Strength Tarot Card: Symbolism, Interpretation & Upright Meaning

Strength is a beautiful card, marking the beginning of the second line in The Fool’s Journey. This stage takes us inwards, guiding us to explore the deeper lessons of who we truly are. Strength is the first step on this more introspective path, and is a place of unification and harmony.

When you lay the Major Arcana in rows, it’s no coincidence that the Magician and Strength sit directly beneath one another, each with an infinity symbol floating above their heads. Together, they show us the connection between personal will and universal flow, and how true transformation lies in blending both.

Symbolism and Imagery of Strength Tarot Card

In the Rider–Waite Tarot, the card depicts a woman holding the head of a red lion. The lion is drawn from alchemical symbolism, where the red lion represents transformation and raw life force. Rather than battling the lion into submission, the woman demonstrates calm control through compassion and trust.

This imagery reminds us that transformation happens when we reconcile the seemingly opposing qualities within ourselves: our infinite soul and our finite body, our higher self and our ego, our instinctual, animalistic drives and our divine qualities. The goal here isn’t to destroy one in favour of the other, but to weave them together and move fluidly between them.

Upright Strength Tarot Card Meaning

When Strength appears, the meaning of this tarot card is a reminder that true strength doesn’t come from force, striving, or sheer willpower. Action for its own sake is not power. Real strength lies in knowing when the right moment to act has arrived. That wisdom only comes from getting quiet so you can connect to the subtle energies within yourself and your environment.

Strength also asks us to look at the intention behind our actions. The lion within us is necessary as it fuels our transformation, passion, and drive. But without compassion, it can turn destructive. Strength reminds us that we can’t shame or criticise ourselves into becoming better. Growth happens when we soften, when we extend loving kindness towards ourselves, and when we accept even the parts we once tried to push away.

The infinity symbol above the woman’s head represents the eternal flow of the universe, which is a reminder that we cannot control its pace. Instead, our task is to blend our sensitivity with our ambition, our gentleness with our drive. Balance isn’t about choosing one over the other, but about finding joy in uniting both.

Reversed Meaning of Strength Tarot Card

Reversed cards take their meaning from context, so tune into your intuition and the surrounding cards when Strength appears this way. And as always, if reversed readings don’t feel aligned for you, you don’t have to use them.

Shadow Side

In reverse, Strength may suggest that one side of you is overpowering the other. You could be leaning too heavily into the lion (i.e. pride, stubbornness, or relentless force) using up all your energy trying to push things through. Or you may be overly identified with sensitivity (i.e. falling into people-pleasing, avoiding conflict, or endlessly reflecting without action). The message is the same: it’s time to restore balance and integrate both qualities.

An Obstacle on Your Path

Sometimes, reversed Strength highlights that you’re relying too much on old patterns of pushing past your limits. That approach may have carried you this far, but it’s no longer sustainable. Instead, you’re being asked to slow down, listen to your body, and honour your deeper needs. From that grounded place, you can take joyful action, and move forward at a pace that truly works for you.

Final Thoughts

Strength is not about dominance or control, but about compassion, patience, and trust in your own inner rhythm. It shows us that transformation doesn’t come from silencing parts of ourselves, but from weaving them together into wholeness.

This card invites you to pause, soften, and reconnect with your heart. You are strongest when your actions are guided by both courage and kindness. When you learn to honour the lion within, not through force, but through compassion, you’ll discover a power that is unshakable, steady, and deeply aligned with who you really are.