Strength is the number 8 Major Arcana card
Strength is a card with deep meaning, very encouraging in its upright position, indicating strength, courage, patience, control, compassion, among other things. When Strength appears reversed, it points to physical and mental weaknesses, insecurity, a lack of self-discipline, and diminished willpower.
Card Correspondences:
Kabbalistically, this card is associated with the planet Saturn, the letter Kath, and the number 11 (hidden forces).
Esoterically, it is associated with the astrological sign Leo, the element fire, and the season of summer. In numerology, it represents the number 11, but also the number 2, (11=1+1= 2).
Visual Description of the Card:
The Strength card shows the following elements: Under a golden or yellowish sky, a woman gently strokes a lion on its forehead and lower jaw.
The woman looks at the lion with a peaceful smile on their face, appearing to tame the wild beast successfully. The fact that the Strength card is represented by a woman indicates that it’s not focused on pure physical strength.
She has the infinity symbol (the Lemniscate) above her head, the same symbol seen on the Magician, who also features a similarly colored sky.
The white robe the woman wears suggests that she is innocent, symbolizing purity of spirit. The blue mountain in the background is the same phallic symbol seen in the Lovers card.
The lion represents our animalistic passions and desires. The animal has its tongue sticking out, suggesting it’s not going to bite, as animals preparing to bite don’t stick their tongues out. This lion is content with the woman’s presence and surrenders to her.
The woman conquers the lion with a quiet strength that can only come from within. Her left arm symbolizes mental effort, while her right arm symbolizes physical effort. Her right arm is simply holding, while the left arm is exerting all the pressure.
The woman stands unprotected in open, green terrain, wearing a crown of flowers on her head, and there’s an identical, much larger crown encircling the lion. The crown represents the most beautiful expression of nature and the transitory nature of life.
Strength in the Upright Position:
https://youtu.be/pRJhQwtLIcE
General Meaning:
This card represents strength, courage, patience, control, and compassion.
It is also strongly associated with good luck and fortune. It is recommended to visualize the Strength card before any game of chance to bring good luck.
This card reminds you that the power of your mind over matter is key, and that you should focus on what you want rather than what you don’t want in your life.
The main point is that you have the ability to harness your thoughts and use them to your advantage in everything, and it’s not just a capacity but also your responsibility.
So, you must conquer your fears, control your impulses, and never lose patience with yourself or what you’re doing.
It’s important for you to make time now to meditate, contemplate, and spend some time alone, even if you’re surrounded by people. Don’t allow yourself to stay stuck, focused on worries, and frozen in fear.
This Strength card tells you that everything will be and go well, as long as you control your emotions and impulses and keep your head on straight.
It’s a card about mastering yourself, the ability to tame the beasts, especially those inside us. You shouldn’t rush things by letting impatience or impulse drive you.
Everything will fall into place, and pushing for urgent solutions will only make you make mistakes and not get the results you desire. Everything comes in due time.
If Strength appears regarding an outcome, the final result can only be victory and success, often sudden and unexpected, as luck and chance play a significant role with this card.
If Strength defines a person, they are undoubtedly someone of great strength and willpower, with strong determination.
This is a person who has learned to master themselves, is confident, and this allows them to understand their surroundings, circumstances, and people, traits that make them magnetic and charismatic.
They don’t fear challenges or obstacles; they face and resolve them with firmness and great willpower.
If we’re waiting for an answer in a particular situation and this card appears, it indicates that the situation will be controlled with willpower and patience, with control. Others can be persuaded and convinced through the charm of self-assurance and measured reflection.
A situation represented by this card is strong, intense, but very balanced. It’s a positive situation where balance is the key.
Work:
Work should be going well. If you’re looking for a job, you know you have the skills and abilities to find one.
If you’re already employed and there’s no room for advancement, don’t hesitate to negotiate your worth. You might be pleasantly surprised by the reception you get.
If there’s no possibility of a raise or promotion where you are now, seriously consider searching for something that offers this, or think about what you’d need to take action on your own or start your own business.
You may have more options than you usually think possible. There could be changes at work that will be for the better, unresolved work issues could be settled, and your advice and opinion are valued and sought after.
It’s also a good time for creativity, to analyze new ideas or revisit old ones you discarded for being too wild or risky.
Love:
Love, like work, should be going well. If you’re already in a relationship, it’s likely strong, with beneficial mutual support, tolerance, and understanding.
There’s patience and balance to resolve and steer things, “unity is strength.” If you’re looking for someone, this is a much better-than-average time to meet new people.
You’re in a phase of self-confidence, so don’t hesitate to get out and mingle with others; you might be pleasantly surprised by the results you find.
You have an inherent need to focus on the relationship you have or on love if you’re seeking romance. This will surely make things progress well for both you and the other person.
Strength suggests a time of intense romanticism, passionate sensual and sexual encounters. It’s an excellent card for love in all its forms.
Money/Finances:
It’s a time of good and profitable income. Luck is on your side. Investments of all kinds are recommended, as they will be successful.
Good fortune and luck are also accompanying you, so there could be pleasant surprises in games of chance or unexpected money arriving in different ways. It’s a positive cycle for money in general.
While saving is always good and recommended, in this stage, you might spend more, possibly on significant sums that will be profitable and safe investments, such as acquiring property, a franchise or business, or a new car.
If there are opportunities or possibilities on the horizon for investments or expenditures of any kind, this card says to go for it. It’s a very smart move.
Health:
You’re full of vitality and energy; your strength is high in every sense. If surgery is planned, this is the right time to do it, as your strength will make for a very good and speedy recovery.
This is a great time to correct bad habits if necessary to protect your health, starting with small goals like a balanced diet or light exercises for ten minutes.
It’s also an ideal time to eradicate harmful habits like alcohol or tobacco, as you’re in a moment of great physical and mental strength to achieve success.
Spirituality:
This is likely to be a very spiritual time for you, even if you don’t have anything close to a religious belief.
To be truly strong, you must pay attention to and develop each arm of the triad that makes us up: body, mind, and spirit. Make sure you’re spending time on all three.
This is harder to do when things are tough; if you get this card while at a low point, know that things are very likely to improve and rise soon.
Strength is a reminder that you are strong, probably stronger than you think.
Strength Reversed:
https://youtu.be/JK2WbL0jFVE
General Meaning:
In the reversed position, this card represents physical and mental weakness, insecurity, a lack of self-discipline, and diminished willpower.
It doesn’t mean you’re not strong, but due to certain circumstances, you’re experiencing great weakness now, especially in relation to your self-worth and self-esteem.
You may need advice from friends, the love of a supportive family, or even a therapist’s opinion to find your strength, worth, and self-esteem again.
You might be going through a slump due to a recent failure, whether emotional, financial, or work-related. This has led you to question things, your own life, the path you’ve chosen, and whether it’s been worth it.
Though it’s difficult to see the light and find the strength to see your way out in this state, remember that everything is temporary, and this too shall pass, and your strength is just dormant right now. You’ll recover it soon.
Lean on others or your surroundings, look at the other things you have, the positive aspects of your life, and be grateful for all the other gifts and blessings you surely have.
Work:
There aren’t many advances in work. Ideas don’t seem to come, and there’s a great sense of apathy, tiredness, boredom, and dissatisfaction. It’s not the right time for big changes in your current job or to seek new horizons.
You need to calm down and trust that this will pass. If you push too hard or resist, you’ll only complicate things because the results won’t show up. They’ll arrive in due time, regardless of how you’re feeling.
Try to find balance and do your part and functions as best as you can until you come out of this weakened state.
Love:
The relationship may be going through a rough patch now. The future and life together are being questioned.
Your doubts could be tied to low self-esteem, making you feel like you’re not the right person for your partner, which causes you to question why they love you and why they’re still with you. One of you may be acting cold, distant, or even calculating.
You must be careful with any questioning of the relationship, especially if it’s based on your doubts and not on solid facts. If you push too much, things could spiral out of control, and you could face an unpleasant outcome.
It’s necessary to regain trust, both in yourself, primarily, and in your partner.
Money/Finances:
Strength reversed indicates a bit of bad luck, unexpected and possibly significant expenses. There’s also the chance of being scammed due to your goodwill, and depending on other cards, even losses due to theft or deceit.
In general, it’s not a time to invest or take risks, nor to apply for loans or credits. Big purchases should be postponed. You’re weak in terms of strength, willpower, and intelligence, so your decisions may not be the best at this moment.
If you’re in a moment of prosperity and money isn’t a concern, don’t assume this will last forever. Keep an eye on things, watch your accounts and businesses, and protect your job.
Now isn’t a good time to ask for a raise or take risks in gambling.
Health:
No big efforts for now, as you’re not in shape. You may be very weak or extremely tired due to stress. Neither big treatments nor surgeries are advised unless strictly necessary.
Your health may decline during travel, due to exhaustion or uncommon illnesses. Eat well, avoid extreme diets, and stick to regular, moderate exercise.
Given the difficult time you’re going through, there might be a temptation to fall into bad habits, like alcohol, medications, or drugs, so be careful. Don’t let despair get the best of you, as things will improve.
Spirituality:
The reversed Strength card doesn’t mean you’re weak physically or spiritually; on the contrary, it’s a reminder that you have strength within you, likely much more than you realize or imagine.
If you’re struggling to look within yourself right now, the best advice is rest and contact with nature. You can travel if possible, but sitting for a few minutes in your garden, looking at the sky from your window, or simple things like that can stimulate and benefit you, grounding you.
Find something natural to lean on, a beautiful view, a waterfall, or an old tree. Then remember that the strength and beauty in that scene or object are part of a whole, and that you are part of that whole, too. You are that, too.
