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Taking a Brief Look at Strength
To understand what Strength is about first consider this: When we are first beginning to learn to read tarot cards, it can be tempting to insert an esoteric and/or hidden meaning to each card.
We can tell ourselves, for example, that the Chariot will always mean an intensely personal and transformative journey that may take months. It may also include a literal physical trip.
A more accurate assessment of the Chariot could look more like: You will find yourself in a time period that will require you to think deeply and to consider things from a spiritual point of view before you make permanent decisions.
In short, don’t judge a card simply by its name or its common depictions.
What Is Strength Actually About Then?
So, clearly that applies to the Strength card too. It is typically illustrated with a lion and/or a lion tamer. The card is considered to have a connection to the astrological sign Leo but not because of the lion that is usually shown on it. It’s the energy that Leos exhibit rather than the strength of the lion.
The Strength card, like the sign of Leo, points to strong, sturdy, forceful energies. In general, it points to bright, upbeat, positive strength of all kinds.
Strength and a Relationship
Strength also points to there not only being a strong bond in a relationship but also to there possibly being potential conflict within it. It can be easy to imagine that any strong relationship can handle *any* conflict, but it would be a mistake to think that that is always the case.
All relationships have their limits, and sometimes strong, deep love can be diminished or even destroyed by a few short sentences. The Strength card is not a “get out of jail free” card that allows us to just do… whatever.
The most common mistake I see when it comes to the Strength card, is the expectation that you/the relationship/your feelings will always be as they are right now. They won’t. Your feelings and the relationship should evolve, not stay stationary. Not evolving can end up meaning stagnation and that is a danger to any relationship.
Watch Out for Overconfidence
Life is a constant change, and “always” is an exceptionally long time. If you pull Strength in answer to a “How does he/she feel about me?” it certainly doesn’t mean that you can say or do whatever and expect the relationship to persist.
It means that there is strength to the connection and that it can be built upon.
I have also seen people who got this card in relation to a reading about “Will I live a long and healthy life?” who then started drinking a lot and letting go of any effort to get into or maintain physical shape.
That may sound overly dramatic and no, it doesn’t happen often, but I have known people who went down that road. You might have a strong constitution, but if you abuse your body, that strength will always diminish.
Is Strength a Positive Card?
Yes, in short, Strength is a positive card. But don’t overestimate it. It points to one factor in a situation. But it is certainly not the “be-all and end-all.”
Strength is a good card to pull but it has its limitations. Sometimes it may simply be a snapshot comment on what is going on but at most other times it will refer to the underlying foundations of a relationship or situation.
Strength is a tarot card that says, “There are real possibilities but don’t take them for granted.”
“A Brief Look at Strength” Article by Charis
Strength Picture Attribution: Pamela Colman Smith, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
