The Queen of Swords is a powerful force. Her intellect is pristine and her wit sharp. She is confident, plays by the rules and one would not want to be on the opposite side of a debate with her. She approaches situations in life with focus, power, authority and authenticity. She comes to the table prepared. She is the transformer of misfortune and fears into new horizons and perceptions. She is the ultimate problem solver.

The suit of Swords rules the mind and thinking. Swords represent a deep understanding that cuts through illusion, delusion, confusion, fear and hurts from the past. The swords imagery can be disturbing, as some of the images depict sorrow, conflict, aggression, anger and helplessness. All these experiences come from not being being able to see things from a clear perspective. Swords are very mental. Their element is air (ever changing coming in many forms). Swords are yang energy, that work from clarity and understanding.

Queens represent our feminine side, our yin side. They are the mother/goddess/priestess of each suit. All Queens in the tarot deck share the same element of water, making them fluid, receptive, working from feelings and deep understanding. Queens of the minor arcana hold the heart and soul of their suit. From them springs forth life and creativity. They can represent aspects of the self or what is needed, or what is going on in one's life. For a man they can represent a woman in his life, or the feminine aspect of himself. For a woman, the queen represents her, or aspects of herself, or feelings and situations in her life. The Queen of Swords is the least emotional of her sisters. She has the least amount of water around her and air rules her heart and mind, which can sometimes cloud into a foggy confused state of mind and heart. Her challenge is to keep the fog clear and be focused on her brilliantly clear truth and intellect.

The Queen of Swords is a worrier of truth. She does not tolerate false perceptions. She has experienced deception, difficult struggles and life's hard knocks. She has emerged with a strength that she feels from the deep waters in her soul of the feminine and intuitive side, yet she expresses herself more confidently with her air and intellect. She comes across quick and direct, her perception is keen. She is strongwilled and very candid. She is a friend that will always tell you the straight forward truth about any situation. She cuts through any confusion or gray area. She finds it hard to be any other way. Truth is a transformer. It brings you to the threshold or portal to any situation. The Queen of Sword inspires one to cut through any confusion, belief systems or patterns that lead one astray from experiencing the universal balance of wisdom and truth. The Queen of Swords inspires the creative force and like all queens renewal. She reminds one that life is cyclic and as always moving through the heights of wonderment and to the depths of despair and everything in between. Her lesson to us is to be very clear, honest and forthright about what is heartfelt for you and cut through any blocks, fears, masks or patterns that are holding you back from living your life as the creator intended.

Her magic is guiding one back into the universal flow. The Queen of Swords does not recognize excuses or justifications. She uses her wisdom to see how she can solve problems that need to be put back in balance. She sees the potential, she makes a plan, communicates it and takes action.

Living one's life with crystal clear perception and truth leads to freewill and transformation. The Queen of Swords is our ally in clarity and freedom. She is an aspect of ourselves that we need to honor, respect and nourish.

Light to your Spirit! Cathy McClelland

Join Cathy at her openning art exhibit reception May 7, 5-7pm, at the North Tahoe Art Center in Tahoe City. Please see enclosed reception invitaion in this mailing.

See our Events Calendar for class schedule. Books and supplies available at The Rainbow Bridge.