The Emperor

Card of the week 12 - 19 June 2025

Image courtesy Rider Waite-Smith deck

Suit: Major Arcana

Astrology: Aries, Scorpio

Planets: Mars, Jupiter

Number: 4

Symbol: The Square

Divinatory Meaning: A need to make something solid; to concretize an idea; to build something with a firm structure.

As the complement to The Empress, the Emperor is the archetypal representation of the ‘father figure”, reigning through wisdom, order, authority, power and control and on an emotional level, he symbolizes confirmation of established feelings, tightening up of links among beings and self-respect. He also represents masculine power and fatherly responsibilities.

A few Upright keywords (U) - authority, structure, reason, society, experience, stubbornness, competence, taking action and self-mastery.

A few upright interpretations (u):

1. The Emperor appearing upright in a reading may be indicating that it is most important to retain inner-balance to be able to rely upon oneself.

2. When The Emperor is upright, it may be indicating that this is a time when new opportunities will present themselves, and if these opportunities have solid foundations, they should bring success.

3. Appearing upright in a spread, The Emperor may be indicating a connection to a position or figure of authority and could suggest that there is an opportunity to take control over others.

4. The Emperor represents stability, structure, responsibility and order on the Earthly plane and when he appears upright, The Emperor asks that you explore the order of higher planes and learn how responsibility and discipline affects law and order.

A few Reversed keywords (R) - inferiority, resentment, frustration, dominance, stubbornness, immaturity and arguments.

1. The Emperor reversed tells of immaturity and a lack of ambition. The person involved only has himself to blame for this loss of position - either at work or in the community, because of their mis-use or abuse of power or position .

2. When reversed, The Emperor implies that there is some exaggeration or inflation of the facts.

3. Appearing in a spread reversed, The Emperor's constant need to dominate situations - including relationships, reveals the true extent of his insecurities. At times he may even show violence. He has unrealistic expectations and ambitions that are most often unfulfilled, making him overly critical of others. When making decisions, he is often indecisive and petty. This man shows his hypocrisy by giving little but expects much in return.

4. Be wary of someone around you who is self-motivated for their own gain. They may try to “use” you or take something from you. It warns about someone with ulterior motives. There is a possibility of being defrauded, mislead or deceived, when The Emperor appears reversed in a reading. Remain alert at this time.

5. The Emperor reversed is indicative of someone who can be pig-headed and stubborn in a current situation. This person may become a burden to you.

Note: If you are attempting to read cards for yourself or others, these are just a few interpretations of the card. As you become more secure and proficient at reading cards, you should be able to come up with your own intuitive meanings of this card, but feel free to use these interpretations for your tarot journal.

Until next time.

Be Good to Yourselves.

Tara, xx