Key Meanings

Upright

Inner power, courage, patience, compassion, self-control, quiet confidence, gentle influence, resilience, taming raw emotions, bravery through softness, emotional maturity, persistence

Reversed

Self-doubt, lack of confidence, giving in to fear, emotional weakness, aggression, losing composure, burnout, insecurity, feeling powerless, raw uncontrolled emotion, harshness, fragile willpower

General Interpretation

Upright

Strength is not about brute force. It's about something much more difficult to master. True inner strength. The kind of strength it takes to keep your cool when every fibre of your being is screaming at you to lash out. This Major Arcana card signifies having the ability to face fear, doubt and even anger with dignity rather than violence. It signifies emotional control and knowing that you have the patience to endure and the resilience to overcome any challenge.

Reversed

As with the upright meaning, Strength in a reversed position is usually an indicator of inner strength and confidence. The difference being, in the reversed position, that confidence may be faltering. Strength reversed can indicate that you are doubting yourself or losing control of your emotions. It can also signify that you are allowing your aggression or frustration to lead you instead of your patience. Or it can simply indicate that you feel small or powerless in a certain situation. Strength reversed shows where someone is emotionally struggling or where someone has replaced self-love with self-criticism.

Love & Partnership

Upright

For those already in a relationship, Strength upright indicates that you and your partner have a strong relationship founded on mutual respect. Emotional maturity is a hallmark of your relationship. You can let your guard down around each other. If you have disagreements, you deal with them calmly and patiently and are willing to work through difficult issues. It signifies a relationship where compassion is at the forefront even in difficult times.

For single people, this card has a strong message about self-worth. You have reached a stage where you are grounded enough in who you are that you will not pursue love out of desperation. You will attract others through your quiet confidence. Not cockiness, just being comfortable in your own skin. People are naturally drawn to that.

Reversed

In relationships, Strength in a reversed position can indicate that there is tension beneath the surface. One or both of you may be bottling things up or alternatively lashing out without restraint. There is an emotional imbalance somewhere. Perhaps one of you is always the strong one and it's taking its toll. Resentment, jealousy or insecurity may be more prominent than you'd like to admit.

For singles, reversed Strength can be an indicator of struggling with your self-image. You may be fearful of rejection or have been hurt in the past and find it difficult to open up. You may find yourself either pushing people away or accepting relationships with people who you know do not meet your standards. It can indicate that you are lacking in confidence in relation to love.

Social Relationships

Upright

In terms of existing friendships and social circles, Strength upright indicates that you will be a calming influence. You know those friends who keep the group grounded when drama unfolds? That's this card! It also signifies that your friendships will be marked by loyalty, emotional generosity and non-judgmental listening. These friendships are honest but not harsh.

In terms of new connections, this card signifies being open in the way that genuinely open people attract other genuine people. There is no need to put on an act or fake it. Any new friendships you make when this card is in your Tarot spread should be real ones.

Reversed

In terms of current friendships, reversed Strength can indicate that you are exhausted from always being the "strong friend". There may be a friendship where you feel someone is taking advantage of you or leaving you emotionally drained. It can also indicate arguments with friends where everyone's temper is a little too hot, patience has run out and people are saying things they don't mean.

For new social connections, this reversal can indicate that you may be keeping people at arm's length. You may find it difficult to trust. Alternately, you may be coming across as too meek or too aggressive when meeting new people, making it difficult to form lasting connections.

Work & Career

Upright

In a career context, Strength upright signifies perseverance and determination. Strength isn't about overnight success or glamorous victories. It's about the slow and steady building of something that lasts. It indicates that you are able to keep your cool, maintain your dignity in the face of difficult colleagues or clients and overcome obstacles without alienating people. It's a quiet type of leadership. You lead by example, not by fear.

Reversed

Reversed in a work reading, Strength can signify burnout, frustration in the workplace or losing your motivation. That drive you once had is diminished. It can also signify feeling steamrolled by a boss or co-worker and not knowing how to stand up for yourself without things escalating. Your confidence in a work setting is low and imposter syndrome may be kicking in. You feel like you are spinning your wheels.

Money & Finance

Upright

In a financial context, Strength upright indicates that you have disciplined financial habits and a patient approach to money. Strength is not a get-rich-quick card. It indicates the kind of steady financial habits that bring you financial security in the long run. You will have stopped impulse buying and started making thoughtful financial decisions. You are controlling your money, not letting it control you. This trump card is also associated with having the willpower to maintain your long-term financial goals when short-term temptations arise.

Reversed

When reversed in a financial context, Strength indicates poor impulse control in relation to spending or feeling powerless when it comes to money. Budgets may be getting blown. Financial stress may be overwhelming you and you may be tempted to bury your head in the sand. Alternatively, it can indicate that you are being too inflexible with your money for fear of missing out on sensible opportunities because your anxiety is paralysing you.

Spirituality

Upright

On a spiritual level, Strength upright signifies embracing both the light and shadow aspects of yourself and indicates spiritual courage. It is the courage to look at the messy, uncomfortable parts of ourselves and have the compassion for those parts that we all need. This is not about being perfect. It's about acceptance. We grow when we learn to make friends with our fears and instincts, not when we fight them. Meditation, mindfulness and any sort of practice that helps build inner stillness would be beneficial.

Reversed

Reversed, Strength in a spiritual context may also indicate a lack of connection to your inner guidance. You may be experiencing spiritual exhaustion or struggling to find your way. Your inner voice that guides you and brings reassurance may seem distant. Or it can signify that you are engaging in spiritual bypassing, using positive thinking to mask or avoid dealing with your emotional pain. True spiritual strength can only be achieved through honesty, so this card indicates that something needs to be resolved beneath the surface first.