Queen of Cups tarot card from the Simply Tarot deck

Queen of Cups Tarot Card Meaning

The Heart Stealer
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Compassion • Intuition • Empathy

A sensitive, beautiful woman who is in touch with her sensual side. She is aware of her attractiveness and uses it to her advantage stirring feelings of love, lust and envy in others. Whether a friend or a rival, you have something to learn from her. It is time to pay more attention to your own sensuality and embrace the Queen of Cups within.

In a reading, this card could show that the Subject is stirring up feelings in other people because they are looking, and feeling, their best. If not, they should be taking time out to pamper and indulge in things that will make them feel more confident and desirable. There is nothing wrong with feeling attractive and being wanted by other people.

The Queen of Cups is highly desirable and she is very aware, and in total control, of her ability to inspire love and devotion. She knows the impact she has on the people she meets and will use it for her own gain, to some extent. She is a complex person because whilst she is led by her feelings and is, by nature, an emotional being, she is very careful not to show it outwardly, being incredibly protective about her own feelings.

She has some traits similar to the Knight, in that she can change emotional allegiance quickly and easily. This is because she is driven and motivated by emotion. If she sees or finds something that takes her fancy she will easily justify the most callous of actions.

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Love & Relationships

Emotional intuition flows deeply beneath this connection. Compassion, understanding and quiet emotional wisdom create space for vulnerability to exist safely without performance or manipulation. Love becomes profoundly healing when people feel emotionally understood rather than merely admired.

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Material Life

Emotional wisdom creates calm beneath external uncertainty. Stability here comes through intuition, compassion and the ability to remain emotionally present without becoming consumed by every surrounding storm. Some people make life feel safer simply through the way they hold space for others.

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Notes from the Artist

The Queen of Cups, dressed in a blue, (because she communicates well), sits on a throne in the open air, and a large body of water behind her (water is the associated element for the suit of Cups). This Queen has gently turned her eyes to gaze at the Cup she holds; she is acutely aware of the effect she has on others and this emanates outwards in every way. She does not have to work at being loved - it happens naturally and she accepts it for what it is. We long to sit at her knee and speak with her (that is her allure - she looks gentle and approachable). Whilst this Queen is kind and has lots of empathy and compassion, she can present a more callous aspect - her response to a more 'exciting' romance could well be to allow her heart and her head to be turned.

From the archive

The Original Artwork, Reimagined

Before Queen of Cups became part of the Simply Tarot collection you see today, it was drawn and painted by hand for the original 2011 Tarot House Deck. The style has evolved, but the meaning and character of the card remain at its heart.

Original hand-painted Queen of Cups tarot card by Patricia House from the 2011 Tarot House Deck
2011 Original 2011 artwork Queen of Cups Hand-painted by Patricia House
The Queen of Cups sits on a modest throne with a scene of water behind her. She looks at the Cup of love she holds knowingly, as she is aware of exactly the effect she has on others.
Today Queen of Cups reimagined The current Simply Tarot artwork

The original first edition

Buy the Original 2011 Deck

The card shown above is part of the original 78-card Tarot House Deck. Every image was drawn and painted by Patricia House before the deck was professionally printed by Cartamundi in the UK. A limited number from the original print run are still available.

  • 78-card first-edition deck
  • Two tarot-spread cards
  • Short meanings leaflet
  • Brocade drawstring bag

£25.99

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