The main characteristic of civilization and of the civilized human being is the ability to think and behave beyond the lower, primal instincts such as sex, food and pure survival. This card symbolizes the taming of these lower instincts in favour of more subtle aspirations such as compassion, resolve, patience, courage and love. Strength can be seen as the last card of a triad with The Lovers and The Chariot. The original sin in The Lovers card, which resulted in exile from the Garden of Eden, and The Chariot's divine control in the external field of the material world, with its conflicts and challenges, find their soft but strong culmination in the calm taming of our lower self, the Id. This card echoes once again the fact that external battles must first be won inside, with the help of the virtues this card gives. We can see on this card that the lion is overcome with gentleness, without struggle.
On the card
The symbolism of this card is rather straightforward and plain. The lion represents our low-level instincts, the monster from the Id. A simple and gentle woman is closing his jaws with conspicuous ease. The lion is reddish in appearance, indicating the strength of its passion. We could even say that the lion obeys against its will, as if some greater, stronger force were on the scene. We must ask ourselves what force is capable of doing this. We see that the woman is dressed in white, a clear indication of purity of purpose. There is a garland of flowers in her hair and around her waist. An interesting detail is above her head: the horizontal figure eight symbolizing infinity is a clear clue to where the strength for taming the lion comes from. The same symbol is above the head of The Magician. They are connected to the same source. The landscape of the card echoes The Lovers card. The ground and the mountain in the distance are rather simple, but they are a direct connection with The Lovers. The passion in The Lovers card was the reason for the fall; in this card passion is tamed, or perhaps it is better to say controlled, through gentleness and love. All this symbolism is about the inner battle, as opposed to The Chariot, where the battle is more external and more visible. Besides the astrological sign of Leo, this card was traditionally connected with the ruler of that sign, the Sun. We can see all the solar characteristics, generosity, strength, love and so on, carried as messages in this card. An interesting detail is that although the woman is closing the lion's mouth, his tongue is still extended: he is about to feel pain as a result of his stubbornness. That is a nice allegory of the pain we must live through when we foolishly think we can carry on with our outmoded ways of living without consequences. There is a subtle impression that the woman is the subconscious force that controls the lion, symbolizing the fire of kundalini sleeping inside us. Control in this case is not brute force but spiritual gentleness.
Upright
A person of great power. Great inner strength and willpower, the ability to cope with extreme pressure. Health is improving; unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking are given up. Generosity or mercy are also indicated. One's higher self may prevail over the lower instincts.
Reversed
Danger of losing control. Desires and impulses gone wild. Pride and unwarranted anger.