Ooooh, these cards are so interesting, I hope I'll have time over the weekend to do some tarot-digging! Haven't done that for ages, I feel I'm totally neglecting tarot! The Two of Swords for the day that lies behind me - but actually, the day went quite well and I even made some decisions.
ETA:
the book says:
THE TWO OF SWORDS: Lupus
Lupus, the Wolf, illustrates the polarity of the Two of Swords. Known as a wild beast to many cultures, the classical Greeks saw Lupus as the animal Chiron offered as a sacrifice at Ara, the altar. Symbolically the wolf represents the savage or primitive feelings being offered to the gods. Two swords suggest conflict or crossed purposes, however, the mythic underpinnings of the card suggest the need to sacrifice the instinctual and reactionary responses for a more balanced and reflective approach.
And for the day ahead, the Queen of Swords - I must use those swords more it seems. Discriminate between the important and unimportant, take an objective eye to some places in my life where the pipes are stuck...
Isn't it fascinating that Steventon sees the Queens as fixed signs? I confess, I tend to do the same.
In the GD system, the queens are of course cardinal signs (Queen of Wands: Aries, Queen of Swords: Libra, Queen of Cups: Cancer, Queen of Pentacles: Capricorn), but in Steventon's deck, she lets them rule the fixed signs: Queen of Wands: Leo, Queen of Swords: Aquarius, Queen of Cups: Scorpio, Queen of Pentacles: Taurus.
If we go with the gender stereotypes and cliches that many court cards are founded upon, then the passive, stubborn, brooding quality of the fixed signs fits the Queen energy. Oh semantics is everything, I can also claim that the quiet introvert exterior of the Queens is the perfect channel for the spirit of innovation and renewal.
Anyway, as Taurus who feels close to the queens, obviously I'm happy if I can claim the Queen of Pentacles for my birth sign :-)
But back to the Aquarius queen. I like her. She reminds me a bit of Cassiopeia. Again - I'll have to read the book again and let my brain storm.
I'm very happy with this deck, in spite of the sickly blueish borders. These paintings really deserve better. Sooner or later, I'll give them the complete Nemia treatment :-)
ETA:
the book:
THE QUEEN OF SWORDS: Fixed Air
Characteristic of the temperament of the fixed air sign, Aquarius, are the attributes of idealism, egalitarianism, and humanitarianism. The Queen of Swords embraces the spirit of the Water Bearer, encouraging the individual who has drawn the card to aspire to becoming more conscious of human values and spiritual ideals.
Strengthened by her own ideals, the Queen uses her critical faculty and intelligence to understand life and make wise choices. However, when the Queen is embodied she may appear disengaged and separate from emotional entanglements. When the card appears, the individual is counseled to use discrimination and detachment to read the situation at hand more clearly.