VIII. Fortitude

Element: Fire

 
Disciplined / Impulsive

Strength / Weakness

Composure / Instability

Valor / Timidity
 

Fortitude card
 

Upright

    • Strength and stability in the midst of turmoil which can overcome arduous complications.
    • Perseverance in the midst of a hazardous landscape, or in the midst of internal conflict involving potent drives.
    • Poise and coordination.
    • Keeping commitments, being reliable.
    • Strength which is mindful, perhaps gentle— strength which goes hand-in-hand with caution and exactness, which will not cause further problems as it perseveres.
    • A fiery will, a cool demeanor, and a mindful outlook at once.

The card Fortitude depicts a bow and an arrow, weapons which require strength and precision to master, before a raging river, representing the harrowing forces of nature in the world and within us. Because it is closely linked with impulse and raw power, Fortitude is in the realm of Fire.

This card is symbolic of mindful strength, which perseveres, protects and empowers, rather than destroying.

Card Affiliations

Fortitude is the Two Worlds Tarot counterpart to Strength, Major Arcana number VIII in the Waite-Smith tarot and in many universal tarot decks. This card's meaning differs moderately from the universal meanings widely used for Strength. Universal meanings for Strength can be substituted or used to alter this card's meaning if the reader desires.

 

Reversed

    • Being unable to stand firm or to keep commitments.
    • Physical or psychological weakness, frailty, instability.
    • Misusing powerful tools or forces to one's own detriment, or to the detriment of one's own team or cause.
    • Clumsy, uncoordinated strength which can be more destructive than helpful.
    • Acerbic speech or violent outbursts caused by personal weaknesses.
    • Shooting oneself in the foot.
    • A slip-up which costs the victory.

Fortitude Reversed depicts the rushing river above the symbol of mindful strength, the bow and arrow. It represents being overwhelmed, being unable to remain sturdy and diligent in the face of internal and external forces.

Alternatively, it could represent misuse of powerful tools or physical strength. It may be that a strong person is clumsy and prone to breaking things, or that a debater misuses powerful and prominent concepts to her disadvantage.