Tarotcatures: A Five-Part Examination of the Courts as Characters; Part Three: The Queens
In my new five-part series, I am examining the tarot’s Court cards, pairing them with characters from my favorite books, movies, and even people in real life.
This week, the Queens bring us to the midway point of the series. Known for their nurturing, protective, and influential nature, the four Queens each express their unique meaning through the four elements and the four suits. They pay attention to the messages and scholarship of the Pages, they make informed decisions around the actions of the Knights, and they use all of this information, along with their own intuitive understanding, to prepare those in need of their support.
For a recap of the Court roles (Page, Knight, Queen, and King) and what each represents, as well as the suits (cups, pentacles, swords, and wands) and what they mean, check out my first post in this series.
The Queens harken back to The High Priestess and The Empress, helping individuals to call upon what they’ve learned, leaning on their own intuition, and setting intentions to manifest only that which will best serve them and those affected by them. Queens directly influence character; they harness the energies of their suit and element to nurture effective change and produce abundant outcomes. However, there’s a shadow side to our Queens. Allow them enough influence and you, the storyteller, or your characters could fall prey to manipulation. After all, the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.
Given the power of these cards, let’s pair their meanings and consider each of the Queens as a character. I believe the following characters demonstrate the qualities of the Queen card assigned to them. These individuals are among my favorite personalities from books, movies, TV, and real life.
Queen of Cups
Ever the Southern mama, Steel Magnolias’ M’Lynn Eatenton fusses over her children (and at her goofball husband) in such a way that they know she loves them more than her football helmet of a hairdo. When I think of the Queen of Cups nurturing emotion, I cannot help but think of Sally Field’s performance in the movie’s cemetery scene. Just like this Court card’s water on water energy, my floodgates open Every. Single. Time. I watch this movie. And y’all listen (in my everyday Southern mama accent), if you haven’t seen the all-Black cast perform Steel Magnolias on stage, I implore you to find a show closest to your city and hightail it there faster than Ouiser Boudreax’s mutt off his leash.
Queen of Pentacles
Who better to nurture (and conjure) matters of the home and material things (i.e. inanimate objects and Muggle treasures) than the ultimate homesteading witch, Molly Weasley? They way she runs such an open, welcoming, and loving home, this Harry Potter matriarch clearly defines the Queen of Pentacles. One of my favorite characters in all of the franchise, I just want Mrs. Weasley to cook for me, listen to my woes, and teach me how to get my dishes to wash themselves.
Queen of Swords
Remember earlier when I mentioned the shadow side of the Queens? The Queen of Swords, in all her cool, breezy regalia, is one such card who, when allowed, can harness the power of influence to completely and totally change one’s mind, if not control it entirely. An excellent example of allowing this Queen too much influence is the Grandmother in Flowers in the Attic. It’s been over thirty years since I first watched the movie, and even longer since I’ve read V.C. Andrews’ controversial book, but to this day I am still terrified by the matriarch of Foxworth Hall.
Queen of Wands
This is my favorite Queen! I love this Court persona mostly because it’s my Inner Teacher card, but also because the Queen of Wands is a creative badass. And speaking of creative badassery, when I think of a Queen who nurtures inspiration, as indicated by this card’s meaning, I am reminded of Mia Warren of Little Fires Everywhere (Celeste Ng). Creative, fiery, and manipulative when she had to be, this character was willing to risk anything and everything for those she loved and protected... by any means necessary.
What do you think?
What are your thoughts about my Queen card pairings? What about your own characters? Using what you know and/or have learned about the Queens in this post, which cards best represent your protagonist and/or antagonist?
Next week, I will continue my examination of the Courts as characters with a look at the Kings.
On Writer Wednesday, I will publish my interview with indie author B. L. Cagle! Stay tuned!
In her more than thirty years as a storyteller and visual designer, Amanda “Mandy” Hughes has written and designed over a dozen works of upmarket, literary, and women’s fiction under pen names A. Lee Hughes and Mandy Lee.
Mandy is the founder of Haint Blue Creative, a space for readers and storytellers to explore, learn, and create. Although she earned a Bachelor and Master of Science in Psychology, she has yet to figure out her family, much less herself. And that's a good thing!
When she’s not writing, Mandy loves going to the movies, theater, traveling, nature walks, birdwatching, margarita-making, and binge-watching The Office. She is a tarot enthusiast who uses the cards to promote wellness and enhance creativity. She lives in Georgia with her husband and four boys, two of whom are furrier than the others (but not by much). Visit her website at haintbluecreative.com and follow her on Instagram @haintbluecreative.