Does queen of swords have love? I always picture her selection of partner based on reason, not love. Where magician gets the girl, she is on his arm but if he is the embodiment of wands does he really love the girl?
At work, all is practical based on reason keeps the work rolling but as progress, energy, drive ... does she have it?
Because you asked: Yes, in fact, most of us who identify with this court card fully understand the concept of love and have experienced it both in giving and receiving. To think that any given card personality is incapable of something that makes us human is silly. We don't give our hearts easily or trust as readily as others might, mostly due to our life experiences; we generally won't make decisions based on emotions (good or bad), and we aren't as demonstrative with our affection as some suits. That doesn't make us heartless robots unable to love or to feel.
OK, rant over.
Here's an alternate viewpoint to the power struggle idea:
Many "control freaks" I've known (as opposed to sociopathic bullies--yes, there's a difference) are that way because people they've trusted in the past have let them down. Usually, it's happened pretty often over time, starting in childhood--even if it was unintentional on the other person's part--and as a result, they've lost much of their ability to trust. As far as they're concerned, trust and respect need to be earned, and rightly or wrongly, they think most people aren't capable. But give them a GOOD leader or partner they discover they really can count on, and they will willingly follow that person to the ends of the earth, because it's so damn rare for them to actually find one! I've seen it happen to others, and experienced it myself on both sides of the equation.
Personally speaking, I'm a self admitted QoS/control freak, but the two card-personalities I'll gladly, willingly submit to are the Magician and the Emperor (assuming upright cards), with a preference for Magicians that's probably charisma-based. Either of these has attained a level of mastery in a wider range of areas than any of the Kings; after all, Kings are masters of
their suit, not
all suits. Emperors are the combination of all the Kings; Magicians are skilled in all four suits (the card generally has a representation of each suit on it for that reason), plus their charisma and talents for manipulation (illusion, deception, political maneuvering, or salesmanship) are an added gift that grants them even more power.
At work, I've directly reported to several Emperors and one Magician over the years; the working relationships with the former were good, though there were occasional issues, while the time I reported to the Magician-type was probably the best working relationship I've ever had. And just for reference: They almost all had strong, loving relationships outside of work as well, with marriages that were more stable and better examples than most. All of them were controlling to one degree or another (the Emperors more so), but were skilled at putting people to work where their skills were best suited, and at using
appropriate levels of oversight with those people, levels that allowed their delegates the freedom they needed to do their jobs. Give me a good Emperor or Magician any day; I can at least anticipate the possibility of a strong working partnership with them, because their upright traits make them someone I can trust, and in turn, they figure out fairly quickly that they can count on me in turn. Again, this is assuming mostly upright traits all around.
And yes, that also works on the romantic side. The QoS types I personally know (admittedly a small sample size) are mostly attracted by more dominant personalities, or at least relative equals. They may settle for a weaker partner (or they may have become a QoS while in a relationship with a weaker partner, and stay out of love/loyalty) but given the option, they seem to look for someone who is as strong as they are, if not stronger. In many cases, settling for a less well rounded, less capable partner at some point quite possibly helped to create the grief in their lives that makes them mistrustful to begin with, and they know it. In battling that grief & learning from it, they've become independent sorts who've matured to the point where they value themselves too highly to pair off with someone they can't fully trust to take care of
them if it becomes necessary for some reason. This makes an upright Magician much more appealing as a potential mate; he's power personified, but in balance, and wrapped in all that charisma, well, that's pretty damn hot. *fans self*
If she finds him worthy of her trust, he'll have a good chance at gaining her loyalty and love. She has strong reserves of both, because she guards them with every fiber of her being and doesn't hand either out easily. He'll have to earn it, but this is an accomplished man--remember, an Emperor may have inherited his empire, while a Magician has had to work hard for what he has. The challenge she presents won't scare him off. It may even make her more appealing.
Obviously, the negative aspects of these cards colliding can result in one hell of a dominance war that won't end well for anyone. When that happens, don't get too close to the fallout! If he wants unadulterated worship and falling at his feet, she isn't capable of providing that kind of ego-stroking to him. If he ever fails in the trust she's given him, he will likely never get it back. She can be a scheming, vindictive enemy for life, and he can be a manipulative, self centered a--hole. No denying that at their worst, it might get really, really ugly.
But please don't assume the worst is inevitable when you see these cards together. This is a pairing that can work exceedingly well with a lot less friction than many. In work situations, it's potentially a strong, dynamic team that once established, may fight to stay working closely together no matter what other changes occur in their working environment, moving from project to project together and bringing others along that they've found to be dependable too. In love, you may be looking at a strongly bonded couple that others will envy. They may look outwardly less affectionate than some, but you'll see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices. It's easily recognized, if you know to watch for it.
One other thing I'll note: A Magician can't easily fool a QoS. Her BS detector is too sharp for that, and she's often a skilled manipulator herself, so she knows how to spot one. I've personally found there can be a certain attraction for the Magician in that; here's a person that sees through the glamour and still accepts him (maybe even finds him attractive) for who he is and what he can do. She can't be compelled by his well-practiced persuasive personality (though she may find it highly amusing to watch him try, knowing that sometimes he honestly can't help turning it on). He has to use his wits if he needs to convince her of anything. That's rare for him to find; most people either fall under his spell or run from it, because they assume that ill intent on his part makes him that way. Instead, here's one who calls him on the illusion even if she admires him for being able to pull it off, and she won't hesitate to tell him the truth when others don't--she'll even point out when he manages to fool himself. The Magician-type that I worked for for years told me over and over that was absolutely my strongest asset to him, with quick, accurate, dispassionate analysis of any situation being second, and ignoring his mercurial moods third. (And yes, his wife was the same type as me.)
Whew. Hope something in all that helps!
~jolie
