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.  I often associate the Queens with the element of Earth.  So the Queen of Swords would represent Earth of Air.  She combines the traits of sensing and thinking.  She is at ease in her physical space but does not become lost in it. 

"Your mental faculties are well-tuned.  You are expressing your philosophy, fully and powerfully, through your lifestyle and activities.  You are not likely to be threatened by other peoples' lifestyles because you are sure of your own.  Your communication process is strong and effective, you are powerful in presenting your ideas because you understand them so thoroughly." - Gail Fairfield

""Strong-willed, honest, articulate, dignified, reserved, willing to face the truth, protective, quick-witted." - Paulina LWB

"Perceptive and complex woman, fit for directing changes in her favor.  (Legend of the Siren)" - Metamorphosis LWB

Once again I draw my old companion but in a new guise.  The Metamorphosis Queen of Swords (a Siren) looks seductive and yet cold.  She is obviously creating waves to disrupt the journey of the ship before her and yet no emotion appears on her face.  She seems like a child playing with a toy.  She is surrounded by waters, usually connected with emotion, but feels nothing.  She seems somewhat cold and alien.  Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that she is the personification of the ocean - unfeeling and emotionless.  The ocean can wipe out entire towns and have no remorse, that is just not in its nature.  The Queen of Swords may share some of this quality.

The Paulina Queen of Swords is less seductive but more mysterious and maybe even more dangerous.  She hides much of herself beneath a cloak that allows her to blend in with her background.  Her two companions (badger?) seem both harmless and frightening - like a clown.  She seems to be trying to hide her actions from view as she holds her sword aloft.  Is she awaiting someone in order to attack?  Is she fearing an attack and preparing herself?  What is motivating her actions?

Both these Queens of Swords are alluring, fascinating and frightening all at once.  I almost get the sense that I cannot connect with them or understand their motivations because they are not fully human.  They seem otherworldly; beyond human.  They remind me of Gary Mitchell from the classic Star Trek episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before" who has been granted god-like powers.  The more he uses his powers the less connected he is to the humans around him.  He is ultimately able to kill his former crewmates with no more emotion than someone swatting a fly.  I get that same sense from both these queens.  It is as though we risk being found not worthy and removed from their sight as a result.

I have to admit this is a trait I sometimes share.  Of course I don't have the ability to physically remove anyone from this plane of existence but I certainly have, and have used, the ability to remove them from my personal existence.  I have an unfortunate tendency to show little patience for "morons" and "idiots".  This has nothing to do with people's actually intellectual abilities and everything to do with their ability to aggravate me.  Once I have decided someone is beneath my notice or not worthy of my friendship, not much can change that opinion.  It's one of the not so nice aspects of my personality.  At the same time it is not one that I am especially drawn to alter in any way.  I certainly acknowledge that a world filled with variations of me would be a boring, not to mention frightening, place.  At the same time I do not feel the need to waste my time and energy on people with whom I feel no connection. 

I will be honest, as much as I might care for my friends and relatives who have children I rarely enjoy listening to them regale me with tales of their offspring's brilliance and specialness.  Ironically I often love speaking to and spending time getting to know said children.  Part of the problem is that I don't have anything to contribute to this conversation.  What can I add - "Oh yeah, I know what you mean - Holler was so cute the other night when she coughed up a hairball"?  I also dread running into friends who are pregnant.  I really do not care what kind of vitamins you take or what color it causes your poop to change.  I hope their children are healthy and happy but my life does not revolve around anyone's children so it's a little difficult to connect on that level.  I have actually experienced Mr. Spock moments (or I guess I could now refer to them as Sheldon in honor of the uber-geek on Big Bang Theory) of feeling like an alien in a world full of creatures I cannot understand.  They don't last long but that sense of being "other" can be quite unnerving.  I think that is the shadow side of the Queen of Swords for me.  She is a worthy adversary, a brilliant communicator and a gifted diplomat but she can also spend too much time inside her head and become disconnected from humanity.  Perhaps that is something I am risking by being such a Hermit lately.  Maybe it's time to get out there and interact with people in person rather than online.  I don't want to become one of those brains without a body that are so prevalent in sci fi tales.