Queens are associated with inner and personal control, competency, maturity, introspection, self-awareness, nurturance, healing and fulfillment.  Cups are associated with the element of water, with emotions, love, pleasure in life, matters pertaining to the unconscious, intuition and inner planes.  The Queen of Cups may be devoted to the needs of family and friends, and at her best shows a radiant, compassionate heart.  She is intuitive and able to tune in to the emotional needs of others.  She's a dreamer who can turn her imaginings into creative activity.  Reversed she can symbolize someone who indulges in emotional outbursts and a martyr complex in a quest for sympathy.  She can also become manipulative on an emotional level if she is unable to channel her energies into a productive outlet.

"Reversed:  Your psychic or intuitive abilities are well-developed and may feel like second nature to you.  You have reached some level of maturity and competency in dealing with your unconscious awareness.  You can rely on your intuitive inspiration." - Gail Fairfield

"You're unpretentious and comfortable with yourself.  Your spiritual path flows in all areas of your life." - Power Tarot

Today I need to focus on my needs and my emotional situation.  Or at least that's what my initial reaction to this card was.  The reality is, as I often joke, I am not usually very introspective.  What others sometimes mistake for introspection is often my attempts to intellectualize and rationalize my behavior.  I guess the way I would describe it is that I am aware of my issues, I just see no need to change them.  Or maybe I'm just terrified of exposing a softer side.

In my world, being soft can be dangerous.  It leaves on defenseless and vulnerable and attracts the wolves in for the kill.  For many years I ran screaming whenever I saw the Queen of Cups.  I deliberately focused on her more negative aspects - being emotionally needy and manipulative; a martyr, sob sister and drama queen.  I know too many women (and some men) who embody this aspect of the Queen of Cups. They trap you with their vulnerability and control you with their neediness.  I find it very difficult to deal with people like that for very long.  My sympathies only extend so far.  Seeing so many examples of the reversed Queen of Cups did not exactly open me up to allowing her influence in my life.

Now that I'm maturing (I hope), I am able to see her true gifts and energies.  She is not about manipulation and martyrdom (although she can be).  She is about comforting and being there when we are feeling frazzled and hurt.  She is a gentle, soft wash of water that slowly and calmly cleanses us when we feel as though we are bleeding from too many wounds inflicted by life.  Today I think she is reminding me that sometimes I ignore these wounds and the need for cleansing and soothing.  I am learning to appreciate the strength in kindness and gentleness.  At the same time I am learning to embrace my intuitive side and trust my inner voice.  Instead of demanding proof of things which cannot be proven, I am trusting in them.  I am listening to her whispered guidance and allowing myself to wade into the waters and wash myself clean of all those hurts and pains I've carried over the years.  It is not a quick process or an easy one, but the gentle persistence of the Queen of Cups will get the job done.