Strength
courage, patience, self-mastery
In Strength, a woman gently closes a lion's mouth. It's the card of inner strength, compassion, and learning to calm your own fears and impulses.
The image and its symbolism
The card shows a woman dressed in white resting her hands on a lion's head and closing its mouth with no visible effort. She wears a crown and a belt of flowers, and above her head floats the infinity sign, the same one you see on The Magician. The background is yellow, with green land and a blue mountain in the distance. In the Rider-Waite deck it's numbered VIII, but here you'll find it as XI, which is how the Marseille tarot numbers it.
The white dress tells you there's no ill will. She isn't trying to beat the lion and she isn't angry. She's calm. The lion stands for instinct, urges and the passion we all carry inside, and her gesture makes it clear those can be guided without force. The infinity sign points to a strength that doesn't run out, precisely because it isn't wasted on fighting. The yellow sky adds light and confidence.
What Strength means
Upright, Strength is a quiet kind of courage, the kind that doesn't make noise. Think of someone who takes a deep breath before replying to a message that stung, or who keeps the family going through a rough patch without turning hard. Being gentle is also a form of power.
It tends to show up when a strong emotion is pushing to come out, whether that's nerves before an interview, anger at something unfair, or a desire that throws you off balance. You don't need to hide it. Look at it straight on and lead it by the hand. Often you have plenty of drive and what's missing is patience with yourself.
Strength in love
A relationship that holds up thanks to patience, passion that's well handled, and a lot of tenderness.
If you're in a relationship
Your relationship has more than enough foundation to ride out friction and tense stretches. Right now you can say what bothers you without raising your voice, and listen without getting defensive. The passion is there, and tenderness gives it a safe place to stay.
If you're single
If you like someone, approach them naturally, without worrying about them seeing you as you are. That calm confidence of yours is very attractive.
If you're thinking about an ex
There are still feelings here, but they need a cool head. If you reconnect, take it slow and don't replay the same old fights. Deciding not to go back is also an act of strength.
At work
You get through a hard challenge by sticking with it. The thing you dreaded is now within your reach.
You can handle the challenge that intimidated you, whether it's a difficult client, a presentation or a new role. Your persistence and your calm way of dealing with conflict earn you respect. If you need to draw a line somewhere, do it firmly and politely before you reach the point of blowing up.
Money
Self-control is in charge here. No impulse buys and no decisions made in the heat of the moment. A debt or a big expense can be tackled step by step, and your discipline is worth more than any stroke of luck.
Health and well-being
You can handle more than you think. Be gentle with your emotions, without pushing or punishing yourself.
As feelings, as a person and as the future
As feelings
They feel something intense for you, even if they try to play it down. There's desire and affection, and also respect for who you are.
As a person
Someone patient and protective, with a lot of backbone under a calm surface. They don't get rattled easily and they know how to settle other people down.
As the future
A stretch is coming that will test your resilience, and you'll come out of it stronger. There will be obstacles, but you'll have what it takes to get through them.
Strength reversed
Insecurity, letting anger take over, or feeling like you have nothing left.
Reversed, Strength has lost its footing. It can mean insecurity, the feeling that you can't cope with everything, or the opposite: anger that slips out at the worst moment. It shows up a lot when you've been holding on for too long and your reserves are empty.
In love, it brings jealousy, arguments that escalate, or fear of letting yourself be vulnerable. At work, you doubt your worth or get defensive at the slightest criticism. Either way, it helps to stop, recover your strength, and talk once you're calmer.
As a yes or no answer
Yes
Yes, with a steady hand and some nerve. Strength wins through patience and gentleness, not shouting. You're stronger than you think.
Do the readingCombined with other cards
By tradition, this card goes with Leo. You can also read today's Leo horoscope.
If something gets under your skin today, breathe before you answer.
Strength FAQ
What zodiac sign is Strength?
In the Golden Dawn system, Strength corresponds to Leo. It shares the sign's courage, passion and big heart, and the lion on the card makes that obvious.
Why is Strength numbered VIII in some decks and XI in others?
In the Marseille tarot, Strength is XI and Justice is VIII. Arthur Edward Waite swapped the numbers in his deck to fit the Golden Dawn's astrological order. The meaning is the same in both.
Is Strength a yes or no card?
Yes, though it's a yes that arrives slowly. You have what you need to get there, as long as you don't force things.
What does Strength mean as advice?
Respond calmly instead of reacting in the heat of the moment. Trust what you're capable of, and treat your emotions with the patience you'd give someone you love.