The Tarot of Eli 2, LLC. The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot-Queen of Wands & The Animal Totem Tarot-Queen of Wands.

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The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot card is again of a more mundane nature which is what a Western Hermetic Qabalist expects from the nontraditional Tarot. On the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Card the Queen is stoic, holding a leaf sprouting phallic shaped wand implying her fertile and sexually passionate or expressive nature and watery nurturing and supportive nature are combined.

The Black Cat is traditionally used rather than a leopard/black panther to imply her dark energy-subconscious side and/or "instinctual" side of the "survival mind". Her solar-fiery nature is implied in the Sunflower she holds plus the ones on the throne back, as well as the Lions; Lions being the symbol of Leo and the Sun. The Red lions on the RWS Tapestry also symbolized medieval royalty and a "Lion hearted" nature applied to this Queen. In the zodiac, the Queen of Wands rules from 21st degree of Pisces to 20th degree of Aries and represents the mysteries of the Watery part of Fire.

The black cat or panther in the Queen of Wands card carries deep symbolic meaning, reflecting the card’s fiery, independent, and mysterious nature. The presence of this feline companion suggests themes of intuition, mystery, personal power, and the unseen forces of the subconscious. Let's explore this symbolism in greater detail:

1. The Black Cat as a Familiar and Guardian

The black cat is often associated with witchcraft, the occult, and esoteric wisdom. As a familiar, it represents the Queen's connection to hidden knowledge, intuition, and magic. The Queen of Wands, embodying fire and confidence, also has an awareness of the unseen forces guiding her path. The black cat, sitting at her feet, signifies an ability to navigate both the light and shadow aspects of existence.

• It symbolizes psychic abilities, a keen awareness of energy and hidden influences.
• It serves as a protector, warning of unseen dangers or treachery.
• It represents independence and self-sufficiency, much like the Queen herself.

2. The Panther as a Totem of Power

In some decks, a black panther replaces the black cat, intensifying the symbolism. The panther is an emblem of:

• Fearlessness and strength – The Queen of Wands is confident and unafraid to command attention.
• Shadow work and hidden depths – Just as a panther moves through the night unseen, the Queen is aware of the subconscious realm.
• Silent control and grace – The Queen wields her authority without aggression but with an innate magnetism and dominance.

3. The Color Black: The Mystery of the Unknown

The black color of the cat or panther aligns with themes of:

• Occult knowledge – Hidden wisdom, mystery traditions, and deeper truths.
• Protection – Darkness shields, guards, and conceals.
• Transformation – The power of the unknown and the ability to transmute fear into wisdom.

4. Feminine Mystique and Lunar Symbolism

Cats have long been connected to feminine power, sensuality, and lunar forces. The black cat here suggests that the Queen of Wands, despite her fiery solar nature, also has an understanding of the lunar, emotional, and mystical realms.

5. The Shadow Side: Deception or Manipulation

While the Queen of Wands is generally a positive figure, the black cat can also hint at hidden agendas, manipulation, or the use of power in a cunning way. It serves as a reminder to remain aware of both one’s own shadow self and the unseen influences around them.

Conclusion

The black cat or panther in the Queen of Wands card is a symbol of mystery, power, and independence, balancing her dynamic solar energy with the hidden wisdom of the night. It represents her ability to walk between worlds, master intuition, and harness unseen forces to achieve her goals. Whether viewed as a guardian, a magical familiar, or an embodiment of her subconscious power, this feline companion reinforces the Queen’s magnetism, self-assurance, and spiritual insight.

Western Hermetic meditation and ritual invocation for calling up the "Inner lioness" (Sekhmet) in blog of-

What can be simply said here, is that Fire is male aggressive emotions, and the Watery part of Spirit as nurturing, empathetic, supportive, female energy-in-motion and in the realm of Yetzirah (the Sephira-Yesod the moon) both become fluid and colored reflections (colors are not reflections of the force--but the actual force itself).

If you could see the Aura and Chakras, as I do, you would know that the 8 conscious-states of Energy, called auric bodies, are made of "Spiritual and/or Celestial matter" or -Protons....Solar-Conscious-energy. We originated as Beings of Photonic/Plasmic evolution (Souls/Solar) and/or Light, not organic organisms and the ancients called Souls "the Suns of God". As these Solar Selves we need organic organisms to "Know ourselves" and/or advance self-awareness and through the process of spiraling energy as breath (Prana) through the body. Therefore, the Divine Creative has created bio-protons and/or organic matter which is known as coagulated light so that it can "know itself".

Emotionally and otherwise, in Tarot, the Queen's personality corresponds to that of the King, but is more magnetic. According to Waite, the Queen of Wands, is a dark woman or country woman who is friendly, chaste, loving, and honorable. In a divination, if the card beside her signifies a man, she is well disposed towards him, if a woman she is interested in the Querent.

The Animal Totem Tarot illustrates a regal lioness as its Queen of Wands image. This image goes well with the Queen of Wands natural quick and agile tendencies and who tends not to slow down until the task is done.

The Wand with crown in the background has the red ribbon as a symbol of the element of fire and the male aggressive emotions. The Sunflowers that are on the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot as symbols of the Sun are also shown. This lioness is a reference to the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet (Egyptian Mythology) – The lion-headed goddess of war, healing, and divine retribution. She represents both destruction and renewal, teaching balance between fury and healing energy.

In this Tarot context, if the Queen shows up in the layout she is lighting a fire under your butt. She urges you to tie up all loose ends and stop procrastinating. Her calm demeanor is reminiscent of her great self-confidence. Be not fooled, for she is well aware of all that is going on around her. Hence, she knows exactly when to spring into action.

In reiteration, Binah is the 3rd Sephira on the Tree of Life; she is called the Sanctifying Intelligence known as Understanding. The Queens are another aspect of this Sanctifying Intelligence.

Seated and enthroned, the Queens represent the forces of Heh (meaning window or sight) in the Divine Vibration of each suit. By bringing forth a material Force of each suit, the Queens develop and realize the Force of the King. This is a steady, unshaken and enduring force that is not as rapid in motion as are the princes. However, it is much more in depth.

The Tarot Queen of Wands is also called the "stylish Mother". This is a strong-willed person, quite ambitious, yet also sensitive and who wants to be the center of attention... and who usually is. She is a magnetic and charming personality whose stylish presence is felt the moment she enters the room. Being a master of words, she uses subtle and stylish words in a witty fashion.

This personality can be moody, quick to anger and just as quick to forgive. She is often seen as a freewheeling idealist, intuitive and loves to impose her creative will on the people and things around her. What may not be obvious to some who see only the aloof mask that she presents to strangers, is that she feels quite deeply and is far more vulnerable than people realize. She has a "bitchy" attitude, but only when feeling very self-protective; her independence and outgoing qualities are deeply based in the security of her family and environment. She loves her home and fiercely protects her children from what she perceives to be a hostile and unsophisticated environment called "the outside world".

*Note: The Tarot Personality Birthday Wheel, which is used in the Thoth Tarot, to equate personality types, is not traditionally used in traditional Tarot. One must judge a person's activities as relating to a personal type of court card.

I use the Western Hermetic Magic/Qabalah-Tarot Birthday Wheel on all Court cards, no matter if traditional or nontraditional, as it accurately represents the "core of the personality". If interested, you'll find this Wheel in my Thoth Court Card blogs and Robert Wang's The Mystical Qabalah.

When the Queen of Wands is thrown in a divination, it implies:

• As an Archetype personality, this would be a red- or golden-haired woman who is adaptable (spontaneous), persistent in her energy but of calm authority which she knowingly uses to enhance her attractiveness.
• Independence.
• Closeness to Nature.
• Compassion.

• Such a woman of passion can be vane, but that is because she knows that passion plus nurture is attractive in its own rite. 
• Although S/he is often kind and generous she will not tolerate opposition. 
• There is an immense capacity for friendship and love, as that is the nature of fiery passion: However, it is always done on her own initiative where she cannot be talked into it or out of it.
• Motivated and won't stop until task at hand is done.

When ill defined by surrounding cards and/ or reversed it implies:

•  The Queen of Wands personality can be snobbish, vain, brooding which invariably leads to the negative decisions that cause her to fiercely attack. 
• Some might call this a "Fiery Latin" type of personality. 
• Her Passion can be stunning whether it is a sexual relationship or a vendetta. She must be treated with respect and remember that to play on her terms may be beyond the capacity of a less passionate mate.
• The tyrannical tendency is very present here.
• The dominating woman.
• Jealousy.

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