Queen Of Swords Description
The Queen of Swords sits on a stone throne decorated with a cherub, representing the Queen’s softer side, and butterflies representing transformation. She faces towards the future, with her left hand raised as if to receive, and in her right hand, she holds a sword up high and straight, representing her desire to find the truth in all matters. As with the earlier Swords Court cards, clouds accumulate in the sky and a strong wind that passes through the trees, symbolising the ongoing nature of change.
NOTE: The Tarot card meaning description is based on the Rider Waite cards.
Queen of Swords Tarot Card Meanings
UPRIGHT: Independent, unbiased judgement, clear boundaries, direct communication
Upright Queen Of Swords
The Queen of Swords combines the mental clarity and intellectual power of the suit of Swords with the maturity and receptiveness of the Queen. You have the gift of being able to use your intellect and unbiased judgement while also remaining flexible and open to receive input from other sources. As you lead from the head and not the heart, you are better able to discern situations without the influence of emotion or sentimentality. You may believe that empathy or compassion towards others will distract you from the task at hand. Instead, you prefer to know the how, what, why, where, when and who of everything to help you make sense of your environment and better understand others. It is not that you do not care about others, but you connect with other people through an intellectual understanding rather than an emotional one.
The Queen of Swords notes that you are a truth-seeker. You are open to hearing the thoughts and opinions of others, but ultimately, you filter that information to decipher what is true and what is not. When interacting with others, you will not tolerate mistruths or excessive ‘fluff’. You prefer to get to the heart of the matter without engaging in too much chit-chat or gossip.
The Queen of Swords suggests that you have an innate ability to tell it like it is. You are a quick thinker and highly perceptive, piercing through the noise and confusion to get straight to the point. There is no ‘beating about the bush,’ or ‘softening’ of your comments, opinions and thoughts. You are upfront and honest in your views, and you expect the same from others. For this reason, many people respect your opinion and come to you for advice when they need clarity.
As a determined, independent and resilient person, you have established clear boundaries, and you are quick to call out someone who crosses them. People do not mess with you, not because you threaten them or inflict violence, but because you set expectations up front about how you want to be treated. Some people might be intimidated by you, but once they get past your tough exterior and develop a sense of trust and respect, they see your softer side.
Upright Love Meaning:
Picky about lovers, independent partner, boundaries
The person represented by the Queen of Swords can be a loner; she is very discerning about the people she surrounds herself with. Her intellect is sharp and perceptive, and her determination can be rather intimidating to those that do not know her well. Underneath her shell however, she can be loving and loyal, though she may still prefer to avoid grand romantic displays. If this is someone whose heart you’ll like to win, you’ll need patience, as this queen does not easily let down her guard. If this card doesn’t represent a person, the Queen of Swords tarot love meaning can suggest a time when you are looking for both independence and self-sufficiency alongside your partnership. This queen values her own space and identity. You may have to make some adjustments to create clarity and boundaries in your relationship.
Upright Career Meaning:
Constructive criticism, wise guidance, respect in field
The Queen of Swords can point to either someone more senior, or yourself in a career tarot reading. This person is wise, honest, and may be a source of constructive criticism. They can offer great advice on how to proceed in your career. If this card represents you, you may be at a period in your life when you are able to get much respect from your colleagues. You are able to effectively communicate your sharp ideas, as well as combine them with a strong place of empathy. You’ll likely have a strong reputation due to your integrity and your fairness.
Upright Finances Meaning:
Acting with logic and reason, financial clarity
When dealing with financial matters, you’ll need to act with consideration, logic and wisdom right now. Have a clear balance between heart and head. If you’re being asked to help with someone’s financial situation, look at things fairly, from both your perspective and theirs. This can usually mean being able to give assistance, but with boundaries. Put together a contract, or a payment plan; set some rules. This queen is also sharp and perceptive; noticing all details. Make sure you have clarity about your financial situation.
Reversed Queen of Swords Tarot Card Meanings
REVERSED: Overly-emotional, easily influenced, bitchy, cold-hearted
Reversed Queen Of Swords
The Queen of Swords reversed points out that you may allow your emotions to get the better of you as you put your heart before your head. You may be emotionally involved in a particular issue, and it could be distorting your perception of the situation at hand. You need to use your head a bit more to understand what is happening and read the signals more accurately. Take an objective look at what’s going on and decide what you need to do next.
The reversed Queen of Swords suggests that your relationships are clouding your usually clear vision. You are allowing others to dominate you and negatively affect your ability to make decisions. You hesitate to pursue your plans because you don’t want to rock the boat or disrupt your relationships with others. At the end of the day, however, you need to be more hard-edged, confident and assertive to be successful. Sharp analysis, objectivity, and careful consideration of (but not necessarily choosing) the alternatives are essential right now.
At times, the reversed Queen of Swords can come across as cold-hearted, resentful and bitchy, particularly if she is devoid of any emotion or compassion for others. This card may represent a part of yourself or someone else you are trying to deal with. You may be putting others off-side and losing your supporter base, isolating yourself from others and being seen as narrow-minded, intolerant and mean.
Reversed Love Meaning:
Trauma, toxic relationship, manipulation, cruelty
A reversed Queen of Swords is someone who is bitter, manipulative, and overly critical and can be downright cruel. This person can represent you partner at this particular time, or alternatively, someone outside of the relationship that is attempting to interfere. Sometimes, this person’s nastiness can be the result of trauma, and because of this, if your partner is demonstrating these traits, it can sometimes be the result of unresolved trauma that is coming to the surface. If you are single, there can be the chance that you have just gone through a break up, one that has left you feeling vengeful and unforgiving. These beliefs can be toxic; learn to use your experiences to overcome them, instead of being consumed by them.
Reversed Career Meaning:
Cruel co-worker, excessive negativity, poor communication
Is there someone at work who is holding a grudge against you? The Queen of Swords reversed can indicate an overly critical person who uses her words and her intellect to create suffering. She can be harsh, and sometimes downright cruel with how she expresses herself. If this is you, you may need to learn how to communicate better. Can you be honest while also caring for another person’s feelings? Can you address your concerns about a project without blaming someone? These may actually benefit you by helping others better digest your ideas. Avoid being too negative.
Reversed Finances Meaning:
Financial confusion, failure to make logical financial decisions
If you’ve been communicating about finances poorly, you may be dealing with the consequences right now. Lack of clarity about your own financial situation could also be the culprit. Perhaps you lent money to a friend or a family member, who has failed to pay you back, or you may have given or spent more than you could actually afford. You’ll need to make sure that you’re clearer about your own boundaries and limits next time.
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