Strength is the 8th card in the Major Arcana.  It symbolizes inner strength and fortitude; the ability to see things through no matter how difficult it becomes.  It also represents the triumph of inner spirit and will over our more aggressive, instinctive impulses; out soul over our more animal nature if you will. 

On the Artists's Inner Vision card the image shows a small girl garbed in overalls standing next to a huge lion.  The lion's paw rests amidst a bunch of flowers.  Overhead we see butterflies fluttering across the sky.  The creator gives this card's meaning as "This card speaks to us of a time where the strength of compassion and love is needed.  A time is at hand where we must muster all our determination and courage, utilizing the lion within us to conquer our obstacles and overcome barriers."  The scene in Terminator II when the cyborg voluntarily self-destructs in order to protect the future and John Connor is given as an example of this quality.

Lisa Hunt uses a Japanese fairy tale about Little One Inch to illustrate her card.  The basic story is a familiar one - a couple wishing desperately for a child, no matter how small, are granted their wish and have a son so small they called Little One Inch.  Little One Inch refuses to let his diminutive size hold him back.  He manages to find a position in the royal castle where he vows to protect the king and his family.  One day while the princess is out traveling her entourage is attacked by a giant.  All of her other retainers flee but not Little One Inch.  He stays and uses his small needle to attack the giant and ultimately defeats him.  After the giant flees, the princess finds a magic hammer lying in the road.  She asks Little One Inch what his wish would be.  After some thought he decided he'd like to be normal size.  Once his wish is granted, Little One Inch (who was no longer one inch tall) and the princess return to her father's castle and are ultimately married.

In both cases I love the idea of a smaller, supposedly weaker creature (the child and Little One Inch) being able to defeat the larger, scarier creature.  It is their determination and belief in their own abilities as well as their trust and faith that things will work out right.  The oni on the Fairy Tale card may have actually been a god testing Little Once Inch.  He was able to pass the test due to his inner strength and belief that he could overcome anything.  Nothing held him back from reaching his goals.  The child shows no fear of the lion.  She seems happy and excited while the lion is rested and at ease.  It is as if he is a beloved pet and she would never believe him capable of hurting her.  There is a sense of trust and fearlessness implicit in these images.

The reversal of this card seems to be telling me that I need to build up my internal strengths.  I need to build up my belief in myself and my ability to overcome whatever demons chase me.  And I am well aware the my demons are often what holds me back.  I can be a lion tamer.  The wonderful thing about it is that it doesn't require any actual mayhem be committed.  I just need to trust that I can silence those inner demons.  I can learn to transform them into resource, a font of creativity and energy.  My inner spirit is strong enough to tame those self-doubts and worries that plague me.  I think Strength is also a reminder that I don't need to be physically aggressive to achieve my goals.  A gentler and softer touch might be the more appropriate way to go.  Charging about like a bull in a china shop may be useful in some instances but not here and not now.