Like all the Court cards, the Queen of Swords tarot card often represents an actual person in your life. This person is a fierce protector and they are also perceptive and independent by nature.
This queen has suffered loss, loneliness, and grief, but it hasn’t broken her spirit. Still, she’s learned to be stern and impartial when giving out her love. This card is about being logical, intellectual, and intentional.
The Queen of Swords may appear cold, but she is objective and fair, and her heart is in the right place. Ultimately, this card stands for truth and being open to input while offering fair judgment.
When you see the Queen of Swords card reversed, it can mean you’re letting your emotions dictate your actions. You’re having a hard time thinking things through logically and are acting on impulse.
It’s important to clear your head and look at things rationally to get a handle on the situation. Don’t let people walk all over you or take advantage of your kind heart. Be confident and assertive in your interactions and let people know your boundaries.
The reversed Queen of Swords can also mean you’ve taken your objective attitude too far and are starting to become cold. You’ve isolated yourself because you don’t want to feel any more pain, but the people in your life are confused and hurt.
Don’t seal yourself off from the good experiences and try to keep your heart open to those who deserve your affection.
Reading this reversed card using the “blocked/restricted” meaning
Okay so now let’s talk about how to read your reversed Queen of Swords card. First, you can use the “blocked/restricted” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you look for an obstacle standing in front of the card’s upright meaning.
So for the Queen of Swords, this could mean something is blocking your ability to be objective and fair. What’s keeping you from using logic over emotion?
Say you pull the reversed Queen of Swords while thinking about a conflict at work. You have a coworker that reminds you strongly of an old college roommate you didn’t get along with. While your coworker hasn’t ever had any kind of disagreement or negative interaction with you, the resemblance is striking and you can’t help but think back to all the awful arguments you used to have with your roommate.
Now, however, you’re running a project that your coworker is involved in, and you’ve found yourself dismissing her ideas and opinions out of hand. Here, the reversed Queen of Swords tells you you’re letting the emotional memories of your roommate in your past block your ability to work with your coworker in the present.
This card reminds you to get in control of your emotional reactions and give your coworker a fair shake as a part of your team. She has no idea about your past history or any of those conflicts, and it’s doing both of you a disservice to subconsciously hold them against her.
Reading this reversed card using the “opposite” meaning
Another way to read your reversed Queen of Swords card is using the “opposite” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards this way, you look for the opposite of the card’s upright meaning.
For the Queen of Swords, instead of being objective and unbiased, someone is making things personal and behaving unfairly. Be careful not to let people violate your boundaries.
For example, say you pull the reversed Queen of Swords card thinking about your kickball league. You joined a group on Facebook, and a bunch of you get together every week to play in the park.
It’s a very relaxing part of your schedule that you always look forward to. But one member is someone you went out with a few times, and she’s making things difficult.
Even though the two of you only went to dinner twice, she got attached and was very upset when you told her you just wanted to be friends. Now she’s ruining your weekly games by constantly teasing you in deep and hurtful ways and making fun of your performance.
You’ve considered dropping out of the group because it’s no longer enjoyable. Here, the reversed Queen of Swords tells you she’s making things personal and you don’t have to stand for it.
Talk to her in private and let her know her comments are hurtful. Often, people don’t realize how bad their behavior is until someone points it out. And if she continues acting this way, consider starting your own group with people who can enjoy the game without drama.
Reading this reversed card using the “worse” meaning
You can also read your reversed Queen of Swords card using the “worse” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards like this, you take the card’s upright meaning and put it in a negative light.
With the Queen of Swords, this can mean you’re trying to remain fair and not let emotions get involved, but maybe you’re taking it too far.
Say you pull the reversed Queen of Swords card thinking about your relationship with your family. Things have always been strained, and you finally got to your breaking point.
After being humiliated by your brother at Thanksgiving last year and having no one back you up, you decided it was time to get some space and look after yourself.
You live a few hours away, and you haven’t been home or in contact in over six months. It’s been nice to get away from all the drama and tension. But you have a son and a family of your own and your parents and brother want to be a part of your life.
You’re happy to continue freezing them out right now, but you’re not sure what the long-term damage might be. Here, the reversed Queen of Swords tells you that boundaries are healthy, but you might be taking things too far.
Instead of completely shutting your family off, talk to them about why you pulled away. You don’t need to explain yourself, but let them know you have boundaries in place.
Allowing them back into your life isn’t a free pass, either. If they violate you or make you feel unsupported, you can always change your mind.
Reading this card using the “no/not” reversed card meaning
Finally, you can use the “no/not” reversed card meaning to read your reversed Queen of Swords card. When you read your cards this way, you put a “no” or a “not” in front of the card’s upright meaning.
So for the Queen of Swords, this can mean “not fair.” The situation at hand may not be fair, but sometimes you just need to get through it anyway.
For example, say you pull the reversed Queen of Swords card thinking about your job. You work as a spa attendant, and there is a lot of drama.
The people who’ve been there the longest get a lot of special treatment, like longer breaks and the best shifts. They’re very ingrained in the business and are close with the owners, so they get a pass on most everything.
Last week, you asked to take off for an upcoming holiday, but two of the girls who had been there the longest already did, so you’ll need to work. You’re frustrated because you wanted to spend the day with your family, and you’re even considering quitting.
Here, the reversed Queen of Swords card tells you that, even though this situation is a little unfair, it’s just the way things are. You can leave this job if you don’t like the dynamic, but a lot of places will be similar in this line of work.
Try being more proactive when you ask for time off in the future. And remember, the longer you work there, the more privileges you’ll gain.