The essential meanings of this Minor Arcana card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

Upright: The Queen of Cups upright represents compassion, intuition, and emotional security. She is the nurturing heart of the tarot, deeply empathetic and in tune with the feelings of others and herself. This card may indicate you or someone in your life who provides a listening ear and comfort without judgment. Upright, it encourages you to trust your intuition and care for your emotional well-being. The Queen of Cups is creative and spiritual as well, often guiding you to pay attention to your dreams and artistic impulses. Her presence is a reminder to treat yourself and others with kindness and understanding, and to find strength in sensitivity.

Reversed: The Queen of Cups reversed suggests emotional overwhelm or a need for self-care. You might be absorbing others' problems too much or neglecting your own needs while caring for everyone else. It could also represent someone who is manipulative or overly dependent emotionally. In reverse, this card warns of feeling insecure or out of touch with intuition – perhaps mood swings or excessive sensitivity are affecting you. The advice is to take a step back and regain balance. Set healthy boundaries, and ensure you're not pouring from an empty cup. Nurture yourself and trust your inner voice to guide you out of emotional turbulence.

Three Possibilities

The secrets of this card for heart, mind and soul.

Love: The Queen of Cups gazes into her chalice, filled with the depths of love’s mysteries. She is the embodiment of compassion, intuition, and emotional wisdom. In love, she signals a deep, nurturing bond where understanding flows without words. She invites you to open your heart fully, trusting in the power of love’s gentle embrace.

Career: In work, the Queen of Cups encourages you to lead with empathy and intuition. You may find fulfillment in a career that involves healing, creativity, or emotional support. She advises you to listen to your inner wisdom—success comes when you align your work with your soul’s calling.

Spirituality: The Queen of Cups is the mystic, the healer, the one who walks between worlds. She urges you to trust your inner knowing and to deepen your connection with your emotions. Meditation, dreams, and introspection will bring you closer to spiritual enlightenment.