Queen of Swords Tarot Card Meaning

using diplomacy

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Tarot Alley uses the Rider Waite type of deck for our meanings, symbols, interpretations, etc.

When determining the Queen of Swords tarot card meaning, you should consider that it’s a Swords card and a Queen. The Suit of Swords represents knowledge and intellect. Queens represent subtle yet persuasive nurturing.

In this way, we can determine that the Queen of Swords represents using diplomacy to help others.

Take a look at the Rider-Waite Queen of Swords displayed to the left (or above).

What is your first impression?

What is happening? Why is the Queen gesturing like that? Where is she looking? What will happen next?

There’s no right or wrong answer here, just your interpretation.

Common Symbols

• Winged Animals: the Queen of Swords throne is commonly decorated with winged creatures such as birds, butterflies, etc. to represent transformation. The Queen herself does not transform, but she helps others become better versions of themselves.
• The Queen’s Posture: the Queen is often posed to look as though she’s making a proclamation. This represents communication.

Keywords & Concepts

The Queen of Swords for Personal Growth

Affirmation: I make the truth easier to hear.

The ways we influence others are often subtle or so small they aren’t immediately noticed. You are influencing others every day through your insights, actions, opinions, and attitudes. Make sure that your influence is promoting growth and encouragement in others.

Ask Yourself:

• What do you have a knack for? How might that gift prove useful now?
• To what extent are you capable of saying what needs to be said?
• What is the best possible way to say what you want to say?
• How might the advice of a cooler and more objective advisor help you right now?
• In your situation, what needs to be said? By who? What is the obstacle preventing this from happening?
• How does communication and intellect play a role in your situation?

Interpreting the Queen of Swords

Generally, the Queen of Swords represents using diplomacy to help others. Some people just have a knack for knowing what to say and how to say it. Those people are channeling the Queen of Swords.

The Queen of Swords acts in a subtle yet persuasive manner to make others not just feel but be more comfortable and confident people. The Queen of Swords has a way with words that makes people take notice.

The Reversed Queen of Swords

How you read reversals is a personal choice. You can ignore reversals and read them as if the card is upright (this is what I often choose to do) or you can interpret reversals as variations of what they would mean upright. There are 3 common ways to read reversals: as a negative interpretation, as an opposite interpretation, or as a block on the upright interpretation. Check out How to Read Reversals for more information.

Typically, a reversed Queen of Swords represents using words to hurt others. Examples include:

• Saying just the right thing to destroy someone else
• Withholding critical information from someone
• Using sarcasm
• Mimicking others unkindly
• Making fun of the less fortunate
• Being disrespectful

Examples of the Queen of Swords

Specific Interpretations

Specific situations are the general interpretation (from above) used for a specific situation (love, career, etc). There is no need to memorize these (or even look them up) if you understand the general interpretation. However, here are some basic interpretations for some specific situations:

the Queen of Swords Tarot Card Meaning