The Queen of Cups and Going Within this Cancer Season

Fresh take on the Queen of Cups from “The Modern Witch Tarot” by Lisa Sterle

Ahhhh Cancer Season, a time to check in with the ways in which we nurture ourselves and dive into the heart of the matter. 

While there are several cards in the Tarot that correlate with the season of the crab, (Cancer’s symbol or, the way I like to think of it, their spirit animal 🙂) there is no better card to work with (IMO) than the Queen of Cups. She is the existential Queen of this season and a supportive energy in asking ourselves questions of the heart, namely “What makes me truly happy?”

Who is the Queen of Cups anyway and how does she relate to this time of the year astrologically?

In order to understand this archetype, we must first delve a bit into what Cancer season is and what it may invite us to examine.

Cancer season begins at the Summer Solstice, June 20th/21st and lasts through late July (the 22nd to be precise) Cancer is a water sign and is ruled by the Moon. Yin Energy. Reflective, contemplative, still and soft. It asks us to deeply nurture ourselves, to tap into our feelings and intuition. If Cancer Season could speak, I believe they would advise “If it isn’t cozy and doesn't make you feel like ‘home’, politely decline the invitation”. Cancerians (those born under this sign) understand that this is when they feel their best, when their external circumstances match their internal one. 

Now, who is this Queen and what makes her unique?

The Queen of Cups is the Receiver. She is the Queen of Emotions. She knows exactly what the heart is calling for. An empath, a highly sensitive person and a deeply intuitive being, that is her essence. The Queen of Cups is the friend who asks, “Is everything alright?” and although you felt just fine a moment ago, you now find yourself spilling your deepest feelings and worries to her. All the while she says nothing. She only listens, for she holds excellent space for you and all of your troubles. She is a warm hug and a light in the darkness. She is a source of comfort and one who can hold all of the world’s emotions within her sphere. While this is a beautiful gift, she must also be mindful not to be overly porous. She can have a tendency to absorb the emotions of others,  and this can leave her naturally warm and genuine heart feeling tired and worn.

The Queen of Cups says “To feel is my superpower.” This is how she gathers her information. As she is tied to the Suit of Cups and the Element of Water, we ask ourselves what are all of the things that water can do? It can give and sustain life. It can quench our thirst. It can cleanse and purify our body of any residual emotions or energies we find that are unwanted. And on a strictly physical level, it can cool us down on hot days as well as wash away the grime. Water is deeply soothing, while also being quite a force. Think of your favorite body of water, is it the ocean, a lake, a stream, a river? A lagoon, an estuary, a slough? There are so many and they all hold their own distinct properties. While some are soft and gentle, others are deep and mysterious, and below the surface, incredibly powerful. This is the Queen of Cups. While she may appear serene at the surface level, once you begin to explore her depths, there is no telling the vastness of her emotional and spiritual reservoir.

The Queen of Cups is not one who takes decisive action, that trait is left to the other figures who share her suit, the Page, the Knight and the King. Rather, she is the one who says “Don’t rush and look within” The Queen of Cups asks for deep reflection. She asks you to examine your dreams and the stirrings of your subconscious. She wants you to push your head just underneath the water’s surface and to see what you notice.

Reflection Questions

If you were to meet this deeply feeling Queen, some questions she might ask you may be:

“How am I feeling at this very moment?”

or…

“How does this particular situation make me feel?”

“How can I best handle this emotion without allowing it to overtake me?”

“What/where is my happy place?”

“What part of me needs tending/nurturing?”

and…

“How can I best take care of myself at this time?” 

You can explore these questions anytime you find yourself in a situation that weighs heavy on your heart, or even if you are just interested in receiving an emotional check up. Some ways to do this are by using Tarot, Oracle cards or having them as journal prompts. 

Embodying the Queen of Cups

One simple way we can work with Queen of Cups energy is to check in with our body after spending some time in ir by the water. Perhaps we don’t all have access to to a fresh source of water that we can submerge ourselves in, but I’d bet we all have a shower or tub at home we use regularly 🙂 After stepping into your water of choice (ocean, river, lake, shower) do whatever is necessary to feel comfortable. This exercise works best if you can take a pause shortly thereafter and find a place to stop and relax for about 5 minutes. 

Once you are comfortable, sit, lay down or stand still. You can close your eyes, lower your gaze, or if you don’t find it distracting, feel free to leave your eyes open. Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, see if you can feel the effects of the water on your body, both physically and energetically. Begin by bringing your awareness to the top of your head and move your way down through the body all the way to your toes. No need to hurry this. Linger in places that feel they would like your attention. What do you notice as your awareness travels down your body? 

My wish for you is that this felt refreshing, soothing or energizing, whatever it is that your body and spirit were asking for. However, if there are any areas that felt tight or constricted, see if you can offer that area a little bit of love and tenderness, a la the Queen of Cups, by placing your hands on that part or even placing a piece of Rose Quartz (a healing stone) there and putting your hands on top. Rose Quartz is known for its healing and soothing properties which can promote relaxation and a sense of peace and ease. If there was one stone I would associate with the Queen of Cups it would be this one.

Working with the Queen of Cups means taking care of your own energy through loving kindness to yourself in ways that are special and unique to you. There is no right or wrong activity to choose to embody her sweet nature, the only question to ask yourself is “Does this make me happy?” and “Does my heart feel cared for?” While there are some things that don’t exactly spark joy (paying bills or time at the dentist), the Queen of Cups asks you to explore more of what does, for no other purpose than joy itself.

Wishing you all love and nurturing through the rest of this heartfelt season.