The Strength card number 8 of the Major Arcana depicts a young woman clothed in a dress of virginal white, she is pure of spirit and she is strong yet tender of heart. To overcome adversity we need to connect with our authentic self. The more we are exposed to that which we fear most, the less fearful it will be. Sometimes in life we have to take something to its upmost limit to transform into another form.

This is the card of entering and engaging a “right relationship” with the other person, the situation or project. The “Goldilocks” state of being just right, not too hot, not too cold.

In the Rider-Waite card the girl subdues the beast, the Lion, she transforms its natural ferociousness into kitten-like behavior, whereas she becomes the powerful one.

If this card comes up for you in a reading and you need to transform yourself from a kitten into a full blown Panther; two good books to read are Woman in Your Own Right by Anne Dickson and Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway’ by Susan Jeffers.

Insider Tarot Tip: The figure 8 shape above the woman is called a Lemniscate and it is a symbolic of infinity. It signifies that true strength, inner strength, never ends.