The Emperor Keywords
Divine/Sacred Masculine, control, leadership, law, order, strategy, rigidity, rules, power, discipline, stability, fatherhood, father figure
The Emperor Numerology
4
The Emperor Astrology Zodiac Sign
Aries
The Emperor Tarot Suit
Major Arcana
Journal Prompts for the Emperor Tarot Card:
– How do the current details/decisions affect the bigger picture/long-term results?
– Am I being responsible and mindful of how my actions and decisions affect others?
– What can I do to assert myself best (power, control, authority) under the circumstances?
The Emperor Tarot Card Meaning
This Sacred Masculine figure presents with white hair and a white beard. The Emperor appears as a commanding, serious and yet, unbothered presence. His jeweled crown and red garments adorning him; he presents a gold scepter in one hand and a gold globe in the other–all of which symbolize his position of power and authority over his empire.
The Emperor sits high upon his stone throne, surrounded by mountains–emphasizing that he must remain detached and removed from any personal bias or feelings.
* Based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck.
The Emperor Upright
The Emperor is a true force of Sacred Masculine/Male energy and power. His appearance presents as reserved and serious. He is a ruler, protector and an enforcer by nature–calling you to observe and likely activate these energies within yourself.
Seeing this figure in your tarot reading can be a sign that you are entering a time in your life when themes surrounding leadership, structure, order and foundations are significant.
This major arcana tarot card is a symbol of male strength, security and stability. The Emperor has weathered enough battles in his time to know how to withstand and endure. His life-lived wisdom has taught him well-enough to know when to hold and when to fold. The Emperor card exudes control, discipline and order. Consider where you may be in a position of stepping into these energies yourself.
Regardless of what the situation at hand may relate to (meaning, love, family, work, inner-world, etc), this archetypal figure is inviting you to focus on the bigger picture while doing your best to detach from personal feelings, wants and/or needs, in order to make the best decision. It may be necessary to make small, short-term sacrifices for the sake of achieving long-term success(es).
What you decide to implement and take action upon today will have an impact on your tomorrow (and more than likely those days beyond tomorrow too). Do not allow anything or anyone to rush you into making decisions that you have not fully weighed out and/or meditated/prayed over. Remember also not to rush yourself–there is no need to be hasty.
The Emperor represents a calls to take decisive action only if and when the benefits outweigh the costs. This card appears when it may be necessary to protect what is most valuable to you by being cautious with your choices/actions. The Emperor suggests that rather than rushing into things, it may be best to wait and allow for more insight, information and/or knowledge to be revealed.
Additionally, this can be a sign that it is time to acknowledge your own personal power, authority and/or self-disciplinary skills while you are holding space for the next steps; and being mindful of the greater good. Take a moment to recognize how far you have come and how much you have grown. Do not be afraid to step up and into a leadership position either. If you are going through or working to overcome any struggle(s) and/or hardship(s)–take this as a sign that with time and effort, you have the power to succeed.
The Emperor could also signify a male (or older male) figure currently in your life or about to enter your life. One way or another it would represent a person who is older, possibly/likely entrepreneurial if not successful in his own right. Whether this is a father-figure (mentor), friend, lover, etc–this would be someone who leans more towards the analytical/logical side rather than the more empathetic, emotional and/or overly expressive.
The Emperor Reversed
The Emperor archetype, by nature, leans on power, control and authority. When the reversed position of this figure shows up, it can signal a time when you, or someone around you, might be over or under asserting yourself or themselves in such areas/ways.
Sometimes, the antithetical nature of The Emperor can come across as cold, calculating and undermining. This is the type of individual who is willing to succeed at all costs, and has no concern for the way it affects anything or anyone else.
Because this energy relates to responsibility, think about whether or not you are truly prepared and ready to take on such “next-level” type responsibilities. You, or someone relevant, may not be in the right space to be a leader and/or to take control of things, especially if The Emperor is reversed. Are you lacking discipline or self-control where your situation is concerned?
Whether or not the position or role is related to business, family, etc – it is possible that the situation is calling for you to ask yourself if you are not only ready but also willing and able to accept this position/role. It is possible that you are taking on more than you can manage. If so, take a step back and gather yourself as needed, you have what it takes to turn things around. It may benefit you to take the time necessary (even backtracking if that is what it takes) and allow for any corrections to be made before forging ahead.
The reversed Emperor may be calling you to realize that you could be taking your position of power and authority for granted. This energy may be telling you that you are not taking yourself and/or your responsibilities/duties seriously (enough). You may also be losing sight of the bigger picture.
Are you possibly feeling a lack of power/control over your current circumstances? Are you ignoring your responsibilities? Consider where a shift in perspective may be required in order for you to regain your sense of control and focus.
Are you rushing the process rather than taking the time to look at the bigger picture? This card reversed may be a call for a moment of pause. It may benefit you to take a step back and contemplate your own previous successes, gains and/or growth–remember, what you have sacrificed and overcome if you ever doubt your abilities. Sometimes when you consider how far you have come and what it took for you to arrive at your current position, it helps to remind you of your own abilities, wisdom, strength and fortitude.
