Queen of Swords
Queen of Swords, minor arcana. clear thinking, honesty, independence, perceptiveness.
A queen sits on a high throne with a raised sword and an outstretched hand, with clouds around her. She sees clearly and says what she sees.
Upright
- clear thinking
- honesty
- independence
- perceptiveness
A queen sits on a high throne with a raised sword and an outstretched hand, with clouds around her. She sees clearly and says what she sees.
Reversed
- coldness
- bitterness
- harsh judgement
- cruelty
Cold or sharp judgement, or hurt that has turned bitter. Reversed, the card asks for kindness alongside honesty.
Not every reader uses reversals. Many treat a reversed card as the same theme, blocked, delayed or turned inward.
Astrology and numerology
Court cards are read as people or as styles of behaviour rather than as events. Queen of Swords is traditionally linked with the air signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. These links are looser than those for the numbered cards, and writers differ over which court goes with which sign.
Yes or no
In yes or no tarot, Queen of Swords counts as a yes when upright, and as a no when reversed. This follows a common convention and not a rule from the deck's makers.
Tarot is a tradition of symbolism. This page says what readers traditionally associate with the card. It does not predict anything and it is not advice.