In Tarot, the queens often represent an actual woman that you know, or suggest that one accesses a specific element of the personality to help in a situation. Getting to know the four queens personally can make it easier for tarot card readers to figure out what message a queen is trying to convey when she appears in a tarot card spread.
Queen of Rods - The Fiery Queen
Enthusiastic and passionate, the Queen of Rods — also known as the Queen of Wands — is the quintessential firebrand, the spark that sets others alight with her energy and ideas. She is Joan of Arc, a shining light whose fervid belief and untiring work inspire others to dig in and give their best in support of her vision. She is the crusader, the woman who starts the community theater or throws herself into raising money for baby seals. The Queen of Rods inspires others with her own hard work and enthusiasm. She's the kind of woman that attracts others like a magnet and draws them along with her in the projects she favors.
Of course, all that passion and energy can be a bit single-minded. She may neglect important things if they don't affect whatever it is that has her attention at the moment. Like fire, she may burn hot, then burn out. Her attention may only last as long as it takes for her to accomplish her aim, and if you're not in the forefront of her cause, you may be forgotten, at least till she reaches her all-consuming goal.
The Queen of Cups - The Emotional Queen
The Queen of Cups (Cauldrons in some decks) is the queen of emotions, completely in touch with her intuition and her inner life. She may be highly spiritual, or she may simply be self-involved, but she is almost always loved and protected by everyone around her. This watery queen is the original drama queen; when she feels something, she feels it completely. Like a young child, she is able to live completely in the moment, and those around her are usually charmed and delighted to live in it with her, at least for a while.
The Queen of Cups is in touch with her psychic side as well as with her spiritual side. She often takes the side of the underdog in a dispute, extending her emotional support to those who need it most. She may be seen as flirtatious, a heartbreaker who toys with emotions and dashes them, but in reality it's a side effect of her tendency to live in the moment and make the most of it.
The Queen of Swords - The Far-seeing Queen
The Queen of Swords is often likened to a widow or a woman who has lost a child. This is in keeping with the theme of Swords - loss and conflict. But Swords also represent clear thinking and penetrating insight, and this queen is the most far-seeing of them all. She has the capability of setting her emotions aside to see the bigger picture. She is at home in the realm of abstract thought, and is often planning her moves months or years into the future.
The airy queen may seem aloof and cool, but her unemotional exterior hides a spirit that is fiercely loyal and proud. If you have gained the friendship of the Queen of Swords, you will have an ally for life - as long as you never betray her trust. Eminently practical, she still sometimes seems to be living in a different world because she can see the far-reaching ramifications of decisions made today.
The Queen of Coins - Earth Mother Extraordinaire
Practical and down-to-earth, the Queen of Coins (sometimes called disks or pentacles) is the ultimate "Earth Mother" figure. She is the gardener, the crafter, the mother of the tarot card deck. She is as much in touch with her inner self as she is with the outer world. This is the queen you want running your pot luck supper - and your business. She is organized and creative at the same time.
Of course, her practicality and desire to build sometimes leads her into greed and materialism. She is determined to build a life for her family, and if you are lucky enough to be a part of her family, you'll benefit from everything she does. If, however, she perceives you as a danger to those she loves, be prepared to defend yourself. Like the bull that represents her astrological sign, she is slow and steady, but if she's angered, she can be dangerous.
This is only an introduction to the four tarot queens, but it will give you a grounding in who each of them is. Get to know them better and you'll find that they have a great deal to tell you in your readings.
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