When Strength lands in a reading, readers lean in.
Strength upright
Courage, inner strength, patience, compassion, gentle power.
Strength reversed
Self-doubt, raw emotion, impatience, insecurity, forcing.
Keywords: courage, inner strength, patience, compassion, gentle power
The classic reading (Waite, 1911)
- Upright: Power, energy, action, courage, magnanimity; also complete success and honours.
- Reversed: Despotism, abuse of power, weakness, discord, sometimes even disgrace.
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot is the oldest layer of the card — modern readers soften and expand these meanings.
Golden Dawn correspondences
- title The Daughter of the Flaming Sword
- Zodiac Leo
- zodiac Leo
Fortune telling with Strength
- Your self-control will be tested
- A woman will seek to change her partner or lover
- You are a strong, capable person
The light and the shadow
In its light, Strength: Imposing restrictions on yourself for your own benefit Bringing your passions under the control of reason Resisting impulses that work against your best interests Taking bold action
The reversed trap of Strength: Indulging weakness, even when you know it will damage your health and happiness Languishing in addiction Allowing your instincts to tame and conquer you Failing to take a stand when necessary
- Archetype: The Law
Questions to ask Strength
- To what extent is your life (or work) balanced?
- How can you achieve greater objectivity?
- What course of action would be fair to everyone concerned?
The extended portrait, upright
The Strength card in the upright position represents inner strength and courage. It suggests the ability to approach challenges with patience and compassion, as well as a determination to overcome obstacles. This card represents taming one's inner beast and using one's strength in a positive manner.
The extended portrait, reversed
When the Strength card appears in the reversed position, it can indicate a lack of inner strength and a tendency towards fear or cowardice. This card can also represent a lack of control, particularly in regards to aggression or intimidation. It is important to work on building inner strength and facing fears in this situation.
Card details
- Arcana: Major Arcana
- Yes or no: a soft yes
- Published: June 17, 2026
Read Strength in context
- Strength — love meaning
- Strength — career meaning
- Strength — money meaning
- Strength — yes-or-no verdict
- Strength reversed, in full
Strength in combinations
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Old correspondences
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Zodiac: Leo — card of the Leo decan