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.

Today I had to do a presentation for class - a very Queen of Swords experience. It went fine. The thing I find most interesting about it is that when I present I am usually able to combine Queen of Swords qualities (good communication skills and intellectual abilities) with Queen of Wands talents (being engaging, warm and charismatic). I don't think this is arrogant or immodest to say. I know that when I am in professional presenter mode I am good. It's as though a switch goes on inside me. In fact I feel the same way when I give a really good Tarot reading. It's as though I enter a zone or trance state and just hit all the right points.

The Celtic Wisdom deck uses the Morrigan to portray the Queen of Battle. She stands in a rather barren landscape adorned in a red skirt and wearing a raven cloak about her. It melds with her hair so that it is difficult to tell where the cloak ends and her hair begins. The Morrigan is often described as a Celtic battle goddess but she is much more than that. She is a symbol of sovereignty - a king cannot rule without the Morrigan's blessings. That is why The Dagda ritually mates with her at Samhain. She is also a prophetess and a seeress. She is the Queen of the Phantoms and perhaps she is able to communicate with them and bring messages from the Otherworld into this one. Ravens are often seen as messengers of the gods in Celtic and Scandinavian mythology. Is the raven carrying messages to her? Does it even matter? This card was also the one I chose as my DNA card during Geraldine Amaral's session at RS09. I might not have picked the Queen of Swords in another deck but in the Celtic Wisdom it just felt right. I have always been drawn to The Morrigan. She is my patroness, my goddess mother if you will. I connect with all of her facets - war, sexuality, sovereignty and prophecy.

Looking at the Queen of Swords from the Zerner-Farber deck, the first thing that caught my eye is the butterfly sitting atop her head like a tiara and the blue flowers resting in her decolletage. They are a reminder of her connection to the spirit and mind. Butterflies have always reminded me of celestial messengers; avatars of the soul. At the same time their winged nature connects them with the air and matters of the intellect. The blue flowers share a similar quality - a connection to the mind and communication (talking until you're "blue in the face"). She appears serene and calm but at the same time I don't get a sense that she tolerates fools gladly. This is no simpering miss who seeks the approval of others. She knows who she is and where she's going.

I decided to pull the Queen of Swords card from the Tarot Affirmations deck too. Here are a few that caught my attention:
I am aware of the power of thought to transform negative feelings and restore balanced emotional states
I enjoy the fruits of intellectual activity, the self-confidence that results from using my mind to its fullest potential
I am focused mental activity, a pathway to meaning in the midst of suffering and loss.

I like the idea of using the intellect to transform negative feelings and restore balanced emotional states. In fact it is something I need to try more often. I know that I am very comfortable with the Queen of Swords. I am her and she is me. I can be very cutting and to the point. I am sometimes abrupt and challenging to people. It might be a quality is need to temper a bit but I am not completely uncomfortable with this energy. In fact, as I've said many times, I'm more comfortable with swords energy than I am with cups energy. It's something on which I'm working but it's still a work in progress.