Tarot Cards - The Emperor

Many people express a deep fondness for thewithout him and his representation, people would
Empress' motherly love. It is because of this thatstruggle to survive. It would be difficult for people's
these same people often feel fearful of thebasic needs to be met. The Emperor can be seen as
patriarchal sternness expressed by the Emperor. Ina symbolization of the laws of existence for all kind,
the Waite deck, the Emperor seems stern and dark.which is greater than just being a symbol for the
He has a vast array of armor and seems to belaws of humanity. This concept can be found
poised in the heat of the desert. Seen also with thisexplained in greater depth in the study of physical
deck is how a narrow stream tries to make its waysciences.Another reason people dislike the Emperor is
through multiple layers of earthen rock. Alternately, abecause he can remind people of rules that society
calm, soothing river ran through a flourishing gardenplaces on people, which can be different than rules
for the Empress.Sometimes other decks of tarotthe government places on people. If people compare
cards have tried to present the image of thethemselves to the Emperor, and feel they can relate
Emperor in a more positive light.to him, then they can become a likeness of their
The Emperor can be seem as a divine leader, moreown desire to identify and preserve their own power.
conceptual and representational. He can appear moreThese desires can become very appealing to
regal and sovereignly in other decks as well. In thefemales, feeding their need to become their own
Haindl deck, the Emperor is presented as young,emperor.In many readings, the Emperor possesses
masculine, and virile. The Emperor is a young ruler inthat of a patriarchal image, while the Empress
this deck who keeps far away from the World Tree.possesses that of a matronly image.
If the Emperor is presented within the first sevenUsually the Emperor is associated with rules. He is
cards, it is seen as a test. This happens becausealso associated with authority, and laws imposed
things like zeal and wealth can foster us but weupon people by the government and society. The
cannot mature unless we also experience the rulesEmperor can remind people of a soldier of sorts also.
society imposes upon us. We also need to be able toHe is a strong entity, willing to set limits and ideals
think realistically and strive for lasting goals. People willand then defend them if need be. All in all the
compare their fondness or lack thereof for theEmperor symbolizes respect, understanding, and
Emperor to the way they feel about abiding any ruleresponsibility.If the Emperor is reversed, he loses his
they do not agree with. This is the same way peopleausterity. The Emperor would also become more
regard paying bills, fines or working low-wage,benevolent and emotive. He would also have
meaningless, puts-you-in-a-state-of-deep-depressionproblems with positive decision making skills.We can
jobs, is the way they feel about the Emperor. Justnow see why many people express a deep fondness
as people have to deal with the many displeasures offor the Empress' motherly love. This is because these
life because they are adults, people accept thesame people often feel fearful of the patriarchal
Emperor for what he is.sternness expressed by the Emperor. Also, the
Another very accepted view of the Emperor is thatEmperor seems stern and dark. Once his vast array
of him symbolizing all civilization. The Emperor in thisof armor is lowered, he becomes as warm and
light, is still less favored than the Empress, butcompassionate as his counterpart, the Empress.