Exploring the Queen of Cups

Welcome to Tarot Thursdays! This week we will be exploring the Queen of Cups and how it can be used as a prompt or brainstorming in our writing.

Tarot is an interesting thing. It’s based upon symbolism and metaphors through imagery. With these images the subconscious mind is tapped into through the story provided. Not everyone gets the same thing from a piece of art. Each piece will influence each person in a slightly different way.

Introduction of the Card

The Queen of Cups is card number 48 in the deck, the thirteenth card of the Cups Suit, and the third card of Cups’ Court in the Minor Arcana of the Tarot.

Let’s take a look at the following examples of Queen of Cups below.

Card Examples

Notice the similarities between them and take note of their differences. Do any of these move you more than the others? Take your time and allow these cards to tell you their story.

My Analysis of These Cards

Each of these cards depicts different types of queens with their cup presiding over the water. They appear at ease and comfortable in their element. Mature and unruffled, they are ready to face the world around them with grace and dignity.

Themes of the Card

Each card has a set of keywords associated with it that serve as themes for its image. These keywords will vary somewhat depending on who you ask.

According to the Learning the Tarot website, the keywords associated with the card are:

LOVING
TENDERHEARTED
INTUITIVE
PSYCHIC
SPIRITUAL

You can learn more about what this site has to say about this card here.

According to the Biddy Tarot website, the keywords associated with the card are:

EMOTIONAL SECURITY
CALM
INTUITIVE
COMPASSIONATE

You can learn more about what this site has to say about this card here.

What this Card Means to Me

Queens represent the mature feminine aspects of an individual. This means the maturity of one’s expression and how it relates to others. In terms of the Queen of Cups, this means the matters of the heart. Understanding and relating to how others feel and what they need emotionally in order to be well. Having the ability to navigate within the dynamic of the emotional environment around them.

Mothers do this to a great extent instinctively with their children. Some might say there is a biological component to this, but I also believe that a large piece of it goes to emotional investment. They are willing to spend that time and allow themselves to be vulnerable and open with their children. In turn they become receptive to their children’s emotional wavelengths.

When we make that same level of commitment to other people, those connects can be formed. It’s not exclusive to mother and child. As writer’s we can demonstrate those bonds to create richer emotion and depth by giving our characters this level of commitment and vulnerability to a select few.

The key phrase I choose for this card is: MOTHER OF THE HEART.

Music Playlist

In this spirit of all this, these are the songs I have picked out for this card.

The Writing Exercise

This exercise is a free write. Permit yourself to write whatever comes to mind based upon the theme of this card. Choose a keyword or key phrase and run with it to see what you come up with.

I would love it if you linked or pinged back what you wrote so I could see where you went with this.

Happy writing!

Mythic Tarot by Liz Greene (Author), Juliet Sharman-Burke (Author), Tricia Newell (Illustrator) © 1989
Dragon Tarot by Terry Donaldson (Author), Peter Pracownik (Author) © 1996
Universal Tarot by Lo Scarabeo (Author), R. De Angelis (Illustrator), A. E. Waite (Designer) © 2001
Tarot of Dreams by Ciro Marchetti (Author), Lee Bursten (Author) © 2015