The bad reputation of The Queen of Swords

Rider-Waite, Queen of Swords

Why is the Queen of Swords often perceived as bitter and alone? This is an interpretation I often hear and I think this Queen is being sold short. First we must remember that this meaning was applied in a day and age where it was only okay to be single if you were a widow. The lonely and bitter comes from times when women were 'widows' and it was perceived by society as a bad and sad thing to be a woman on your own. You can also say she finally freed herself from a marriage(see the wire on pulse) and left hardships behind her. She is facing to the right, the direction of the future.

Why bitterness?

Bitterness is an emotion; water that can't flow anymore and unexpressed anger (fire) at a standstill causing resentment and hate even. So how does that end up in the mind of this queen and in the element of air? You can see that in her coat of clouds she is wearing. Her feelings are covered by the quality of air.
But looking at the upright sword (this means truth and honesty) she is holding, this interpretations simply do not suit her in the upright position. She can detach herself and acts out of logic. So she can look past the difficulties she had in the past. This woman learned through experiencing and with life come lessons and difficulties. Upright she can look at all angles and has the big picture. The sword cuts both ways (all viewpoints). If she sees the big picture this does suggest she'll also act on the big picture & wouldn't get distracted by futilities of a 'passing nature'. 


Being single
And how about love? Yes, she has been single for quite some time and she can show up for single women, but it really is not the first thing applied to this card at all.


Key words: honesty, seeing the big picture, using logic and rational thinking, intellectual, single for a long time/single mom

Reversed key words: not thinking clearly, clouded vision, emotions take control over the mind, spiteful, anger