Understanding The Strength Card

There are many tools of divination available to those who wish to seek them out, but one of the most iconic and easy to learn is the deck of Tarot. In beginning to understand Tarot, there are four suits: swords, cups, wands and pentacles, as well as Major Arcana, iconic cards that have a whole different series of meanings in the deck and are universally considered the more important part of the deck. In continuing study of the Major Arcana, next is the 8 Card, Strength.

In Tarot, the strength card is not indicative of initial physical strength, but rather the inner strength that all of us have inside of us. This strength is a combination of primal, id-based logic, as well as the higher, intellectual strength we have. For this reason, the typical iconography for the Strength card is that of a woman soothing a lion, where the lion represents the Id's primitive desires, and the woman is the inner, calming intellectual and emotional strength. This card often truly represents the notion of having courage that must be tempered with one's sense of compassion, as it can be very difficult to look within to face any of those primal desires.

Upright in a Tarot reading, the Strength card will indicate the sign of new opportunities appearing, however they will require strength and the ability to take risks in order to find success. You will need your inner courage to convince yourself to take the leap towards success. Often, this can suggest reconciling with someone you may have had a falling out with, or an inner conflict where you will need to battle what method you should use to help get what you want. Diplomatic action is often the best option in these situations, but teaching oneself that discipline can be very difficult, albeit necessary. By learning how to control oneself and learning that inner strength, doors will be opened that were initially closed because you will be unwilling to allow others to bully or push you aside in favour of other candidates. If this card appears in a Love Tarot reading, expect this to represent a passionate, intense relationship, or that you are attracting many potential suitors. The key words for this card are as follows: compassion, healing, diplomacy, gentility, patience, and strength.

When reversed, or ill-dignified, the Strength card often directly refers to a loss of "nerve" or willpower when faced with that new opportunity. Instead of taking the risks needed, you have not, and may have missed the opportunity. This card can also represent that you have been unable to fight your Id, and therefore, your primal desires have become the primary focus of your life, and not the more intellectual pursuits. The main focus is to face challenges and fears and to take back power, as the reversed card shows that you are allowing others to wash over you. The key words for the reversed card are: addiction, fear of risk-taking, ill health, weak, powerlessness, giving into temptation, dependency