Today, I drew the Strength card, and as I reflected on its meaning, it revealed something deeper than just physical or outward power. Strength, as this card teaches, is an internal force—a quiet resilience rooted in patience, compassion, and self-control. It’s the kind of strength that shows up not in grand gestures, but in the ability to remain calm and composed, even when chaos swirls around us.

The traditional image of the Strength card often features a woman gently opening the mouth of a lion. This image is striking not because the woman is overpowering the lion, but because there’s a balance between them. The lion, representing raw, primal power, could easily assert dominance, yet it yields to her touch. This speaks to a deeper truth: real strength is not about overpowering or controlling others, but about mastering ourselves—our impulses, our fears, and our emotions.

In reflecting on this, I find myself drawn to the Jungian archetypes that resonate with the Strength card. Jung believed that within each of us lies a collection of archetypal figures that guide and shape our journey to individuation—our path to wholeness. The Strength card aligns with the archetype of the “Self” in Jungian psychology. The Self is the central archetype, representing the integration of all aspects of the personality—the conscious and the unconscious, the light and the shadow. It’s the part of us that strives for balance, harmony, and inner unity, much like the relationship between the woman and the lion.

The lion represents the shadow, the raw, untamed part of our psyche that holds both destructive and creative potential. It’s the primal force that can overwhelm us if left unchecked. Yet, in the Strength card, the woman (a symbol of consciousness) doesn’t suppress or fight the lion. Instead, she tames it with gentleness, compassion, and understanding. This mirrors the Jungian process of integrating the shadow—acknowledging its existence, facing it with courage, and bringing it into harmony with the rest of our psyche. In doing so, we become whole, capable of wielding our power responsibly and compassionately.

The Strength card also speaks to the anima or animus, depending on the gendered perspective of the individual. In Jungian terms, the anima represents the feminine energy within a man, while the animus represents the masculine energy within a woman. The card’s gentle female figure guiding the lion suggests the harmonious integration of these inner energies. True strength comes from embracing both the active and passive, the rational and the emotional, the powerful and the nurturing sides of ourselves. This integration leads us to a fuller expression of who we are—a balanced self capable of immense strength without aggression, power without force.

As I sit with the image of the lion and the woman, I’m also reminded of the archetype of the “Hero” in Jungian thought. The Hero’s journey is one of encountering trials and challenges, not through brute force, but through the discovery of inner strength. The Hero, at some point, must face the shadow, confront fears, and transform by integrating those darker aspects. The Strength card symbolizes a moment on this journey when we realize that real power isn’t about fighting external battles—it’s about mastering the internal ones. It’s about finding the courage to be vulnerable, the wisdom to be compassionate, and the grace to hold back when necessary.

There’s also a deeply spiritual element to the Strength card. In many decks, there’s a heart hanging on a locket around the woman’s neck, and to me, this symbolizes love as the core of strength. It brings to mind the Christian image of the Lamb of God—Christ as a symbol of love, sacrifice, and humility. There’s a profound message here: strength isn’t always about standing tall or fighting. Sometimes, it’s about bending, yielding, and offering love in the face of resistance. This echoes the idea in Jungian thought that true individuation requires the balance of opposites—strength and vulnerability, power and gentleness, the lion and the lamb.

In carrying the energy of this card today, I feel called to embrace both my inner lion and my inner lamb. The Jungian archetype of the Self reminds me that strength is found in the integration of all parts of myself, both light and shadow. There’s no need to force, no need to overpower. Real strength comes from being in harmony with myself and with the world around me.

Today, I carry the lesson of Strength not as a display of power, but as a reminder that true strength lies in mastery of the self—quiet, calm, and compassionate. The woman and the lion walk together in me, and I find peace in knowing that I can hold both my wildness and my gentleness with grace. Through this balance, I come closer to wholeness, embodying the Jungian journey of individuation in my own life.