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The Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Meaning: Riding the Cycles of Life

Posted on November 10, 2026 | Leave a comment

The Wheel of Fortune, card 10 of the Major Arcana. Cycles, change, fate, and the turning points that move our lives forward.

This post continues our journey through the Major Arcana, one card at a time. If you have not read the Major Arcana overview yet, that is a good place to start before diving into individual cards. So far, The Fool has stepped into the unknown, The Magician has discovered his tools, The High Priestess has taught us to listen within, The Empress has shown us how to nurture growth, The Emperor has built structure that lasts, The Hierophant has taught us to learn from others, The Lovers asked us to make a choice from the heart, and The Chariot turned that choice into action. Strength showed us the quiet power of a gentle heart, and most recently, The Hermit led us inward to find our own light. Now we arrive at card ten, The Wheel of Fortune, where The Fool comes down from the mountain and discovers that life keeps turning, whether we are ready or not. As always, everything here follows the Rider-Waite tarot.

The Card at a Glance

  • Number: 10
  • Keywords: Cycles, change, destiny, turning points, good luck, fate, opportunity, timing
  • Element: Fire
  • Reversed Keywords: Bad luck, resisting change, setbacks, feeling out of control, repeating old patterns
  • Yes or No: Yes

What You See in the Card

A large golden orange wheel floats in the middle of a bright blue sky. The wheel is marked with letters around its outer ring and strange symbols on its inner spokes. On top of the wheel sits a blue sphinx holding a sword. A yellow snake slides down the left side of the wheel, and a red figure with the head of a jackal rises up on the right side. In each of the four corners of the card, a winged figure sits in the clouds, reading a book: an angel in the upper left, an eagle in the upper right, a bull in the lower left, and a lion in the lower right.

After the dark, quiet mountaintop of The Hermit, The Wheel of Fortune is full of color and motion. There is no single person at the center of this card. Instead, there is a great turning wheel, with figures riding up and sliding down. At first glance, it looks like a card about luck, good or bad. Look a little longer, and you start to see it is really a card about cycles: the natural rise and fall of life, and learning to find your center while everything around you keeps moving.

The Symbolism, Piece by Piece

The wheel. The wheel is the heart of this card. In Part 10 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on objects, a wheel speaks to cycles, movement, and the passing of time. A wheel has no beginning and no end. It just keeps turning. The seasons change, the moon waxes and wanes, and our lives move through times of plenty and times of struggle. The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that nothing stays the same forever, which is both a warning in good times and a comfort in hard ones.

The center of the wheel. Look closely at the very center of the wheel. The outer rim spins the fastest, while the center barely moves at all. This is one of the most important lessons in the card. If you live only on the outer edge, every turn of fortune will throw you around. If you stay close to your center, the place The Hermit taught you to find, you can stay steady no matter how fast life is turning.

The letters on the wheel. Around the outer ring, the letters T, A, R, and O are placed at four points, with Hebrew letters in between. The Latin letters can be read as TARO, TORA, or ROTA, which means wheel. Many readers see a hidden message in them: the wheel of tarot speaks the law of life. The Hebrew letters spell the sacred name of God, often written as YHVH, which suggests that a higher power is at work in the turning of the wheel.

The inner symbols. On the inner spokes are four alchemical symbols for mercury, sulfur, salt, and water. In alchemy, these were the building blocks used to transform ordinary things into something greater. Their place on the wheel suggests that the ups and downs of life are not random. They are part of a process of transformation, slowly turning us into who we are meant to be.

The sphinx. In Part 5 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on animals, the sphinx is a guardian of wisdom and mystery. You may remember the two sphinxes pulling The Chariot. Here, a single blue sphinx sits calmly at the very top of the wheel, holding a sword. She does not rise or fall. She stays balanced while the wheel turns beneath her. Her sword speaks to clear thinking and fair judgment, a hint of the card that comes next.

The snake. The yellow snake slides down the left side of the wheel. In many traditions, the snake is linked to Typhon, an Egyptian and Greek figure of chaos and destruction. In Part 3 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on direction and body language, movement in a card tells its own story. The snake is going down. It represents the downward turn of the wheel: the losses, endings, and hard times that are a natural part of every cycle.

The jackal-headed figure. Rising up the right side of the wheel is Anubis, the Egyptian guide of souls, shown with the head of a jackal. While the snake falls, Anubis rises. He represents the upward turn of the wheel: recovery, renewal, and the good fortune that follows hard times. Together, the snake and Anubis show us that every fall is followed by a rise, and every rise will one day be followed by a fall.

The four winged figures. In Part 5 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on animals and Part 7 on the four elements, the angel, eagle, bull, and lion represent the four fixed signs of the zodiac, Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus, and Leo, along with the elements of Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. Here, each one holds an open book. They are still studying and still learning. These same four figures will appear again at the very end of the Major Arcana, but we will save that story for later.

The clouds. In Part 4 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on clouds and weather, clouds often show the meeting place between heaven and earth. The four figures sit in the clouds, and the wheel itself floats in the sky. This reminds us that the forces turning the wheel are bigger than any one person. Some things are simply outside our control.

The colors. In Part 2 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on colors, the golden orange of the wheel speaks to energy, warmth, and movement. The bright blue sky behind it speaks to truth and a wider view. After the gray and darkness of The Hermit, these colors announce that life is moving again.

Why Ten Matters: The Numerology of The Wheel of Fortune

In Part 1 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on numerology, we break larger numbers down by adding their digits together. Ten becomes one plus zero, which equals one. One is the number of new beginnings, action, and fresh starts, and it connects The Wheel of Fortune to The Magician, card one. The zero in ten also connects it to The Fool. Together, they show that the end of one cycle is always the start of another.

Ten is also the number of completion. In the Minor Arcana, the Tens show the very end of each suit’s story. The Ten of Cups shows a happy family under a rainbow, while the Ten of Swords shows a painful ending. Either way, the story has finished, and a new one is about to begin. The Wheel of Fortune carries this same energy. One phase of life is closing, and the wheel is already turning toward the next.

The Wheel of Fortune also marks the halfway point of The Fool’s Journey. In The Hermit, The Fool stepped away from the world to find his own light. Now he comes back down the mountain and discovers that the world has kept turning without him. The second half of the journey begins here, and it will ask him to use everything he learned in the first half.

The Wheel of Fortune Upright

When The Wheel of Fortune appears upright in a reading, it often signals that change is coming, and usually change for the better. This card is known as one of the luckiest cards in the deck. It can point to a sudden opportunity, a lucky break, good timing, or a situation that finally starts moving after a long wait.

The Wheel of Fortune is permission to go with the flow. Some things cannot be forced, planned, or controlled. This card reminds you that life has its own timing, and when the wheel turns in your favor, it is time to say yes and take the opportunity in front of you.

This card can also point to fate, destiny, and karma. You may meet someone who feels meant to be, or see events line up in a way that feels bigger than coincidence. In some readings, The Wheel of Fortune asks you to notice the patterns and cycles in your own life, so you can understand where you are on the wheel right now.

The Wheel of Fortune Reversed

Reversed, The Wheel of Fortune’s energy tends to show up in one of two ways, and your intuition along with the surrounding cards will help you sense which one applies. If you are still getting comfortable with reversals, my post on reading both sides of the card is a good companion to this section.

The first is a downward turn. This is the wheel heading toward the bottom. It can point to a run of bad luck, unexpected setbacks, or a time when things just do not seem to go your way. The good news is that the wheel never stops turning. Hard times are part of the cycle, and they will pass. The reversed Wheel often asks, “What can I learn here before the wheel turns again?”

The second is resisting change. This is the person trying to hold the wheel still. It can point to clinging to a situation that has already run its course, fighting against change that is needed, or repeating the same old patterns over and over again. Sometimes this card asks you to stop pushing against the wheel and let it carry you forward.

The Wheel of Fortune in Love, Career, and Finances

Love

For someone single, The Wheel of Fortune often points to a chance meeting or a connection that feels fated. Love may show up when and where you least expect it. In an existing relationship, it can signal a turning point, such as a new stage together or a positive change that brings you closer. Reversed, it may point to a rough patch, old relationship patterns repeating themselves, or a change that one partner is resisting.

Career

In career readings, The Wheel of Fortune often brings a lucky break: a new job offer, an unexpected promotion, or being in the right place at the right time. It favors taking chances when opportunity knocks. Reversed, it may point to delays, a setback at work, or changes in the workplace that feel out of your control. Remember that even a setback can be the turn of the wheel that leads you somewhere better.

Finances

Financially, The Wheel of Fortune suggests that your money situation is about to change, and upright, the change is usually positive. A windfall, a raise, or an unexpected opportunity may appear. Still, the wheel always turns, so it is wise to save some of your good fortune for leaner times. Reversed, it may caution against gambling, risky choices, or counting on luck instead of planning.

Is The Wheel of Fortune a Yes or No Card?

Upright, The Wheel of Fortune is usually a yes. The timing is on your side, and things are turning in your favor.

Reversed, The Wheel of Fortune leans toward no, or not right now. The timing may not be right yet, but the wheel will turn again.

When The Wheel of Fortune Shows Up in Your Reading

Because The Wheel of Fortune is a Major Arcana card, its appearance signals that change, timing, and fate are playing an important role in your situation. Pay attention to where it lands in a spread. In a past position, it may point to a turning point that changed the direction of your life. In a present position, change is happening now, and it is time to adjust and move with it. In a future or outcome position, a new cycle or a lucky turn is on the way.

Here are a few questions to sit with when The Wheel of Fortune comes up for you:

  • Where am I on the wheel right now: rising, falling, or at the top?
  • What patterns keep repeating in my life?
  • Am I trying to control something that is not mine to control?
  • How can I stay close to my center while life keeps turning?

Final Thoughts

The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that life is always moving. After The Hermit teaches us to find our own light in the quiet, The Wheel of Fortune sends us back into a world that keeps turning. Good times and hard times will both come and go. We cannot stop the wheel, but we can choose where we stand on it. When this card appears, it invites you to welcome change, trust the timing of your life, and stay close to your center, so that no matter how the wheel turns, you are still you.

Wondering Which Way the Wheel Is Turning?

If change is in the air and you would like some clarity on what is coming next, I would love to read for you. You can order a tarot card reading by email anytime. Also, please don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe!

Coming Up Next

Next time, we’ll meet Justice, card eleven, and explore truth, fairness, and what it means to take responsibility for our choices.

Has The Wheel of Fortune ever shown up right before your life took a big turn? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Never Miss a Card

Want to follow along as we walk through the rest of the Major Arcana? Subscribe to Kim’s Esoteric Tarot Journals and each new post will arrive in your inbox as soon as it goes live. It’s free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.

Kim’s Esoteric Tarot Journals

Tarot readings are intended for adults age 18 and older and are provided for entertainment and personal reflection. Tarot should not replace professional medical, legal, mental health, or financial advice.

© 2026 Kim’s Esoteric Tarot Journals. All rights reserved.

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The Hermit Tarot Card Meaning: Finding the Light Within

Posted on November 6, 2026 | Leave a comment
The Hermit tarot card showing a cloaked, white-bearded figure standing on a snowy mountain, holding a glowing star lantern and a wooden staff.
The Hermit reminds us to pause, look inward, and let our inner wisdom light the way.

The Hermit, card 9 of the Major Arcana. Solitude, reflection, and the quiet wisdom we find when we turn inward.

This post continues our journey through the Major Arcana, one card at a time. If you have not read the Major Arcana overview yet, that is a good place to start before diving into individual cards. So far, The Fool has stepped into the unknown, The Magician has discovered his tools, The High Priestess has taught us to listen within, The Empress has shown us how to nurture growth, The Emperor has built structure that lasts, The Hierophant has taught us to learn from others, The Lovers asked us to make a choice from the heart, and The Chariot turned that choice into action. Most recently, Strength showed us the quiet power of a gentle heart. Now we arrive at card nine, The Hermit, where the journey turns inward and we step away from the noise to find our own light. As always, everything here follows the Rider-Waite tarot.

The Card at a Glance

  • Number: 9
  • Keywords: Solitude, introspection, inner wisdom, guidance, reflection, soul searching, patience
  • Element: Earth
  • Reversed Keywords: Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal, avoidance, feeling lost, refusing guidance
  • Yes or No: Maybe, or not yet

What You See in the Card

An old man with a long white beard stands alone at the top of a snowy mountain peak. He wears a long gray hooded cloak that covers him from head to toe. In his right hand, he holds a lantern, and inside it shines a six-pointed star. In his left hand, he leans on a tall wooden staff. His head is bowed slightly, and he looks down toward the path below. Around him, the sky is dark and quiet, and there is no one else in sight.

After the bright yellow sky and warm connection of Strength, The Hermit feels still and solitary. There are no animals, no gardens, and no companions here. At first glance, it looks like a card about loneliness. Look a little longer, and you start to see it is really a card about choosing solitude on purpose: stepping back from the world so you can hear your own inner voice clearly.

The Symbolism, Piece by Piece

The lantern. The lantern is the heart of this card. In Part 10 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on objects, a lantern speaks to guidance and the light that helps us find our way in the dark. The Hermit’s lantern does not light up the whole mountain. It lights only the next few steps. This is a beautiful reminder that we rarely see the entire path at once. We only need enough light to keep moving forward.

The six-pointed star. Inside the lantern burns a six-pointed star, often called the Seal of Solomon. In Part 8 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on celestial symbols, stars speak to hope, guidance, and divine connection. The six-pointed star is made of two triangles, one pointing up and one pointing down, which is often read as the meeting of heaven and earth. The light The Hermit carries is not ordinary light. It is wisdom earned by bringing the spiritual and the everyday together.

The gray cloak. In Part 9 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on clothing, robes and cloaks often show a figure’s role and their distance from ordinary life. The Hermit’s plain, hooded cloak shows humility and a desire to turn away from outside distractions. In the language of tarot colors, gray speaks to neutrality, wisdom, and the quiet space between black and white. The Hermit is not caught up in extremes. He has found the calm middle ground.

The staff. The tall staff in his left hand supports him on the long climb. In Part 10 of my Tarot Symbolism Series, a staff speaks to support, authority, and the journey itself. His staff is not a symbol of power over others like a king’s scepter. It is the walking stick of someone who has traveled a long way and earned his wisdom one step at a time.

The mountain peak. In Part 11 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on landscapes and buildings, mountains speak to challenges, achievement, and higher understanding. The Hermit stands at the top of the mountain, which shows he has already done the hard climbing. You may remember the distant icy peaks behind The Fool. The Fool saw those mountains far off in the distance. The Hermit is standing on one of them.

The snow. The snow beneath his feet adds a sense of stillness and isolation. Nothing grows here, and nothing hurries. Snow can also suggest a quiet season of rest, when growth is happening beneath the surface where no one can see it yet.

The downward gaze. In Part 3 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on direction and body language, where a figure looks tells us a great deal about the card. The Hermit is not gazing up at the sky or out at the viewer. He looks down toward the path below. Many readers see this as The Hermit holding his light for those still climbing behind him. He went inward to find his wisdom, and now he offers it to others who are ready to receive it.

The long white beard. His white beard shows age, experience, and maturity. The Hermit is not a beginner. He represents the kind of wisdom that only comes with time, mistakes, and lessons learned the hard way.

Why Nine Matters: The Numerology of The Hermit

In Part 1 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on numerology, the number nine carries the energy of completion, wisdom, reflection, and the final stage before a new beginning. Nine is the last of the single digits. It holds the lessons of every number that came before it, which is why it is often called the number of wisdom.

The Hermit embodies this completely. He has gathered the experience of every card before him, and now he pauses to reflect on it all. In the Minor Arcana, the Nines often speak of near completion and of standing on your own. The Nine of Pentacles, for example, shows a woman alone in her garden, enjoying the rewards of her own efforts. The Hermit brings that same self-sufficiency to a spiritual level.

The Hermit also marks a turning point in The Fool’s Journey. The first cards of the Major Arcana focus on learning about the outer world: family, teachers, love, and success. With Strength, the focus began to shift inward. With The Hermit, that shift is complete. The Fool has learned what the world can teach him. Now it is time to discover what only he can teach himself.

The Hermit Upright

When The Hermit appears upright in a reading, it is often a sign that you need some time alone. This card encourages you to step back, slow down, and reflect on where you are and where you want to go. It favors quiet thinking, journaling, meditation, and time spent away from the opinions of others.

The Hermit is permission to pull back. In a busy world, choosing solitude can feel selfish or strange. The Hermit reminds you that time alone is not wasted time. Some answers can only be heard when everything else goes quiet.

He can also point to a search for meaning or a deeper spiritual path. In some readings, The Hermit represents a wise mentor or guide who appears in your life. In others, he asks you to become that guide for someone else, sharing the light you have found with those still finding their way.

The Hermit Reversed

Reversed, The Hermit’s energy tends to show up in one of two ways, and your intuition along with the surrounding cards will help you sense which one applies. If you are still getting comfortable with reversals, my post on reading both sides of the card is a good companion to this section.

The first is too much isolation. This is The Hermit who has stayed on the mountain too long. It can point to loneliness, withdrawing from people who care about you, or hiding from the world instead of resting from it. Solitude that once healed can start to feel like a wall. The reversed Hermit often asks, “Are you resting, or are you hiding?”

The second is avoiding the inner work. This is The Hermit who refuses to climb the mountain at all. It can point to staying so busy that you never have to sit with your own thoughts, ignoring your inner voice, or turning away from guidance that is being offered. Sometimes this card asks you to finally make space for the quiet reflection you have been putting off.

The Hermit in Love, Career, and Finances

Love

For someone single, The Hermit often points to a season of focusing on yourself. This may be a time to understand what you truly want before inviting someone new into your life. In an existing relationship, he can signal a need for personal space, deeper conversations, or a period of reflection about where the relationship is heading. Reversed, he may point to loneliness, emotional distance, or one partner pulling away from the other.

Career

In career readings, The Hermit favors focused, independent work, research, study, and careers that involve deep thinking or guiding others. He may suggest stepping back to reassess your career path or seeking advice from a trusted mentor. Reversed, he may point to feeling isolated at work, burnout from working alone too much, or avoiding a decision about your direction.

Finances

Financially, The Hermit encourages careful thought and patience. This is a time to review your finances quietly, think long term, and avoid following the crowd. Make your money decisions based on your own research and values. Reversed, he may caution against ignoring your finances, avoiding important money conversations, or making choices without enough information.

Is The Hermit a Yes or No Card?

Upright, The Hermit is usually a maybe, or more accurately, not yet. He suggests that you need more time to reflect before the answer becomes clear. If you take that time, the right answer will reveal itself, one step at a time, like the light from his lantern.

Reversed, The Hermit leans toward no. He suggests that something is being avoided or that you feel too disconnected to move forward clearly right now.

When The Hermit Shows Up in Your Reading

Because The Hermit is a Major Arcana card, his appearance signals that reflection, solitude, and inner wisdom are playing an important role in your situation. Pay attention to where he lands in a spread. In a past position, he may point to a time of retreat or soul searching that shaped who you are today. In a present position, it is time to step back and listen within. In a future or outcome position, a period of reflection or a wise guide is on the way.

Here are a few questions to sit with when The Hermit comes up for you:

  • Where in my life do I need more quiet time to reflect?
  • What is my inner voice trying to tell me?
  • Am I resting in solitude, or using it to hide?
  • Who could I guide with the wisdom I have already gained?

Final Thoughts

The Hermit reminds us that some of the most important journeys happen within. After Strength teaches us to meet our inner lions with courage and kindness, The Hermit invites us to climb the mountain alone and find the light that was inside us all along. His lantern does not show us everything. It shows us enough. When he appears, he invites you to slow down, step away from the noise, and trust that your own inner light will guide you one step at a time.

Searching for Your Own Light?

If you are in a season of reflection and would like some clarity on the path ahead, I would love to read for you. You can order a tarot card reading by email anytime. Also, please don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe!

Coming Up Next

Next time, we’ll meet The Wheel of Fortune, card ten, and explore the cycles of life, the turning of fate, and what it means to embrace change.

Has The Hermit ever shown up when you needed time to yourself? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Never Miss a Card

Want to follow along as we walk through the rest of the Major Arcana? Subscribe to Kim’s Esoteric Tarot Journals and each new post will arrive in your inbox as soon as it goes live. It’s free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.

Kim’s Esoteric Tarot Journals

Tarot readings are intended for adults age 18 and older and are provided for entertainment and personal reflection. Tarot should not replace professional medical, legal, mental health, or financial advice.

© 2026 Kim’s Esoteric Tarot Journals. All rights reserved.

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Strength Tarot Card Meaning: Courage with a Gentle Heart

Posted on November 3, 2026 | Leave a comment
Strength tarot card showing a woman in a white gown gently holding a lion’s jaws, with an infinity symbol above her head and mountains in the background.
The Strength tarot card represents inner courage, patience, and the power of compassion.

Strength, card 8 of the Major Arcana. Courage, patience, and the quiet power of a gentle heart.

This post continues our journey through the Major Arcana, one card at a time. If you have not read the Major Arcana overview yet, that is a good place to start before diving into individual cards. So far, The Fool has stepped into the unknown, The Magician has discovered his tools, The High Priestess has taught us to listen within, The Empress has shown us how to nurture growth, The Emperor has built structure that lasts, The Hierophant has taught us to learn from others, and The Lovers asked us to make a choice from the heart. Most recently, The Chariot turned that choice into action. Now we arrive at card eight, Strength, where we learn that the greatest power is not the kind that pushes. As always, everything here follows the Rider-Waite tarot.

The Card at a Glance

  • Number: 8
  • Keywords: Inner strength, courage, patience, compassion, self-control, gentleness, resilience
  • Element: Fire
  • Reversed Keywords: Self-doubt, low energy, fear, insecurity, losing your temper, raw emotion
  • Yes or No: Yes

What You See in the Card

A woman dressed in a simple white gown stands beside a large golden lion. She rests her hands gently on the lion’s head and jaw, and the lion does not fight her. Its tail is tucked low, and it seems calm, almost content. A garland of flowers circles her waist and crowns her hair, and part of that chain drapes over the lion. Floating above her head is the infinity symbol. Behind them, a bright yellow sky stretches over green, rolling land, with a single blue mountain rising in the distance.

After the armor, stone, and forward motion of The Chariot, Strength feels peaceful. There is no weapon here, no shield, and no struggle. At first glance, it looks like a card about taming a wild animal. Look a little longer, and you start to see it is really a card about taming something inside of us: fear, anger, and impulse, met not with force but with patience and love.

The Symbolism, Piece by Piece

The lion. In Part 5 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on animals, the lion speaks to courage, pride, power, and raw instinct. In this card, the lion stands for the wild parts of ourselves: our passions, our fears, our tempers, and our deepest desires. These forces are not bad. They are part of being alive. The question Strength asks is whether we let them run our lives or learn to work with them.

Her gentle hands. The woman does not pin the lion down or wrestle it into submission. She simply rests her hands on its jaw, calm and unafraid. In Part 3 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on direction and body language, posture and hand placement tell us how a figure meets the world. Her soft lean toward the lion shows trust, not threat. This is the heart of the card: true strength is calm, steady, and kind.

The infinity symbol. The figure eight floating above her head is called a lemniscate. If it looks familiar, that is because we first saw it above The Magician. In The Magician, it spoke to endless potential. Here, it speaks to endless patience. Inner strength is not something we earn once and keep forever. It is a practice we return to again and again.

The white gown. In the language of tarot colors, white speaks to purity, innocence, and spiritual clarity. The woman’s white gown shows that her power comes from a clean heart and good intentions. She does not need armor, because she is not trying to win a fight.

The flower garland. In Part 6 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on plants and flowers, flowers speak to beauty, growth, and the gentle forces of nature. The chain of flowers around her waist and draped over the lion links the two of them together. It suggests that her bond with the lion is built on love and harmony, not chains and force.

The yellow sky. Yellow speaks to optimism, confidence, and the warmth of the sun. The bright sky behind her fills the card with a sense of hope. Facing our inner lions does not have to be a dark or frightening experience. It can be a warm and even joyful kind of growth.

The distant mountain. The blue mountain in the background reminds us that challenges are still out there on the horizon. But it sits far behind her. The real work in this card is happening up close, in the quiet moment between the woman and the lion.

Why Eight Matters: The Numerology of Strength

In Part 1 of my Tarot Symbolism Series on numerology, the number eight carries the energy of power, mastery, balance, and personal strength. Eight is also a number of cycles. Turn it on its side, and it becomes the very same infinity symbol floating above the woman’s head. Eight reminds us that what we give out, we get back, and that real power flows both ways.

Strength embodies this beautifully. Its power is not the loud, outward kind. It is the balanced, inner kind that holds steady under pressure. In the Minor Arcana, the Eights often speak of movement, effort, and mastery through practice. Strength raises that energy to its highest form: mastery over ourselves.

You may notice that some decks place Strength at number eleven and Justice at number eight. That order comes from older traditions. The Rider-Waite tarot switched the two cards so their meanings would line up with their astrological signs. Strength is ruled by Leo, the sign of the lion, which is why we meet it here at card eight.

Strength Upright

When Strength appears upright in a reading, it is a reminder that you are stronger than you think. This card encourages you to face your challenges with courage, patience, and compassion. It favors staying calm under pressure, responding instead of reacting, and trusting that gentleness can move mountains.

Strength is the card of quiet bravery. It is the courage to keep going through a hard season, to hold your temper when someone pushes your buttons, or to sit with a difficult feeling instead of running from it. It can also point to healing, recovery, and the steady confidence that comes from knowing yourself well.

In some readings, Strength speaks to how you treat others. A situation may call for kindness rather than control, or for patience with someone who is struggling. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is stay soft.

Strength Reversed

Reversed, Strength’s energy tends to show up in one of two ways, and your intuition along with the surrounding cards will help you sense which one applies. If you are still getting comfortable with reversals, my post on reading both sides of the card is a good companion to this section.

The first is self-doubt. This is Strength when the woman forgets her own power. It can point to fear, insecurity, low energy, or feeling too drained to face what is in front of you. You may be underestimating yourself or letting worry get the best of you. The reversed card often asks, “What would you do if you remembered how strong you really are?”

The second is the lion running loose. This is Strength when raw emotion takes over. It can point to anger, impatience, impulsive choices, or reacting before thinking. It may also show up as trying to control a situation through force instead of patience. Sometimes this card asks you to take a breath, slow down, and gently bring yourself back to center.

Strength in Love, Career, and Finances

Love

For someone single, Strength can point to growing confidence and self-love, which makes you ready to attract a healthy relationship. It may also signal a warm, passionate connection with someone who brings out the best in you. In an existing relationship, Strength speaks to patience, understanding, and working through challenges with compassion. Reversed, it may point to insecurity, jealousy, heated arguments, or a need to rebuild trust and self-worth.

Career

In career readings, Strength is a sign that your persistence will pay off. It favors steady effort, calm leadership, and handling difficult people or situations with grace. It can point to leading by example rather than by authority. Reversed, it may warn of burnout, self-doubt holding you back, or workplace tension that needs a cooler head.

Finances

Financially, Strength encourages discipline and patience. This is a card for resisting impulse purchases and staying the course with your goals. It reminds you that steady self-control builds lasting security. Reversed, it may caution against emotional spending or letting financial worry cloud your judgment.

Is Strength a Yes or No Card?

Upright, Strength is a yes. It is a positive card that favors success through courage, patience, and inner confidence. Its yes comes with a reminder to move forward calmly rather than forcefully.

Reversed, Strength leans toward no, or not yet. It suggests that fear, doubt, or strong emotions need some attention before you move ahead.

When Strength Shows Up in Your Reading

Because Strength is a Major Arcana card, its appearance signals that courage, patience, and inner balance are playing an important role in your situation. Pay attention to where it lands in a spread. In a past position, it may point to a challenge you have already faced and grown from. In a present position, it is time to trust your inner strength and meet what is in front of you with a steady heart. In a future or outcome position, you will have what it takes to see things through.

Here are a few questions to sit with when Strength comes up for you:

  • What inner lion am I being asked to face right now?
  • Where could patience and kindness accomplish more than force?
  • Am I giving myself credit for how strong I really am?
  • How can I respond, rather than react, to what is challenging me?

Final Thoughts

Strength reminds us that real power is gentle. After The Chariot shows us how to move forward with focus and will, Strength teaches us how to stay steady from the inside out. The woman does not defeat the lion. She befriends it. When this card appears, it invites you to meet your fears, your passions, and your challenges with courage and compassion, and to trust that a gentle heart can be the strongest force of all.

Ready to Find Your Inner Strength?

If you are facing a challenge and want some clarity and encouragement along the way, I would love to read for you. You can order a tarot card reading by email anytime. Also, please don’t forget to like, comment, share and subscribe!

Coming Up Next

Next time, we’ll meet The Hermit, card nine, and explore what it means to step back, turn inward, and find the light of your own wisdom.

Has Strength ever shown up when you needed courage the most? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to follow along as we explore the tarot card meanings of the Major Arcana, one card at a time.

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Tarot readings are intended for adults age 18 and older and are provided for entertainment and personal reflection. Tarot should not replace professional medical, legal, mental health, or financial advice.

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