Strength

Strength is trump VIII in the Golden Dawn order: a woman gently closing a lion's jaws, an infinity sign over her head. It is courage that tames rather than fights, the heart's power over the beast. It is Leo's card.

Uses

• Courage and confidence
• Patience with yourself and others
• Taming anger or fear
• Inner strength through hard times

Trump

VIII (XI in older Marseille decks)

Attribution

Leo ♌︎

Hebrew letter

Teth ט (serpent)

Path

19th, Chesed to Geburah

Signature of

Leo

Thoth name

Lust

Upright

Courage, compassion, inner strength, gentle control

Reversed

Self-doubt, raw emotion, weakness, losing your temper

Key symbols

The woman closing the lion's jaws, the infinity sign, the chain of flowers

Working with it

On a Sunday, set Strength in sunlight. Name the 'lion' you're struggling with, an anger, a craving, a fear, and speak to it kindly, as you would to an animal you want to trust you. Gentleness, practiced daily, is this card's spell.