Today we meet the Emperor, the fourth card of the Major Arcana. The number four is all about stability, think of the four legs of a table or the four corners of a foundation. This stability is a major trait of the Emperor.
The Major Arcana cards represent themes, archetypes, and lessons that we have to work through and understand in order to move toward our Highest Self. Also called “The Fool’s Journey”, the Major Arcana illuminates a path that the Fool follows. The first six cards are helpers or teachers. The Magician teaches how to use the gifts you have to manifest your desires. The High Priestess tells us to look within. The Empress serves as a guide to the wild earth energy that creates and grows. The Heirophant, who comes after the Emperor, teaches us society’s rules and expectations.
The Emperor’s Energy
Where the Empress represents wild or natural energy, the Emperor represents human or civilized energy. Think of the Enlightenment which led to the Industrial Revolution; The Emperor understands and controls natural impulses in order to create the technologies we now depend on.
There’s an interesting tension between the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor needs the energy and resources over which the Empress has control, but in getting and using those resources blights the wild domain of the Empress.
The Emperor and Boundaries
While the Empress ignores boundaries, spreading her wild energy everywhere, the Emperor draws and enforces boundaries. Within his boundaries are rules and regulations that we follow in order to be part of a civilized society. Working together, sharing, integrity, honor, and kindness are examples of some of the rules of society.
For those who can live and abide by society’s norms, the Emperor is a kindly overlord. For those who choose to live outside of society’s norms, the Emperor can seem controlling and uncaring.
Looking at the Emperors
The Emperor card from the Lightseer’s Tarot (see above) shows a man relaxing on what looks like an eclipsed moon. This is significant because the Emperor likes to think he can control the wild subconscious and unconscious energies represented by the moon. Total control is impossible though, just strategic moves symbolized by the chessboard below him and the chess king in his hand.
The Lo Scarabeo Emperor sits rather awkwardly on his throne, legs crossed. His shield and face are both turned toward the past, even his scepter leans toward the past a bit.
There’s a sense of relaxation in power, but an awareness of what might be coming, especially choices from the past which may try to sneak up and catch out the Emperor. He’s ready for those challenges.
Modern Witch Tarot
“Boundaries and structure make us feel safe. Protect yourself, if you need to. Don’t allow others to walk all over you, and don’t be afraid to stand up, take charge, and force change. Logic and reason may be the best approach for a particular problem, and by creating some stability in your life you may be able to release some anxiety. Don’t lose touch with your compassion though, stubbornness and stoicism will not always be the best answer. “
Heaven & Earth Tarot
“The emperor is a fierce archetype in Tarot. His station is to rule the lands under his control. In this respect, the Emperor makes sure each person under his control follows the rules and boundaries he sets forth. They are for their protection and benefit to keep everything moving smoothly. Not everyone likes to live their life by strict guidelines and yet, all cultures and societies benefit by the rules set forth for them. These rules help create laws. Sometimes it can be a freeing power when you have rules in place.
He can also be seen as the Empress’s consort. In this view, he sets these guidelines for her protection. To let such an untamed and wild creature unleash herself over the world would mean overgrowth and insanity. In this light, the Emperor gives structure for creativity to operate in. A blank page without guidelines or help continues to stay a blank page. But when you apply an idea, a rule to it, the mark of the pen continues to flow.”
Conclusion
The Tarot doesn’t deal in absolutes such as wrong or right. Instead is presents us with a certain energy and we decide how to use it. You can use the energy of the Emperor to dominate and control, you can use it to organize and connect, or you can use it to do both. This card is one that when it appears, you need to look at not only where you are using or will use this energy, but how you are using it and what collateral effects your decisions might have. Don’t mistake the Emperor’s casual attitude for inaction!
What Clients are Saying about Sophrosyne Tarot
I was advised to ask open-ended questions instead of predictive questions which I thought was helpful because I never would have known if it weren’t for the reader. The reader provided the reading along with some advice too so the entire reading was very thorough and explained in an understandable manner.
Everything said was accurate and helpful for me to identify my flaws in order to grow as a person. I have learned a lot about tarot and what it does to help me.
I especially enjoyed your conclusion as it related to how energy presents, and how we decide to use it. Thanks for sharing!
It’s so interesting the different depictions of the same card. Thank you for the explanation.
I can’t quite figure Tarot cards out but it’s interesting to read your posts about them.