Grand Etteilla 1857 · Tarot Card 51
Grand Etteilla Tarot Card 51 — Widowhood / Wicked Woman
The card joins a historically defined social status with a moral condemnation in the other position. It therefore requires a clear distinction between life circumstance, attribution and demonstrable conduct.
What is shown on the card?
A crowned woman sits on a throne and holds a sword upright.
Printed meanings in the 1857 edition
Widowhood
“Wittwen-Stand” denotes the social and legal condition of widowhood. It is a life circumstance, not a fixed character trait.
Wicked Woman
“Böses Frauenzimmer” is a derogatory historical label for a woman. It documents the edition’s language but must not be adopted today as an unsupported disparagement of a person.
The printed pair and the book’s sentence-building method are historical evidence. Love, work and daily applications are explicitly marked TarotCards24 editorial commentary.
Commentary and difference from RWS
By rank and suit, card 51 corresponds structurally to the RWS Queen of Swords. Its image, printed Etteilla keys and actual interpretation remain distinct.
Alternative reading: Figuratively, it may address independence after loss, social isolation or a woman in a demanding position of authority.
Practical interpretation
Love: In relationships, it may concern grief, independence after separation or a hostile attribution directed at a woman.
Work: At work, it points to an independently acting woman, questions of status and fair treatment in the face of gender bias.
As a person: Historically, it denotes a widow or a woman judged with a derogatory label; a modern reading examines the actual situation instead of repeating the label.
If this is your card today: Separate a person’s life story from judgements about character and ask for concrete facts.
Continue exploring Grand Etteilla 1857 Tarot
Frequently asked questions
What does Grand Etteilla Tarot Card 51 — Widowhood / Wicked Woman mean in the first position?
“Wittwen-Stand” denotes the social and legal condition of widowhood. It is a life circumstance, not a fixed character trait.
What does Grand Etteilla Tarot Card 51 — Widowhood / Wicked Woman mean in the second position?
“Böses Frauenzimmer” is a derogatory historical label for a woman. It documents the edition’s language but must not be adopted today as an unsupported disparagement of a person.
What does Grand Etteilla Tarot Card 51 — Widowhood / Wicked Woman mean in love?
In relationships, it may concern grief, independence after separation or a hostile attribution directed at a woman.
What does Grand Etteilla Tarot Card 51 — Widowhood / Wicked Woman mean at work?
At work, it points to an independently acting woman, questions of status and fair treatment in the face of gender bias.
What kind of person does Grand Etteilla Tarot Card 51 — Widowhood / Wicked Woman describe?
Historically, it denotes a widow or a woman judged with a derogatory label; a modern reading examines the actual situation instead of repeating the label.