A Modern African Tarot

he ninth card in A Modern African Tarot shifts the journey from motion to mastery. Where VII CHARIOT explores drive and duality, VIII STRENGTH centers on inner power—how courage, restraint, and spiritual alignment shape true resilience. This card reimagines the traditional Strength archetype through African symbolism, emotional depth, and embodied grace.

In classic tarot, Strength depicts a woman gently taming a lion, often with her hands or gaze. She wears a white robe and an infinity symbol floats above her head. The scene suggests calm dominance, emotional control, and the triumph of spirit over brute force. But this imagery, while elegant, is steeped in European allegory—idealized femininity, pastoral serenity, and symbolic taming. For many Africans, it feels distant from the lived experience of strength in a world that demands both softness and survival.

VIII STRENGTH, in this reinterpretation, is bold, vibrant, and grounded. A person with an afro hairstyle sits confidently atop a large lion, wearing a red dress and purple leggings. In one hand, they hold a golden chalice—symbol of spiritual depth, emotional wisdom, and sacred offering. In the other, a spear—symbol of readiness, protection, and ancestral power. The lion beneath them is not subdued—it is partnered. They ride together across a grassy field, under a cloudy sky that hints at both challenge and transformation.

This Strength is not about taming—it is about harmony. The figure does not dominate the lion—they move with it. In African contexts, strength is often relational: it is the ability to endure, to protect, to lead, and to heal. This card honors that. It suggests that true power is not loud—it is intentional.

The red dress evokes vitality, courage, and passion. The purple leggings suggest spiritual insight and regal energy. The afro is not just a hairstyle—it is a crown, a symbol of identity, pride, and resistance. The chalice and spear together reflect balance—between nurturing and defending, between softness and steel.

The lion is central. In many African traditions, lions symbolize royalty, bravery, and ancestral guardianship. This lion is not a beast to be tamed—it is a force to be respected. Its presence reminds us that strength is not about control—it is about relationship.

The grassy field and scattered trees evoke openness, possibility, and rootedness. The cloudy sky adds tension—this is not a perfect day, but a real one. Strength is not forged in ease—it is revealed in adversity.

VIII STRENGTH invites us to reflect on how we hold power. In African traditions, strength is often quiet, enduring, and communal. It is found in mothers who carry families, in elders who hold memory, in youth who rise despite odds. This card honors that spectrum.

It also reframes the idea of emotional mastery. The chalice is not just a symbol—it is a vessel. It holds feeling, intuition, and sacred truth. The spear is not just a weapon—it is a tool of clarity, boundary, and protection. Together, they suggest that strength is not about suppression—it is about integration.

As the ninth card in this series, VIII STRENGTH marks a moment of embodiment. The Fool begins with openness, the Magician with focus, the High Priestess with insight, the Empress with creation, the Emperor with structure, the Pastor with influence, the Lovers with union, the Chariot with motion—and now Strength with grace. It teaches that resilience is not just survival—it is sacred alignment.

This reinterpretation frames strength as dynamic, spiritual, and deeply African. It is not about dominance—it is about dignity. It is the reminder that power can be fierce and gentle, bold and wise.

With VIII STRENGTH, the deck continues to speak to African identity, modern life, and spiritual depth. It offers a mirror for those who have long searched for themselves in the cards and found only foreign reflections. The journey now stands firm—held by courage, guided by spirit.

Images in this series, including “VIII STRENGTH,” are AI‑generated. They are used here as creative visual interpretations to accompany the written narrative. The intent is to blend modern technology with African symbolism, offering readers a fresh lens on the tarot archetypes.