VIII. Strength

Resilience, compassion, courage, soft power

“My inner strength is greater

than any challenge I encounter.”

 

The Strength card wants us to think about what it means to be strong.
You can see a strong, powerful lion with a gentle butterfly resting on its face. The contrast is there: a creature that could wipe out everything in one move, holding space for something so delicate. Truth is that the strongest force isn’t the one that crushes.
The lion represents the raw, emotional parts of us: instinct, passion, fear, anger... These forces aren’t bad, they are human. But when not controled, they can create chaos. The Strength card encourages you to face challenges with care, not force.

This is what it means to have inner strength. Not to resist emotion, but to stay present with it. Not to push yourself harder, but to ask: “What do I need right now?”

The butterfly is a symbol of transformation. Here it reminds us of the power of gentleness. Real change doesn’t always come from fighting or forcing it. Sometimes it’s about just being patient, kind and staying with the challenges without trying to fix it right away. It also reminds you that tenderness is not weakness. In fact, it takes courage to remain open in a world that can feel harsh or overwhelming.

You don’t need to stay strong by pretending everything’s okay. You don’t need to smile through pain or hold it all alone. True strength is emotional honesty: the ability to feel 100%, without letting those feelings take over your life. Mind you, this is not about emotional suppression, but about emotional wisdom. It’s about noticing your triggers, owning your responses and choosing the version of yourself that reflects your integrity, not just your impulse.

You are allowed to be powerful and gentle.
To take up space, not with force, but with truth.

Reflections

  • What does true courage look like for me right now?

 

  • When have I surprised myself with my resilience? What helped me tap into it?

 

  • What practices help me feel grounded, centered and calm in the face of challenges?