# Leo in the tarot

> The tarot card for Leo is Strength. Learn why, the three minor arcana cards for Leo's decans, the suit of Wands, and a simple Leo spread.

URL: https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/zodiac/leo/tarot
Updated: 2026-10-30

In the Golden Dawn tradition used by the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, Leo is linked with Strength. Its three ten-day 'decans' map to the Five of Wands, Six of Wands and Seven of Wands, and as a fire sign it belongs to the suit of Wands.

## Strength: the Leo card

Keywords: courage, compassion, gentle power. The lion is tamed with a gentle hand. True strength is patience and a kind heart.

Reversed: Self-doubt or raw frustration. Be tender with yourself; courage returns with rest.

Why Leo? Golden Dawn writers matched each major card to a sign by Hebrew letter, and Strength fell to Leo. [Full Strength meaning](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/learn/tarot/strength).

## The Leo decans in the minor arcana

The Golden Dawn split each sign into three ten-day decans and gave each a numbered minor card. For Leo they run in order through the sign's dates:

### First decan: Five of Wands

Challenge and change · fire. A test in passion, drive and creative fire. Conflict or loss asks what truly matters to you. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/learn/tarot/five-of-wands).

### Second decan: Six of Wands

Harmony and generosity · fire. Flow returns to passion, drive and creative fire. Give, receive and remember sweeter days. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/learn/tarot/six-of-wands).

### Third decan: Seven of Wands

Reflection and perseverance · fire. Hold your ground in passion, drive and creative fire. Assess your options and stay true. [Read more](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/learn/tarot/seven-of-wands).

## The suit of Wands

Leo is a fire sign, and fire belongs to the suit of Wands in most decks. When Wands cards dominate a Leo reading, tradition reads it as the sign's own energy speaking.

## A three-card Leo spread

Shuffle, draw three cards and read them as a short story. Tarot is used here for reflection, not prediction.

- Card 1, Strength's question: where in my life am I being asked to courage?
- Card 2: what is helping me right now?
- Card 3: one small step for this Leo season.

## Questions

**What tarot card represents Leo?**

Strength, in the Golden Dawn system used by most modern decks.

**Which minor arcana cards belong to Leo?**

Five of Wands, Six of Wands and Seven of Wands, one for each ten-day decan.

**What tarot suit is Leo?**

Wands, because Leo is a fire sign.

## Related

- [Leo sign guide](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/zodiac/leo)
- [Leo crystals](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/zodiac/leo/crystals)
- [Strength](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/learn/tarot/strength)
- [All 78 tarot meanings](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/learn/tarot)
- [How to read tarot](https://www.starseeduk.co.uk/guides/how-to-read-tarot)

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