Strength VIII in the Rider Waite Tarot
Table of contents
Table of contents
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
Strength Rider Waite Smith : meaning and interpretation
Major
Fire
Lio
Strength, the eighth major arcana, is a card of balance, inner courage and controlled power. It does not speak of physical or authoritarian strength, but of that profound strength that comes from self-control, constancy and love. It represents emotional intelligence, the ability to transform instinct into creative power, and to overcome obstacles with calm and dignity. In a drawing, it indicates that you have the ability to deal with a difficult situation without losing your centre. It calls for active patience, confidence in your own strength, and the use of benevolent rather than coercive authority. This card is also a powerful reminder that gentleness is not weakness, but a form of power that is stable, enduring and profoundly transformative. It encourages you to believe in your inner strength, because that’s what will open the strongest doors.
RWS Tarot : Arcana Strength readings
Love / Sentimental reading
with the card Strength
In love, Strength symbolises a relationship based on tenderness, patience and gentle emotional power. It embodies a sincere love, able to withstand trials without giving in to impulsiveness or domination. If you are in a relationship, this card speaks of a solid bond where each of you tames the other with respect, without seeking to control. It evokes self-control, mutual support and the ability to resolve conflicts through gentleness rather than confrontation. If you are single, it indicates a phase of personal development that attracts authentic love to you, based on emotional maturity. It can also suggest a magnetic but controlled attraction, in which the heart prevails over impulses. In the event of tension, it encourages you to express your feelings with kindness and firmness. Love here is a quiet force that transforms without constraining.
Professional / Work reading
with the card Strength
At work, Strength evokes perseverance, self-control and calm courage in the face of challenges. This is a time when your patience and determination will be your greatest assets. It indicates that you have the power to ease tensions and handle conflict or pressure with emotional intelligence. This card may also represent an influential person with a gentle manner and natural authority, who plays a key role in your career – perhaps yourself. It encourages you to remain centred, not to let yourself be carried away by anger, frustration or fear, even when circumstances are tense. It’s ideal for coaching, crisis management or any situation where empathy is essential. Success will not come through brute force, but through consistency and the ability to maintain control with dignity.
Financial / Material / Money reading
with the card Strength
Financially, Strength encourages you to adopt a disciplined, stable and thoughtful attitude. It indicates that you have the inner resources to get through a period of restriction or pressure without panicking. It does not promise sudden gains or spectacular returns, but lasting stability achieved through endurance and control of your impulses. If you are tempted by emotional spending or risky financial choices, this card invites you to show restraint. It can also signal a gradual improvement in your situation thanks to wise, patient management and regular effort. You could also be led to support someone financially, but in the right way, without sacrificing yourself. Strength reminds you that true material security does not depend solely on what you own, but on your ability to stay the course, even in the face of adversity.
Family reading
with the card Strength
In the family context, Strength highlights the power of listening, acceptance and unconditional love. It evokes a maternal or protective figure (often female), who calms tensions and plays an emotional regulation role in the family. It symbolises a climate in which we learn to tame differences, manage conflicts patiently and maintain cohesion without imposing. If there are tensions in the home, it advises against reacting impulsively, instead favouring dialogue and firm gentleness. This card can also evoke a period of family trials (illness, separation, transition) when you are called upon to show courage and moral solidity. It reminds us that true family strength is based on constant love, the ability to remain a serene pillar and to inspire confidence in those around you.
Spiritual reading
with the card Strength
On a spiritual level, Strength represents inner mastery, courage of heart and balance between instincts and conscience. It invites you to channel your vital energy, not by repressing it, but by taming it. This card symbolises inner work, patience as you evolve, and the ability to face your own shadows with compassion. It evokes a stage in your journey when you begin to integrate your power without fearing it or exaggerating it. On a spiritual path, it can mean that you are ready to face your fears, your anger and your desires, without running away from them – but without giving in to them either. It encourages you to become your own guide, to cultivate gentleness as a force for awakening. This card is often linked to centring practices (yoga, meditation, breathing), where you learn to tame your inner lion without violence.
See another card
- The Fool
- The Magician I
- The High Priestess II
- The Empress III
- The Emperor IV
- The Hierophant V
- The Lovers VI
- The Chariot VII
- Strength VIII
- The Hermit IX
- Wheel of Fortune X
- Justice XI
- The Hanged Man XII
- Death XIII
- Temperance XIV
- The Devil XV
- The Tower XVI
- The Star XVII
- The Moon XVIII
- The Sun XIX
- Judgement XX
- The World XXI
- Ace of Wands
- Two of Wands
- Three of Wands
- Four of Wands
- Five of Wands
- Six of Wands
- Seven of Wands
- Eight of Wands
- Nine of Wands
- Ten of Wands
- Page of Wands
- Knight of Wands
- Queen of Wands
- King of Wands
- Ace of Cups
- Two of Cups
- Three of Cups
- Four of Cups
- Five of Cups
- Six of Cups
- Seven of Cups
- Eight of Cups
- Nine of Cups
- Ten of Cups
- Page of Cups
- Knight of Cups
- Queen of Cups
- King of Cups
- Ace of Swords
- Two of Swords
- Three of Swords
- Four of Swords
- Five of Swords
- Six of Swords
- Seven of Swords
- Eight of Swords
- Nine of Swords
- Ten of Swords
- Page of Swords
- Knight of Swords
- Queen of Swords
- King of Swords
- Ace of Pentacles
- Two of Pentacles
- Three of Pentacles
- Four of Pentacles
- Five of Pentacles
- Six of Pentacles
- Seven of Pentacles
- Eight of Pentacles
- Nine of Pentacles
- Ten of Pentacles
- Page of Pentacles
- Knight of Pentacles
- Queen of Pentacles
- King of Pentacles
5-Card spread
Strength and its positions in a 5-card draw.
Want to better understand how to interpret the card Strength according to its position in a cross drawing? What does it symbolise as a situation, obstacle, resource, piece of advice or way out? Explore its many facets and find a detailed reading of the card Strength in every position of the 5-card cross spread Rider Waite.
