Strength and Teth: The Mastery of Inner Power
In the symbolic structure of the Tarot, each Major Arcana card is connected to a Hebrew letter that reveals the deeper principle expressed through its imagery. Within the Golden Dawn system, the card Strength corresponds to the letter Teth (ט). This association helps explain both the psychological meaning of the card and the design choices made by Pamela Colman Smith in the Rider–Waite–Smith deck.
Teth is traditionally associated with the serpent, a creature that coils upon itself and holds its energy in concentrated form. In symbolic terms the serpent represents primal life force, instinct, and the deep currents of vitality that move beneath conscious awareness. It suggests energy that is powerful, potentially dangerous, but also capable of transformation.
The Strength card illustrates the process of mastering this force. Rather than depicting violence or domination, the card presents a woman calmly closing the mouth of a lion. The scene does not suggest struggle but quiet control. This reflects the Golden Dawn interpretation of strength as fortitude, courage, and the gentle guidance of raw power.
Within the Golden Dawn system the card is associated with Leo. Leo represents solar vitality, courage, and the confident expression of life force. It is the energy that radiates outward with warmth and confidence. When combined with the symbolism of Teth, Leo becomes the force that channels instinctual energy into purposeful expression.
Pamela Colman Smith’s illustration captures this principle with subtle clarity. The woman’s posture is relaxed, suggesting trust rather than fear. Above her head appears the lemniscate, the symbol of infinity, indicating a continuous flow of energy that is neither suppressed nor exhausted. The lion itself represents the untamed instincts of the psyche.
Seen through the symbolism of Teth, the scene describes the transformation of primal energy through awareness. The coiled serpent symbolises the life force that must be approached with patience and understanding rather than force. When handled with care, this energy becomes a source of vitality and creativity rather than chaos.
The woman’s calm presence shows that true strength arises from integration rather than domination. She does not overpower the lion; she harmonises with it. This reflects the idea that instinct and consciousness must work together rather than exist in conflict.
Pamela Colman Smith’s imagery emphasises this quiet mastery. The gentle interaction between the woman and the lion suggests a relationship of trust, while the open landscape and bright sunlight reinforce the life-affirming quality of the card.
Within the broader journey of the Major Arcana, Strength represents the moment when the individual learns to work with their inner forces rather than struggle against them. The disciplined movement of the Chariot is now balanced by inner equilibrium and emotional intelligence.
Through Teth, the Strength reminds us that the most powerful energies within the human psyche cannot be controlled through force alone. They must be approached with patience, awareness, and respect. When this balance is achieved, instinct is no longer destructive but becomes a stable and creative source of strength.