Leo is the lion of the zodiac, warm, proud, and generous. And its tarot card is the one with a lion on it, though not in the way you might expect. The tarot card for Leo is Strength, card VIII of the Major Arcana in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.
Below you will find why Strength belongs to Leo, what it means when it shows up in a Leo love reading, the three smaller cards that rule each part of the sign, and a free three-card spread to try tonight.
Reading for a Leo? Leo in Love is our 13-page guide to how Leo really loves, with Strength, the decan cards, three love spreads, and Leo compatibility with all 12 signs. $9, instant PDF.
What tarot card represents Leo?
The tarot card for Leo is Strength. This comes from the Golden Dawn system, the same tradition behind the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, which links each of the twelve zodiac signs to one Major Arcana card. Leo covers birthdays from July 23 to August 22.
Strength shows a woman gently closing the mouth of a lion. There is no weapon, no struggle. The power in this card is calm, loving, and patient. That is Leo at its best: a big, bright heart that leads with warmth rather than force.
Leo is a fixed fire sign ruled by the Sun. It needs to shine and to feel appreciated. Strength teaches Leo’s deepest love lesson: real power is gentleness, and the proudest heart is the one brave enough to be soft. (A small note: in older decks like the Tarot de Marseille, Strength is card XI, but the sign link stays the same.)
Strength in love for Leo
In love, Strength stands for patience, compassion, and a courage that is soft rather than loud.
- Upright: A love built on patience and kindness. Choosing tenderness over pride. Getting through a hard time with calm and kindness instead of anger.
- Reversed: Self-doubt, or feelings out of control. Insecurity, jealousy, or losing patience with each other.
- As feelings: His feelings for you are warm and steady. You calm him and bring out his softer side. He feels safe being gentle with you.
- As advice: Lead with softness. Your patience will win what your pride never could.
Is Strength a good card for Leo?
Yes, Strength is a warm and hopeful card for Leo. Upright it shows patient, loyal love and a relationship that gets through hard times with kindness. Reversed, it can point to pride, insecurity, or a need for attention that turns into conflict.
The three Leo decan cards (the Minor Arcana of Leo)
Each sign is split into three decans of about ten days, and each decan has its own Minor Arcana card and planet. All three Leo decan cards come from the suit of Wands, the suit of the fire element. If you know the birthday, you can find the exact card for that person.
- Five of Wands (first decan, July 23 to August 1, Saturn): Friction and competition. In love: small fights, ego clashes, or too many people with opinions. Often it’s more noise than real danger.
- Six of Wands (second decan, August 2 to August 11, Jupiter): Victory and recognition. Leo at its proudest. In love: being admired, being chosen, and a relationship others celebrate.
- Seven of Wands (third decan, August 12 to August 22, Mars): Standing your ground. In love: defending your relationship, your boundaries, or your worth against pressure.
So a Leo born on the first days of the sign carries a little of the Five of Wands, while one born near the end leans toward the Seven of Wands. It is a small detail, but it often explains why two people of the same sign love so differently.
Other tarot cards linked to Leo
The planets have Major Arcana cards too, and Leo’s ruling planet gives it a second card: The Sun. It adds the planetary side of the sign, while Strength shows its zodiac nature. The element adds a whole suit: fire signs belong with the Wands.
How Leo loves
Leo is ruled by the Sun, the center of our solar system, and they naturally light up any room. In love, they are romantic and generous. They plan the big date, give the thoughtful gift, and say the sweet thing in front of everyone.
Their challenge is pride. Leo can struggle to admit when they are hurt or wrong. They may put on a show of being fine while they are breaking inside.
Wondering if a Leo is falling for you? Here are four of the signs to watch for:
- They show you off. Leo wants everyone to know about you.
- They plan big gestures. Special dates, surprises, and generous gifts.
- They give you lots of attention. When a Leo is into you, you are the center of their world.
- They compliment you often. Leo gives the praise they love to receive.
The full list of eight clues, plus how to reach a Leo’s heart and what pushes them away, is in Leo in Love.
A free three-card Leo love spread: The Leo Heart Spread
Shuffle while thinking about your Leo, or about yourself if you are the Leo. Lay three cards left to right.
- The roar. What you show the world in love.
- The heart. What you really need from a partner.
- The gentle power. How to get it without a fight.
If Strength or one of the Leo decan cards (Five of Wands, Six of Wands or Seven of Wands) turns up, pay extra attention. It may be the sign speaking in its own voice.
Leo compatibility at a glance
Fire and air signs usually understand Leo best. Earth and water signs can bring loyalty and depth, but they may not give Leo the spotlight it craves.
- Strongest matches: Aries and Sagittarius
- Good matches: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
- More challenging: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn and Pisces
Every pairing, with a note on how Leo feels about each sign, is in the compatibility chapter of Leo in Love.
Leo in Love: A Zodiac Love Tarot Guide
How Leo loves, Strength and the three decan cards in love, three spreads with diagrams, compatibility with all 12 signs, and journal prompts. A 13-page PDF for a Leo or anyone who loves one.
Tarot cards for all 12 zodiac signs
| Sign | Tarot card |
|---|---|
| Aries tarot card | The Emperor |
| Taurus tarot card | The Hierophant |
| Gemini tarot card | The Lovers |
| Cancer tarot card | The Chariot |
| Leo | Strength |
| Virgo tarot card | The Hermit |
| Libra tarot card | Justice |
| Scorpio tarot card | Death |
| Sagittarius tarot card | Temperance |
| Capricorn tarot card | The Devil |
| Aquarius tarot card | The Star |
| Pisces tarot card | The Moon |
Leo tarot card FAQ
What tarot card represents Leo?
Strength is the Major Arcana card for Leo. The link comes from the Golden Dawn system, which pairs each zodiac sign with one Major Arcana card.
What is Leo’s Minor Arcana card?
Leo has three: the Five of Wands, Six of Wands and Seven of Wands, one for each ten-day decan of the sign. Which one applies depends on the birthday.
What tarot card is Leo rising or Leo moon?
The same card, Strength. The card belongs to the sign itself, wherever it sits in a birth chart. Many readers use the sun sign for core personality, the moon sign for feelings, and the rising sign for first impressions.
Which planet card goes with Leo?
Leo is ruled by the Sun, so its planetary card is The Sun.
Is Strength a good card for Leo in love?
Yes, Strength is a warm and hopeful card for Leo. Upright it shows patient, loyal love and a relationship that gets through hard times with kindness.
Keep reading
Want to go further with Strength and the cards around it? Read The Sun as a yes or no card and what every card means as feelings, or browse the Zodiac Love Tarot guides for every sign.