Strength in Tarot: Meaning of Arcanum XI

You have drawn Strength, and that is excellent news. This card, where a woman effortlessly opens a lion's jaws, is one of the most reassuring in the Marseille tarot. It tells you that you have within you the resources to cope. But be careful: Strength is not what you think. It speaks neither of muscle nor of domination. It speaks of quiet mastery, gentle courage, self confidence. Here is how to read it so that it really serves you.

What the card shows

A woman, wearing a wide hat similar to the Magician's, stands upright. With her hands, she opens, or closes, a lion's jaws. She seems to make no effort. The lion does not struggle.

That is the whole message of the card: true strength does not come from force, but from inner confidence. The lion represents our instincts, our emotions, our fears. The woman does not fight them: she tames them.

Strength's keywords

• Self control, quiet courage
• Self confidence, assurance
• Gentleness, patience
• Vital energy, perseverance
• Reversed: exhaustion, loss of control, doubt

Strength in love

In a relationship

Strength announces a solid relationship, able to get through difficulties. It speaks of a passion lived with maturity, where each partner knows how to handle their emotions. If you are going through a crisis, it tells you that you have the resources to overcome it.

Single

It invites you to regain confidence in yourself. A meeting is possible, but Strength first insists on your own balance. It is when you are at peace with yourself that you attract the right people.

Facing intense bonds

Some relationships overwhelm us to the point of losing our footing. Strength reminds you that you can live a very strong connection without dissolving into it. If you are wondering about this kind of bond, our article on untangling twin flame and soulmate offers useful landmarks.

Strength at work

Strength is a very favorable card for professional life:

• handling a difficult situation calmly;
• asserting your skills without aggressiveness;
• lasting the distance on a demanding project;
• leading by example rather than by authority.

It invites you to trust your abilities, especially if you doubt yourself.

Strength and money

For money, Strength speaks of control: control of spending, of desires, of impulses. It indicates that you have the means to regain control of your financial situation. It does not announce sudden gains, but stability won back. If the question of financial luck concerns you, our article on tarot, money and luck puts things in perspective.

Strength reversed

Reversed, Strength signals that energy is poorly channeled:

• exhaustion: you have given too much;
• loss of control: emotions are taking over;
• doubt: you no longer believe in your abilities;
• excess: strength turns into harshness or stubbornness.

It is not a card of failure. It is a signal: take care of yourself, rest, find your center again.

Strength in a yes or no reading

It is a yes, provided you stay in control of the situation. "Will I succeed in this interview?" Yes, if you stay calm. "Can I get through this crisis?" Yes, with patience.

Strength and Justice: a small confusion

In the Marseille tarot, Strength bears the number XI. In the Rider Waite, it bears the number VIII, and Justice moves to XI. It is not a mistake: the two traditions made different choices. To understand the other differences between decks, see our guide on tarot spreads, the arcana and the different decks.

Common combinations

• Strength and the Chariot: success through willpower and mastery.
• Strength and the Devil: mastering your impulses, freeing yourself from an attachment.
• Strength and the Star: self confidence being reborn.
• Strength and the Hanged Man: active patience, a wait you accept.
• Strength and the Moon: taming your fears and emotions.

Strength, a card to meditate on

Strength is one of the best cards for inner work. Place it in front of you and ask yourself: what is my lion? Which emotion, which fear, which instinct do I need to tame rather than fight?

Some clients notice that images of lions or powerful animals also appear in their dreams. If that is your case, our article on recurring dreams, how to note and interpret them on your own can help you make the connection.

To practice

If you are discovering tarot, free online readings are a good way to meet Strength in different contexts. To use them wisely, read our analysis of what a free online tarot reading is really worth.

In summary

Strength is the card of self control and quiet courage. In love, it announces a solid, mature relationship. At work, the ability to handle difficulties calmly. For money, a situation taken back in hand. Reversed, it signals exhaustion. Its message: you are stronger than you think, and gentleness is your best weapon.