Who exactly is the beautiful woman sitting on an ornate throne in the Queen of Wands? Wearing a golden dress and crown, she radiates pure light and power. Holding a huge sunflower in one hand and a wand in the other, this sizzling enchantress is beckoning us to partake in our own passions and desires, allowing ourselves to be guided and inspired by our own inner drives, just as she is. A black cat sits at her feet – an animal that does what it desires, independent, observant and subservient to no one. Considered a witch’s favorite familiar, the Queen of Wand’s pet gazes straight through us, looking for the truth. We also see how her throne is richly adorned, with lions at her feet as well as above her head, dancing and roaring vigorously. The fire in this card is undeniable - it will not be banked, smoldered or dismissed. It burns so deeply with passions that it serves to stimulate and inspire us – giving us the courage to act. The Queen of Wands is here to show us how it is done – she is our example. Gracefully, with elegance and posh, she teaches us just how to temper our fire with understanding, intuition, and kindness. This is why she is Queen – though she burns with her intense desires, she does not collapse into a pile of wistful ash. Instead, she channels her fiery drives into righteous action and inspires her people to do the same. Volatile, she may be. Quick tempered and impulsive. But she is also self-reliant, courageous, focused and action orientated. She waits for no one. And refuses to be found on the sidelines of life – instead she feels at home in the middle of the foray – making an entrance that everyone can viscerally feel, turning heads, changing minds, creating her own place in the world. Without cynicism or bitterness, only an eagerness to embrace life, she realizes that she must create her own place – certainly no one is going to do it for her. And why not make a place that is authentic, vibrant, unapologetic and true? The Queen of Wands is audacious. Brazen. A risk taker. A change maker. She plays to win. Her comfort in manifestation is her greatest magic – it is why she is a ruler. It is why she is a witch. So many of us dream. But what are dreams without plans, without a strategy, a set of goals? Like a cobweb disintegrating in the rain, dreams and desires can easily dissolve without the sturdy support of concrete schemes and tactics.
When the Queen of Wands arrives in a reading, it is time to quit stalling. The time for wish making and dreaming only when we’re asleep is over. The Queen is here to show us a path of action, balanced with understanding, strategic thinking and an awareness of our own inner power. A path of action rooted in what inspires us – our music, our art, our curiosities about what makes life tick, our desires, our hunger for a better world. If we are wondering if it is the right time to launch a new project, take the plunge in a new endeavor, do something risky that finally allows us to operate from our most authentic selves, then it is time to seize the moment. Gazing upon her striking image, we can find solace and courage. She wants us to succeed – to find the things that make us shine and capitalize on how living an authentic life will allow us to grow in ways we never even thought possible.
If we are feeling queasy at the thought of living with so much of our passions brought to life, let us take comfort in the perfect spice of which the Queen of Wands is sure to indulge in regularly – Ginger (Zingiberis officinalis). Native to humid, shady habitats in moist tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and belonging to its very own family (Zingiberaceae), the roots or rhizomes of this tender herbaceous perennial are cultivated for food and medicine alike. It has been used in Chinese, Ayurvedic and Unani medicines since antiquity for the management of diabetes, asthma, rheumatism, stroke, gingivitis, toothache, indigestion and constipation. It contains a variety of compounds, including diarylheptanoids and phenols including gingerol, which have been recently shown to treat motion sickness and other forms of nausea and vomiting, especially pregnancy related. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well and when made into a fomentation, can be placed on sore joints or muscle aches to ease pain and stiffness. In combination with chamomile, it works well to relieve menstrual cramps. Though it is a spicy herb, it will actually help to cool the body down by increasing peripheral circulation during a fever, encouraging the opening of pours and an increased level of perspiration. A hot ginger bath is perfect for lowering a fever, reducing some of the aches associated with a cold or flu as well as helping to break up the mucus congestion so often associated with viral infections.
Feeling ready to finally go after that tempting dream or outrageous desire? All we need to do is employ the Queen of Wands and Ginger to assist us and we’ll be prepared to channel our desires into action and make the changes necessary for manifesting what we truly want from life.
*Tarot reading is based on the Rider-Waite Tarot Card deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith
References
Geer, Mary K. Tarot for Your Self: A Workbook for the Inward Journey, 2nd Edition. New Jersey, The Career Press, Inc, 2002. P267
Keiichiro Sugimoto, Hiroaki Takeuchi, Kazuya Nakagawa, et al. “Hyperthermic Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Extract-Containing Beverage on Peripheral Skin Surface Temperature in Women.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, 8 October 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6196930/
Srinivasan, Krishnapura. “Ginger Rhizomes (Zingiber officinale): A Spice with Multiple Health Beneficial Potentials.” ScienceDirect, 1 March 2017. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213434416300676
Tierra, Lesley Lac. Healing with the Herbs of Life. Berkeley, The Crossing Press, 2003. P87- 88