Strength Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed & Love

The image takes your breath away: a woman gently closing the jaws of a lion. No armor, no weapons—just her bare hands and infinite calm. Above her head floats the infinity symbol. You've drawn Strength, and the message is startlingly clear: your greatest power isn't force. It's grace.

Strength is card number 8 in the Major Arcana, representing inner courage, patience, compassion, and the quiet power that tames what brute force never could. This card redefines what it means to be strong.

Quick Reference

Upright Meaning

Strength upright is not about muscles or aggression. It's about the kind of power that comes from deep within—the courage to face your fears, the patience to endure difficulty, and the compassion to remain gentle even when life is harsh. When this card appears, you're being reminded that you are far more resilient than you give yourself credit for.

This card often shows up during challenging times, and its message is deeply reassuring. Whatever you're facing—a difficult person, a health challenge, a period of self-doubt—you have the inner resources to handle it. Not by fighting harder, but by staying calm, centered, and compassionate with yourself and others.

Strength also speaks to mastering your own inner lion: your raw emotions, impulses, fears, and desires. Rather than suppressing them or letting them run wild, this card asks you to befriend them. Acknowledge your anger without being consumed by it. Feel your fear without letting it stop you. That's true strength.

Reversed Meaning

Strength reversed suggests your confidence has been shaken. You may be doubting yourself, feeling overwhelmed by emotions, or losing your nerve in a situation that requires courage. The inner fire that normally sustains you feels dimmed—and that's frightening.

This reversal can also indicate that you're being too hard on yourself or others. Perhaps you're trying to control your emotions through force rather than acceptance, or pushing yourself past your limits in the name of being "strong." The reversed Strength card gently says: vulnerability is not weakness. Asking for help is not failure. Rest is not giving up.

Strength in Love & Relationships

If you're single: Strength in a love reading suggests that patience and self-compassion will bring love to you naturally. Don't chase or perform—simply be your authentic, courageous self. The right person will be drawn to your inner light. If past heartbreak has left you guarded, this card encourages you to gently open your heart again.

If you're in a relationship: This card speaks to the quiet, steady love that endures. It may indicate a time when patience and compassion are needed more than passion—perhaps you're navigating a difficult phase together. Meet your partner with gentleness. Respond to frustration with understanding. The strength of your bond is being tested and deepened.

Strength in Career & Finances

In career readings, Strength indicates that persistence and calm determination will carry the day. You may be dealing with a difficult boss, a challenging project, or workplace politics. Don't react with aggression—respond with composed confidence. Your ability to stay cool under pressure is your competitive advantage.

Financially, Strength encourages patience. Wealth built steadily through discipline and resilience will last longer than quick wins. If you're in a tight financial spot, this card assures you that you have the inner resources to get through it. Keep going. Don't panic-sell. Patience pays.

Strength as Advice

Be gentle with yourself. The bravest thing you can do right now isn't pushing harder—it's treating yourself with the same compassion you'd offer your best friend. Face what scares you, but face it with kindness. You don't need to roar to be powerful. Sometimes the quietest voice in the room holds the most authority.

Card Combinations

• Strength + The Chariot = Inner courage meets outer drive. You're unstoppable when gentle power fuels determined action.
• Strength + The Devil = Breaking free from addiction or unhealthy patterns through self-compassion rather than willpower alone.
• Strength + The Star = A deeply healing combination. After hardship, your inner strength leads you into a period of hope and renewal.

Explore more:

• Major Arcana Deep Dive
• Complete Tarot Card Meanings List