By Jeanne Fiorini
Regina di Spades, that’s it. Written in that particular script. If I ever change my name, that’s what I’d like to be called: Regina di Spades.
The Queen of Swords (Regina di Spades in English) is one of those Tarot cards that speaks loudly to me. I am self employed and currently live by myself. Long periods of time can pass without there being a romantic relationship in my life. As you may have read in another newsletter, my astrology chart shows four planets in Libra, which has connections with the King of Swords and the Justice card. (And while the Queen of Swords can be associated with Aquarius, this King’s sharp mind and this Queen’s sharp tongue often go hand in hand.) For Christmas last year, I received a three-piece manual saw kit, a twelve-piece knife set, and an office-sized paper cutter. Perhaps “The Big U” was trying to tell me something?
In more ways than I would have consciously wished, the lessons of self-reliance have been honed through life experience. The good news is that the opinions of other people are less important than I ever would have thought possible. But while there is power in speaking with clarity, expressing autonomy, and fostering self-reliance, a Queen of Swords is not always the most popular girl on the block. Oh yes, the truth can hurt.
Nevertheless, most women I know need the courage and independent spirit of the Queen of Swords. We learn very early and too well the value of playing well with others and often never effectively integrate the ability to set boundaries, or more importantly, to feel good all on our own. If we do eventually find our way to the strength in this Queen, people around us who’ve become accustomed to the more demure version of friend/wife/mother/daughter/partner are likely to become unsettled, confused, or just plain angry.
To which Regina would reply, “Oh well.”
In doing the research to find a particular online version of Regina di Spades, I ran across some interesting versions of the card that I’d like to share. Despite the various approaches and worldviews here, the consistency of the representation of this particular Queen speaks to her deliberate autonomy and a clear-headed approach to life.
