By Sarah Taylor
The Queen of Swords is a particularly striking figure in this week’s layout, which, like the Queen, makes its point succinctly. She sits, side-on, a figure of authority — her right-facing position and gesturing hand clearly indicating the next two cards.
Rarely have I seen her so directed. Not that she hasn’t appeared in a similar position before, but this time it feels marked. Maybe it is the contrast between the resolve in the set of her jaw and the wind-blasted landscape behind her, and the fluid motions of the dancing children and the grassy countryside in the Ten of Cups.
More than that: it is as if her opened hand is guiding the rainbow in the Ten into being — as if it springs from her in response to a silent command. Because the Queen need not say anything. It is her presence alone that conveys her sovereignty. Nothing more is required.
Swords are the suit associated with the mind, and with air, and the Queen of Swords, when she is comfortably in her element, wields the sword of clear-headed leadership. The red bands around her wrist, which have associations with the bond of marriage, are no longer joined, severed by the sword in her left hand: her sense of truth is seated in her independence. In other words, her primary commitment is to the truth of which she is sole guardian.
From her truth the rainbow of cups emanates and stretches over the two pairs of figures in the central card.
The Ten of Cups is a card of union and rejoicing, which may well describe something that takes part between people or communities, but which also describes the inner union. There is a marriage between masculine and feminine, whose positions balance each other, and between adult and child. The homestead in the background suggests a homecoming of the soul. The Queen watches over the scene, not simply a passive figure, but one who is actively participating with it. Truth exercised from a connection to personal authority enables a form of integration that is heart-centred.
And through that release, where the child is finally allowed to play unfettered under the protective mantle of the adult, where balance is made possible, comes the further possibility for change. The Wheel of Fortune suggests change and expansion — the latter through its association with the planet Jupiter. That can also add up to big change.
When the wheel turns, and what has been set in motion through the preceding two cards creates a shift in circumstances, the rule of thumb is this: head to the centre, where the movement feels less destabilising.
The ability to move with impending change and to make the most of it — rather than being thrown around or encountering obstacles — is found in wisdom that is seated in personal truth and the willingness to embrace yourself as whole. This is the path to a sense of freedom that holds the tension between your own transformation and a feeling of belonging that you are then able to experience with others.
Astrology/Elemental correspondences: Queen of Swords (the watery aspect of air), Ten of Cups (Mars in Pisces), The Wheel of Fortune (Jupiter)
If you want to experiment with tarot cards and don’t have any, we provide a free tarot spread generator using the Celtic Wings spread, which is based on the traditional Celtic Cross spread. This article explains how to use the spread.
I love how the Queen’s raised hand is echoed in the raised hands of the couple in the 10 of Cups.
Thank you Sarah!
Wonderful poem Nilou!
Thank you, Sarah. Magnificent. Very grounding for me this evening.
“The ability to move with impending change and to make the most of it…is found in wisdom that is seated in personal truth and the willingness to embrace yourself as whole.”
Who has eyes to see well, will see
that tears are but dew.
And soon enough the smiles return
to face their destiny,
joyful as new.
For dreams are but dreams
’til there their reality and fealty be.
And so to make more sentience known
in its magnificence
I water me.