Card VIII, Major ArcanaStrength tarot card meaning
Upright and reversedStrength in shortIn short
Strength is power without force. A woman in white closes a lion's jaws with her bare hands, and the lion lets her. Meet what's wild, in you or in front of you, with patience.
- Courage
- Patience
- Compassion
Piece oneThe open country
Strong yellow sky, low green hills, rough grass, and no walls anywhere. Waite never describes the land. He ties the card to a strength that lives in quiet contemplation, and the open field gives it room.
"...and with the strength which resides in contemplation."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe open field gives her strength room. No walls, no throne, no armour: the calm she brings needs space more than defence. The lion stands loose beside her, which only works out here. Above her floats the same sign of life the Magician wears.
Piece twoThe chain of flowers
Leaves and red flowers run down her dress to the lion's mane. Waite says a chain of flowers leads the lion: a law that weighs almost nothing once you take it to heart.
"the sweet yoke and the light burden of Divine Law"Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe flowers are the only lead she uses. They run from her dress to the lion's mane, a law so light it weighs almost nothing. Her crown is made of the same leaves and red flowers. The lion stays bound by them because it accepts them.
Piece threeThe lion
Four paws on the grass, tail curled, body still. Waite says the lion can stand for the passions, and the woman for your higher nature, set free. The animal lives and walks beside her.
"the lion signifies the passions, and she who is called Strength is the higher nature in its liberation."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe lion is the force she meets. It stands for raw passion, and it keeps all its power; she holds its jaws in her hands and stays gentle. The chain of flowers says it chose to stay. Over her head the sign of life marks the deeper power at work.
Piece fourThe sign of life
A figure eight lies on its side above her head. Waite calls it the symbol of life, and our Magician has one too. Her crown is leaves and red flowers.
"over whose head there broods the same symbol of life"Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe figure eight marks her strength as life itself, endless and steady. It hangs over her head while her hands do the gentle work below. Her crown of leaves and red flowers links to the chain that holds the lion. The open sky leaves room for the sign.
Colour, and where else it appearsEchoes
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The open country
Deep warm yellow over olive green: heat and daylight for Leo, a fire sign, and calm ground below. The Fool walks under the same strong yellow sky, at the start of his road. The Empress sits on green land among her trees and wheat. Strength stands on open grass, with no garden and no cliff.
Also in -
The chain of flowers
Deep red roses on dark green leaves, close to the colour of the lion's mane. A garland of red flowers and leaves hangs between the four poles of the Four of Wands, over a celebration. The Magician has red roses growing up both sides of his card. On Strength they become a chain, worn by a lion.
Also in -
The lion
Orange fire on soft green ground. A golden lion with wings sits in a corner of the Wheel of Fortune, reading a book. The World puts a lion in its lower left corner, at the edge of the wreath. Both sit in corners as watchers. This one stands in an open field with a woman's hands on its mouth.
Also in -
The sign of life
Dark slate on strong yellow, a summer afternoon. The Magician wears the same loop over his head, where it crowns skill and will. In the Two of Pentacles it turns into a green band around two coins in a juggler's hands. On Strength it crowns patience.
Also in
Colour notes are ours, read from the picture; Waite does not explain the colours.
StrengthUpright
Courage with a soft hand. Waite lists power, energy, action, courage, magnanimity, then complete success and honors. You face something hard and stay kind while you do it.
Waite says the card has nothing to do with ordinary self-confidence. It's the quiet strength of someone who found a deeper refuge. You calm the lion, yours or someone else's, with patience.
StrengthReversed
The shadow side. Waite's words: despotism, abuse of power, weakness, discord, sometimes disgrace. The lion takes over, or the hand that held it turns hard.
You might lose your temper, give up on yourself, or try to control someone. Go back to patience.
Yes or noYes.
Yes. Courage gets you there, with patience and kindness. Stay calm and keep going.
Strength in your lifeIn your life
Love
Patience, warmth, loyalty. You can carry a hard moment with kindness. Passion that stays gentle.
Work
Steady effort and calm confidence win here. Handle the difficult colleague with tact.
Money
Self-control pays. Skip the impulse buys and keep a steady hand.
Health
Vitality and slow, patient recovery. A card can't diagnose you; if something feels wrong, see a doctor.
Spirituality
Waite ties this card to the strength found in contemplation. Quiet practice tames restless thoughts.
Advice
Be gentle and firm together. Face the fear, and go easy on yourself.
As a person
Brave, warm, patient. Calm under pressure, and good at bringing out the best in people.
Past, present, future
Past: a hard stretch you got through by patience. Present: a test of courage that needs a soft touch. Future: success and respect, earned quietly.
Written by us, from Waite's meanings and the picture.
Symbols and correspondencesAt a glance
- Number
- VIII
- Hebrew letter
- Teth
- Astrology
- Leo
- Element
- Fire
- Upright
- Power
- Reversed
- Despotism
QuestionsCommon questions
Yes. Courage, energy, success. Use your power gently.
A warm, loyal bond held by patience. Strong feelings handled with care.
Yes. Stay patient and calm.
Waite calls it the symbol of life. Our Magician has the same sign over his head.
Leo, a fire sign, in the Golden Dawn system. Its Hebrew letter is Teth.
Waite's Strength is the higher nature set free, leading the passions on a chain of flowers. It's the confidence of people who found their refuge in something greater than themselves.
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911Card meanings and quotes: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911. Hebrew letter, sign and element: the Golden Dawn's Book T. Colours, life situations, yes or no and questions: written by us, from Waite's meanings and the picture.
All 22 major cards