A queen, wearing a crown, sits on a throne adorned with cherubim that is situated on the shore of a body of water. She holds in her hands an ornate, covered chalice adorned with angels with outspread wings and topped by a cross. Her robes are blue and white and at her feet are round pebbles that appear to have washed up from the body of water. Her feet are near the placid water, but they do not touch it. The sky is clear blue with no clouds.
The Queen of Cups

I believe in intuitions and inspirations…I sometimes FEEL that I am right. I do not KNOW that I am.

Albert Einstein

Overview and common meanings of The Queen of Cups 

When the Queen of Cups shows up in a tarot reading it is often indicative of an Intuitive woman with nurturing energy.  It can represent the querent or it can be representative of another person who fills that role.  In any event it is a person who is in tune with her intuitive nature without letting it overwhelm her day-to-day life.   Alternate names in varying decks are peace, compassion, mother of water, matriarch.

Common Meanings

An almost exclusively positive card, The Queen of Cups is the ideal female partner who is unafraid of intimacy while still retaining healthy autonomy and boundaries.  This is a person who is artistic and sensitive and puts love and happiness at the forefront.  The card also emphasizes the importance of emotional integrity.  Along with the loving generosity of spirit that is indicated with the queen of cups, there is a danger of giving so much that one’s cup becomes empty.  This is where healthy boundaries come into play.  I always liken it to how they say “put your oxygen mask on first before helping others” when you are flying. 

In a career or money related reading, the Queen of Cups can indicate a desire to get involved in work that is meaningful, impactful and allows expression of artistic and creative gifts.  Money-wise the Queen of Cups indicates good financial balance while warning to be careful of emotional spending. 

If the reading is related to romance, relationships, and love, the Queen of Cups is a personality that is warm, sensual, and empathetic.  She will bring a full heart to a true love relationship. Occasionally her presence could indicate the presence of another female outside of the relationship, or even a harmonious third person in the relationship. 

The Many Faces of The Queen of Cups

The shadow side – or reversal – of the Queen of Cups can indicate issues with finances or emotions – possibly jealousy, or infidelity.  It can show up as a sign of not being in touch with your emotions or being afraid to open and be vulnerable.   Can be indicative of an “energy vampire” that doesn’t contribute emotionally or financially.  Indicative of emotional warfare and blackmail. 

Description

A queen, wearing a crown, sits on a throne adorned with cherubim that is situated on the shore of a body of water.  She holds in her hands an ornate, covered chalice adorned with angels with outspread wings and topped by a cross.  Her robes are blue and white and at her feet are round pebbles that appear to have washed up from the body of water.  Her feet are near the placid water, but they do not touch it.  The sky is clear blue with no clouds. 

Themes of The Queen of Cups

  • Artistic
  • Compassionate
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Empathy
  • Intuition
  • Love
  • Nurturing Mother or Mentor
  • Spiritual connection

Court Cards – Queens

Queens are representative of nurturing, matriarchal energy and can be a guide or a mentor.  Oftentimes we see queens as people already in your life or about to come into your life. In the case of the suit of Cups, the Queen has to do with generosity of spirit and strong intuition as well as artistic and creativity, emotions, and love. 

Elements of the Card and Associated Symbolism

  • Angels – devotion and spirituality
  • Blue sky – calm and peace
  • Closed chalice – womb, subconscious
  • Cherub holding fish – prosperity
  • Cherubim – maternal instinct and inner child
  • Feet near, but not in water – attuned to emotions without being overtaken by them
  • Pebbles – insight that we gain in life as we travel our journey
  • Water – emotions

Herbs for The Queen of Cups

  • Hazel- knowledge, wisdom, connection
  • Hawthorn – balance of protection (boundaries) and open heartedness
  • Mint family – both protects and repels so strengthens boundaries while enhancing empathic understanding
  • Rue – protects from energy vampires/psychic attacks and allows for empathic listening
  • Yarrow – helps with to strengthen emotional boundaries, to distinguish between what is and isn’t yours

Questions that the Queen of Cups asks us

  • How well have your emotions been serving you lately?
  • How can you maintain healthy boundaries while leaning into the openhearted compassion of the Queen of Cups?

That is the Queen of Cups; nurturing mother energy balanced with healthy boundaries.  Wishing you a week in which you maintain those boundaries with love and compassion.  Please join me next week to round out the suit of Cups with the King of Cups!