Tag Archives: Card Meanings

Tarot Encyclopedia – The Queen of Wands

(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)

The Queen of Wands from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) tarot deck

Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)

The time period related to the Queen of Wands is from July 13 to August 12, symbolizing the influence of Jupiter and Neptune in Cancer and of the Sun and Jupiter in Leo. The basic power suggested by this Key is that of command.
Well Dignified: in a divination the Queen of Wands symbolizes a kind, generous woman, resolute in the face of opposition, strongly psychic and intuitive but practical in applying her spiritual gifts; intense; magnetic ; friendly to the querent and a favorable influence for the success or business of the querent.
Ill Dignified: Inimical to the querent; obstinate, dangerous woman, unfavorable to querent’s affairs; revengeful and tyrannical.
(From the Oracle of Tarot course)

A. E. Waite

The Wands throughout this suit are always in leaf, as it is a suit of life and animation. Emotionally and otherwise, the Queen’s personality corresponds to that of the King, but is more magnetic. Divinatory Meanings: A dark woman, countrywoman, friendly, chaste, loving, honourable. If the card beside her signifies a man, she is well disposed towards him; if a woman, she is interested in the Querent. Also, love of money, or a certain success in business. Reversed: Good, economical, obliging, serviceable. Signifies also–but in certain positions and in the neighbourhood of other cards tending in such directions–opposition, jealousy, even deceit and infidelity.
(From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)

Aleister Crowley

The Queen of Wands represents the watery part of Fire, its fluidity and colour. Also, she rules in the Zodiac from the 21st degree of Pisces to the 20th degree of Aries. Her crown is topped with the winged globe and rayed with flame. Her long red golden hair flows down upon her armour of scaled mail. She is seated upon a throne of flame, ordered into geometrical light by her material power. Beneath the throne the surging flames are steady. She bears a wand in her left hand; but it is topped with a cone suggestive of the mysteries of Bacchus. She is attended by a couchant leopard upon whose head she lays her hand. Her face expresses the ecstasy of one whose mind is well in-drawn to the mystery borne beneath her bosom.

The characteristics of the Queen are adaptability, persistent energy, calm authority which she knows how to use to enhance her attractiveness. She is kindly and generous, but impatient of opposition. She has immense capacity for friendship and for love, but always on her own initiative.

There is as much pride in this card as in the Knight, but it lacks the spontaneous nobility which excuses that error. It is not true pride, but self-complacent vanity and even snobbery.

The other side of her character is that she may have a tendency to brood, come to a wrong decision thereon, and react with great savagery. She may be easily deceived; then she is likely to shew herself stupid, obstinate, tyrannical. She may be quick to take offence, and harbour revenge without good cause. She might turn and snap at her best friends without intelligible excuse. Also, when she misses her bite, she breaks her jaw!

In the YI King, the watery part of Fire is represented by the 17th hexagram, Sui. It indicates reflection upon impulse, and the consequently even flow of action. There is great capacity for lucid conception and steady prosecution of work; but this is only at the bidding, and under the guidance, of some creative mind. There is a tendency to be fickle, even disloyal; the ideas which she obeys make no deep or permanent impression. She will “cleave to the little boy and let go the man of age and experience” or the reverse (lines 2 and 3) without realizing what she is doing. There is liability of fits of melancholy, which she seeks to cure by bouts of intoxication, or by panic-stricken outbursts of ill-considered fury.
(From The Book of Thoth)

Strangely Crowley-esque AI-generated illustration for the Queen of Wands

Golden Dawn’s Book T

A CROWNED queen with long red-golden hair, seated upon a Throne, with steady flames beneath. She wears a corslet and buskins of scale-mail, which latter her robe discloses. Her arms are almost bare. On cuirass and buskins are leopard’s heads winged, and the same symbol surmounteth her crown. At her side is a couchant leopard on which her hands rest. She bears a long wand with a very heavy conical head. The face is beautiful and resolute.
Adaptability, steady force applied to an object, steady rule, great attractive power, power of command, yet liked notwithstanding. Kind and generous when not opposed.
If ill dignified, obstinate, revengeful, domineering, tyrannical, and apt to turn against another without a cause.
She rules the heavens from above the last Decan of Pisces to above the 20 Degree of Aries: including thus a part of Andromeda.

Etteilla

Country Woman
Upright: This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, when upright: Country woman, housewife, economy, honesty, civility – Sweetness, virtue – Honor, chastity
Reversed: Good woman, goodness, excellence – Respectful, caring, obliging – Service, favor, benefit

MQS

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Queen of Spades and King of Spades

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Queen of Spades (Q♠) and the King of Spades (K♠) can represent two people, usually rivals.

They are normally people who are, at the very least, cold toward the querent, and do not further his aims in any way, unless it is through pain (such as in the case of a doctor, or a judge). Sometimes they are openly hostile and will have plans and aims that are opposite to those of the querent. This is a big difference with Diamond figures, for the latters are neutral, and their objectives may or may not align with those of the querent.

With Spade people, however, it is clear that someone is going to try to throw a wrench in our plans. In love readings they are often the third party, and it is important to note that when the rival in love shows up as a Spade, it is very hard for the querent to get rid of them, meaning that usually these people have a serious relationship going on with the querent’s partner. It is not merely a flirt. The same is true in all other aspects of life.

With Spade Face cards, however, it is possible that they represent something other than a real person. The Queen of Spades is a symbol of falsehood, lies, deceit, gossip, slander. The card comes up whenever someone is being less than upfront with us. It also stands for things that are rotten, noxious, overripe, decaying, and it is also associated with lack of acceptance, privation, loss.

The King of Spades is also the card of the law and of all official authority. It can represent the legal system, organized religion and all those structures that are unbending and cold toward the querent, though not necessarily evil. Furthermore, it can represent science, but usually those aspects of science that are less pleasant, such as medicine.

Combinations:

Q♠ + 5♣ + 3♠ = a woman who does everything she can to interfere

Q♠ + 4♣ = lies (even when there’s no woman involved)

Q♠ + J♥ = a bad mother (if with cards of pregnancy, a pregnant woman who doesn’t want the child)

Q♠ + 5♠ + 4♠ = a destitute or desperate woman

A♠ + 6♠ + Q♠ = in a health reading, the removal of a body part

K♠ + 6♠ = a doctor (if Q♠ can be a female doctor, although more rarely. Often the K♠ indicates a doctor regardless of sex)

K♠ + 4♣ = official talks, a court case (again, here the King is the authority, regerdless of sex)

K♠ + 3♣ = official contract, can also be a civil marriage

3♥ + K♠ = a concession from an authority

9♣ + K♠ = it can be a foreign authority if it makes sense, otherwise it may show legal entanglements causing delays

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Queen of Diamonds and King of Diamonds

The Queen of Diamonds (Q♦) and King of Diamonds (K♦) are representative of a lady and a gentleman.

if the Heart figures indicate people that are close to the querent, the Diamond figures show other people, usually unrelated (except when they represent relatives by marriage.)

In general, they can also stand for people who have wealth or power over the querent, although usually not legal power, as would be the case with Spade cards. With Diamonds we deal with money or knowledge, so they are often a boss, a professor, someone knowledgeable, a specialist doctor, etc.

In love readings, they are neutral. They indicate other people influencing the situation. They can also stand for third parties, or, when the querent is the third wheel, the official partners, especially if there is no love between them and the querent’s partner anymore. Broadly, Diamonds don’t love. This doesn’t mean they actively hate, but their primary loyalty is not to their heart. Keep in mind, though, that just because a partner shows up as a Diamond, it doesn’t mean the story is going to end. Plenty of people stay in relationships out of habit or for questions of interest (and interest must be construed broadly. Even children are a question of interest, as they may give some people a reason beyond love to stay together). Also, unlike Spade cards, Diamonds are usually not actively malicious or aggressive, unless they are surrounded by cards that say otherwise.

In material readings the two Diamond figures are more positive, as they signify wealthy people. This is especially good if the querent is looking for a job–the presence of a wealthy person together with appropriate cards, can indicate finding employment, i.e., a wealthy person to work for. Traditionally this is especially true for the King of Diamonds, but nowadays it may happen with the Queen as well.

Even when they don’t represent people (and this is very rare), the two cards stand for wealth: the Queen indicates increase of wealth, and the King indicates the manipulation of wealth, including commerce, banks, financial institutions and similar things.

Psychologically the cards denote a practical mindset, which can become callous materialism with negative cards, or ability to help and find practical solutions with good cards.

Combinations:

Q/K♦ + 9♦ = an influencial man or woman will play an important role

Q/K♦ + 3♣ = a married man or woman (but he or she doesn’t love her partner)

Q/K♦ + A♥ = it can be a wealthy family member or a distant relative, but depending on the context it can also be a landlord/lady, broadly it shows a homeowner

Q/K♦ + 4♦ = if the Face card doesn’t represent a person, it indicates a wealthy deal

A♠ + K/Q♦ = traditionally a divorced person, but take the context into account (if it were Q/K♠, a widow or widower)

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Queen of Clubs and King of Clubs

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Queen of Clubs (Q♣) and King of Clubs (K♣) are the significator cards for the female and male querents respectively.

As such, they do not require much in the way of explanation. Their meaning is obvious in so far as they have one. They are perfectly neutral. In cartomantic systems of old they were assigned positive significations, but that’s because old systems tended to flatter querents. So the Queen of Clubs was called a woman of high virtue and the King of Clubs a man of honor. Whether they are of high or low virtue, in reality, will be shown by the surrounding cards.

Most of the times, the other significator card will indicate the partner. However, if this person doesn’t exist, or if it doesn’t make sense within the context of the reading, they still indicate people that will have a central role. Usually, they are more involved and closer to the querent than the Diamond figures, but more neutral than the Heart face cards.

Extremely rarely, so rarely, in fact, that I should probably not even mention it, these card can show something other than people. In this case, the Queen of Clubs can indicate serious and honest effort, although usually the Club suit precludes great realizations. The King of Clubs can have the meaning of sound judgment, fairness and much activity.

Combinations:

K/Q♣ + 3♥ + 10♠ + 7♥ = the person is secretly planning a surprise, it will be a gift

K/Q♣ + A♥ + K/Q♣ = they live or will live together

3♠ + 2♥ + K♣ + 7♣ + Q♣ = in this example, his family interferes, causing problems between them

9♥ + J♥ + K♣ + 2♠ + Q♣ + 4♠ = he wants a child, she doesn’t (if you switch the two significators around it’s the opposite)

K♣ + 3♣ + Q♣ + 10♠ + Q♦ + 3♠ = she is secretly bisexual and seeing another woman

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Queen of Hearts and King of Hearts

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Queen of Hearts (Q♥) and King of Hearts (K♥) represent loved ones.

They are slightly positive cards, although their true meaning will be revealed by the surrounding cards. In themselves, they portray a man or a woman in a positive light, because the suit of Hearts is positive in itself. Often, they indicate people whom the querent already knows and have an emotional connection (or a blood one) with him or her. They may show up as parents.

In love readings, it’s important to remember that the official querent is the Q♣ or K♣, and their partner will be the other Club card. However, if the cards want to show, for instance, that the male querent will break up with his partner and will then find a new girlfriend, the Q♥ would show the new one. Same for the woman with the K♥. In gay relationships, though, the Q♥ and K♥ can show the official or perspective partner.

In career readings, usually these are positive figures who have the querent’s best interest at heart and often an emotional connection to him (though not necessarily a romantic one). Keep in mind that it’s a little weird for a boss to show up as a Heart figure, unless they are your parents or you have very close bond of affection with them. Still, if the question is “will he or she help me?” the fact that they show up as a Heart is encouraging.

Usually Queens and Kings are people. Rarely, they can take on allegorical meanings. In that case, the Queen of Hearts indicates acceptance, receptivity, obedience (not necessarily submission), docility and nurturing situations. The King shows positive decisions made by or for the querent, including in a legal setting.

Finally, the Q♥ and K♥ represent all things feminine and all things masculine, respectively.

Spiritually, they can indicate deities (in Catholic Italy, the Queen of Hearts is Mary and the King God).

Combinations:

Q/K♥ + 2♥ + 9♥ = the realization of your wish is dependent on a man or woman who is very close to you and will further you (same if 3♥ instead of 9♥), usually a very close friend or a relative
Q/K♥ + 10♠ + J♠ = a man/woman that appears good but harbors negative feelings
A♦ + J♣ + Q/K♥ = a new positive friendship with a man/woman
4♣ + Q♥ = it can mean a lot of things, but broadly, if the Q is not a woman, it shows that your words are deeply understood by other people, what you say is accepted by others. If K♥, it still means the man is truthful
A♠ + Q♥ + 5♦ + K♥ = transition female to male (if you swap the Q and the K, it’s male to female)

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Jack of Spades

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Jack of Spades (J♠) is the card of enmity.

Like all Jacks, it can represent a child, albeit rarely. When it does, the child is “problematic”, to use an abused word. He or she is either difficult or has a problem (for instance, he could be sick, and this is especially bad in pregnancy readings).

In general, this card represents the opposite of the Jack of Hearts, as it indicates a negative attitude and ill-will. It personifies the desire to hurt or to do something bad or illegal or at least somewhat shady.

In relationship readings, the Jack of Spades indicates poor communication, disharmony and possibily the desire to cheat. Together with a face card indicating another person outside of the couple, it can show a rival. Broadly, it shows underhandedness. It can also mean spying.

It can also signify more mundane things. For instance, after a disagreement, having the Jack of Spades near your partner’s card simply shows they still need time to get over their anger. In this sense, they are still your “enemy”. This can be true for every kind of personal relationship.

In work readings, the Jack of Spades can show the presence of ill will on the workplace, rivals and enemies of all kind. However, this is also the card of the uniform, and it is connected to jobs in the armed forces in a neutral sense.

Psychologically the card shows malice and a poor attitude in general, pettiness, double standards and slyness. Spiritually it’s connected to evil spirits,evil thought forms and being “bad” in general.

Combinations:

J♠ + K♠ = if pertinent, it indicates a policeman or soldier (if also 5♠, arrest)
J♠ + 9♦ + 3♠ = one possible combination of slander (9♦ is the reputation)
A♥ or 2♥ + J♠ = disharmony and enmity at home or close to you
J♠ + 5♦ + J♣ or any positive card, especially a ♥ = enmity turns to friendship
J♠ + 6♠ = it can indicate a morbidly negative attitude, in a health reading it can indicate parasites or viruses

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Jack of Diamonds

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Jack of Diamonds (J♦) is the card of the messenger.

Like the other Jacks, the Jack of Diamonds can, albeit rarely, indicate an actual person, usually a kid or teen. This kid is smart and energetic, mostly positive. More likely, however, the card is one of communication. It is the archetype of the mercurial bearer of news, and it is neutral. If followed by negative cards, it shows bad news. With cards of blockage, it shows delays in receiving news.

The Jack of Diamonds is also the card of the go-between, not unlike the corresponding Vera Sibilla card. It indicates someone or an agency mediating between two parties. Sometimes it indicates the process of mediation itself.

Finally, the Jack of Diamonds can signify the knowledge of facts and acquiring knowledge of facts as an extended meaning of the idea of message. As such, this is one of the playing cards connected with study and studying.

In love readings, the card often signifies messages, but it can also show the presence of a third party mediating between two lovers, although this was more common in the past. This is especially when the Jack falls next to a face card.

In career readings, the Jack of Diamonds indicates much the same. If it describes a job, it indicates one that requires a certain level of education. It can also be a job dealing with information. Needless to say, it shows students.

Psychologically, the card shows a lively intellect and much nervous energy. Usually a person influenced by this card will find it hard to keep his mind still and often looks for new stimuli. Spiritually it indicates signs and messages from above (or from below, with the appropriate cards, as, unlike the Jack of Hearts, that of Diamonds is too mercurial to be inherently good)

Combination:

J♦ + 2♦ = it can be a literal postman bringing correspondence | a student

6♦ + 9♣ + J♦ = worry about a delay in the arrival of a message or package

J♦ + Face + 4♥ = an agreement reached thanks to a third person

J♦ + 6♠ = in addition to indicating messages about sickness, it indicates mediation efforts gone awry

2♣ + J♦ = it can indicate studying (intellectual steps)

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Jack of Clubs

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Jack of Clubs (J♣) is the card of friendship and help. Rarely, it can represent an actual person, usually very young, such as a child or teen. When it does, the person is usually helpful, good, constructive.

In love readings, when coupled with Hearts, the Jack of Clubs is a wonderful card of mutual support, indicating that two partners have each other’s back, and that their love finds practical “application” in daily acts of kindness and support for one another. However, if in a more negative context, the Jack of Clubs can show that the situation is more akin to friendship. Note that, if followed by cards that negate its meaning, the Jack of Clubs can indicate lack of help or support, and so it can point to an unsupportive partner.

In work-related questions, the Jack of Clubs is a card of many meanings. When it indicates a type of job, it shows service and help, in whatever context it may be (look at the other cards). Unless assisted by cards of wealth, in itself this card does not promise great realization, as it is more indicative of someone in a helping or secondary position. It is also the card of friends and, by extension, co-workers. Especially with Spades, it can highlight a situation of mobbing, or, failing that, a bad work environment or an underpaid job. Help can also indicate help in health matters, and so with certain cards it can indicate a nurse.

In money issues, the Jack of Clubs does not have a specific meaning, however, with money cards, it can show financial help and support. When quantifying a sum of money, the card tends to restrict it somewhat.

Psychologically, this card indicates a practical, constructive, helpful attitude. Again, look out for negative cards after it, as the meaning may totally opposite. Spiritually, the Jack of Clubs indicates much the same, however in esoteric readings it can indicate a positive familiar spirit or elemental, but not an angel.

Combinations

Face card + J♣ = A friend or colleague (friend can mean someone who will lend a hand)
J♣ + 8♦  + 3♣ = A business partnership (instead of the 3♣, a money card could be present)
J♣ + 5♠ = it can mean helplessness or lack of friends (the 3♠ would indicate loss of support)
4♣ + J♣ = counseling or, more broadly, words that help
Q♣ + 4♠ + K♣ + J♣ = the relationship is stale, it’s turned into more of a friendship

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Jack of Hearts

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Jack of Hearts (J♥) is generally the Child card.

All the Jacks can represent children, but the Jack of Hearts is the one that is most likely to. When it does, it is a neutral significator card. You will read the child’s characteristics and “fate” from the surrounding cards. Needless to say, this is an important card in issues surrounding pregnancy.

When it does not represent a literal child, the Jack of Hearts takes on the symbolic attributes of children: playfulness, purity, freshness, gullibility, immaturity, inexperience. It is slightly positive, but can easily become negative when in a negative context.

In love readings, the card broadly speaks of something that has begun or will begin, and that therefore is in its initial stages. This is when a relationship is at its most fun and people get to know each other, but it also means that the couple doesn’t have deep roots (yet). It is a fun, flirtatious, adventurous card, and if not spoiled by negative cards it holds the promise of a long and stable future, because children have their whole life in front of them.

When the Jack of Hearts comes up for a couple that has been together a long time (say, at least three or four years), it can mean they have a child or that they still have a fresh and playful attitutude. With negative cards, though, it indicates shallowness and lack of true commitment, and can point to potential cheating. Only potential, though. You need confirmation from other cards. Broadly, the Jack of Hearts indicates flirting.

In a work reading, the Jack of Hearts indicates a new job or a job connected with children. It is also a card of inexperience, so if other cards indicate trouble, this can be due to not knowing what you’re doing. It can also indicate new arrivals and new colleagues. In itself, it shows that the querent is well-liked in a new work environment (or any environment), just like generally people will sympathize with children and pamper them.

In money matters, the card is a bit ambiguous, as, unless it indicates new ventures, it often shows a chronic inability to hold on to your money. However, it can also signify that you are unprejudiced and will pursue new avenues, so it can speak of brilliant financial abilities.

The above also applies to a person’s character. Depending on where it falls, the Jack of Hearts will highlight positive or negative traits. From a spiritual standpoint, the card is among those connected to prayers and positive thoughts in general, as well as to angels.

Combinations

J♥ – J♠ = can be a misbehaving or problematic child
J♥ – 7♦ or 3♦ – 3♠ = financial loss due to carelessness
10♣ – 4♥ – J♥ – A♥ = a trip to your childhood home (and therefore your family home)
5♥ – J♥ – 9♥ or 10♥ = One of the combinations that indicate a pregnancy (a wanted one)
J♥ – 8♦ – 6♣ = a new business that drains a lot of energy (the querent is tired). Implicitly, this means that the venture is not going very well

Cartomancy with Playing Cards | Ten of Spades

In cartomancy with playing cards, the Ten of Spades (10♠) is the card of secrets.

All tens in cartomancy relate to the idea of goal or destination. While the Ten of Hearts represents the querent’s hometown, the Ten of Clubs travel and the Ten of Diamonds another city, the Ten of Spades indicates destinations that are abroad and unknown.

As an extended meaning from this, the card indicates all things that are unknown, unfamiliar or secret. It’s a card of mysteries, lack of clarity and lack of awareness. Another extended meaning is that it represents the night and things taking place at night, while the Ten of Hearts represents the day.

Because tens represent goals, the Ten of Spades is the card of negative goals. It represents all things that are illegal, underhanded and shady. It’s also a card of silence and lack of communication, which can be a meaning if the other cards in the spread are good.

In love, the Ten of Spades can indicate marrying someone from abroad, eloping in secret or, with bad cards that reinforce the meaning, cheating. In work readings the Ten of Spades can simply indicate working the graveyard shift or a night job, but it may also indicate illegal activities.

When near card that indicate failure, the Ten of Spades reinforces the notion and makes it final.

Psychologically, the card is connected to hidden thoughts and to the subconscious mind.

Some Combinations:

K♣ – 3♣ – Q♣ – 10♠ – K♠ = she has a man on the side
4♣ – 10♠ = secret meeting to talk about something | can mean lack of communication
10♠ – J♠ – 3♠ = theft
9♣ – 10♣ – 10♠ = traveling abroad
3♦ – 10♠ = moonlighting