Doomed Queens: a stroll on the dark side?

There’s one more topic I’ve been meaning to cover during this month’s blogathon (which has another four days to go, but who’s counting?). Based on a recent e-mail I received, I suspect this subject is something which others might be wondering, especially if you only know my art and words from The Goddess Tarot and beyond.

So, here goes.

After so many books and decks about goddesses and other mythic beings, some of you might be wondering why I’m writing about queens now. And not just any queen, but queens who meet bad ends — sometimes gruesomely so.

Here’s my take: There’s nothing pretty about women losing power, especially if it involves a guillotine. However, there’s much to be claimed by looking at the shadow side of female empowerment. By doing so, we can better figure out what not to do, to avoid a similar downwardly mobile fate. And what better cautionary examples to learn from than our blue-blooded sisters from history?

One bright note for today’s women: We’re more likely to lose power from a corporate takeover than from a battalion of peasants bearing pitchforks. But that doesn’t make the lessons of the past any less contemporary. From Cleopatra, we can learn how to be careful when forging alliances. From Anne Boleyn, we see the downside of relying too heavily on The Rules and biology. As for Marie Antoinette, well, remember those peasants?

So what do you think? Is it worth taking a stroll on the dark side, to better familiarize ourselves with the bugaboos out there? Or should we close our eyes and hope for the best? I know what I believe. In the language of Marie Antoinette, mais oui — let us promenade.

With this in mind, I’ve decided to start an occasional feature, in which I offer up some of the bitter wisdom of these ill-fated female power brokers. First up: Cleopatra. Check back tomorrow to learn how to get ahead without getting bitten in the asp. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

To learn more about DOOMED QUEENS, click here.

Oh, and for those of you following my January blogathon, I’m planning a big blow out of a giveaway for January 31st. That’s this Saturday — again, only four more days left!

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