← Encyclopedia of Tarot · lesson 77/121
Queen of Pentacles
The Queen of Pentacles is the nurturing, practical heart of the suit. She looks after people in tangible ways: food on the table, a warm house, a budget that works, time made for rest. As a person she describes someone generous, grounded and resourceful; as a situation, comfort, care and the ability to make the most of what is at hand.
The image
A queen sits on a carved stone throne in a lush garden, roses arching overhead and a rabbit at her feet. She holds a pentacle in her lap and looks down at it. Waite wrote that she "contemplates her symbol and may see worlds therein". The garden and the rabbit are usually read as fertility and abundance; her gaze, as attentive, thoughtful care.
Upright
Upright, the card is read as nurture, security, practicality and generosity. Waite gave "opulence, generosity, magnificence, security, liberty", and "greatness of soul". It favours caring for oneself and others, a comfortable home, and a sensible, warm approach to everyday needs.
Reversed
Waite's reversed meanings were suspicion, suspense, fear and mistrust. Modern readers often see care becoming smothering or worry about security crowding out enjoyment, or self-neglect while looking after everyone else. Some readers do not use reversals.
Correspondences
One of the court cards of Pentacles, element Earth. The Golden Dawn, whose attributions most English-language decks follow, calls her the Queen of the Thrones of Earth and pairs her as Water of Earth: the element made receptive and fertile. Book T gives her the zodiac from 20° Sagittarius to 20° Capricorn.
In a reading
As advice it says to look after the basics and be generous with care; as an obstacle, to watch for overgiving. As a person it often describes a provider or someone who makes others feel safe. Beside The Empress it strongly emphasises abundance and nurture.
In astrology
The Golden Dawn's correspondences, which most English-language decks follow (French, Marseille-based tradition differs for some Major Arcana).
Element: Earth — the element of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn