Upright
- courage
- patience
- quiet strength
Strength is courage with its volume turned down: patient power that meets fear, anger or a hard situation without letting it take the wheel. Waite ties it to fortitude, energy and action. The point isn’t crushing what feels wild, but staying kind and firm while you handle it. You needn’t be fearless or perfectly composed; sometimes the brave move is pausing before you reply.
At work, in love or among friends, this can mean holding a boundary, listening instead of snapping, or tackling an awkward task one calm step at a time. Quiet confidence beats a dramatic power move.
Reversed
- self-doubt
- strained patience
- overcontrol
Reversed, Strength can point to courage that’s hard to access, patience running thin, or a need to control everything because uncertainty feels uncomfortable. Its force may turn inward as harsh self-criticism, or outward as a short temper. Notice where you’re pushing too hard; a gentler approach can still be firm.
In astrology
In the Golden Dawn's tradition this card belongs to Leo.