Strength (VIII)
Strength and Its Meaning for Healing
(Keywords: Courage, inner strength, patience, mastery over emotions)
Overview of Strength
The Strength card is the eighth card in the Major Arcana (sometimes numbered XI in certain decks), representing inner fortitude, resilience, patience, and emotional mastery. Traditionally, it depicts a serene woman gently taming a lion, a symbol of raw instinct, passion, and untamed emotions. Rather than controlling the lion through force, she guides it with compassion, understanding, and inner strength. Above her head, the infinity symbol represents spiritual endurance and boundless strength from within.
This card teaches that true strength is not about brute force or domination but about self-mastery, emotional balance, and the ability to face challenges with grace. Strength is about courage in the face of adversity, perseverance through hardships, and the power of calm determination over aggression.
When Strength appears in a reading, it suggests that resilience, patience, and quiet confidence are needed to overcome obstacles. It encourages trust in one's own capacity to endure and thrive without resorting to fear, anger, or external force.
Strength and Healing
Strength is one of the most profound healing cards in the tarot, as it teaches that healing comes from gentleness, self-trust, and emotional resilience. Healing is not about suppressing pain or overpowering struggles—it is about embracing emotions with patience and compassion, knowing that true power lies in acceptance and control over reactions.
Healing Through Emotional Mastery and Self-Compassion
A core message of Strength is the ability to control emotions without repressing them. Just as the woman in the card does not forcefully suppress the lion but instead soothes it, healing requires acknowledging and working through emotions rather than ignoring or fighting them. Many struggle with overwhelming emotions, whether it be anxiety, anger, sadness, or fear, and attempt to suppress them. Strength teaches that true healing happens when one meets these emotions with understanding rather than resistance.
Self-compassion plays a crucial role in this process. Strength reminds us that healing takes time, and being patient with oneself is essential. Instead of harsh self-criticism or frustration over setbacks, this card encourages gentle encouragement, reminding us that each step forward—no matter how small—is a victory.
Healing Through Resilience and Perseverance
Healing is rarely a linear process. There are moments of progress, but also times of difficulty and doubt. Strength reassures us that endurance is key, and even when challenges arise, the power to continue exists within.
Some struggles require long-term commitment to healing, whether it be recovering from trauma, mental health challenges, or rebuilding after loss. Strength reminds us that resilience is not about pretending everything is fine, but rather about having the courage to continue, even when things feel difficult.
This card also speaks to physical healing. Chronic illness or long-term recovery often demands patience, discipline, and trust in one’s body. Strength signifies a steady, determined approach to healing, where gradual improvements lead to lasting well-being.
Healing Through Compassionate Strength in Relationships
This card extends beyond personal healing to the way we interact with others in relationships. Strength reminds us that healing is often supported by kindness, patience, and emotional understanding within interpersonal connections. Whether dealing with conflicts, misunderstandings, or supporting someone going through a difficult time, Strength teaches that true power in relationships comes from empathy, not dominance.
For those healing from relationship wounds, Strength encourages forgiveness—not necessarily for others, but for oneself. Holding onto anger or resentment only deepens pain, and healing requires releasing grudges while maintaining healthy boundaries. It also serves as a reminder that relationships should be built on mutual respect and emotional support, not control or fear.
Strength Reversed: Overview
When Strength appears reversed, its energy shifts from confidence and resilience to self-doubt, emotional struggles, or feeling overwhelmed by circumstances. The reversed Strength card may indicate a loss of inner power, fear, or an inability to manage emotions in a healthy way.
This card can appear when someone feels exhausted—physically, mentally, or emotionally—and doubts their ability to continue. It may also point to bottled-up emotions that need to be acknowledged, fear of vulnerability, or allowing anger, anxiety, or insecurity to dominate reactions.
Rather than embodying calm control, the reversed Strength suggests either giving in to impulses or completely suppressing them, both of which can block healing. It may also indicate self-criticism, perfectionism, or feelings of inadequacy preventing personal growth.
Strength Reversed and Healing
The reversed Strength highlights barriers to healing that stem from fear, self-doubt, emotional imbalances, or burnout. To restore balance, it is necessary to rebuild confidence, process emotions in a healthy way, and find inner stability again.
Healing Through Rebuilding Self-Confidence and Inner Trust
A major challenge when Strength appears reversed is a lack of self-belief or feeling incapable of healing. Self-doubt may cause avoidance of healing work, leading to stagnation or feeling trapped in past wounds. There may also be a tendency to compare oneself to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
Healing in this area requires reconnecting with personal power. Small acts of self-care, setting achievable goals, and recognizing past successes can help rebuild inner confidence. Strength reversed urges self-reassurance, reminding us that even in moments of weakness, the capacity for growth remains.
Healing Through Addressing Emotional Suppression or Outbursts
The reversed Strength often appears when emotions are either completely suppressed or expressed in destructive ways. Some may avoid dealing with their pain, pushing emotions down until they resurface uncontrollably. Others may react impulsively, allowing anger, anxiety, or sadness to control their actions.
Healing requires finding a middle ground—allowing emotions to be felt, acknowledged, and released in healthy ways. Talking to a trusted person, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in expressive activities like writing or art can help process emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them.
Healing Through Rest and Avoiding Burnout
Another meaning of reversed Strength is exhaustion—pushing too hard without taking time to rest or recharge. This card warns against neglecting self-care in favour of constant effort. Sometimes, the need for strength becomes so overwhelming that a person ignores their body’s signals for rest, leading to physical, emotional, or mental burnout.
Healing here requires honouring the body’s need for recovery. Rest is not a sign of weakness but a vital part of long-term healing. Learning to listen to when to push forward and when to slow down can prevent deeper struggles in the future.
Final Thoughts
The Strength card, both upright and reversed, teaches that healing requires patience, resilience, and emotional self-mastery. Upright, it encourages confidence, self-compassion, and the ability to face challenges with inner strength. Reversed, it warns of self-doubt, emotional struggles, or burnout that must be addressed to restore balance.
Ultimately, Strength reminds us that healing is not about overpowering difficulties but about embracing them with patience and inner wisdom. Whether through developing self-trust, processing emotions in a healthy way, or recognizing when to rest, healing is a process of learning to guide oneself with kindness, courage, and perseverance.
Part of the self-designed Healing Tarot deck – coming soon.
