Minor Arcana, Cups
Queen of Cups
empathy, intuition, attention, care
Upright
A crowned figure sits where land meets water, gazing into an ornate closed cup. Waite speaks of loving intelligence and the gift of vision, along with wisdom and devoted service.
The useful quality here is close attention, open to anyone. In a difficult conversation with a friend, partner or client, put your phone away and listen until you can say what they feel. Then trust what you notice and act on it kindly.
Reversed
Waite says the accounts vary here, from good and distinguished to someone who should not be trusted. Set aside his moral labels, and what remains is feeling without honest footing.
Sensitivity can be used to manipulate, or to avoid facts. Ask whether someone, perhaps you, is reading moods and steering others instead of speaking plainly. Ask for clear answers and set a limit where you feel drained.
A card is a prompt for reflection. It cannot promise a result, and it is no substitute for medical, legal or financial advice.
In Waite's words
Upright: Good, fair woman; honest, devoted woman, who will do service to the Querent; loving intelligence, and hence the gift of vision; success, happiness, pleasure; also wisdom, virtue; a perfect spouse and a good mother.
Reversed: The accounts vary; good woman; otherwise, distinguished woman but one not to be trusted; perverse woman; vice, dishonour, depravity.
From A. E. Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910), Part 3, on Wikisource. The meanings above are by Cast & Chart.
Card art by Pamela Colman Smith, 1909, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.