I usually see the Queen of Swords as both nurturing and sharp witted. She traditionally represents a woman who does not need a man. The Queen of Swords is often seen as a dominant, intelligent and independent woman. In fact she is sometimes referred to as "the widow" because she is perceived as capable of doing things alone. But I think her reality is much more subtle than that. It's not that she doesn't need a man or a partner, it's that she doesn't depend upon them for her existence. She exists and thrives separate and apart. She is confident of her opinions and thoughts and effectively communicates her ideas and philosophy. She can be diplomatic when the need arises and cutting when the occasion calls for it.

In the Templar Tarot this card is represented by Queen Melisende of Jerusalem. Through her father she became the heiress of the kingdom of Jerusalem. And although her father, Baldwin II, convinced her to marry Fulk V of Anjou, Melisende ultimately proved to be the more effective and beneficial ruler of the kingdom. Despite Fulk's intrigues and efforts to overthrow her, Melisende and Fulk managed to reconcile long enough to bear two sons. And while Melisende is believed to have truly mourned Fulk after his death, it didn't stop her from keeping the reins and continue to rule effectively.

The Pharaoh Hatshepsut is another example of the Queen of Swords. She survived her husband and became regent for her stepson. But ultimately she established herself as Pharaoh and ruled wisely and successfully for a number of years. She didn't need a male to justify or validate her rule. And if she had lovers, they did not rule her or her kingdom.

These women managed to use wisdom, intellect and effective communication skills to convince a very misogynistic world that they could rule. And yet it does not appear that they actually gave up their femininity. They simply learned how to incorporate their feminine side with their more traditionally masculine skills and talents.

The Queen of Swords also reminds me of business women in the late 70s and early 80s. They wanted to have careers and use their college degrees, experience and knowledge for something other than a tool to find a husband. But at the same time they didn't want to draw attention to their femininity. They wore "dress for success" suits as recommended by John Molloy and emulated masculine styles and attitudes. They presented a professional, almost humorless demeanor so they could be taken seriously. And eventually, thanks to these pioneering Queens of Swords, the "rules" loosened and women were able to express themselves more creatively in office settings.

In modern times, Hillary Clinton represents the Queen of Swords to me. She is obviously intelligent but often misunderstood. She sometimes seems a bit unsympathetic because she doesn't fit the traditional female mold. But she is dedicated, articulate and focused. It's a shame that so much media attention was focused on her clothing and her occasional slips and not enough on her experience, skills and talents. If anything this proves we've still got a long way to go before women are truly considered equal.