This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. An elegant weapon for a more civilized age. — Obi-Wan Kenobi
I have always identified with the Queen of Wands not only because I'm a Leo but because I'm strong and creative and a few other things that go along with that particular suit on a good day (and a bad one). From time to time however, I reflect upon the Queen of Swords and I recognize that this card represents me too, whether I want it to or not.
The suit of Swords is not a happy suit and we have only to look at Pamela Colman Smith's depiction of the cards it contains to understand that.
Traditionally Swords are associated with air, winter, wind, cold, strength, sharpness, intellect, independence, violence, loneliness, power and ruin—and Colman Smith has incorporated these themes into the Rider-Waite-Smith. And the RWS has become the tarot deck of choice for many readers as well as a interpretive point of departure for many alternative decks—with an emphasis on the negative.
I have never seen a person cheered by Colman Smith's Ten or Three of Swords!
The popular imagery of this suit is may appear tragic. So tragic that it is easy to forget that the symbolism of the suit would have been different when the cards were first introduced. They would have reminded people then of a passing age, where the sword was a weapon reminiscent of chivalry and the nobility. Some might have described the sword in the same way Obi-Wan Kenobi described the lightsaber.
When tarot was new, Wands, the suit of spring and creativity, victory and manifestation, would have been associated with the peasantry or at the very least, the craftsman. Cups, the modern suit of love and happiness—the clergy. Pentacles, which now suggest prosperity—the merchant class.
In this system then, Swords would have represented the class most respected by society at large. And, at its best, the suit is worthy of respect. It symbolizes strength, independence, intellect, and courage, and these are fine attributes in any estimation. Loneliness, as implied in a reading predominated by swords, may be a byproduct of these characteristics in the same way that violence and ruin can be a potential consequence of decisive action. And yet, I cannot dismiss the inherent sadness of this dark queen.
Perhaps it is only a product of the season. Winter is, in northeastern Appalachia, is an austere and unforgiving time that encourages introspection and dark thought. Even in our modern age, it is a season of survival, and I feel this very keenly when I force myself outside on the coldest days to walk the frozen ground.
It takes a certain degree of determination to live this season well and I think that is, on a level, what the symbolism of this suit is fundamentally about.
The Queen of Swords is an independent queen. She rules the wind, winter, and herself with a strong and not necessarily gentle hand, but she is the one I think most of us want to be when we face a challenge.
Representing, not only the nobility, intellect and the most difficult time of year in northern climates, she is courage, maturity and self-determination. I can draw very direct associations between this card and the season it represents. A time of year, but more significantly, a time of life.
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| The Strand Saturday Night |
It was a busy weekend – a short family vacation. Everyone had their own agenda and a window of time. Saturday afternoon was my turn.
I had a list of places to see. It included The Strand, a Botanica, a Persian Restaurant, China Town and possibly the Indian neighborhood near a friends' old apartment. The Botanica was first because it was on the way into the city.
I have a friend who likes Santeria and I wanted to pick up something for her and for myself. There is a small Botanica in NJ with a nice selection of incense and home-made candles and it was our plan to go there.
When we arrived however, the shop was closed. A second botanica nearby, sold mass produced candles and machine blended oils only. Somewhat daunted, we got an address for a third shop but were unable to locate it.
When we arrived however, the shop was closed. A second botanica nearby, sold mass produced candles and machine blended oils only. Somewhat daunted, we got an address for a third shop but were unable to locate it.
I have come to believe, as I’ve gotten older, that there is a current to things and I sincerely believe that it’s a spiritual current. This is not superstition, not “this is what is meant to be” - or at least not necessarily - but a kind of energy. Whether or not it is cognizant, whether or not it's destiny or great or small, it is very simply our own personal energy and mine just wasn’t cooperating!
We gave up on the candles and went into the city. There were lights and people and interesting restaurants. Afternoon turned into evening and the whether turned sleety. Hours later, after what seemed like miles of mid winter slush, we walked into the bright lights of The Strand, which if not the biggest used book store ever is certainly the biggest one I've ever been in. After the dark winter streets, it seemed crowded and cheery. There was an interesting occult section and in the end I found something connected to my cultural frame of reference.
I bought nothing to sell and nothing to give as a gift. The clock was ticking and we were tired and and hungry and in the end, picking one good book was enough. Being away from my usual routine I didn’t have a strong sense of the day but as I stood in line with my new book it occurred to me that what is open to us and what is closed has meaning.
That was Saturday and we didn't get a lot of news. Still reports filtered in via snatches of CNN playing in the hotel lobby and iPad updates. Things were happening in Egypt. Being on vacation made it seem even further away then it was in fact I think.
Sunday morning found us in the room in front of the television however. We heard that ordinary citizen's were putting their lives on a very literal line to stand between looters and the Cairo museum. Between the lines of courage and sweeping change and life and death, I was reminded how fundamentally important culture is to all of us.
I bought nothing to sell and nothing to give as a gift. The clock was ticking and we were tired and and hungry and in the end, picking one good book was enough. Being away from my usual routine I didn’t have a strong sense of the day but as I stood in line with my new book it occurred to me that what is open to us and what is closed has meaning.
That was Saturday and we didn't get a lot of news. Still reports filtered in via snatches of CNN playing in the hotel lobby and iPad updates. Things were happening in Egypt. Being on vacation made it seem even further away then it was in fact I think.
Sunday morning found us in the room in front of the television however. We heard that ordinary citizen's were putting their lives on a very literal line to stand between looters and the Cairo museum. Between the lines of courage and sweeping change and life and death, I was reminded how fundamentally important culture is to all of us.
I came home with my new book and some new ideas. I don’t know what it is about vacations but there is something about being free of the daily routine that encourages reflection and affords us the opportunity to see things from a slightly different perspective.
I'm always tired after a vacation and always glad to be back in my little backwater. Still it is nice to feel the shift from time to time!
I'm always tired after a vacation and always glad to be back in my little backwater. Still it is nice to feel the shift from time to time!
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