Twinn Swan

The meaning of Strength, especially in a tarot reading, has a truly potent energy. It reminds you that you will get nowhere by being docile or submissive. You will simply have to go after who and what you want. You can choose to be alone (tiger) or you can work in a group (lion), but either way, you must either be the leader of your own life or of your own pack. This is not the time to be a follower. Those days are over and they are not coming back.

Strength almost always represents that we have the strength, the willpower and the tenacity to go after our goals and our dreams. Whatever you are facing–or have faced in the past–is not stronger than you. After all, you have survived it and you are still here. Strength comes when we need to ask ourselves, “What am I capable of?” Sit down with this question for a few minutes and brainstorm what is possible for you.

Do you even know? Who has set your limitations upon you? What if you were to destroy those limitations and those boundaries? Who would you be, then? Definitely not the same person that you are now.

The Strength card represents vigour and courage. The world is not going to succumb to you as easily as you think. At the same time, the world is not out to get you either. You must learn to balance your ambition with action. Try not to listen too much to the advise of others. Stay focused on your core objectives because you already know what they are.

The Strength card indicates that the time has come for a certain measure of self-mastery. You must believe in yourself, in your goals and in your vision; and take decisive actions accordingly.

You can do this!

The Lion Roar

Since the Strength card traditionally represents Leos, it is an indicator that you will meet or connect with many Leos. When this card arises, it reminds you that you must be confident about who you are and your abilities. If you do not have the confidence to go after what you want, it is quite unlikely that you will get it. You must be willing to take the plunge and do that thing you always wanted to do.

If you think that someone is going to make it happen for you, make sure that that someone is actually a person who you respect and admire. Instantaneous attraction is not uncommon when this card appears. You may feel that you like and know someone immediately after meeting them. When this happens, ask yourself whether or not you are on the same page as them as it pertains to your interests, strengths and weaknesses. If you feel that you two are opposites, ask yourself why you feel an attraction towards someone with whom you feel a frustration or an irritation (see Oyster).

Be aware not to be involved in a codependent relationship, unless, of course, you think that person is worth it. Do not, under any circumstances, make poor mate choices due to unresolved self-esteem issues. If you have had them in the past, you must have the resolve to move forward and onward from those difficulties of the past. Recognise that you deserve far better than the poor treatment you have received in the past. You are deserving of the affection you so undoubtedly never received in the past.

Self

Who am I? It is not about who you are or even who you were; it is about who you want to be and become. I find that the Strength card appears a great deal in readings where one has perhaps suffered a loss. If this has happened to you, know that you will have a gain in the near future. You must be careful about who you allow into your life during this period. Do not make any short-term decisions that have no long-term options. Since Strength is a Major Arcana card, it reminds us to make a commitment and stick to it.

If you–or the people around you–show a lack of commitment towards you, perhaps these are not the people you need to have in your life. You must learn self-discipline so that you say NO as much as you say YES. If you know that people do not wish you well, please learn to remove yourself from that relationship before things get worse.

Influence others by setting an example of integrity. Your self-esteem will increase to the degree that you succeed in your efforts. Be confident and bold about your choices. And most of us, commit to your goals and be confident about them.