Queen of Tarot

The ancient wisdom of the cards

S. L. MacGregor Mathers's Divinatory Meanings

Excerpted from The Tarot: Its Occult Significance, Use in Fortune-Telling, and Method of Play, Etc.

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The Magician

Upright

Will, Will-Power, Dexterity

Reversed

Will applied to evil ends, Weakness of Will, Cunning, Knavishness.

The Papess

Upright

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education

Reversed

Conceit, Ignorance, Unskilfulness, Superficial Knowledge.

The Empress

Upright

Action, Plan, Undertaking Movement in a matter, Initiative

Reversed

Inaction, Frittering away of power, Want of Concentration Vacillation.

The Emperor

Upright

Realisation, Effect, Development

Reversed

Stoppage, Check, Immature, Unripe.

The Pope

Upright

 Mercy, Beneficence Kindness, Goodness

Reversed

Over-kindness, weakness, Foolish exercise of generosity.

The Lovers

Upright

Wise Dispositions, Proof, Trials Surmounted

Reversed

Unwise Plans, Failure when put to the test.

The Chariot

Upright

Triumph, Victory, Overcoming obstacles

Reversed

Overthrown, Conquered by Obstacles at the last moment.

Justice

Upright

Equilibrium, Balance, Justice

Reversed

Bigotry, Want of Balance, Abuse of Justice, Over-severity, Inequality, Bias.

The Hermit

Upright

Prudence, Caution, Deliberation

Reversed

Over-prudence, Timorousness, Fear.

Wheel of Fortune

Upright

Good Fortune, Success, Unexpected Luck

Reversed

Ill-Fortune, Failure, Unexpected Ill-Luck.

Strength

Upright

Power, Might, Force, Strength, Fortitude

Reversed

Abuse of Power, Overbearingness, Want of Fortitude.

The Traitor

Upright

Self-sacrifice, Sacrifice, Devotion, Bound

Reversed

Selfishness, Unbound, Partial sacrifice.

Death

Upright

Death, Change, Transformation, Alteration for the worse

Reversed

Death just escaped, Partial change, Alteration for the better.

Temperance

Upright

Combination, Conformation, Uniting

Reversed

Ill-advised combinations, Disunion, Clashing interests, &c.

The Devil

Upright

Fatality for Good

Reversed

Fatality for Evil.

The Tower

Upright

Ruin, Disruption, Over-throw, Loss, Bankruptcy

Reversed

These in a more or less partial degree.

The Star

Upright

Hope, Expectation, Bright promises

Reversed

Hopes not fulfilled, Expectations disappointed or fulfilled in a minor degree.

The Moon

Upright

Twilight, Deception, Error

Reversed

Fluctuation, slight Deceptions, Trifling Mistakes.

The Sun

Upright

Happiness, Content, Joy

Reversed

These in a minor degree.

Judgement

Upright

Renewal, Result, Determination of a Matter

Reversed

Postponement of Result, Delay, Matter re-opened later.

The Fool

Upright

Folly, Expiation, Wavering

Reversed

Hesitation, Instability, Trouble arising herefrom.

The World

Upright

Completion, Good Reward

Reversed

Evil Reward, or Recompense.

King of Clubs

Upright

Man living in the country, Country Gentleman, Knowledge, Education

Reversed

A naturally good but severe man, Counsel, Advice, Deliberation.

Queen of Clubs

Upright

Woman living in the country, Lady of the Manor, Love of Money, Avarice, Usury

Reversed

A good a virtuous Woman, but strict and economical, Obstacles, Resistance, Opposition.

Knight of Clubs

Upright

Departure, Separation, Disunion

Reversed

Rupture, Discord, Quarrel.

Page of Clubs

Upright

A Good Stranger, Good News, Pleasure, Satisfaction

Reversed

Ill News, Displeasure, Chagrin, Worry.

Ten of Clubs

Upright

Confidence, Security, Honour, Good Faith

Reversed

Treachery, Subterfuge, Duplicity, Bar.

Nine of Clubs

Upright

Order, Discipline, Good Arrangement, Disposition

Reversed

Obstacles, Crosses, Delay, Displeasure.

Eight of Clubs

Upright

Understanding, Observation, Direction

Reversed

Quarrels, Intestine disputes, Discord.

Seven of Clubs

Upright

Success, Gain, Advantage, Profit, Victory

Reversed

Indecision, Doubt, Hesitation, Embarrassment, Anxiety.

Six of Clubs

Upright

Attempt, Hope, Desire, Wish, Expectation

Reversed

Infidelity, Treachery, Disloyalty, Perfidy.

Five of Clubs

Upright

Gold, Opulence, Gain, Heritage, Riches, Fortune, Money

Reversed

Legal proceedings, Judgment, Law, Lawyer, Tribunal.

Four of Clubs

Upright

Society, Union, Association, Concord, Harmony

Reversed

Prosperity, Success, Happiness, Advantage.

Three of Clubs

Upright

Enterprise, Undertaking, Commerce, Trade, Negotiation

Reversed

Hope, Desire, Attempt, Wish.

Two of Clubs

Upright

Riches, Fortune, Opulence, Magnificence, Grandeur

Reversed

Surprise, Astonishment, Event, Extraordinary Occurrence.

Ace of Clubs

Upright

Birth, Commencement, Beginning, Origin, Source

Reversed

Persecution, Pursuits Voilence, Vexation, Cruelty, Tyranny.

King of Cups

Upright

A fair Man, Goodness, Kindness, Liberality, Generosity

Reversed

A Man of good position, but shifty in his Dealings, Distrust, Doubt, Suspicion.

Queen of Cups

Upright

A fair Woman, Success, Happiness, Advantage, Pleasure

Reversed

A Woman in good position, but intermeddling, and to be distrusted; Success, but with some attendant trouble.

Knight of Cups

Upright

Arrival, Approach, Advance

Reversed

Duplicity, Abuse of Confidence, Fraud, Cunning.

Page of Cups

Upright

A fair Youth, Confidence, Probity, Discretion, Integrity

Reversed

A Flatterer, Deception, Artifice.

Ten of Cups

Upright

The Town wherein one resides, Honour, Consideration, Esteem, Virtue, Glory, Reputation

Reversed

Combat, Strife, Opposition, Differences, Dispute.

Nine of Cups

Upright

Victory, Advantage, Success, Triumph, Difficulties surmounted

Reversed

Faults, Errors, Mistakes, Imperfections.

Eight of Cups

Upright

A fair Girl, Friendship, Attachment, Tenderness

Reversed

Gaiety, Feasting, Joy, Pleasure.

Seven of Cups

Upright

Idea, Sentiment, Reflection, Project

Reversed

Plan, Design, Resolution, Decision.

Six of Cups

Upright

The Past, passed by, Faded, Vanished, Disappeared

Reversed

The Future, that which is to come, Shortly, Soon.

Five of Cups

Upright

Union, Junction, Marriage, Inheritance

Reversed

Arrival, Return, News, Surprise, False projects.

Four of Cups

Upright

Ennui, Displeasure, Discontent, Dissatisfaction

Reversed

New Acquaintance, Conjecture, Sign, Presentiment.

Three of Cups

Upright

Success, Triumph, Victory, Favourable issue

Reversed

Expedition of business, Quickness, Celerity, Vigilance.

Two of Cups

Upright

Love, Attachment, Friendship, Sincerity, Affection

Reversed

Crossed desires, Obstacles, Opposition, Hindrance.

Ace of Cups

Upright

Feasting, Banquet, Good Cheer

Reversed

Change, Novelty, Metamorphosis, Inconstancy.

King of Swords

Upright

A Lawyer, a Man of Law, Power, Command, Superiority, Authority

Reversed

A Wicked Man, Chagrin, Worry, Grief, Fear, Disturbance.

Queen of Swords

Upright

Widowhood, Loss, Privation, Absence, Separation

Reversed

A Bad Woman, ill-tempered and bigoted, Riches and Discord, Abundance together with Worry, Joy with Grief.

Knight of Swords

Upright

A Soldier, a man whose profession is arms, Skilfulness, Capacity, Address, Promptitude

Reversed

A conceited fool, Ingenuousness, Simplicity.

Page of Swords

Upright

A Spy, Overlooking, Authority

Reversed

That which is unforeseen, Vigilance, Support.

Ten of Swords

Upright

Tears, Affliction, Grief, Sorrow

Reversed

Passing Success, Momentary Advantage.

Nine of Swords

Upright

An Ecclesiastic, a Priest, Conscience. Probity, Good Faith, Integrity

Reversed

Wise distrust, Suspicion, Fear, Doubt, Shady character.

Eight of Swords

Upright

Sickness, Calumny, Criticism, Blame

Reversed

Treachery in the Past, Event, Accident, Remarkable Incident.

Seven of Swords

Upright

Hope, Confidence, Desire, Attempt, Wish

Reversed

Wise Advice, Good Counsel, Wisdom, Prudence, Circumspection.

Six of Swords

Upright

Envoy, Messenger, Voyage, Travel

Reversed

Declaration, Love proposed, Revelation, Surprise.

Five of Swords

Upright

Mourning, Sadness, Affliction

Reversed

Losses Trouble (same signification, whether reversed or not.)

Four of Swords

Upright

Solitude, Retreat, Abandonment, Solitary, Hermit

Reversed

Economy, Precaution, Regulation of Expenditure.

Three of Swords

Upright

A Nun, Separation, Removal, Rupture, Quarrel

Reversed

Error, Confusion, Misrule, Disorder.

Two of Swords

Upright

Friendship, Valour, Firmness, Courage

Reversed

False Friends, Treachery, Lies.

Ace of Swords

Upright

Triumph, Fecundity, Fertility, Prosperity

Reversed

Embarrassment, Foolish and Hopeless Love, Obstacle, Hindrance.

King of Coins

Upright

A dark Man, Victory, Bravery, Courage, Success

Reversed

An old and vicious Man, a Dangerous Man, Doubt, Fear, Peril, Danger.

Queen of Coins

Upright

A dark Woman, a generous Woman, Liberality, Greatness of Soul, Generosity

Reversed

Certain Evil, a suspicious Woman, a Woman justly regarded with Suspicion, Doubt, Mistrust.

Knight of Coins

Upright

A useful Man, Trustworthy, Wisdom, Economy, Order, Regulation

Reversed

A brave Man, but out of Employment, Idle, Unemployed, Negligent.

Page of Coins

Upright

A dark Youth, Economy, Order, Rule, Management

Reversed

Prodigality, Profusion, Waste, Dissipation.

Ten of Coins

Upright

House, Dwelling, Habitation, Family

Reversed

Gambling, Dissipation, Robbery, Loss.

Nine of Coins

Upright

Discretion, Circumspection, Prudence, Discernment

Reversed

Deceit, Bad faith, Artifices, Deception.

Eight of Coins

Upright

A dark Girl, Beauty, Candour, Chastity, Innocence, Modesty

Reversed

Flattery, Usury, Hypocrisy, Shifty.

Seven of Coins

Upright

Money, Finance, Treasure, Gain, Profit

Reversed

Disturbance, Worry, Anxiety, Melancholy.

Six of Coins

Upright

Presents, Gifts, Gratification

Reversed

Ambition, Desire, Passion, Aim, Longing.

Five of Coins

Upright

Lover or Mistress, Love, Sweetness, Affection, Pure and Chaste Love

Reversed

Disgraceful Love, Imprudence, License, Profligacy.

Four of Coins

Upright

Pleasure, Gaiety, Enjoyment, Satisfaction

Reversed

Obstacles, Hindrances.

Three of Coins

Upright

Nobility, Elevation, Dignity, Rank, Power

Reversed

Children, Sons, Daughters, Youths, Commencement.

Two of Coins

Upright

Embarrassment, Worry, Difficulties

Reversed

Letter, Missive, Epistle, Message.

Ace of Coins

Upright

Perfect Contentment, Felicity, Prosperity, Triumph

Reversed

Purse of Gold, Money, Gain, Help, Profit, Riches.