Strength as How Someone Sees You (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning 

Strength is the card of strength, compassion, influence, persuasion, and determination. A woman is gently stroking a lion—she has completely tamed this wild beast. Strength shows what is possible when resilience and kindness is applied to a situation. Sometimes, it is not brute force, but inner strength that makes the most impact on a person or a relationship. 

Strength is not a traditional “love” card, and many readers get confused when it shows up in a love reading. Does it literally mean that someone feels strongly about you? There are many other cards that speak to romantic passion, so we have to ask ourselves, what is Strength trying to say in particular? As you’ll see, I interpret Strength as speaking to the dynamics between people. In love readings, Strength asks us to consider the balance of power and care in a relationship. 

Upright Strength as How Someone Sees You

If you are asking about how someone sees you, and you draw Strength, that means this person sees you as a strong individual capable of taking care of them. They are in awe of your qualities of determination and compassion. You are always kind, but your kindness is level-headed and only applies to perfect situations. They are confident you can mold them into a better person.

Strength means that they see you as someone who can help them transform their life for the better. Either your own character inspires them to be strong, or you give them the strength to grow and mature into a more responsible and kind individual. They did not see this coming. While they think you are just a passing person in the past, now they are heavily invested in you. They are as thankful for your presence as they want to spend time with you.

For singles and those embarking on new relationships, Strength is a sign that they see you as someone who changes them. You give their life more meaning and purpose. You inspired them to have deep introspection about their past. Now that their perspective has shifted, they may be ready to embark on a new romantic relationship with you. For those who just started their romance, Strength is a positive sign that your partner sees you as someone who can completely understand them. Your relationship is off to a great start.

For existing relationships, Strength means that they see you as a good influence in their life. Ever since knowing you, they have become better and want to continue improving their ways. With you by their side, they feel they can accomplish many incredible feats. They are content with the stability of your relationship. They know that with your inner strength and compassion, you will be a terrific partner. Now is a fantastic time to discuss taking the connection to the next level.

If you are asking about an ex’s intentions, Strength shows that they see you as a critical force behind their maturity. They respect you for your inner strength and mental fortitude. You are someone who has significantly helped them in their personal growth. If you want to get together with this person, you may need to wait a little more. Strength is not an action-based card, so if you are desperate for a reconciliation, you may need to do the bidding.

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, Strength means that they see you as an amazing partner with whom they share a deep connection. You have a great influence on their life. You helped them become a better person. Thanks to you, they have become more compassionate and mindful of their surroundings. They are confident in your relationship. But then again, Strength is not an action-based card, so your partner can simply be satisfied with the care you are providing them. If you want to take the relationship to the next level, you may need to sit down and openly talk about how you would like the relationship to move from here.

Reversed Strength as How Someone Sees You

If you are asking about how someone sees you, and you draw Strength reversed, that means this person sees you as weak and toxic. You don’t have the courage to move forward or do anything. It could be that you lack the drive to reach for your goals. It could also mean you are overly insecure of your own capabilities. Alternatively, this could go the other way. This person may be afraid to forge a deeper connection with you because it is them who feels too weak to take action.

Strength reversed means that they see you as their strength. They cannot do anything without you. But this independence may negatively impact your relationship dynamics and you as an individual. Since this person does not have the inner strength to make them feel confident in their abilities, they may be too clingy toward you. They lack respect for themselves, and they definitely don’t respect you. They need to do shadow work before they can move forward.

For singles and those embarking on new relationships, Strength reversed is a sign that they see you as someone they really like. But they are too insecure about your relationship, so their insecurities cloud their mind even if they have feelings for you. Your partner lacks the inner strength to be confident about themselves. This can manifest in jealousy, envy, or even anger. You can really do nothing about this issue since your partner needs to do inner work to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

For existing relationships, Strength reversed means that they see you as someone they can rely on. But this reliance can become toxic in the long run, particularly if they don’t want to improve themselves. They want you to be in that role for as long as possible. Remember that your relationship could have irreparable damage if you leave this issue unresolved. You may need to openly communicate your needs; healing starts from within. While you cannot solve their problems for them, you can inspire your partner and show your support in their period of introspection and reflection.

If you are asking about an ex’s intentions, Strength reversed shows that they see you as someone who significantly hurt them. They don’t like how the relationship ended. They always think about how you made them feel, and they are deeply affected. They have not yet moved on. But if you want to reconcile with your ex, they must first find and develop their inner strength. Otherwise, your relationship is doomed.

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, Strength reversed means that they see you as someone they cannot wholly trust. They are not confident that your relationship can flourish in time. You may have had a significant fight in the past that led to this situation. What made them feel this way? You may need to reflect on past decisions and mistakes before any larger commitment can bloom.

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, Strength reveals the foundational state of a bond. It shines light into how secure a person is feeling. It also shows us what we need to do to bring that energy of strength and security into our lives–by leaning into our inner fortitude, kindness, and empathy. If you allow it, Strength’s energy will make your relationships stronger and more durable. Shine in your own confidence. 

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.