Archive for June, 2009

The Emperor

The Emperor is the fifth card in the tarot deck’s traditional sequence. Like his predecessor the Empress, the Emperor represents one third of the body-mind-spirit triad. (The Empress represents all related to the body, while the Emperor represents the next step in that sequence – the mind.)  The number associated with him is four, which [...]

The Emperor is the fifth card in the tarot deck’s traditional sequence. Like his predecessor the Empress, the Emperor represents one third of the body-mind-spirit triad. (The Empress represents all related to the body, while the Emperor represents the next step in that sequence – the mind.)  The number associated with him is four, which is fitting because he stands for stability, rationality, discipline, and good sense – all qualities traditionally associated with the number four.

Much as the Empress can be said to be the eternal mother, the Emperor can similarly be described as a corresponding father figure. He is a figure that commands authority and shows his regard for his children by establishing and enforcing rules, structure, and order – always in a manner that is fair and just, of course. While it’s only natural for parts of us to balk at the idea of rules, it’s also important to realize that we need them in order to keep things moving along in the right direction. The Emperor can also be described as a universal teacher of many things – especially when it comes to life lessons dealing with the realms of discipline and maturity. He may be a stern father, but he is also one who knows what’s right for us and has our best interests at heart.

The traditional way to portray the Emperor is as a crowned monarch, because he is definitely that – monarch of the whole world and all of humanity, to be exact. In his hands he holds the scepter and orb, the traditional symbols of imperial royalty. He sits regally upon a stone throne, the arms of which feature ram’s heads to symbolize might, authority, and stoicism. He is dressed in the opulent manner which one would expect of such a figure – in fine, flowing robes that are both beautiful and stately at once. He is an imposing figure that demands respect and allegiance.

The Emperor is not only a wise ruler and fatherly representative. He can also be said to represent the actual concepts of reason, sense, power, and stability. Many tarot experts also believe that when considered in tandem with the Empress, the two together represent the concept of marriage.

When the Emperor makes an appearance in a tarot spread, he is almost always standing in for a boss, a father, a leader, or some other personage whom the querent sees as an authority figure. He can also sometimes represent the querent, of course. This is most likely to happen if said querent is in a position of authority him or herself. The Emperor may also appear in instances where someone like a king, president, or other world leader is being shown within the scope of the spread.

The appearance of the Emperor can mean a number of things depending on the surrounding cards and their positions. One possibility is a directive to gain control over one’s life whether it’s in regards to romance, career, personal health, or even temper. This wouldn’t be the time to let other people make your decisions for you or to give into the whims of someone else. It’s the time to step up and be firm. The appearance of the Emperor (especially if he is clearly standing in for the querent) can also be a signal for said querent to ask himself a few questions as to how he really feels about a position of leadership he may hold. It may be that a change of pace or the complete relinquishing of the position is in order.

The Empress

The Empress is the fourth card in the tarot deck’s Major Arcana. The number associated with her is three, as at her core level she is the point at which the sequence of the tarot begins to deal with the relationship between the spirit, mind, and body. The Empress herself can be said to represent [...]

The Empress is the fourth card in the tarot deck’s Major Arcana. The number associated with her is three, as at her core level she is the point at which the sequence of the tarot begins to deal with the relationship between the spirit, mind, and body. The Empress herself can be said to represent the last of these three – the body, as well as the world of the physical at large.

 

As a matter of fact, we can go one step further than saying that the Empress represents the physical world. In many ways she actually is this very world and all that makes it what it is. She is wealth, sensory pleasure, and prosperity in all their many forms as well. The world she lives in is our world exactly as it was meant to be – ideal, beautiful, and bountiful. As such, she is also said to be a representation of motherhood, nature and the creation of life. She is, quite simply, abundance in all its many forms.

 

The figure of the Empress is traditionally portrayed as a young, beautiful woman reclining in a natural setting that is the very picture of the fruitful earth she is meant to represent. Her attire is regal in nature – very much the vestment of an Empress – and includes richly embroidered robes, a diadem, and a scepter. Next to her couch rests a shield bearing the symbol of Venus, highlighting her connection to the concepts of desire and love. Behind her, a field full of corn is ripening and becoming golden in the sun while a waterfall flows in the distance to represent fertility and life force. In some tarot representations, the Empress is also very appropriately depicted as pregnant.

 

The Empress is often described as someone who derives her royal status through being the daughter of Heaven and Earth and all of the symbols included in her tarot portrayal support this. She is the very heartbeat of the earth and of all life. She is the divine potential represented by the cards that came before made real and tangible.

 

When the Empress makes an appearance in a tarot spread, she is relatively easy to interpret. When representing someone other than the querent, she is almost always going to stand for a mother figure. If she’s not the actual mother, then she is very likely someone who plays a similar role for the querent in one way or another. If the Empress is situated in such a way that she represents the querent herself, then it should be taken to mean that she is at a point in her life when she’s feeling somewhat maternal, although this does not have to be in a traditional sense that revolves around children. She may also be feeling protective or “motherly” in regards to a new business venture or a new relationship.

 

When the Empress decides to make an appearance, the message she sends is to take into consideration all the lessons that she teaches. Whether the situation in question involves a new business, a life change, or an actual baby, the Empress reminds us – whether we’re male or female – that if it is to thrive, it must be cared for, tended carefully, and nurtured until it reaches that next stage. However, it’s also important to note that it’s perfectly possible to be too protective. Too much care, attention, and nurturing could smother the potential of the project in question before it ever has a chance to realize its potential.

The High Priestess

The High Priestess is the third card in the tarot deck’s Major Arcana. The number associated with her is two as she is strongly connected to the concept of balance and all that it governs. Alternatively, she can stand for the powers of feminine intuition, as well as for the ever-fluctuating energies of the moon [...]

The High Priestess is the third card in the tarot deck’s Major Arcana. The number associated with her is two as she is strongly connected to the concept of balance and all that it governs. Alternatively, she can stand for the powers of feminine intuition, as well as for the ever-fluctuating energies of the moon (wax and wane).

 

The High Priestess can be said to serve as a moderator or buffer between the world of man and the world that lies beyond the veil, as she has much to do with the concept of duality. She can also be described as the one that keeps the peace between the conscious and the unconscious, as well as to be the key to building our own balance between the two. She is a figure of great power, infinite knowledge, and untold potential. She is also a great keeper and protector of eternal mysteries.

 

The figure of the High Priestess is traditionally portrayed as an appealing, but imposing figure in touch with all of the greatest mysteries and most potent powers in the universe at large. She is young, beautiful, and clothed in long, pale garments that often have a shimmery, luminescent appearance to them. She sits regally upon a throne situated between two pillars – one black and one white – that represent the ancient, mystic temple while a curtain lies behind her, symbolizing the great divide between this world and the next. She wears a horned headdress that includes the lunar orb on her head and the solar symbol across her chest to emphasize her connection to the heavens. A lunar crescent often lies at her feet and she also is usually depicted holding a scroll meant to represent the Greater Law.

 

The image as a whole is meant to underline all the High Priestess stands for – understanding of and mastery over the divine mysteries of the universe, as well as the profound connection to the heavens above. The lunar symbols can also be taken to suggest her connection to the unconscious.

 

When the High Priestess appears in a reading in representation of someone other than the querent, the person in question is going to be a female figure with qualities very similar to those of the Priestess herself. She could either be a woman who has dealings with the spiritual side of life – a theologian, an astrologer, or a psychic perhaps. She could also simply be a mysterious or unusually wise individual – someone with extensive knowledge of many things or one who always seems to have an answer for every question. Sometimes she can represent someone who comes off as mysterious and untouchable, much like the Priestess herself.

 

When the High Priestess appears in a tarot spread in representation of the querent, she usually signals a time of study, discovery, investigation, or contemplation ahead. The querent may be coming into a time in her life when she will be spending much time doing research or taking on previously unknown knowledge or secrets, possibly in order to prepare herself to step into the next chapter of her life. This can come about in a number of ways. She may find herself spending a significant amount of time going through old letter, documents, and texts in search of information. Alternatively, she may be about to receive insight psychically through dreams, tarot, or other avenues along those lines. (Remember the High Priest governs the unconscious.)

 

The surrounding cards and exact positioning of the High Priestess card will be able to help define the specifics of what her appearance is meant to mean. At that point, the querent will better be able to decipher her message and determine how best to proceed.