Symbolism
A woman in white gently closes the jaws of a lion. She uses no weapon, only calm and trust. The lion is passion, fear and instinct; she doesn't fight them, she befriends them. Above her head floats the infinity sign, as on The Magician, and she wears a belt and crown of flowers, showing that her strength grows from softness and connection with life.
Strength upright
Strength shows that real power is quiet. You can handle a difficult situation, a strong emotion or a tense person through patience and kindness rather than pressure. Trust your resilience; it is bigger than you think.
Strength reversed
Reversed, Strength points to self-doubt, exhaustion or frustration that is close to boiling over. You may be holding too much alone. Rest and support are not weakness.
Reversed keywords: self-doubt, impatience, burnout.
Strength in love and relationships
This card speaks of tenderness, patience and a bond that can carry hard conversations. Gentleness wins more than pressure.
Strength in love: feelings, reversed, yes or no →
Strength at work and in your career
Perseverance and calm under stress. You can win people over with steady confidence instead of confrontation.
Strength and money
Take your time. Small, consistent steps and self-control work better than big gestures.
Is Strength a yes or no card?
Upright, Strength is a yes: you have what it takes, though it may need patience. Reversed it is a maybe: rebuild your energy first.
Strength in a spread
In the past position it points to where this began: courage that is gentle, patient and rooted in calm rather than force. That earlier chapter still colors the situation now.
In the present position it names the energy around you right now: inner strength, patience, gentle courage.
In the future position it shows where things are heading if nothing changes, and what you can do about it: be gentle with what feels wild in you or around you; patience tames it.
The card’s advice
Be gentle with what feels wild in you or around you; patience tames it.
Frequently asked questions
What does Strength mean in tarot?
Strength shows that real power is quiet. You can handle a difficult situation, a strong emotion or a tense person through patience and kindness rather than pressure. Trust your resilience; it is bigger than you think.
Is Strength a yes or no card?
Upright, Strength is a yes: you have what it takes, though it may need patience. Reversed it is a maybe: rebuild your energy first.
What does Strength reversed mean?
Reversed, Strength points to self-doubt, exhaustion or frustration that is close to boiling over. You may be holding too much alone. Rest and support are not weakness.
What does Strength mean in love?
This card speaks of tenderness, patience and a bond that can carry hard conversations. Gentleness wins more than pressure.