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The Rider–Waite–Smith Queen of Wands, as expected of a non-Hermetic deck, expresses the archetype in a more mundane and psychological register than the Thoth Tarot does. She sits upon her throne in composed sovereignty, holding a wand tipped with fresh green leaves. This sprouting staff is both phallic and vegetal, a subtle symbol of how her passionate, fiery nature is wedded to her nurturing, watery essence — the Will-to-Force and the Will-to-Form united within the vessel of the feminine.

At her feet rests a black cat, a creature long associated with lunar magic and instinct, here representing her subconscious, chthonic side — the primal awareness of the “survival mind” that underlies her regal poise. Around her, solar emblems abound: the sunflower she holds, the carved lions on her throne, and the red lions woven into the tapestry all proclaim her solar nature. Lions, sacred to Leo and the Sun, evoke courage, leadership, and the “lion-hearted” sovereignty of the soul aligned with the Solar Logos.

Astrologically, the Queen of Wands rules from the 21st degree of Pisces to the 20th degree of Aries. She is the embodiment of the watery part of fire, the mystery of passion tempered by intuition — flame given shape by the inner tides of the psyche. Thus, while the Rider–Waite–Smith depiction retains many of the same essential correspondences, it frames them through more exoteric symbols and medieval motifs, offering a portrait of the Queen’s power that is accessible on the surface yet still rooted in ancient solar and instinctual forces.

The black cat or panther in the Queen of Wands card carries deep symbolic meaning, reflecting the card’s fiery, independent, and mysterious nature. The presence of this feline companion suggests themes of intuition, mystery, personal power, and the unseen forces of the subconscious. Let's explore this symbolism in greater detail:

1. The Black Cat as a Familiar and Guardian

The black cat is often associated with witchcraft, the occult, and esoteric wisdom. As a familiar, it represents the Queen's connection to hidden knowledge, intuition, and magic. The Queen of Wands, embodying fire and confidence, also has an awareness of the unseen forces guiding her path. The black cat, sitting at her feet, signifies an ability to navigate both the light and shadow aspects of existence.

• It symbolizes psychic abilities, a keen awareness of energy and hidden influences.
• It serves as a protector, warning of unseen dangers or treachery.
• It represents independence and self-sufficiency, much like the Queen herself.

2. The Panther as a Totem of Power

In some decks, a black panther replaces the black cat, intensifying the symbolism. The panther is an emblem of:

• Fearlessness and strength – The Queen of Wands is confident and unafraid to command attention.
• Shadow work and hidden depths – Just as a panther moves through the night unseen, the Queen is aware of the subconscious realm.
• Silent control and grace – The Queen wields her authority without aggression but with an innate magnetism and dominance.

3. The Color Black: The Mystery of the Unknown

The black color of the cat or panther aligns with themes of:

• Occult knowledge – Hidden wisdom, mystery traditions, and deeper truths.
• Protection – Darkness shields, guards, and conceals.
• Transformation – The power of the unknown and the ability to transmute fear into wisdom.

4. Feminine Mystique and Lunar Symbolism

Cats have long been connected to feminine power, sensuality, and lunar forces. The black cat here suggests that the Queen of Wands, despite her fiery solar nature, also has an understanding of the lunar, emotional, and mystical realms.

5. The Shadow Side: Deception or Manipulation

While the Queen of Wands is generally a positive figure, the black cat can also hint at hidden agendas, manipulation, or the use of power in a cunning way. It serves as a reminder to remain aware of both one’s own shadow self and the unseen influences around them.

Conclusion

The black cat or panther in the Queen of Wands card is a symbol of mystery, power, and independence, balancing her dynamic solar energy with the hidden wisdom of the night. It represents her ability to walk between worlds, master intuition, and harness unseen forces to achieve her goals. Whether viewed as a guardian, a magical familiar, or an embodiment of her subconscious power, this feline companion reinforces the Queen’s magnetism, self-assurance, and spiritual insight.

Western Hermetic meditation and ritual invocation for calling up the "Inner lioness" (Sekhmet) in blog of-

What can be simply stated here — though the truth runs deep — is that Fire represents the dynamic, projective, and often aggressive nature of male energy-in-motion, while Water is its receptive, nurturing, and magnetic complement: the empathetic, supportive current of female energy-in-motion. Within the formative realm of Yetzirah — especially at Yesod, the lunar Sephira that shapes and reflects higher forces — these primal polarities intermingle, becoming fluidic reflections of Spirit itself. It is important to understand that in Qabalistic science, color is not a mere reflection of force but the actual vibratory signature of that force.

Those with clairvoyant sight, as I possess, perceive the eight conscious states of energy — the auric bodies — as fields composed of spiritual or celestial matter, the radiant substance of solar consciousness. We did not originate as carbon-based organisms; rather, we began as photonic and plasmic beings — Solar Souls, “Suns of God” — evolving as radiant consciousness. To know Itself, the Divine Creative condensed Its Light into matter, forming bio-protons or coagulated light, that is, the organic vehicles we inhabit. Through these forms, Spirit spirals its current as breath (prāṇa) through the body, experiencing itself in myriad ways and expanding awareness through incarnation.

Within the Tarot’s system of personality types, the Queens mirror the essential qualities of the Kings, but express them in a more magnetic and receptive form. The Queen of Wands, then, is the magnetic counterpart to the fiery King, channeling the raw force of Will into the nourishing warmth of passion and inspiration. According to A. E. Waite, she represents a dark woman or country woman — friendly, loving, chaste, and honorable. In divination, if a male card appears beside her, she is well disposed toward him; if a female card, she takes an active interest in the Querent’s affairs.

The Archeon Tarot – Queen of Wands portrays a regal and dignified woman, fully clothed in the garments of sovereignty, holding aloft a flaming wand that radiates her inner power. Unlike the Herald (Page) of Wands — whose nakedness speaks of purity, innocence, and the raw potential of unformed fire — the Queen has walked through the crucible of experience.

She knows the hearts and ways of others and wields her power with wisdom and discernment. Her unwavering faith in her people and purpose blazes like a beacon in the darkness, guiding and inspiring those who look to her for leadership.

Here, the fiery Will is tempered by mature understanding — the magnetic aspect of fire that draws others into its warmth and uplifts them. Thus, the Queen of Wands in the Archeon Tarot embodies confidence, courage, enterprise, success, and independence — all qualities born of a spirit that knows both its strength and its responsibility.

If reversed:
The inverted Queen shows the fire turned against itself — once a guiding flame, now a consuming one. This reversal represents cowardice, jealousy, envy, bitterness, paranoia, irritability, and a demanding or domineering nature. The nurturing solar fire becomes unstable and corrosive when detached from higher Will, showing how leadership without love turns warmth into withering heat.

🔥 Queen of Wands – The Watery Part of Fire

Rider–Waite–Smith vs. Archeon Tarot

In the Western Hermetic system of Tarot, the Queen of Wands represents the Watery part of Fire — the nurturing, magnetic, and intuitive current that gives shape and direction to the raw, projective force of elemental Fire. She is the mature, receptive vessel that channels Will into purpose, passion into creativity, and instinct into leadership.

Ruling astrologically from 21° Pisces to 20° Aries, she bridges the final depths of the astral waters and the explosive ignition of the zodiacal new year — a liminal zone where spirit prepares to spring into form.

Within the fourfold personality structure of the Court Cards, the Queens correspond to Binah, the Great Mother on the Tree of Life — Will-to-Form — and represent the magnetic, formative aspect of their element. As such, the Queen of Wands is the archetype of mature solar fire clothed in empathy and understanding, a living embodiment of the Solar Logos made intimate and personal.

🌻 Rider–Waite–Smith – The Solar Queen and Her Shadow

The Rider–Waite–Smith Queen of Wands appears serene and composed, seated upon a lion-adorned throne beneath a bright sky. She holds a leaf-sprouting wand, a symbol of fiery vitality fertilizing form — a phallic emblem of creative power tempered by nurturing intent. Her sunflower and the carved lions speak to her solar nature and courage, the leonine force of Leo and the radiant life-giving power of the Sun itself.

At her feet sits a black cat, a creature of instinct, lunar intuition, and the subconscious, symbolizing her mastery of the hidden and the primal forces that underlie her outward sovereignty. She is not merely regal — she is the magus-queen of the inner realms, who wields her fiery will in concert with the deep tides of the psyche.

Waite described her as “a dark woman, friendly, chaste, loving, and honorable.” She is passionate and protective, fiercely loyal to those she loves, and formidable when crossed. If a male card appears beside her in a reading, she is well-disposed toward him; if female, she takes a keen and active interest in the querent.

In reversed position, her energy can distort — the warmth of the Sun becoming the sear of jealousy or domineering pride. Cowardice, envy, or overbearing ambition may replace courage and confidence when the magnetic current is untethered from higher Will.

🔥 Archeon Tarot – The Flame of Mature Power

The Archeon Tarot offers a more psychological and archetypal lens on the Queen of Wands. Here, a regal woman, fully clothed and holding a flaming wand, embodies the archetype of mature fire. Unlike the Herald (Page), whose nakedness symbolizes purity and untested potential, the Queen is seasoned by experience and illuminated by wisdom. She knows the ways of the world and carries a beacon-like faith in her people, standing as a pillar of light amidst shadow.

Her flame does not burn wildly — it guides and sustains, transforming mere impulse into inspired action. This Queen symbolizes confidence, courage, enterprise, success, and independence. She is the magnetic fire that uplifts others, igniting their will without overwhelming them.

When reversed, however, the same fire turns inward and becomes self-consuming. The reversed Queen warns of jealousy, bitterness, paranoia, irritability, and domineering behavior — the shadow of leadership untethered from empathy, when the magnetic pole of fire collapses into its own gravity.

🜂 Hermetic Synthesis – The Solar Flame Made Magnetic

Both the Rider–Waite–Smith and Archeon Queens preserve the essential principle of the Queen of Wands: fire shaped by understanding, Will infused with empathy, and power tempered by intuition. She is the magnetic pole of elemental Fire — not the roaring, explosive flame of the Knight, nor the primal spark of the Page, but the sustaining solar fire that gives warmth and life. Her throne is not built on domination but on confidence and trust in the light she bears.

In the language of the Qabalah, she is the formative current of Atziluth, the Divine Fire flowing into Yetzirah’s waters to give rise to life and consciousness. She is the Solar Soul embodied — the Shekinah of flame — showing us that true power is not raw force alone but force harmonized with the heart. Through her, Spirit learns to know itself as warmth, courage, creativity, and love.

*Note: The Tarot Personality Birthday Wheel, which is used in the Western Hermetic Thoth Tarot, to equate personality types, is not traditionally used in traditional Tarot. However, one's accuracy and intuition is improved by using this wheel to define the significator--- a person's activities as relating to a personal type of court card.

I use the Western Hermetic Magic/Qabalah-Tarot Birthday Wheel on all Court cards, no matter if traditional or nontraditional, as it accurately represents the "core of the personality". If interested, you'll find this Wheel in my Thoth Court Card blogs and Robert Wang's The Mystical Qabalah.

When the Queen of Wands is thrown in a divination, it implies:

• As an Archetype personality, this would be a red- or golden-haired woman who is adaptable (spontaneous), persistent in her energy but of calm authority which she knowingly uses to enhance her attractiveness.
• Independence.
• Closeness to Nature.
• Compassion.

• Such a woman of passion can be vane, but that is because she knows that passion plus nurture is attractive in its own rite. 
• Although S/he is often kind and generous she will not tolerate opposition. 
• There is an immense capacity for friendship and love, as that is the nature of fiery passion: However, it is always done on her own initiative where she cannot be talked into it or out of it.
• Motivated and won't stop until task at hand is done.

When ill defined by surrounding cards and/ or reversed it implies:

•  The Queen of Wands personality can be snobbish, vain, brooding which invariably leads to the negative decisions that cause her to fiercely attack. 
• Some might call this a "Fiery Latin" type of personality. 
• Her Passion can be stunning whether it is a sexual relationship or a vendetta. She must be treated with respect and remember that to play on her terms may be beyond the capacity of a less passionate mate.
• The tyrannical tendency is very present here.
• The dominating woman.
• Jealousy.

Thank you for your interest, comments, and supportive donations. May you live long and prosper.

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• 🎓 Private Apprenticeship: Just you and the Magus in a deep 2-hour Google Meet session, entirely focused on your development.

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🜂 What You'll Learn (and Embody):

• The entire architecture of the Thoth Tarot: Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, and Court Cards through a Hermetic lens

• The Western Hermetic Qabalah: 10 Sephiroth, 22 Paths, and the Four Qabalistic Worlds

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• Rituals, spreads, and practices that bring gnosis, guidance, and transformation

• How to build your personal mystical system, rooted in self-authority and Divine resonance

📚 What You’ll Need to Begin:

• The Qabalistic Tarot: A Textbook of Mystical Philosophy by Robert Wang

• A Thoth Tarot deck (Crowley-Harris edition preferred)

• A Book of Shadows or personal journal

• A desire to know thyself through the Solar Flame

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• Anyone craving one-on-one spiritual mentorship in the Western Esoteric Tradition

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