We started talking about court cards in divination last week with the jacks, this week we’re continuing that conversation with the queens. The queens are a little more straightforward than the jacks, in that they more consistently signify people. The jacks all have alternative meanings related to news or messages; the queens don’t. When a queen comes up you can be reasonably confident it’s talking about a person.
Just like the jacks, the queens generally signify people who embody the traits of their specific suits. But where the jacks denote young people, the queens denote women.1 A sensitive, caring woman in the Queen of Hearts, a harsh or troubled woman in the Queen of Spades, etc.
Again – as with the jacks – the queens can also describe appearance. The spectrum of coloration is the same: fairest with the Queen of Diamonds, darkening through hearts and clubs, and darkest with the Queen of Spades.
Queen of Diamonds: The Lady of Power – “Matriarch”
The Queen of Diamonds is a powerful woman. That might be a wealthy woman, a beautiful one, or one invested with special authority in the situation in question. In occult circles she might come up to signify a sorceress. Regardless of the source of her power, the Queen of Diamonds has leverage, and she knows it.
There is an aspect of traditionality associated with the Queen of Diamonds, in a way that is a struggle to articulate. This card is a matriarch. She likes the proper forms to be observed. Sometimes this card comes up in readings to signify a wedding, but in this case it’s as much about the ritual surrounding the wedding than the lovers themselves. A wedding as an occasion for social spectacle.
I associate the Queen of Diamonds with the goddess Freyja. Freyja is often viewed as a love goddess, sort of a Norse equivalent to Aphrodite, this is a very shallow interpretation. She is a goddess of love, true (though generally not one associated with motherhood). But also a goddess of wealth. And of battle. And of magic – specifically seið magic, which encompasses glamour and enchantment. In short, she is a goddess of power; of those passions that drive us, but can also twist our minds. Those are facets worth exploring within the persona of the Queen of Diamonds.
Queen of Clubs: The Lady of Labor – “Caregiver”
We associated the Queen of Diamonds with matriarchy, but not necessarily motherhood. The Queen of Clubs definitely speaks to motherhood. But not an idealized, unrealistic version of motherhood. This is a card that signifies the pragmatic, repetitive, often thankless work that real motherhood entails.
It’s also a card I associate with caregivers of other forms: nurses, teachers, any who do the work to take care of those in need. There is a grace to such roles. The Queen of Clubs may not be as glamorous as the Queen of Diamonds, but she keeps the world running.
The women represented by the Queen of Clubs give good advice. This is someone you can go to in times of trouble, and count on getting sound, practical guidance based on lived experience. It may not be the advice you want to hear, but it’s always what you need to hear.
Queen of Hearts: The Lady of Intimacy – “Romantic”
The interpretation of the Queen and King of Hearts are one of the few places where I deviate substantially from Hutcheson’s Fifty-Four Devils system. He lists the meanings of these two cards as either “self” or “soulmate,” depending on how the querent identifies. For example, a woman asking for a reading would be represented by the Queen of Hearts, and her soulmate would show up as the King of Hearts.
I have two issues with this. First, it assumes a very normative view of relationships. Is a gay man going to be represented by the queen or the king? How about someone who doesn’t identify with either? What about multi-partner relationships? Romantic interactions come in a lot of flavors, and not all fit a binary representation.
Second, I have issues with the whole “soulmate” or “twin flame” concept generally. Particularly when it comes to divination. I’ve never found the idea that there is a singular, perfect partner for everyone to be super compelling. I think it undersells the complexity and compromise involved in good relationships. Also, even well intentioned diviners have caused a lot of heartache by trying to identify people’s soulmates. What if you identify someone as “my soulmate” but they’re already married to someone else? What if my “soulmate” doesn’t want anything to do with me? How far might I push pursuing that relationship if I thought it was my one chance at happiness?
Instead, I read the Queen of Hearts just like any other queen. A woman who is sensitive and empathetic, with high emotional intelligence. Perhaps one of moderately fair hair or complexion. She might be a woman you are strongly attracted to, or feel a deep sense of connection with. Maybe someone you could form, or already have formed, a deep relationship with. But not someone unique in all the world.
Queen of Spades: The Lady of Strife – “Harpy”
The Queen of Spades is a woman who instigates trouble. She might be an overbearing mother (or mother-in-law). A shrewish ex-wife. A back-stabbing gossip. A homewrecking temptress. A rival for the affections of your romantic interest.
In any case, she works consistently against you. Cutting you down, either to your face or behind your back. While it may not be feasible to cut ties with this woman entirely, you’re going to be better off putting as much distance between yourself and her as you can, and setting clear boundaries on the places you do need to interact.
- Or, in a less binary sense, people who identify or present as women. ↩︎
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