As I said in last month’s tarot post, I prefer the Rider-Waite deck because it balances masculine and feminine energies. All humans carry both masculine and feminine energies. However, it is essential to note that masculine and feminine energies are not about being male or female. A less gendered way to understand these distinctions is to think of masculine energies as lines and feminine energies as circles.
All Queens have agency but express their power in different ways. As humans, we need to find our agency, but masculine and feminine energies express themselves differently. How the Queens in the Tarot embody feminine energies can help us find balance.
Queen of Wands — The Queen of Wands sits comfortably and powerfully on her throne. She holds a wand in bloom in her right hand, her masculine side, symbolizing her creative presence in the world. In her left hand, the feminine side, she holds a sunflower, representing her creativity, generativity, and beauty. Above her crown on the throne are two red lions dancing, symbolizing her leadership and passion. At her feet sits a black cat, her familiar and her connection to her intuition and to the world of nature. She carries the darker aspects of life within her, even though she expresses her lighter side to the world. She is a Fire sign, filled with passion and energy to succeed.
Queen of Swords — The Queen of Swords initially seems daunting and unapproachable. Her right hand holds an upright sword, symbolizing her intelligence, discernment, and firm boundaries. Her left hand, however, is open, receptive, and welcoming. Butterflies surround her crown, her throne is decorated with cherubs and more butterflies, and her gown is made of clouds and water. Her masculine energies of clarity, leadership, and power are balanced by her ability to flow like water and like butterflies to transform. She is an Air sign, bolstered by a sharp mind and the ability to manifest.
Queen of Pentacles — The Queen of Pentacles sits gracefully on a throne surrounded by beauty, fertility, and creativity. Holding a Pentacle, symbolizing talents, resources, and money, lightly in her lap, she carries gentle, nurturing mother energy and is practical, sensible, secure, and generous. Her red gown symbolizes her passion, and the green scarf falling from her crown represents her heart’s energy. She is connected to the natural world and is successful and capable in the material world. She is an Earth sign and is rooted in nature.
Queen of Cups — The Queen of Cups, a beautiful and introspective woman, seems to be made of flowing water as she sits at the water’s edge on her throne decorated with cherubs. The water, symbolizing emotions, surrounds her, but she sits solidly on land and is not overwhelmed. Her highly-tuned intuition and creativity flow with the surrounding energies. She seems entranced by the strange robot-like figure in her hands, indicating her interest in the mysteries beyond the rational mind and her profound powers of communication. She is a water sign, flowing with emotion and willing to delve into the unknown.
Depending on the position, these energies can work positively or negatively in tarot readings. When a Queen shows up, depending on its location, it may be bringing attention to imbalance or places where growth or healing needs to happen in the areas of one’s personal power. Understanding the symbolism of the pictures can bring focus to energies that are arising or needing to be shed.
As an experiment, you might choose the Queen you feel most represents you. Meditate on the card and listen to the message it wants to tell you. Then select the card you like the least and listen to what that card wants to say to you. Accept the possibility of learning from cards that attract and repel you. Often, the cards that you like the least are the ones that have the most to teach.
I would be interested in what you discover about yourself.