Strength Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes/No

By The Mystica Editorial Team · Checked against our editorial standards · Updated 20 September 2026 · 6 min read

Quiet strength will get you further than force today. Meet difficult feelings, and difficult people, with calm patience.

Arcana	Major Arcana
Number	8 (VIII)
Element	Fire
Astrology	Leo
Hebrew letter	Teth (Golden Dawn attribution)
Yes or no	Yes
Upright	courage, patience, gentle power, compassion
Reversed	self-doubt, impatience, drained energy

Pamela Colman Smith · Rider–Waite–Smith (1909)

Strength symbolism

A woman in a white robe gently closes, or opens, the jaws of a lion. An infinity symbol floats above her head and a garland of flowers is wrapped around her waist and the lion's neck. She masters the beast without force. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck Strength is number eight; in older Marseille-style decks it is number eleven, a switch made by the Golden Dawn to match astrological correspondences.

The descriptions on this site refer to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (1909), illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and designed with Arthur Edward Waite, which is the reference for most modern tarot. Other decks may show different imagery with a similar meaning.

Upright meaning

• courage
• patience
• gentle power
• compassion

Strength is the card of inner courage and gentle power. It shows that the challenge in front of you will not be solved by force, but by patience, compassion and steady self-control.

The lion represents strong emotions and instincts, including fear, anger and desire. Strength does not suppress them; it guides them. When this card appears, you have more resilience than you realise, and the way through is calm persistence.

Reversed meaning

• self-doubt
• impatience
• drained energy

Reversed, Strength points to self-doubt, low energy or emotions that feel out of control. You may be doubting your ability to cope or reacting impulsively instead of responding calmly.

The reversed card asks you to reconnect with your inner resources. Rest, reduce pressure where you can and treat yourself with the same patience you would offer someone else.

New to reversals? Our guide to reading reversed tarot cards explains the different ways readers interpret an upside-down card.

Strength in love and relationships

Strength as feelings

As feelings, Strength means someone feels a deep, steady attraction and admiration for you. They see you as strong and feel safe with you.

Career and work

At work, Strength is about persistence and handling difficult people or situations diplomatically. It favours leadership through influence rather than authority.

Money and finances

With money, Strength advises self-control: resisting impulse spending and staying committed to a plan even when it is tempting to give up.

Is Strength a yes or no card?

Number, element and astrology

Strength is card 8 (VIII) of the Major Arcana, the 22 trump cards that describe life's big lessons and turning points. In the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn's system, which shaped the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, it is attributed to the Hebrew letter Teth and to Leo, giving it the element of fire.

Advice from Strength

Be gentle and firm at the same time. The quietest form of courage is often the most effective one.

Example reading

This example is written by our editors to show how the card is read in context. It is not a real client's reading. See our tarot spreads for how positions change a card's meaning.

Strength in question readings

What Strength says when it lands in a specific position. These are the interpretations our free readings by question show for this card.

• As their feelings (Does my ex still love me?): This person feels a quiet, patient affection for you. Their emotions have softened, and they may regret harsh moments. Beneath a calm exterior there is gentleness and a real, enduring tenderness.
• As what they are not showing (Does he like me?): They are hiding the intensity of their feelings. Behind their composure lies desire they are carefully managing. They may be waiting, not from lack of interest, but because they want to approach you gently.
• As the outcome in a reconciliation reading (Will he come back?): This leans toward healing through patience. Reconciliation is possible if handled gently and with emotional maturity. Whatever happens, you are gaining inner strength, and you will come through this steadier than before.
• As what is coming in love (Will I find love?): A loving connection is coming, one built on patience and mutual respect. Strength points to someone kind yet passionate, and to a relationship where courage and tenderness go hand in hand.
• As the outcome for work (Will I get the job?): This leans toward success through persistence and composure. Challenges will be met and overcome. The job, the exam, or the business goal is achievable if you keep going with calm determination.
• As advice (What should I do?): Approach this with compassion, for yourself and others. Stay calm, be brave, and trust your resilience. Kindness is not weakness; it is the strongest position you can take here. Soft hands can hold firm.
• Reversed in a love reading (Will we get back together?): Reversed, Strength points to insecurity, impatience, or emotional outbursts. This person may lack the courage to reach out, or you may doubt your worth. Focus on rebuilding confidence before seeking a reunion.

Pulled Strength next to another card? See what they mean together with the tarot card combinations tool.

Popular combinations with Strength: Strength + The Chariot.

Strength as a birth card or year card

In the birth card system of Mary K. Greer, Strength belongs to constellation 8, together with The Star. Find out whether it is one of your cards with the tarot birth card calculator, or whether it rules your year with the tarot year card calculator.

Related cards

Dream symbols linked to this card

Hair, Wolf. Our dream dictionary explains how the same symbolism appears in dreams.