The Queen of Swords sits with her sword raised, one hand extended. She is clarity, independence and honest judgment: a woman who has known pain and speaks the truth.
A clear, independent mind sharpened by experience.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Widowhood, sadness, absence, sterility, mourning, privation, separation.
Reversed
Reversed, clarity turns into coldness: bitterness, cruelty, manipulation through words.
Bitterness, a cold and cutting tongue.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Malice, bigotry, artifice, prudery, deceit.
In love
Upright An honest, independent partner; clear boundaries.
Reversed Coldness, bitterness in love.
In work
Upright Clear judgment, professionalism.
Reversed A cold, critical colleague.
In money
Upright Lucid, objective financial decisions.
Reversed Cold or unfair decisions about money.
At home and in the family
Upright A strict but fair mother.
Reversed A cold mother.
On your path
Upright Wisdom gained through pain.
Reversed Bitterness on the path.
Its counsel
Upright Be clear and honest.
Reversed Be honest without being cruel.
Correspondences
- Arcana
- Minor Arcana, suit of Swords
- Element
- Air
- Rank
- Queens: the influence of women, or of the receptive side of life
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 · King of Swords