Card Basics

The Strength card

8. Strength

Number: 8 English Name: Strength Element: Fire Astrology: Leo Hebrew Letter: Teth Keywords: Inner Strength, Patience, Gentleness, Courage, Self-Control, Compassion

Symbolism and Imagery

Key Symbolic Elements

Female Figure

  • Meaning: Integration of gentleness and strength.
  • Interpretation: Maternal embrace and courage.
  • Posture: Calm and loving demeanor.

White Robe

  • Meaning: Purity, spiritual cleanliness.
  • Interpretation: Power emanating from an innocent heart.

Infinity Symbol (∞)

  • Position: Above her head.
  • Meaning: Eternal power, spiritual energy.
  • Interpretation: Infinite potential and endurance.

Flower Wreath

  • Meaning: Harmony with nature, beauty and grace.
  • Interpretation: Symbol of feminine power.

Lion

  • Meaning: Wild power, instinctive energy.
  • State: Submissive and gentle.
  • Interpretation: Control over inner wildness.

Gently Gripping Hand

  • Meaning: Domination through love.
  • Interpretation: Control through gentleness, not violence.

Mountain Background

  • Meaning: Trials and difficulties.
  • Interpretation: Challenges to overcome.

Blue Sky

  • Meaning: Peace, tranquility, spiritual height.
  • Interpretation: Mental serenity.

Upright Meaning

Basic Meaning

  • Inner Strength: Mental fortitude and courage.
  • Patience: The ability to endure difficulties.
  • Gentleness: A loving attitude and compassion.
  • Self-Control: Control over emotions and desires.
  • Courage: The heart to face fear.
  • Endurance: The power to continue long-term efforts.

In Love and Relationships

  • Healing Through Love: Love that gently embraces the other’s heart.
  • Patient Love: Deep affection that overcomes difficulties.
  • Inner Charm: Inner beauty rather than outward appearance.
  • Relationship Repair: Improving relationships through love.
  • Mature Love: A relationship of love that has grown spiritually.

In Work and Career

  • Overcoming Difficulties: Overcoming trials in the workplace.
  • Leadership: Leadership that combines gentleness and strength.
  • Continuous Effort: Steady progress towards long-term goals.
  • Human Relations Adjustment: Smoothing out workplace relationships.
  • Development of Expertise: Patiently honing skills.

In Money and Material Matters

  • Sound Management: Patient asset building.
  • Long-term Investment: Sustainable investment strategy.
  • Financial Self-Control: Self-restraint from wasteful spending.
  • Overcoming Difficult Times: Dealing with financial difficulties.
  • Valuable Investment: Investing in what is truly valuable.

In Spirituality

  • Inner Growth: Development of spiritual strength.
  • Compassion: Empathy and compassion for others.
  • Self-Mastery: Control over emotions and desires.
  • Spiritual Courage: The courage to seek truth.
  • Transformation Through Love: Inner change through the power of love.

Reversed Meaning

Basic Meaning

  • Inner Weakness: Mental fragility or instability.
  • Lack of Patience: Inability to endure.
  • Violent Force: Use of aggressive force.
  • Lack of Self-Control: Inability to control emotions.
  • Cowardice: A state dominated by fear.

In Love and Relationships

  • Dominating Love: Trying to control the partner.
  • Emotional Instability: Intense ups and downs in affection.
  • Lack of Patience: Insufficient patience in the relationship.
  • Lack of Inner Charm: A relationship relying solely on outward appearance.
  • Emotional Depletion: Decline in the ability to love.

In Work and Career

  • Yielding to Difficulties: Giving up in the face of trials.
  • Authoritarianism: Coercive management through power.
  • Lack of Persistence: Inability to sustain long-term efforts.
  • Worsening Human Relations: Conflicts and disputes in the workplace.
  • Stagnation of Expertise: Lack of effort for growth.

In Money and Material Matters

  • Impulsive Spending: Wasteful spending due to lack of self-control.
  • Short-term Judgment: Investment failure due to impatience.
  • Financial Instability: Failure in financial management.
  • Inadequate Response to Difficulties: Inappropriate handling of financial problems.
  • Value Confusion: Not knowing what is truly valuable.

Deeper Meaning and Philosophy

Philosophical Interpretation

Strength expresses the essence of “true power.” This is related to “courage,” one of the “four cardinal virtues” of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato.

  • Stoic Philosophy: Inner peace and self-control.
  • Buddhism: Compassion and forbearance.
  • Christianity: Victory through love.

Psychological Interpretation

Jungian Psychology Interpretation:

  • Anima: The feminine aspect within a man.
  • Shadow Integration: Acceptance and control of the dark side.
  • Self-Realization: Harmony of inner conflicts.

Personality Psychology Interpretation:

  • Self-Regulation: Ability to control impulses.
  • Emotion Regulation: Appropriate management of emotions.
  • Resilience: Ability to recover from difficulties.

Spiritual Meaning

  • Bodhisattva: Salvation through compassion.
  • Virgin Mary: Maternal love and protection.
  • Goddess Power: Creative and healing power.
  • Kundalini: Inner spiritual energy.

Practical Reading

Interpretation Examples by Question

“Can I overcome this difficulty?”

  • Upright: You will surely overcome it with inner strength. Approach it with patience and love.
  • Reversed: You tend to be emotional now. Calm down and remember gentleness.

“Can I improve this relationship?”

  • Upright: The relationship will improve with love and patience. Understand and treat the other person gently.
  • Reversed: You are being too dominating. Understand the other person’s position and review your actions.

“Do I have the strength for a new challenge?”

  • Upright: You have sufficient inner strength. Challenge with confidence.
  • Reversed: You are not yet ready. First, prepare yourself internally before challenging.

Combinations with Other Cards

Strength + The Chariot

  • Perfect balance of power. Integration of willpower and gentleness.

Strength + The Hermit

  • Strength through inner wisdom. Spiritual maturity.

Strength + Judgment

  • Transformation by higher power. Spiritual rebirth.

Strength + The Devil

  • Battle with temptation. Importance of self-control.

Meditation and Work

Strength Meditation

  1. Preparation: Place the Strength card in a quiet place.
  2. Breathing: Deep, slow, loving breaths.
  3. Visualization: Imagine yourself gently touching a lion.
  4. Emotion: Approach with love, not fear.
  5. Control: Experience controlling inner wildness with love.
  6. Compassion: Feel compassionate love for all beings.
  7. Integration: Resolve to apply that loving power to daily life.

Journaling Questions

  • Where does my true strength lie?
  • What situation requires the most patience from me?
  • How do I express love?
  • What does my inner “lion” represent?
  • What can I change with gentleness?

Utilizing the Energy of Strength in Daily Life

Daily Practice:

  • Deal with difficult situations with love and patience.
  • Gently control your emotions.
  • Treat others with compassion.
  • Act by believing in your inner strength.
  • Transform violent impulses with love.

Strength Affirmations:

  • “I possess true strength through love.”
  • “I overcome difficulties with patience and gentleness.”
  • “My inner power is compassionate and constructive.”
  • “I control my emotions with love.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If Strength appears, should I be forceful? A: Strength does not represent violent force, but inner strength through love and patience. It is important to act with gentleness and compassion.

Q: Does a reversed Strength mean weakness? A: Not necessarily. It indicates that power is not being used appropriately, or that you are being too emotional.

Q: What is the difference between Strength and The Chariot? A: The Chariot represents progress through willpower, while Strength represents control through love. The Chariot is the principle of “conquering,” and Strength is the principle of “integrating.”

Summary

Strength teaches us that our true inner strength comes from love and compassion. This card indicates that when facing difficulties, what is needed is not violent force, but inner strength through patience and gentleness.

The energy of Strength gives us the courage to control our emotions and impulses with love, and to treat all beings with compassion. True victory is gained through love.