Suit: Suit of Swords
Card Type: Minor Arcana
Tarot Element: Air
Star Sign: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra
Planet: Mercury
Angel: Archangel Michael
Key Meaning: Inspire Us
The Queen of Swords means you can inspire us by your words or actions. Shine your Light.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
Queen of Swords Keywords
🥰 Upright: Inspiring, stepping up, honest, self-disciplined
😒 Reversed: Half-hearted, lazy, mixed messages
Queen of Swords Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. A serious Queen invites the reader to approach her with her left hand, while holding an upraised sword in her right. She is the woman in charge, both intimidating and encouraging. Her posture reflects that of Lady Justice, just without the scales.
You feel she wants you to focus your thoughts and attention. Swords are associated with the mind, and clear thinking. When this Queen turns up in your reading, she guides you to clear away all the mental chatter and clutter, and sort your priorities out. This is a time to focus on your goal, and more importantly to put it into action.
Will you step-up and walk the talk?
Court Card Personality Traits
Traditionally, this Tarot court card represents a woman who is independent, demanding and assertive. She often has penetrating eyes which see right through you. She is not the nurturing Queen of Pentacles. Instead, this is the Ice Queen who can set aside feelings for the sake of an argument or progress. She has an elastic mind, and can be found in a power suit in the office and hot pants at the nightclub. Unpredictable and clever, this Queen has a great sense of humor which is why people seem to both adore and fear her at the same time. When you inspire others with your words or actions, you are embracing the true essence of this Queen.
This Tarot card is associated with sun signs Aquarius, Gemini and Libra.
Other keywords associated with this card: communication, delegation, higher standards, no nonsense, savvy, self-control and giving tough love.
LOVE: What does The Queen of Swords Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the Queen of Swords turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on whether or not you are in a relationship.
💖 If you asked will I find love? – Yes, you will. He or she will have some of the personality traits of this court card (see above). Your future love may be older than you, and possibly divorced or separated.
💖 If you want someone to like you, the best way to make this happen is to be the Queen of Swords. When you are on a date, try to sound inspired by your own life, plans and goals. If you appear confused or bored, then they are likely to find you less interesting.
💖 If romance is not a big concern for you at this time, this Queen acts as a confirmation that it is better to focus on developing your skills, talents and career.
💖 If you asked, will my relationship survive these problems? This card often means, unlikely. At least, not without the help of couple’s therapy.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify When You Ask About Work?
If your question relates to work, business, career or study and you receive the Queen of Swords, then your guidance is:
⭕ This is a call to step up with courage, commitment and accountability to your studies, work or business. It’s an intensification of effort – a call to set yourself higher standards. This is a great chance to learn to swim in water way over your head, in a do-or-die sort of way. Enough of compromise, half-heartedness or waiting for perfect timing.
⭕ If you are worried about handling the pressure of your current situation, or a promotion, this Queen says go for it! Yes, you will be stretched and stressed, but that’s how we progress.
⭕ When this card appears it can mean you have knowledge worth teaching or promoting.
Jobs associated with the Queen of Swords include: Writer, editor, teacher, influencer, public speaking, couples therapist, lawyer, digital marketing, event management, communications, human resources, architect, pharmacist and graphic designer.
MONEY: What is the Meaning of Queen of Swords in a Money Reading?
💲 If you asked the Tarot about finances, and you receive the Queen of Swords, it means you will earn more money when you focus your efforts. Perhaps you have been spreading yourself too thinly without a solid goal.
💲 You receive solid help or advice from a professional woman, she could be a financial advisor, estate agent, potential employer or mentor.
Tarot Card Combination Meanings
“Queen of Swords combined with Death” – Study or develop your mediumship abilities.
“Combined with The Sun” – Your focused efforts will lead to great success.
“Queen of Swords combined with The Tower” – What happens now, will free you.
HEALTH: What does The Queen of Swords Mean When You Ask About Health?
In a health reading the Queen of Swords can mean that therapy or counseling will help you at this time. Even physical ailments can be a manifestation of festering feelings in the mind.
Health conditions associated with this card include: Joint stiffness, wrist and hips problems and arthritis.
YES/NO: Does The Queen of Swords Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and this card turns up, then the answer is not clear. What actions you take now, will affect the outcome.
TIMING: Does The Queen of Swords Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 This Tarot card is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle to understand if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 Using my timing method, the Queen of Swords is about 13 days. If the card is reversed, timing will be slightly longer – so up to 19 days.
Karina’s Timing Method:
Swords are days. Wands are weeks. Cups are months and Pentacles are years. Please note this is my personal timing method. Feel free to adopt it (or not).
What is the Meaning of The Queen of Swords Reversed?
When our Queen is upside down then the sword drops out of her hand, and she is less sure of herself. This means:
✔️ You are approaching life in a half-hearted manner, and then wondering why your life isn’t as good as others.
✔️ You feel pessimistic, jealous or bitter. Perhaps it is time to take responsibility for the choices you make?
✔️ Have you betrayed someone’s trust or acted unfairly?
✔️Other keywords associated a reversal include: cowardice, deceit, half-measures.
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Queen of Swords Symbolism
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Complete List: Tarot Card Meanings
Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.