Strength Tarot Card Meaning

This card features a simple composition, focusing on a woman and a lion, embodying a sustained posture with many profound layers of meaning. The woman, dressed in white robes, might be the woman clothed with the sun, taming a fiery red lion. The entire composition is set against a yellow background, symbolizing the bright spiritual force. The contrast between the vivid red and the light white tones represents an alchemical significance and is related to many cards in the Waite Tarot.

The woman, known as 'Strength,' controls the lion's mouth with her hands, showing no fear in the face of the fierce beast. She bends down to reach the lion's jaw with her right hand and places her left hand on the lion's head and upper jaw. Her right index finger is slightly bent, revealing a delicate aspect. As she gazes at the lion with closed eyes, seemingly in contemplation, her face shows a serene expression. These actions indicate that she has tamed the lion with 'beneficent fortitude.'

The lion's situation is quite interesting; its tail tucked between its hind legs suggests that it is completely under the woman's control and is in a state of submission. When an animal tucks its tail, it is showing weakness, and its wild and powerful nature is restrained. However, the lion's mouth was originally open, indicating the strength of its power, with the opening and closing of the mouth representing the release and containment of energy. Now the woman directly controls the opening and closing of the lion's mouth.

In ancient traditional Tarot cards, the hands are about to close the lion's mouth, which has a better symbolic meaning. Some esotericists depict the lion's mouth open, which is also valid as it expresses the same idea of control. The Waite Tarot depicts the mouth closing. This is just a frozen image; whether it is open or closed, it should indicate that both are appropriate, which more comprehensively shows the ability to control at will.

Above the woman's head is an infinity symbol, similar to 'The Magician.' She, a pure maiden, is the female counterpart to the Magician, leading to the mysterious power of women, equal to that of the Magician. The energy and magnetic field that the woman possesses are shown by the 'infinity' symbol on her head, representing the endless inner strength, indicating the operation of a cycle and the power of life and renewal, intersecting at a point in space and time, which is also a way of harmonizing yin and yang.

The woman's waist and head are adorned with garlands of flowers, a sash of roses wrapped around her body, similar to the ribbon on the woman in 'The World' card. This floral garland also alludes to the 'tow-chain' worn by novices of the Masonic class 'Master Mason,' as it is wrapped around the waist with the end hanging on the left, just as they wear it in some rituals, and the use of roses again emphasizes the connection to the Rosicrucians.

Thus, this is not an ordinary garland but one that hides deep mystical meanings, with a special role and efficacy. It connects the woman and the lion, serving as a pattern to convey energy, transferring the energy of the lion through the woman's body upwards, like the conduction of electricity, and connecting with the 'infinity' symbol at the top of her head. Therefore, the woman also wears a crown on her head, with two antenna-like branches pointing towards the infinity symbol. This also shows the flow of the aura during this state of operation.

Next, let's look at the relationship between the woman and the lion: the lion's eyes look up, meeting the woman's gaze. The woman and the lion seem to have merged through the entwining of the garland, with the two forces blending together. The harmony of these two forces is a high state, implying a 'Divine Law,' which actually comes from the meeting and touching of hearts. The woman's posture, like a gesture of gathering energy, seems to be drawing energy from the lion and also seems to be activating the 'infinity' symbol.

The woman's posture of taming the lion forms a very typical image: the lion represents a wild and natural force, and the human represents human or divine power. The two forces meet, and the human taming the lion indicates the ability to use its power and to combine and integrate the two. This is a posture of practice, a Western mystical method. The hand gestures are like the movements of Tai Chi, and overall, it is a state of advanced yoga. The 'infinity' symbol above the head depicts the transfer and elevation of the energy field.

In addition, we can see that the ground around the lion's paws is slightly uneven, depicting the lion's struggling posture, with the force of its paws causing the ground to rise where the claws grip. This indicates that its brute force can affect the surroundings, adding tension to the confrontational scene. The entire ground is covered with green grass, planted on soft soil, and the two masters practicing on it naturally alter the terrain. Against a bright sky, the area around the main picture - the woman and the lion - is brighter, reflecting the aura they create.

The overall composition of this card is particularly related to alchemy, with the flowers in the woman's hair and on her belt - red roses (and white roses), which are often a link to alchemy in the Waite Tarot. The overall color scheme is also a contrasting combination of red and white, a harmony of purity and passion. The woman, with an immovable posture, suppresses the lion, and in the background, there is a towering mountain, serving as another reflection of this scene. Observing the scene of this card: in the distance, there is a large mountain with several green trees in front. This blue, phallic-shaped hill is similar to the mountain on the Lovers card, with a connotation of passionate energy, but it also represents the hidden energy and explosive power, and it is a moment of potential energy and restraint.

The Woman

In the Strength card, the woman symbolizes gentleness, patience, compassion, and the softer side of human nature. Her act of closing the lion’s mouth not through force, but with a calm demeanor, speaks of inner strength and the ability to overcome obstacles or challenges through understanding and patience, rather than through brute force.

The Lion

The lion is traditionally a symbol of raw power, courage, and ferocity. In this card, it represents our animalistic tendencies and passions. The woman’s act of taming the lion signifies mastery over one’s own wilder instincts, harnessing them in a way that they serve rather than dominate. It’s a card that urges the balance between instinct and reason.

The Lemniscate (Infinity Symbol)

Above the woman’s head is the lemniscate, the same symbol seen in the Magician card, representing infinity and limitless potential. Here, it symbolizes a harmonious interaction between conscious understanding and unconscious instinct. It also speaks to the infinite power and potential that can be harnessed when we are able to bring our instincts into alignment with our higher values and understanding.

The Mountainous Background

The rugged landscape in the background suggests challenges and obstacles. Yet, the sky is clear, indicating that clarity and understanding reign in the situation at hand. The combination of the serene sky and the challenging mountains highlight the essence of the card: facing challenges with inner strength, clarity, and calm determination.

The Garland of Flowers

Wrapped around the woman is a garland of flowers, symbolizing victory, success, and the blossoming of one’s endeavors when they act with compassion and understanding. Flowers, with their gentle beauty, counteract the wild nature of the lion, suggesting that with patience and love, even the most challenging situations or primal instincts can be transformed into something beautiful and harmonious.