Queen of Swords

While most people's attention was held hostage for weeks by the 2008 Olympics, some still trained tirelessly, hoping that their own Beijing victory awaited just around the corner. The Paralympic Games are a colossal event in which athletes with disabilities compete in modified versions of sports such as fencing, judo, and rugby. While not as intensely publicized as the Olympics, these games showcase feats of strength and dexterity that make regular sports look like lunchtime recess -- how well do you think Lionel Messi would do in a blindfolded soccer match? This year, some of the athletes even participated in a nude photo shoot, just like the UK Olympians had a few weeks earlier. Each portrait is uniquely confrontational, each an icon of both prowess and vulnerability.

Though each of the Queens in the Tarot is a powerful figure with her own gifts, the Queen of Swords is the one I'd bet on in any competition. She is often seen as a widow, and it's implied that having survived a great loss has galvanized her and sharpened her senses to a razor edge. She's particularly watchful with regards to justice and equality, and this vigilance has required her to cultivate a spirit of discipline and independence that seems almost superhuman, making her a mighty ally -- or adversary. She's shed the sprightly, impetuous nature of her Princess days and has taken center stage as an arbiter and negotiator. She is passionate, in the true nature of all Queens. However, passion often demands that one do more than just yield to it, or even wield it. This Queen has become a sword, and she points the way toward victories in which much more is at stake than mere silver or gold. [Via]