Queen of Clubs in Cartomancy: Meaning and Combinations

Presentation of the card

The queen of clubs is the feminine figure of the suit of action. In the Parisian portraits of the 19th century she is called Argine, a name that is an anagram of “regina”, the Latin for queen. The name itself is thus a letter game devised by card makers; it has nothing to do with cartomancy.

In the 32-card deck she follows the king of clubs and precedes the page. In common usage she is credited with a frank, direct character, one who knows what she wants.

Traditional meaning

The queen of clubs is traditionally a faithful woman, sincere, who gives good advice and does not hesitate to say what she thinks. She is read as a friend, a colleague, a mother, a neighbour: someone whose word counts because it is honest.

She is also associated with strength of character: she is not easily thrown, she protects those close to her, she keeps her commitments. In older manuals she is “brown-haired”, following a hair-colour convention that is little used today.

Nuances and differences between authors

Older authors sometimes saw in her a jealous or possessive woman. This reading reflects the stereotypes of the time and is not unanimous. Many present-day authors stress rather her loyalty and her sometimes blunt frankness.

She may also represent the querent, if the querent is a woman, or the part of you that holds to a course. If a specific person comes to mind, avoid imposing on them a judgement drawn from a card.

Day to day, at work, in love

• Daily life: a reliable friend, a practical help, straightforward advice.
• Work: a competent colleague, a frank manager, a trustworthy partnership.
• Love: a relationship built on trust, sometimes with lively discussions.
• Self: the ability to say things clearly, with kindness.

Common combinations

These pairings are indicative. They serve to nourish reflection.

An example reading

Question: “How should I approach this difficult conversation with my colleague?”. Spread: queen of clubs – queen of diamonds – eight of hearts. Possible reading: a frank person (queen of clubs), another more communicative (queen of diamonds) and an opportunity to meet (eight of hearts). One might read in it: “it is better to speak directly, in a friendly setting”. Nothing is predicted.

Kinship with tarot and Lenormand

In tarot, the Queen of Wands, Queen of Wands, is the solar, charismatic woman who asserts her place. The kinship with the cartomantic queen of clubs, frank and assertive, is clear.

In Lenormand, the queen of clubs corresponds to The Snake (card 7), a figure of complexity and devious wisdom. The meaning is more ambivalent than that of the queen of clubs in the 32-card deck.

A reflection exercise

Think of a woman who told you a truth you were not expecting. What did you take from it? Draw the queen of clubs and ask yourself which truth you could tell someone this week, with tact. It is an invitation to kindly frankness.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Cartomancy with a standard deck of playing cards.