Comparing the Queens

There are various ways to "get to know" the cards in a deck. Some decks I have devoted a lot of time to and others I have barely skimmed the surface. You can literally spend hours and hours on this. The other day for some unknown reason I got the bright idea of making single sheet copies of each of the court cards...so all four queens on a sheet of paper, all four kings and so on. So I have a black and white copy of the four together in my notebook. It was a whim, simply, nothing more. Then I thought since they were all four there together I might see how they "relate" to each other or stack up as a "group".


WANDS: Represents Fire (Actions, Energy, Passions)

The Queen of Wands is represented by the story of The White Cat. I was particularly interested in this one because in several readings I have had the impression that the Queen of Wands represented me. Sometimes I get a strong feel of this about certain cards...just like I feel the Princess of Wands represents my daughter. It consistently turns up in her readings. So I felt the time was a hand to read the tale of the White Cat.

The Fairy Tale: The White Cat was an interesting read. A father unwilling to let go of his "position" and an alluring cat that held a strong magnetic pull for the young prince. I'll be honest....the tale seems a bit simplistic...fitting for sure for this particular card but I suppose I wish there was more description of the relationship between the prince and the cat.

The Card: The book states that the key words for this card are: leadership, warm, intelligent, influential, charming. A female authority with influence. Someone confident and inspiring.

CUPS: Represents Water (Emotions/Feelings)

The Fairy Tale: The Queen of Cups is represented by the story of Seal Skin. This one sort of haunts me. In it a fisherman finds the seals (in human form) dancing on the beach and steals the skin of one and refuses to give it back as he wants to make the beautiful maiden his wife. I think this represents the extent someone will go to to cure their lonliness. For years they live together and even have children and although the maiden is fond of him she always longs for her sea home and family. Eventually she does get the skin back and tells her human children goodbye and leaves. I suppose the haunting quality comes from her leaving behind her human children. As I reflect on it it makes me realize that no matter the strong love we have for others (even our own children) we can not give up the "essence" of who we are and be truly happy. If we try to or are forced to...it will always call to us and we will never be really satisfied.

The Card: Key words for this card are loving and intuitive. It represents connecting with inner feelings. I think it represents a person who either has some strong longings or desires or who understands them very well.

SWORDS: Represents Air (Thoughts and Ideas)

The Fairy Tale: The Tongue Cut Sparrow is the story of a man with a negative and nagging wife who befriends a small sparrow who talks. As life would have it, the wife gets mad and cuts the tongue out of the sparrow and releases it. The man searches the forest until he finds his friend who is actually a fairy. They visit and rejoice in finding each other again and when the man leaves the sparrow lets him choose between a large or small box. He takes the smaller one and discovers at home that it is full of riches. The wife is furious that he need not choose the larger box and goes to get it from the sparrow. On the way home she opens it, only to discover it is full of demons. She runs back to the protection of her home and changes her negative ways.

The Card: This card represents a female who is cool, calm, and collected. She is pragmatic and not easily shakened under pressure. The key words for this card are calm and perceptive.

PENTACLES: Represents Earth (Physical pursuits, work, finance, create)

The Fairy Tale: Summer Queen is the story of the seasons. Or at least summer and winter. She chases the cold back up north to save the inhabitants from the icy grip of winter. But being kind and senisible she allows winter to return each year for a short time. She is powerful in her gentle ways but not vindictive over her "win".

The Card: This card represents someone to assist beyond periods of stasis. It is an individual with common sense and strength, someone with a gentle power who is also kind and wise. The key words for this card are earth mother, domestic concerns. responsibility, sensisbility.

Summary:

Queen of Wands: A charming woman that can influence, intelligent and warm
Queen of Cups: A woman who has/understands deep longings/desires, intuitive and loving
Queen of Swords: A calm, perceptive woman who is not easily shakened under pressure.
Queen of Pentacles: A well grounded woman, strong and sensible, kind and wise.