Emperor
Posted by Luminakisharblaze on February 24, 2011 at 12:15pm in Kabbalah & Tarot Group
Emperor - Tarot Card Description
The Emperor is the complement to the Empress. He is the Masculine Principle, the Animus, the Patriarch. He represents power and authority, and his stern attitude is quite a departure from the sensual beauty of the Empress. Behind his throne are barren mountains, a symbol of the lofty heights of which he is master. The throne itself is decorated with four rams' heads, representing intellectual heights and sure-footedness in climbing the lofty crags. His right hand holds an Ankh, Egyptian symbol of Life, and in his left is an orb representing the world over which he rules.
tarot card meanings
Emperor - Tarot Card Meanings
When the Emperor comes up in this position, you are about to be granted an audience with a powerful individual who has the wherewithal to help you with personal plans. The Emperor administers and governs the realm you wish to enter. You cannot achieve your dreams without this person's blessing. By making a visit to the leader in the field, you can begin to benefit from the established structure. With the Emperor's support, you have a much better chance of actualising your dream.
An upright Emperor in a relationship question can be seen as the "head of the household", a man who is all things to everyone - husband, father, primary breadwinner, chief executive officer.
The card is representative of leadership. Indicates authority and self mastery. Ability to control and direct sexual drive. Goals can be reached.
Worldly power. Confidence. Wealth. Stability. Authority. Indomitable spirit. War-making tendencies. Father. Brother. Husband. Male influence. Domination of intelligence and reason over emotion and passion. Patriarchal figure.
Achievement. You need to be recognised as a strong figure of unquestioned achievement and authority. Focus your attention completely on your goal. You must not reveal your real plans, feelings or weaknesses. Status is vital.
Worldly authority. Professional success. The life of action and decision. Rulership, government, officialdom. Patriarch, clan leader, or pater familiars. The Yang, the masculine principle. Benevolence, generosity, noblesse oblige.
The emperor is the power of the government or a decision making body. Within yourself, there is also a force that governs your actions. These forces are will power and self control. You will have discussions concerning contractual agreements, profit sharing, subsidies or management. If planning to visit the home of a relative it will be postponed because of another; or, someone could be lying to a relative or misrepresenting facts.
Want to see your ideals manifested on the physical plane in the form of material gain or accomplishment. An opportunity will arrive that could be the foundation of a very successful future. This will be a very propitious happenstance.
Emperor - Reversed Tarot Card Meanings
The reversed Emperor often indicates that you lack self-control, ambition, and the ability to deal with any kind of authority. In fact, you probably show contempt for any kind of order. This demonstrates a lack of self-respect, possibly stemming from a problematic relationship with a father figure (not necessarily your father) or as mothering relationship with a parent that you are unable to escape, even if that parent is now dead. Are you going to allow yourself to remain in bondage to the past for the rest of your life? Or are you going to resolve the relationship and more forward? The choice is yours and no one else's.
You may feel powerless when you receive the Emperor reversed. Dealing with authority is fraught with difficulties at this time, and whether this manifests as a dominant partner, problems with your father or battles with officials, you do not seem to be making any headway. Paradoxically, freedom lies within such structures now. This is not the time to rebel, instead try to contact your own need to control events and deal with any problems logically.
Reversed, the Emperor can suggest that there is an over-use and abuse of authoritative power surrounding you at this time. It could be originating from yourself or from another person, often a boss, partner or a father-figure. This could lead to tyranny and great disrespect and mistrust from peers. Alternatively, you may need to bring more structure into your life at this time. Things may have gotten quite chaotic recently and now it is time to bring about order once again.
If reversed, there is presumption as to being "head of the household" with abuse of power inherent. An insecure man throwing his weight around; someone with a need for control.
Immaturity and confusion. Problems with those you consider enemies, Inability to reach goals. lack of energy both emotional and physical. Indicates a person weak in character over dependent on parents.
Ineffectiveness. Indecision. Inability. Weakness of character. Failure to control petty emotions.
(Source http://www.biddytarot.com/card.php?id=12&name=Emperor)