Barbara Walker Tarot - Queen of Swords: Kali

The Destroying Goddess is in classic pose, squatting over the corpse of her consort, devouring his entrails. India’s Kali Ma was one of the most terrifying versions of the Mother’s death-bringing aspect, though she also appeared as a beautiful virgin, tender lover, and mother. Identifying themselves with her consort, her male worshipers said no man could comprehend her totality until he knew her as his “tearer and devourer.” Like the queen of spades, she seems cruel, but only as cruelty inherent in the natural world. Her card means fatal decision, philosophical subtlety, swift action, separation, privation, or widowhood—the eternal condition of spouse-destroying Kali, the original black widow.