Queen, Suit of WandsQueen of Wands tarot card meaning
Upright and reversedQueen of Wands in shortIn short
The Queen of Wands is warm confidence. A queen in a golden robe sits on a lion throne, a leafy wand in one hand, a sunflower in the other, a black cat at her feet. Friendly, magnetic, sure of herself.
- Confidence
- Warmth
- Independence
Piece oneThe lions
An orange banner with two red rampant lions hangs behind her head, and lion heads are carved on her throne. Waite says her personality matches the King's, only more magnetic. The lion is the King's symbol too.
"...the Queen's personality corresponds to that of the King, but is more magnetic."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereThe lions mark her power. They're on the banner behind her head and carved on her throne, so she sits surrounded by them. The lion is the King's sign as well, and Waite links their personalities. Her sunflower and the calm black cat sit at the other end: the lions show the force she keeps at rest.
Piece twoThe queen
She sits upright in a yellow dress and lilac cape, a leafy gold crown on her head, a sunflower in her hand. Waite reads a dark woman, a countrywoman: friendly, chaste, loving, honourable. Warm and sure of herself, she is at home in the world.
"A dark woman, country-woman, friendly, chaste, loving, honorable."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereShe is the warmth of the suit, seated. Upright, crowned in leaves, sunflower in hand, she doesn't hurry. The yellow dress picks up the sun and the lilac cape adds calm. The lions behind her and the cat at her feet set her between public force and private quiet.
Piece threeThe wand in leaf
In her right hand she holds a tall wand, green leaves growing from it. Waite says the wands of this suit are always in leaf, because it is a suit of life and energy.
"The Wands throughout this suit are always in leaf, as it is a suit of life and animation."Waite, 1911
Why it is hereHer wand still grows, like every wand in the suit. She holds a living branch as her sceptre. It stands at her right side and balances the sunflower in her other hand. Waite says the suit is one of life and animation, and she carries that life as her badge of office.
Piece fourThe black cat
A black cat sits at her feet, staring at us with yellow eyes. Waite's text leaves it out. Ours makes it her companion: independent, watchful, a little mysterious.
Why it is hereThe cat is the queen's private side. Everything else on the card faces the world: lions, sunflower, crown. The cat sits at her feet and stares back at you. Our picture adds it where Waite's text says nothing, and it keeps her warmth from looking simple.
Colour, and where else it appearsEchoes
-
The lions
Red lions on orange, the hottest colours on the card, right behind her crown. In Strength a woman in white holds the jaws of a live lion in her hands. The King of Wands has a black lion on his own orange banner. The Queen keeps hers on cloth and carved in stone.
Also in -
The queen
Sun yellow and soft lilac: yellow for fire and sunshine, lilac for calm and dignity. Her sunflower comes back in The Sun, where a row of them stands behind a child on a white horse. The Empress also sits enthroned among growing things, in a cream gown patterned in red. The Queen of Wands brings that ease to the fire suit.
Also in -
The wand in leaf
Red-brown wood and green leaves: even her sceptre still grows. The Empress holds a sceptre topped with a round orb, a ruler's object made of metal. The Queen of Wands rules with a branch. The King of Wands holds the same leafy wand on his own throne.
Also in -
The black cat
The one black shape on the card, set against gold: her calm has a private side. A small black creature sits at a ruler's feet in the King of Wands too, a salamander crawling on the step. The Chariot sets a black sphinx beside a white one in front of the car. Black there marks one half of a pair.
Also in
Colour notes are ours, read from the picture; Waite does not explain the colours.
Queen of WandsUpright
Warmth, confidence and charm. Waite describes a woman friendly, chaste, loving and honourable. Next to a man's card, she is well disposed toward him; next to a woman's, she takes an interest in you.
Waite adds love of money and a certain success in business. Step forward with confidence and warmth, and trust your own fire.
Queen of WandsReversed
Waite starts kind: good, economical, obliging, serviceable. Next to certain cards he also reads opposition, jealousy, even deceit and infidelity.
Warmth turns into control or jealousy, or confidence sinks into self-doubt. Keep your fire for your own work, and away from others.
Yes or noYes.
Yes. The answer is good, especially if you act with confidence.
Queen of Wands in your lifeIn your life
Love
Warm, loving, confident. Waite says she favours the man beside her. Attraction and loyalty.
Work
Waite gives a certain success in business. Lead with confidence and let people see your energy.
Money
Waite mentions love of money. Good management, steady success.
Health
Vitality and good energy. A card can't diagnose you; if something's wrong, see a doctor, and keep some of your warmth for yourself.
Spirituality
Trust yourself and your intuition. Your quiet side, like the black cat, is part of your strength.
Advice
Be confident and generous. Let your warmth show.
As a person
Waite's dark country-woman: friendly, chaste, loving, honourable. Warm, independent, magnetic.
Past, present, future
Past: a confident woman, or a time you trusted yourself. Present: warmth and success. Future: recognition and a strong role of your own.
Written by us, from Waite's meanings and the picture.
Symbols and correspondencesAt a glance
- Suit
- Wands
- Element
- Fire
- Golden Dawn
- Water of Fire
- Court
- Queen
- Upright
- Friendly
- Reversed
- Economical
QuestionsCommon questions
Yes. Warm, loving, confident. Reversed, Waite warns of jealousy and deceit next to certain cards.
Warmth and loyalty. Waite says she is well disposed toward a man shown by the card beside her.
Yes, especially if you act with confidence.
Waite's text leaves it out. Ours sits at her feet: an independent, watchful companion, the private side of a warm queen.
Waite's dark country-woman: friendly, chaste, loving, honourable, with love of money or success in business.
Waite says the wands of this suit are always in leaf, because it is a suit of life. The Queen matches the King in nature, and draws people more.
The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911Card meanings and quotes: A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, 1911. Element, decan and sephira: the Golden Dawn's Book T. Colours, life situations, yes or no and questions: written by us, from Waite's meanings and the picture.
All 14 Wands