The Strength card depicts a serene woman in pure white robes taming a mighty lion—the king of beasts—not with force, but with a gentle touch that renders the once untamed creature calm and docile. Her crown of flowers symbolizes harmony, and above her head floats the infinity symbol (lemniscate), representing the eternal process of synthesis and the enduring nature of the human soul.
Though the imagery of the Strength card is simple, its meaning carries a great amount of depth and nuance. Lions, much like dragons, are often seen as fierce beings to be conquered with brute force. However, the Strength in Tarot represents a different kind of power—one that comes from within. The woman, embodying the purity of the soul, tames the lion’s raw, primal instincts not through aggression but with calm, unwavering inner strength. Her gentleness soothes the lion’s wild passions, symbolizing the power of self-control and compassion over force and domination.
Strength Keywords:
𓃬 Strength & Control
𓃬 Courage
𓃬 Persuasion & Influence
𓃬 Gentle Yet Firm
𓃬 Compassionate
𓃬 Taming & Focusing Passion
Weekly Guidance from Strength:
The Strength card reminds us that the human struggle to master emotions like fear, rage, and sorrow is not about suppressing or numbing them. These emotions are deeply sacred and deserve to be felt. However, like the lion in the Strength card, they must be gently guided and given direction to prevent them from running wild and causing harm. When left unchecked, these emotions can become destructive—both to ourselves and others.
For example, during an argument, we may let our emotions take over, saying things we don’t truly mean. Or, in response to events in the world, we might feel overwhelmed by rage and helplessness, spiraling into inaction. The Strength card teaches us to acknowledge these powerful feelings while channeling them in ways that are constructive and purposeful. It’s about transforming raw emotion into action that supports growth and resolution, rather than chaos.
This week, Strength invites you to take a calm yet resolute approach with yourself and others. It isn’t about using brute force, like Hercules slaying the Nemean lion with a club. Instead, you are being called to work with your emotions—and with those around you—in a way that is focused, controlled, and compassionate.
Strength asks you to embrace the balance between firmness and gentleness, showing that true power lies in directing your energy thoughtfully and purposefully.
Strength Reflection Prompts:
*Feel free to revisit these prompts throughout the week or towards the end as you contemplate the ways in which this card's energy manifested for you.
𓃬 Where in my life am I feeling the pull of strong emotions that could overwhelm me if left unchecked? How can I gently guide these feelings in a way that supports growth and resolution, rather than letting them run wild?
𓃬 What situations in my past have shown me the power of inner calm and self-control? How did choosing patience and understanding over reaction shape those outcomes, and how can I draw on that strength now?
𓃬 How can I approach my emotions—both the gentle and the fierce—with compassion and direction? What practices can help me channel their energy constructively, transforming challenges into opportunities for grace and empowerment?
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