Lust Tarot Card Meaning: Thoth Deck

What does the Lust tarot card mean?

The Lust tarot card in the Thoth deck represents passion, divine intoxication, and fearless union with one’s true power. Unlike the traditional Strength card, which focuses on taming instincts, Lust celebrates embodying them fully, without repression or shame.

Upright, it reflects spiritual strength, joy, and the ecstasy of living authentically. Reversed, it warns of repression, fear of power, or losing direction through excess.

At its core, the Lust card asks: will you embrace your sacred fire and ride it with joy, or will fear and shame keep you from your true vitality?

What is the symbolism of the Lust card in the Thoth Tarot?

The imagery of the Lust card in the Thoth deck highlights divine passion, embodiment, and fearless surrender:

• Babalon Riding the Beast – Symbolizes sovereign feminine power, radiance, and divine ecstasy.
• The Holy Graal Overflowing with Light – Represents spiritual intoxication and the fullness of divine purpose.
• The Seven-Headed Beast – Embodies primal instincts transfigured into sacred strength.
• The Fiery Palette of Reds, Golds, and Violets – Evokes Leo, passion, and transformation through the womb of Binah.

This card portrays Lust not as indulgence but as sacred union with the divine will.

The difference between Lust and Strength

In traditional tarot, Strength depicts a gentle figure taming a lion—representing control over instinct and discipline of desire. In the Thoth Tarot, Crowley renamed and reimagined this card as Lust, shifting the message entirely.

• Strength: Represents restraint, patience, and control over impulses.
• Lust: Represents joyful union with passion and the fearless embodiment of desire.

Crowley changed the name and imagery to reflect Thelemic ideals, where liberation—not repression—reveals true spiritual strength. Lust is not about overcoming the Beast, but becoming one with it, reveling in divine vitality.

What does the Lust card mean upright?

When upright, the Lust card signifies passion, vitality, and the ecstasy of living in alignment with true will.

Upright Meanings

• Embracing spiritual passion and divine embodiment
• A surge of creative energy ready to be expressed
• Fearless pursuit of joy, love, and authentic desire
• Courage to live fully without shame or restraint
• Ecstasy found in surrendering to true will

The message: ride the fire of life boldly—Lust calls you to become whole by merging with your deepest passions and divine purpose.

What does the upright Lust card mean in love?

In love readings, the upright Lust card reflects passion, intimacy, and fearless connection.

• Singles: Attraction is powerful—follow authentic desire without shame.
• Couples: Relationships deepen through passion, vitality, and joyful embodiment of love.

The lesson: love thrives in fearless authenticity—celebrate passion as sacred union.

What does the upright Lust card mean in career?

In career readings, the upright Lust card highlights boldness, creativity, and leadership.

• Fearlessly pursuing passions in your work
• A surge of creative energy fueling projects and success
• Courage to lead with charisma and vitality
• Embracing risk and authenticity in professional choices

The guidance: success comes when you embody your passion and lead from a place of joy.

What does the upright Lust card mean in finances?

Financially, the upright Lust card suggests confidence and bold opportunities.

• Courage to invest in authentic passions
• Financial success through creativity and vitality
• Fearless risk-taking guided by intuition and purpose
• Celebration of abundance and flow of resources

The advice: trust your passion—it leads to prosperity when aligned with true will.

What does the upright Lust card mean in health?

In health readings, the upright Lust card reflects vitality and passion for life.

• Strong energy and resilience
• Healing through joy, pleasure, and embodiment
• Courage to live fully, nurturing both body and spirit
• Balance through celebrating life-force energy

The message: your vitality is sacred—embrace life with passion to strengthen health and spirit.

What does the upright Lust card mean spiritually?

Spiritually, the upright Lust card symbolizes union with true will and sacred ecstasy.

• Fearless connection with divine passion
• Joyful embodiment of spirit through desire
• Merging instincts with higher purpose
• Liberation through surrender to divine intoxication

This card reminds you: your passion is divine—embrace it as a path to spiritual wholeness.

What does the Lust card mean reversed?

Reversed, the Lust card reveals repression, fear, or misdirection of passion.

Reversed Meanings

• Suppressing desires, leading to frustration or disconnection
• Fear of power or shame blocking authentic expression
• Excessive indulgence leading to imbalance or loss of focus
• Scattered will causing burnout or dependency
• Shame or repression distorting true joy

The reminder: sacred fire must be embraced with balance—repression and excess both block its true power.

What does the reversed Lust card mean in love?

In love readings, the reversed Lust card reflects fear, repression, or excess.

• Singles: Fear of intimacy or shame may block authentic connection.
• Couples: Imbalance between passion and restraint may create conflict or dependency.

The message: love requires balance—neither repression nor excess leads to true union.

What does the reversed Lust card mean in career?

In career readings, the reversed Lust card warns of repression or misused passion.

• Holding back talents out of fear or shame
• Overindulgence or excess creating instability
• Lack of focus causing scattered energy at work
• Fear of leadership or self-expression blocking success

The guidance: reclaim your power—direct passion into purpose, not fear or excess.

What does the reversed Lust card mean in finances?

Financially, the reversed Lust card suggests mismanagement or fear of risk.

• Overindulgence creating instability
• Fear of taking bold steps causing stagnation
• Confusion about financial direction or purpose
• Shame around money blocking prosperity

The advice: find balance—neither reckless spending nor fearful withholding serves you.

What does the reversed Lust card mean in health?

In health readings, the reversed Lust card highlights imbalance and repression.

• Repressed emotions or passions affecting vitality
• Excess or indulgence straining health
• Fear or shame creating stress or illness
• Scattered energy blocking healing

The message: balance your life-force—embrace joy and passion without excess or suppression.

What does the reversed Lust card mean spiritually?

Spiritually, the reversed Lust card reflects fear or misalignment with divine will.

• Shame or fear blocking spiritual connection
• Repression of true passions cutting off vitality
• Misuse of spiritual fire for ego or excess
• Confusion or misdirection in following true will

The lesson: reclaim your sacred passion—fear and excess both cloud spiritual truth.

Astrology and Numerology of the Lust card

• Element: Fire – passion, vitality, and transformation
• Astrology: Leo – strength, courage, joy, and radiance
• Hebrew Letter: Teth (ט) – serpent, life-force, and inner strength
• Numerology: The number 11, representing mastery, union, and illumination

Card combinations with the Lust card

• Lust + The Fool: A fearless leap into passion and new beginnings
• Lust + The Empress: Creative abundance and embodied joy
• Lust + The Devil: Excess, obsession, or misuse of desire
• Lust + The Sun: Radiant vitality, joy, and celebration of life

Shadow side of the Lust card

The shadow side of this card includes:

• Repression or fear of passion
• Shame distorting authentic desire
• Overindulgence leading to imbalance
• Scattered will or loss of true direction

The shadow warns: passion must be balanced with purpose—without it, sacred fire burns chaotically.

Story example: A real-life tarot reading

A querent asks about stepping into a leadership role. The Lust card appears upright, affirming their power and passion. It encourages them to embrace their vitality, lead with joy, and embody their true will without fear.

If reversed, it would suggest repression, shame, or misdirected passion undermining their confidence, urging them to realign with purpose and reclaim authentic power.

Is the Lust card a yes or no card?

Upright: Yes – passion, vitality, and fearless embodiment support success. Reversed: No – repression, fear, or excess block fulfillment.

Frequently asked questions about the Lust card

1. Is the Lust card the same as Strength? No. While both are linked to Leo and inner vitality, Lust emphasizes joyful embodiment of passion rather than taming or restraint.
2. Why did Crowley change Strength to Lust? He wanted to reject Victorian repression and celebrate Thelemic ideals of passion, embodiment, and divine intoxication.
3. What element is associated with the Lust card? Fire—symbolizing vitality, creativity, and passion.
4. What zodiac sign is tied to this card? Leo, representing strength, courage, and radiant life-force.
5. How should I interpret this card in a reading? Upright reflects fearless passion and alignment with true will. Reversed signals repression, excess, or misdirection of energy.

Final thoughts on the Lust tarot card

The Lust tarot card in the Thoth deck represents passion, joy, and fearless union with true will. Upright, it celebrates ecstasy, embodiment, and spiritual strength. Reversed, it warns of repression, shame, or excess scattering your energy.

Ultimately, the Lust card teaches that true power is not in taming desire but embracing it as divine fire—when passion is aligned with purpose, it becomes the sacred fuel of transformation.