STRUCTURE
AUTHORITY
REGULATION
The Emperor’s figure says much about the essential qualities of this card. We see a stern, commanding figure seated on a stone slab throne.
His back is straight, and his eyes meet ours directly. He is confident of his complete authority to rule.
The Emperor represents structure, order, and regulation—forces to balance the Empress’s free-flowing, lavish abundance.
He advocates a four-square world where trains are on time, games are played by rules, and commanding officers are respected. In chaotic situations, the Emperor can indicate the need for organization. Loose ends should be tied up, and wayward elements harnessed.
In situations that are already over-controlled, he suggests the confining effect of those constraints.
The Emperor can represent an encounter with authority or the assumption of power and control. As the regulator, he is often associated with legal matters, disciplinary actions, and officialdom in all its forms. He can also stand for an individual father or archetypal Father in his role as guide, protector, and provider.
fathering
- establishing a family line
- setting direction and tone
- protecting and defending
- guiding growth
- bringing security and comfort
- offering explanations
emphasizing structure
- creating order out of chaos
- categorizing
- being systematic
- providing shape and form
- being organized
- applying reason
- coordinating
- sticking to a plan
exercising authority
- taking a leadership role
- commanding
- exerting control
- representing the establishment
- being in a position of strength
- coming in contact with officials
- setting direction
regulating
- establishing law and order
- operating from sound principles
- applying rules or guidelines
- working within the legal system
- setting standards of behavior
- following a regimen
Some possibilities
- Empress – mothering, free-flowing abundance
- Seven of Cups – dissipation, lack of order
- Five of Swords – bending the rules, breaking the law
Some possibilities
- Hierophant – conforming to rules
- Justice – concerns of justice and legality
- Two of Wands – having authority
- Three of Wands – assuming leadership
- Four of Pentacles – control, structure, order
Reversed
There are no separate explanations for reversed cards. The meaning of a reversed card depends on what the card would mean if upright. A reversed card shows that a card’s energy is present but at a lower level. For some reason, the energy cannot be expressed freely, normally, or completely. It may be:
- still in its early stages
- losing force and power
- blocked or restricted
- incomplete
- inappropriate
- being denied
- only present in appearance
See lesson 17 for more information on reversed cards.