Queen of Swords with Herbal Pairing Gingko Biloba
Sitting on an intricately carved stone throne, the Queen of Swords holds her sword upright and pointed toward the sky, with a stern gaze in her hard eyes. It is clear that this monarch is not going to beguile us, dupe us or paint her words with false modesty or charm. The swords represent air in Tarot and many of the images they share with us are harsh, painful, and wounding. Often their messages bring loss, grief, and discomfort. But also truth. We must be brave to survive the lessons they carry. But if we can endure their cutting veracities, we will be stronger, more self-aware and less warped by our own false allusions or weak rationalizations. The Queen of Swords firmly leads this suite with her somber expression, simple crown, and a robe that is covered in white clouds. Around her we see more lovely clouds, but her head rises above them to mingle in a gorgeous blue sky – wide open and clear but for one lone bird, which circles above her, a symbol of the purity of her wisdom. She did not come into power easily. She had to earn her role through experience, strife and hardship. She’s had her fair share of losses, made mistakes and managed grief. Her wisdom has been hard-won. But she extends her hand toward us in comradery – as an ally. She is not here to judge or criticize, but to share her life experiences so that our own journey may be buffered a bit if we are willing to listen.
Often intuitive and gut instinct are integral to making decisions that feel authentic and honest. But we can sometimes be confused or swayed by compassion, guilt, obligation or societal pressures. At times our own emotions overwhelm us, making us unsure of ourselves or unable to move forward. That is when objective fact collecting and analytical observations can be powerful tools to help us figure out what our next steps should be. If someone we used to trust lies to us, if someone who cared for us begins to manipulate or abuse us, if cultural or religious expectations ask us to ignore injustices or accept wrong doings, let us turn to the Queen of Swords, who like the Justice card in Tarot, both hold their swords upright, never allowing rationalizations or obligations to deter their search for what is right. For what is true.
When the Queen of Swords appears in a reading, it is time to unlock objectivity in our judgments so that we can instead rely on unbiased intelligence. We must be able to look at our problems from multiple viewpoints and above all, we need to think clearly and rationally. Though compassion and empathy always have a role in our decision making, now is not the time to allow them too much sway. Rather an objective point of view, void of heated emotions, is what we need to make the right choice. This ruler, more than any other queen in the deck, can tell us bluntly the way it really is. Truth is more important to her than anything else – she feels no need to soften her advice. There must be no confusion or uncertainty. Let her inspire you to do the same as it is probably high time that someone in your life hears the truth, even if it may hurt or threaten them. Creating clarity and boundaries in relationships is never easy, but in the end, it builds respect and eventually trust and allows us to see who we can really depend on in times of conflict and strife.
A true partner to the Queen of Swords is the mighty and ancient tree, Ginkgo biloba. One of the oldest living tree species in the world, they date back to before dinosaurs roamed the Earth and are thus known as “living fossils.” The fan like leaf of this tree as well as its seeds have been used medicinally in Traditional Chinese Medicine for eons to treat circulatory and respiratory problems, heart and skin issues, as well as to increase cognitive functioning. Current clinic research has discovered that Ginkgo contains elevated levels of potent antioxidants – both flavonoids and terpene lactones, which are anti-inflammatory and can also reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals, thus protecting cells from damage. Gingko also increases blood circulation in the brain, eyes and heart, helping to reduce heart diseases, cognitive decline linked to aging as well as Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma. Studies have found that it seems to influence neurotransmitter systems like serotonin and dopamine and may also positively impact the gut microbiome, which plays an integral role in mood regulation, thus relieving anxiety and depression while also improving overall mental clarity, memory, and concentration.
The Queen of Swords and Gingko beckon us to look clearly and objectively at all the facts before planning our next move. They challenge us to confront what is really going on, not what we would like or wish to be. They ask us to be brutally honest with ourselves and others so that our life can blossom genuinely. When it is time to speak our own personal truth, let us turn to this pair to help give us courage, quick thinking and sharp vision.
*Tarot reading is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot Card deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith
References
Hill, Ansley R.D, L.D. “12 Possible Benefits of Ginkgo Biloba, Plus Side Effects and Dosage.” Healthline, 27 September 2024. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ginkgo-biloba-benefits
Pollack, Rachel. Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom. San Francisco, Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC, 2007. P213
Singh, Sandeep Kumar, Srivastav, Saurabh, Castellani, Rudolph J, et al. “Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract Against AD and Other Neurological Disorders.” The National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2 August 2019. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6694352/
Wei Ge, Chao Ren, Lei Xing, et al. Ginkgo biloba Extract Improves Cognitive Function and Increases Neurogenesis by Reducing Aβ Pathology in 5×FAD Mice.” The National Center for Biotechnology Information, 15 March 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8014356/