What does the Queen of Swords card mean in a Tarot Reading?
The Queen of Swords is most often viewed as an absolute victory, which does not even involve participating in the battle. This is achieved through maturity, wisdom, and strength.
The Queen of Swords characterizes a hard-headed, strong, confident, self-sufficient person. If this Arcana fell to you, then it is time to show your mind and composure.
This card means small troubles, obstacles, passing life lessons. Minor Arcana Tarot card Queen of Swords has a negative connotation in the spreads, but not frightening, rather warning.
This card symbolizes a woman who has taken a strong position in life. She is a wonderful wife and mother. She is loved and respected by her colleagues at work and, possibly, in social activities. She is cramped within her four walls, she seeks and finds use of her abilities. She was able to achieve this only at the cost of hard work and overcoming many obstacles. But now she has gained experience and knows how to use it.
Goal: Knowledge, Cognition
Element: Air
Planet: Saturn, Pluto, Mars, Sun
Astrological sign: Libra
Depiction
In the drawing of the Queen of Swords of the Tarot Waite deck, we see a middle-aged woman with a crown on her head, wearing a robe depicting clouds. She sits on a throne and holds a raised sword in her right hand. We see in the background, as a sign of the element of air: the sky with clouds, trees swaying in the wind and a flying bird. Confident posture of the Queen conveys the meaning of the Arcana – strength, independence, intelligence, self-control, readiness to fight
(For a detailed depiction, analysis of the Symbols and all Elements of the Queen of Swords Tarot Card, click here)
The Main Meanings of the Card In an Upright Position
Key Words and Phrases
Strong will. Sharp mind. Sarcasm. Autonomy. Ambition. High intelligence. Analytic skills. Aloofness. Guiding the mind, not the senses. Susceptibility. Sharp discernment. Fair judgments. Correct decisions. Communication. Education. Professional advice. Independence. Iron logic. Determination. The desire to make a career. Good advice. Diplomacy. Professional skills. Tangible help. Responsibility for your actions. Widowhood. Loneliness.
The main meanings of the card in an upright position
a woman who achieved success at the cost of hard work;
self-control;
good counselor;
suppression of emotions (sadness);
willingness to learn;
deliberate reaction;
flexible behavior in business negotiations;
cherish freedom;
wealth of ideas and creative curiosity;
the need for equality with a partner;
career, ambition;
not the best time for a love relationship;
smart elderly woman;
lazy, free;
sadness, mourning, bitter experience, breakup;
a woman of high position, influence and authority;
patroness, contributing to the success of the querent.
Situation and Advice
This card is well characterized by the expression “by itself”. Autonomy, alienation and independence are the main key concepts for her. The time has come for you to take responsibility for your own actions and find out your true desires and needs. During your period of loneliness, you learned to be independent. Your sharp mind and sense of justice helped you to achieve a good position. You are much more interested in career and ambition than simple human emotions. Your heightened sense of discrimination helps you separate the wheat from the chaff. You may have interacted with a woman who has experienced grief. If your question was about love relationships, then now is not the best time for them. This card warns that focusing on cold, rational thoughts dulls emotions.
Persons designated by Upright Queen of Swords Tarot Сard
One of the parents who is at a distance at the moment and does not take part in your life. A woman who has gone through grief and has withdrawn into herself. Calm, balanced and collected personality. Someone who has experienced loss or hardship. An educated, witty woman with an analytical mind. A business woman who can stand up for herself. A woman giving advice (doctor, lawyer, etc.). Woman teacher. A woman who, by the nature of her work, is associated with technology. A woman related to education. Journalist. Judge. Divorced woman or widow. A woman who has no children. A woman who went through suffering, but remained strong and courageous. An intelligent woman who is able to see the situation from the outside and manipulate it for her own purposes. Strong-willed, ambitious, but cold woman. An idealistic woman who adheres to progressive thoughts. A woman with a humanitarian mindset. A woman who values prestige and success highly. A woman who builds her career and pays little attention to her personal life.
The Main Meanings of the Card In a Reversed Position
Key Words and Phrases
Misuse of your intelligence and vocabulary. Disrespect for the law. Delusion. Sarcasm. Intimidation. Intolerance. Fanaticism. Complaints. Betrayal. Retribution. Manipulation. Resentment. Emotional blackmail. Insecurity. Severity. Lack of scrupulousness. Pettiness. Lack of prospects. Excessive intelligence. Limited thinking. Gossip. Spiteful lie. Prejudice. Condemnation. Deception. Cunning. Bad news. Vindictiveness. Cruelty. A loss. Cold. Insincerity. Grief. Misfortune. Loneliness. Tears.
The main meanings of the card in a reversed position
exaggerated desire to control everything;
using one’s abilities to the detriment of people;
angry woman;
clever secret enemy;
despotism;
self-pity;
mourning;
dangerous and cruel woman, intriguer;
opposition, criticism, malicious intent;
gap;
awkward situation;
angry woman;
malice, deceit, subtlety, slyness, naughty, hypocrisy;
hatred of people, picky critic, anger;
a malicious and malevolent woman who can do you great damage, she is cruel and ruthless;
an evil woman with power, causing harm, a tendency to start quarrels;
pretense, distrust;
a situation that will bring great unhappiness or embarrassment or shame.
Situation and Advice
Perhaps an overbearing and vengeful woman is secretly trying to discredit you by preventing you from taking the position you deserve. Tough times shouldn’t make you angry or deprived of positive emotions. Perhaps someone who is disrespectful to your feelings is trying to force you to do as he pleases. You may have been attacked by the anger of a woman whom you once neglected or who was dishonest.
Persons designated by the Reversed Queen of Swords Tarot Сard
An angry woman who feels cheated or neglected. Spiteful gossip. The vindictive woman that is opposing you (often secretly), is cunning, prone to behind-the-scenes intrigue. A woman who has become bitter and embittered as a result of experiencing difficulties or emotional losses. A woman with some prejudice, spreading gossip, undermining authority. People who let others down and who cannot be trusted. People who distort the facts in their favor. Those who feel outlawed. An intelligent, articulate secret enemy who never engages in open combat.
In the Spreads
In most cases, the Queen of Swords Tarot is a symbol of a certain personality, strong and dangerous, more often female. This person has a wonderful mind and prudence. It is better not to enter into confrontation with her. Also, the card can indicate the approach of some important, serious events in which you will be required to show intelligence and composure.
The Queen of Swords Tarot in both positions has a similar meaning, but reversed card is more powerful and stiffer. See the detailed interpretation below.
In an Upright Position
The Queen of Swords Tarot represents an elderly woman with a sharp mind, very shrewd. Most often she has a profession related to intellectual activity (jurisprudence, teaching), and a fairly high position. She can provide assistance to the querent within the framework of her specialty. With an extremely strong sense of independence, self-confidence, and dedication to her work, the Tarot card Queen of Swords is usually single or divorced.
The upright Queen of Swords is a strong and domineering figure who can strike unexpectedly. You should take care not to conflict with this type of person. If the question was asked not about a person, but about circumstances, be prepared for the fact that you will have to make important decisions, show your analytical and mental abilities.
In an upright position, falling out in fortune-telling and spreads, the Queen of Swords Tarot card denotes a breakthrough, a rejection of old stereotypes in outlooks on life and, accordingly, a change in behavior model. And although all this is most often a positive phenomenon of release from addictions, thanks to the power of the mind, the negative aspects of the card can be a loss of control over oneself and excessive impulsivity, emotionality. At the event level, the upright Queen of Swords can mean clarification, clarification of a situation, as well as complete control over oneself, one’s reactions and actions, which in practice usually means the success of the intended business.
Various minor troubles, hardships, worries, losses, sorrows are possible. This card in the spread indicates the occurrence of a conflict due to overestimated expectations. An aggravation of the situation can arise due to increased emotionality and develop into trouble, which will lead to emotional exhaustion.
The appearance of the Queen of Swords is due to a tough confrontation. The goals that you set are achievable, but the implementation of the plan is very difficult to move forward. This is primarily due to prohibitions and strict adherence to established rules. The negotiations are difficult, in a tense, unfriendly atmosphere.
The positive value of the card indicates the importance of thoughtful decisions. You first need to think about your decision, and then act slowly and arguing the importance of the goal. In the upright position, the Queen of Swords Tarot indicates a clarification of the situation. The success of the planned business depends on the person’s ability to control their emotions and bring the matter to the end.
In a Reversed Position:
In a reversed position, the Queen of Swords Tarot points to a dangerous enemy from the entourage of the querent: a woman with power, influence, connections. She can be both your secret enemy and an open ill-wisher.
The reversed Queen of Swords is as strong and intelligent as the upright one. But it has a much more aggressive, destructive energy. This is a person who craves conflict and the destruction of things that were once important to her. Experiencing negative emotions and frustration at not getting what they want.
The Queen of Swords Tarot, represented by an unworthy card, is vengeful, critical, and oppressive. She is characterized by hatred of people (probably due to failures in her personal life). She is in opposition to the querent, especially in the professional field, and he should be careful with her.
The card indicates an attractive, but very angry woman, a symbol of deceit and intrigue. A dangerous enemy.
If the questioner is a man, he is highly recommended not to establish, if possible, any personal relationship with this woman.
If a prediction is made for a woman, this card indicates the betrayal of the one she considered her friend.
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If this card does not represent a certain person, then this is an indication of bereavement and sadness, parting and deprivation, widowhood and mourning.
When the Queen of Swords appears upside down in spreads or fortune-telling, it symbolizes an exaggerated desire to control everything, impatience and arrogance, which leads to a loss of control over the situation, and thus to losses and even hardships. Sometimes Arcana speaks of pettiness and malice, deceit and cunning, unpleasant news and lack of prospects.
In the Spreads for Different situation
In an Upright Position:
An upright card in a question for a situation warns that something important is about to happen, which will require maximum concentration, composure, determination and awareness from you. Before you act, think over, analyze all the circumstances in advance.
In a Reversed Position:
If the question was asked about the situation, then the reversed Queen’s answer is powerlessness, useless attempts, cruel actions. Perhaps the events that are taking place will evoke not the most pleasant emotions in you. Remain in control, use your mind, not your senses. Don’t waste your energy on what you don’t really need.
In the Spreads for Relationship
In an Upright Position:
It is difficult to single out any one meaning in the relationship of the Queen of Swords. Usually this is any manifestation of independence or coldness: parting, ending a painful relationship, an alliance for profit, a desire to keep distance from a partner, control over emotions and feelings, self-sufficiency, etc. Also, in some cases, the Queen of Swords in love matters can mean the presence of a rival.
In the sphere of personal life, the Queen of Swords Tarot card in an upright position means an awareness of the meaning and necessity of a relationship with a partner. Most often this is expressed in an attempt to look at these relations as if “from the outside” in order to understand them and formulate (at least for oneself) everything that does not suit or bother them. This is a period when a person especially needs equality with a partner and, perhaps, begins to act more decisively, thanks to the acquisition of inner freedom. One way or another, the card shows that a person will no longer tolerate certain things. In some cases, this protest takes the form of coldness, subtle or even caustic irony. Sometimes Arcana symbolizes a penchant for bachelorhood, which is caused by an excessive desire for independence. Such a person is almost certainly afraid of tying the legal marriage and will hesitate and doubt for a long time before deciding on this step.
In a Reversed Position:
The reversed position of the Queen of Swords in the area of love is most often actions associated with revenge, which comes from resentment or disappointment. Attempts to inflict maximum pain on the partner in quarrels, hurt him, do something bad to him, etc.
In a reversed position, the Queen of Swords indicates a relationship built on lies, insincerity, deception, manipulation of the partner’s feelings. Sometimes Arcana symbolizes a marriage of convenience or a union in danger of falling apart: disappointment in love, betrayal, betrayal and secret ill will.
In the Spreads for Money
In an Upright Position:
In finance – stability, the ability to properly budget and calculate spending.
In a Reversed Position:
In monetary matters, unnecessary spending on emotions is possible.
In the Spreads for Career
In an Upright Position:
The Queen of Swords is a very good Arcana for work. The card means a very good mind and logic, the ability to analyze, research, effective planning of affairs, a desire to understand the situation and control it. On rare occasions, the Queen can warn about conflicts at work.
The upright Tarot card Queen of Swords here indicates a deliberate, accurate and adequate reaction and independent and flexible behavior in business negotiations. In addition, it shows that a person values his freedom too much to sacrifice it for the sake of a prestigious or high-paying job, and will immediately leave if its conditions cease to satisfy him or a more advantageous offer is received. Arcana also points to release from obligations to partners and bosses, climbing the career ladder, moderate profit.
In a Reversed Position:
The reversed Queen of Swords on work issues means conflict situations, clashes, competition, improper allocation of resources and time, disappointment in the field of activity.
In a reversed position, the Queen of Swords is interpreted as a wrong vision of the real state of affairs, as work to the point of exhaustion, as attempts to keep subordinates under permanent control, lack of opportunities and prospects, meaninglessness of what a person is doing. Sometimes Arcana reports that the fortuneteller runs the risk of being left alone with his difficulties and problems.
In the Spreads for Health
In an Upright Position:
For health, it usually symbolizes colds or diseases associated with the lungs and bronchi.
In a Reversed Position:
Neuralgia, thyroid disease are possible. Chronic course of any disease with changes from improvement to exacerbation.
Answer to Yes / No Tarot Spreads
In an Upright Position:
No
In a Reversed Position:
No
Self-Development Lesson
You want to transform sadness into wisdom, but in doing so you are allowing your intellect to suppress your emotions. In your approach to life, you must give free rein to your intuition.
Type of person in an upright position:
The card indicates a middle-aged woman (45 years and older). Natural hair color – light brown, dark brown or black. In old age – a gray head. The eyes are dark, rarely gray or green. Height is below average, thin, weight is often below normal.
Single woman. In ancient interpretations, this card was used to denote a widow, but in modern times she can be simply unmarried, while having a child (children), whom she decided to give birth to without a husband. Sometimes the Queen of Swords means an elderly person. Mother-in-law, aunt or other relative of the questioner (but not blood relationship).
Unlike the Queen of Pentacles, money, wealth and luxury do not represent value for her in and of themselves, being only a means of achieving goals. The card symbolizes a woman with the talent to lead, to gain power over the minds and souls of people. In a critical situation, one should not expect consolation from her. Truth be told, as long as the questioner is to blame for what happened, she tell all her objections. Regardless of gender, the character traits of a person on this card are self-esteem, moderate ambition, the desire for freedom.
Type of person in a reversed position:
A woman who suffers from loneliness, but does not dare to openly have a lover for fear of condemnation. It is usually about widows or middle-aged women who are afraid that they will not be understood by their grown-up children and grandchildren. By nature, regardless of gender, a person is spiteful, envious, secretive. Desires to dominate and control everything meticulously.
Arcana’s warning
Don’t let negative emotions influence your actions. First, put your inner state in order, only then make a decision.
Final Advice of Arcana
The Queen of Swords advises to focus on reason and logic, and remove emotions to the background. Act deliberately and mindfully.
In an Upright Position:
Heed the advice from the outside. Relatives and friends, although they wish you well, cannot know what is best for you.
In a Reversed Position:
Bad advice is worse than none. Fear of an envious woman who strives to ruin life.
Conclusion
Like the King, the Tarot Queen of Swords has power and authority, and the intention to use them to achieve her own ends. When questioning, she can be perceived as a malicious, domineering and malevolent woman. If the Queen of Swords does not represent a specific personality, then it is a symbol of widowhood, personal loss, an emotionally destructive situation. (Note that the King represents physical danger; the Queen represents emotional danger.)
Discover other Minor Arcana:
Suit of Swords
Ace of Swords
Two of Swords
Three of Swords
Four of Swords
Five of Swords
Six of Swords
Seven of Swords
Eight of Swords
Nine of Swords
Ten of Swords
Page of Swords
Knight of Swords
Queen of Swords
King of Swords
Suit of Wands
Ace of Wands
Two of Wands
Three of Wands
Four of Wands
Five of Wands
Six of Wands
Seven of Wands
Eight of Wands
Nine of Wands
Ten of Wands
Page of Wands
Knight of Wands
Queen of Wands
King of Wands