Strength
Meaning, Symbolism & The Power of Inner Will
Strength Tarot: Meaning, Symbolism & The Power of Inner Will
The Path to Severity: Strength & The Tree of Life
To truly understand the Strength tarot card, we must first examine its path on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. Strength represents the journey between Chesed (Mercy) and Gevurah (Severity)—a path that requires balance between compassion and discipline.
To cross this path, we must venture into the desert of Da’at (Knowledge)—the invisible Sephirah that unites all ten Sephirot. Da’at is where ideas become reality, and this is the lesson of Strength.
Unlike The Chariot, which demands outward willpower and control, Strength asks us to turn inward—to subdue our raw, animalistic instincts and align with our Higher Self. The truth we seek is not in the external world, but within us.
To move closer to true reality, we must find the strength to release the ego—the “I”. And that, by far, is the most difficult task for any human being.
Strength & The Power of Leo
The Strength tarot is ruled by Leo, the Zodiac sign of the Lion. The lion typically symbolizes brute force, but in Strength, this force is not used for destruction—it is controlled, directed, and refined.
Leo is ruled by the Sun, a symbol of pure solar power and divine energy. The lion within us is our raw, primal force, but the Sun illuminates a path beyond our limitations, showing that true strength is not about domination—but about self-mastery.
Watch: The Strength Tarot Card Meaning
For a deeper understanding of the Strength tarot, watch the video below.
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Discover the CoursesThe Serpent: The Wisdom of Strength
The Hebrew letter associated with Strength is ‘Teth’ (ט), which means Serpent. The connection between Lion and Serpent is profound—they can be interchanged, as both symbolize power, transformation, and wisdom.
• The Lion represents raw energy and untamed instincts.
• The Serpent represents wisdom, cunning, and hidden knowledge.
Through Strength, we learn to channel our inner power not through force, but through wisdom—taming the beast within by using the intelligence of the serpent.
Ouroboros: The Infinite Cycle of Strength
Encircling the woman and the lion in the Strength tarot is the Ouroboros—one of the oldest mystical symbols. This serpent devouring its own tail represents:
• The infinite nature of the Universe
• Creation through destruction
• Life emerging from death
In the Ouroboros, the past (the tail) seems to disappear, but it does not vanish—it simply moves into an inner reality. This is the lesson of Strength: our raw energy must be redirected inward, rather than wasted outward.
The Woman & The Lion: Mastery Over the Self
The woman in Strength is not forcing or fighting the lion—she has merged with it. She is a symbol of willpower controlling raw life force.
She represents Carl Jung’s archetype of the “Wise Old Man”—a figure of wisdom who has:
• Tamed the wild animal within
• Subjugated instinct through higher consciousness
• Transformed brute force into spiritual power
Her strength is not physical—it is mental and spiritual discipline.
The Strength Card in Readings
In a tarot reading, the Hierophant tarot often signals a time of structured learning, mentorship, or adherence to tradition. He may indicate formal education, joining a spiritual community, or following a belief system that provides stability and meaning
Strength in the Thoth Tarot
In Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot, Strength is renamed “Lust”—emphasizing passion, courage, and the fearless embrace of power. Unlike traditional decks, Crowley’s Strength is wild and untamed, symbolizing the integration of raw force with spiritual will.
To explore Strength in the Thoth Tarot, visit Crowley-Thoth.com.
Final Thoughts
The Strength tarot is a card of power, but not the kind that dominates—it is the power that refines, transforms, and aligns with wisdom.
It reminds us that true strength is not about overpowering others, but about mastering the self.
If Strength appears in your reading, ask yourself: Are you fighting the beast—or have you tamed it?
Looking for a full list of cards? Explore all 78 tarot card meanings here.
