The Arturian Tarot by Caitlin and John Matthews features Guinevere as the Empress or Card III

Book Description: Guinevere sits spinning in a meadow. A white cow grazes nearby.

My Description: She sits in a clearing of blooming trees of white flowers that look "puffy" and the general coloring of the card is white, yellow-green with Guinevere dressed in a medium green robe with gold trim. Her red hair hangs long and loose over her shoulders decorated with white flowers. The white cow in the background is looking at her spinning the white thread (from the flower which look woolly?) and behind the cow is a meandering stream under the trees. The sky is a peaceful blue.

Book Background: (excerpts) ...as Gwenhwyfar, is described as 'one of the three, gentle, gold-torqued ladies of Britain', whose integrity upholds the honour of Arthur's court and whose beauty reflects the fertile face of the land. The accusations of infidelity levelled against Guinevere are without foundation in the early traditions which certainly speak of her abduction by a series of men, including Medrawt (Mordred) and Melwas. Putting the evidence together, we find that Guinevere aligns to an archetype identified as the

Flower Bride -- the Otherworldly woman, often a representative of the Goddess of Sovereignty -- who becomes the consort of a king. Her role is to manifest, in her own person, the harmony between king and land. But if she is not matched on every level by reciprocal love from her consort then she looks for a champion to challenge the king and remind him of his duties towards his queen and the land she represents. She is indeed championed by many knights, including the Grail winner, Peredur (Perceval), and Gereint; they both avenge Guinevere in separate incidents when she is insulted by an unnamed knight, who is possibly of Otherworldly provenance.

Perhaps the clearest key to her original role is found in the Triad which describes her as the Triple Gwenhwyfar -- as three women, each of whom was supposed to be the spouse of Arthur. Celtic tradition has a strongly developed sense of triplicity which extends to the aspects of a particular archetype or deity. Guinevere, as the Flower Bride, along with the Lady of the Lake as the foster-mother, and the Washer at the Ford as the Cailleach or hag, make up the composite manifestation of the Goddess of Sovereignty in the Arthurian world.

Book Archetypal Meaning: Guinevere as the Empress of Logres (the inner Britain) creates the conditions for growth, establishing peace and contentment. She spins a thread of inner concord which is woven into the fabric of the land and its people. She imparts sensitivity to nature and harmonious awareness to all life.

Book Divinitory Meaning: Energy in creative growth; material and spiritual wealth; fulfilment; beauty; abundance; fertility; motherhood; health; harmony.

My inspiration from this card comes from the promise of continued renewal and productivity. As a wife, mother and career woman in my middle years she symbolizes so much in my life. Queen over all she has helped to create yet lovingly spinning its future and nurturing its growth. This card symbolizes for me my physical relationship to all those around me and my environment.

Shaelin-Margras
margras@mciworld.com