinity symbol- infinite potential, power, options
  • Crown and girdle of roses/briars- protection and celebration
  • Lion- passion and base, or animal, instincts, power, bravery, leadership
  • Yellow background – clarity, support, awareness

Herbs for Strength

  • Cayenne – purpose, courage, removing obstacles
  • Angelica – guardian; also provides strength to women
  • Basil – success
  • Comfrey- protection
  • Thyme – bravery

Questions that Strength asks us

  • Are you feeling like your emotions are mastering you, and if so, is it time to do a fearless internal investigation to see what you may learn about your own strengths?
  • If you are feeling overwhelmed and out of balance, what can you do to bring yourself back to center?

Wishing you a week filled with that knowing that your own true power lies in mastering your baser instincts.  That is Strength. Please leave comments or ask questions. Please join me next week for The Hermit!