The Strength is the eleventh card of the Major Arcana of the Tarot of Marseilles - in the Tarot Rider Waite it corresponds to the eighth card, but its meaning is identical. This archetype symbolizes the fusion of the conscious with the unconscious, but also the strength of feminine power. Discover the meaning of The Strength card in the Tarot, the indications it gives when it is drawn upright, reversed or combined with other cards and its possible application to the various facets of life and everyday issues.
The Major Arcana number tells you what stage you are in for a particular situation or problem. Ask the Tarot your question and interpret the Arcana according to its number and its position in the deck. These cards follow a storyline that tells of the spiritual travels taken from the innocent wonder of The Fool to the oneness and fulfillment of The World. In other words, these cards tell the story of humanity's spiritual evolution into enlightenment and individuation - when his life experiences are complete, he returns to zero, The Fool. Despite the divinatory meaning of the cards, think of the Tarot as a journey. If you look at the cards that come out in this way, with each question you ask, it becomes easier to intuitively interpret the cards and see their messages as a life story.
Index
The Strength Tarot Card Description
- Major Arcana XI
- Zodiacal Affinity - Leo
- Keywords - Courage, physical strength, determination, willpower, justice, harmony, equality, cause and effect.
- Key Expressions - Objective reasoning restores balance; value of communication to clarify the truth and avoid misunderstandings; acceptance of reality; taking responsibility for choices made; ability to see both sides of the issue; sexual equality.
- Advice - Be patient; draw on your inner strength.
- Reverted Meaning - Avoiding conflict rather than confronting a challenge.
The Illustration
The illustration in this card shows a woman who opens a lion's throat with both hands. On her head, she wears a tricolor hat reminiscent of The Magician and the symbol of infinity. The Strength is the archetype of female power, which dominates the beast. Due to its subtlety and tenderness, female power is substantially different from male power, based on brutality and aggressiveness. This card conveys an idea of vigor but not of effort.
The lion seems to show no resistance to the woman's act. This arcana represents the logical use of instinct (symbolized by the lion), but without destroying it. Instincts are necessary and stimulate action. Your energy and strength can be put to good use when you know how to use them with reason and purpose.
The number 11 of the card refers to dualities, the relationship between the two forces: the body and the spirit, instinctive energy and spiritual energy. In Numerology, the number 11 is one of the "master numbers". It is the number of inspiration that allows us to understand that we live between two worlds. In Kabbalah, it corresponds to path number 19 on the Tree of Life: the mercy of severity.
The Symbology
The meaning of this card can be interpreted as the ability to resist enormous pressure and to triumph over it. The Strength is a very positive card when it comes to health-related issues, suggesting a speedy recovery. If the client is thinking about quitting a harmful habit, such as smoking, or starting a healthier lifestyle, it means that they will have the necessary willpower to do so.
The Strength can also indicate the fight for justice. Courage and determination will win the battle. This card emphasizes the willpower, the mental power and the self-confidence necessary to overcome obstacles and challenges, but also the strength it takes to advance in new projects or keep to decisions. The presence of The Strength in a Tarot reading guarantees that the person will be able to stand up to people who are envious or who are around to try to gain an advantage.
The Strength Tarot Card Meaning
Upright Strength Meaning
- Upright Love Meaning - Confidence drawing lovers together; strong caring relationship.
- Upright Career Meaning - Self mastery at work; bold career moves; taking big steps.
- Upright Finances Meaning - Large purchases; controlled spending.
In a Tarot reading in which this card is drawn upright, its interpretation can mean that the person must believe in their abilities and remove all personal doubts and insecurities. Everything you need to fulfill your desires is inside you.
This card also warns that battles should not be fought against ourselves but against adversity or against those toxic people who insist on staying in our lives. The consultant probably knows exactly what to do to defend his interests and establish his position. All you need to do is move forward and believe in your abilities to put your plan into practice.
Reversed Strength Meaning
- Reversed Love Meaning - Self esteem issues; insecurity; negativity about love.
- Reversed Career Meaning - Impostor syndrome; insecurity; fear of making big moves.
- Reversed Finances Meaning - Compulsive spending; hesitancy about spending.
When The Strength is drawn in a reversed position, the most important message is that the main battle to be fought is against one's own insecurity or fear. This position can also suggest that the person is about to give up, that he has chickened out, or that he has lost the patience to try to achieve his goals. Surrender seems imminent despite having everything to achieve victory. It can also suggest that the consultant needs outside help until he is able to take control of the situation. This question can apply to emotional as well as practical matters, namedly, at work or financially.
The Strength Combinations with Other Tarot Cards
In conjunction with The Hanged Man, The Strength card indicates an unusual ability to control any type of situation. With The Emperor, it indicates possible alliances, while with The Death, The Devil or any higher Sword suit cards, it predicts difficult battles. Combined with The Fool, it alerts to the need to make a clear distinction between what are thought to be acts of courage, versus imprudence and impetuosity.
The Major Arcana Tarot
The Major Arcana, or Great Mysteries, are seen as symbols of great issues, moments or people. Each card represents a human archetype, evoking the most varied feelings, moral positions and behaviors.
- 0 - The Fool Tarot Card Meaning
- I - The Magician Tarot Card Meaning
- II - The High Priestess Tarot Card Meaning
- III - The Empress Tarot Card Meaning
- IV - The Emperor Tarot Card Meaning
- V - The Pope/The Hierophant Tarot Card Meaning
- VI - The Lovers Tarot Card Meaning
- VII - The Chariot Tarot Card Meaning
- VIII - The Justice Tarot Card Meaning
- IX - The Hermit Tarot Card Meaning
- X - The Wheel of Fortune Meaning
- XI - The Strength Tarot Card Meaning
- XII - The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meaning
- XIII - The Death Tarot Card Meaning
- XIV - The Temperance Tarot Card Meaning
- XV - The Devil Tarot Card Meaning
- XVI - The Tower Tarot Card Meaning
- XVII - The Star Tarot Card Meaning
- XVIII - The Moon Tarot Card Meaning
- XIX - The Sun Tarot Card Meaning
- XX - The Judgement Tarot Card Meaning
- XXI - The World Tarot Card Meaning
Reading, Meanings and Interpretation of the Tarot Major Arcana
Tarot is used as a tool for self-discovery and self-knowledge. In this sense, more than guessing the future, it serves to read and interpret all the elements of our life: it describes the current moment, clarifies the motives, desires and intentions, pointing out the path and the energies present in our life.
The possible readings for each Tarot card are practically infinite. There is no unique interpretation for each card, for each layout of cards or for each reading method. Tarot is based on intuition. Each person who reads the message of a card, or a set of cards, intuitively unravels the meaning of the card's message and how it connects with their own reality and circumstances of life.
The word "arcana" comes from Latin and means "secret" and, in the Tarot, the Major Arcana are considered universal, symbolic and figurative: they are considered symbolic of great issues, moments or people. They are archetypes, that is, they represent the most diverse feelings, moral positions and human behaviors. When they appear in a reading, it indicates an important event or decision, whether practical, spiritual, or emotional. They also establish correspondence with the astrological signs and planets.