Strength

The Symbolism Contained in the Image

A woman is soothing a lion. The lion symbolises the whole force of the human personality with its desires, feelings, passions and fears. This is what the Chariot sought to control. The woman in the Strength card is facing the lion, "befriending" it and taming it with her warmth, love and gentleness. She has the inner strength and confidence to engage with the genie that the Chariot wanted to keep in the bottle. The bright sky and the flowers around her waist remind of the Empress and her warm and loving approach. The infinite symbol suggests the woman is connected to a source of energy that has no beginning and no ending. This is a card for recognising that you are every bit as courageous as you think you are and capable of taming all the demons and angels within.

General Meaning

In a general reading, this card indicates that the querent has the courage and strength to face life despite any doubts they might have. The challenges that come your way may be external or may be a result of inner fears. Either way, the suggestion here is that you have what it takes to overcome this. Many people are afraid to express the full range of their emotions and desires for fear that once this "beast" is out they will not be able to control it. The Strength card suggests that letting the "beast" out of the cage and allowing it to live out in the sunshine requires inner courage. And it requires you to tame it through nurturing it with love and compassion. The final message is that you have this courage and everything else that is needed.

In Reverse

The Strength reversed indicates weakness. The querent has insufficient faith in their abilities to tame the lion and as a result loses hope and sinks into inner agony. Unsure of themselves they seek something or someone to lean on. The result is escapist tendencies. Escapism can manifest as an intense focus on unimportant side matters or as involvement in dominant or submissive relationship roles.

Relationship Meaning

In a relationship reading, this card means that the partners have the courage to be close to one another on an intimate level. They have sufficient inner strength to be authentic in the relationship and allow the other person to know their vulnerabilities. They talk and listen to one another thus forging a genuine connection.

Career Meaning

In a career reading, the Strength card indicates boldness and courage to follow your dreams. Confidence to take the lead and implement your ideas. This confidence comes with warmth and openness that prevents from being mistaken for negative ambitions. You dream big but you want to take others with you and that makes you a magnetic and trustworthy leader.

In reverse, in indicates self-doubt and hesitance in coming forward. You are unsure of the value you can bring and as a result hold yourself back from calls to step up to the plate and give your dreams a shot.

Finance Meaning

In a financial reading, the Strength card indicated grand purhcases that reflect your growing self-confidence. Your horizons are widening, your optimism about the future is growing and now that is reflecting in your finances and the spending choices you make.

In reverse, the card represents hesitance to invest in yourself. Perhaps you want to sign up for a course or upgrade your wardrobe but you are unsure if you can afford projecting that image.

Alternatively, the other exteme is also possible - spending recklessly on overpriced items to prove your worth. At the root of such behavior is self-doubt and uncertainty about your value and qualities - the reversed Strength.