#14 Temperance
04 | 78 Bringing out the Queen Bee, and we aint talking about Beyonce, baby
This card was a lot of fun to put together and presented a challenge, which is something I always enjoy figuring out when working on a creative project. I wanted the wings on this Queen Bee to be transparent, and I went through various concepts before landing on printing them on acetate. I'm really happy with how they turned out, and I am so glad that I played with the design and execution a few times, because the clear acetate gives the wings the look I was hoping to achieve.
I know that when this card is scanned for usable deck making later on, some of that “wow” will get lost in the process, but for the original version, it makes me happy.
Traditionally, the Rider-Waite version of this card depicts a winged angel pouring liquid between two cups, representing the flow and alchemy of life. The Rider-Waite card also features a glowing crow, which I also incorporated, to represent taking the high road and staying true to oneself. There are, of course, other elements that I chose not to include in my version, but overall, I feel that my version gets the job done.
For less structured readers, like me, you can look at the Queen Bee as that same winged figure, and while there aren't two cups passing water back and forth, I think the concept of shimmering, slow-moving honey says a similar message.
I think that my version of this card says a lot of the same things that the traditional Rider-Waite tarot says, my version shouts out — hey, slow down, find your flow, let the honey move as slow as it needs to. I think it also says that you are the Queen of your domain and that if you can tap into that flow state, nothing can stop you.
Thank you for joining me here again! I plan to start working on THE STAR next and cannot wait to share it with you soon!
— R