Where The Empress represents the Feminine, The Emperor card is the perfect Masculine counterpart. They are not in opposition however, but are a partnership and complimentary to each other.Clothed in a purple robe edged with ermine, The Emperor sits in a relaxed pose. He is totally comfortable in his surroundings. With his castle in the background and children happily playing in the field, he signifies a father figure and the proud owner of many assets. The breastplate that he wears shows that he is a soldier also and has fought for everything he has attained. The children are not his though, judging by their peasant clothing. They are inhabitants of the village belonging to the castle. His power is not one of oppression, but of kindly authority, benevolance and guidance.There is much symbolism in this card attributing to The Emperor's status. The ram signifies authority and leadership, the Iris symbolizes power and this one is purple, that most royal of colours, the Peregrine Falcon that rests on The Emperor's shoulder is the fastest animal in the world, achieving speeds approaching 200 km/h (124 mph) when plunging from the sky after prey. What a fine representation of the characteristics of The Emporer this falcon is! And on his throne is the Eagle, the ultimate icon of strength, nobility and aristocracy. For thousands of years, empires and nations have adopted the Eagle as a symbol of power.Below the Eagle there is a carving of an Ankh (also called crux ansata, latin for 'cross with a handle'). The Ankh represents a zest for life and fertility. This is the female connection that bonds The Emperor to The Empress and gives this masculine card the female balance that is needed, for one cannot survive without the other.If fate should lead you to an Emperor figure who offers you support and guidance, consider yourself blessed. This person will lend you the strength and determination that you need at this time. The sun is shining brightly and by having the support of this person, a burden will be lifted from your shoulders and your prospects will begin to look brighter.Please add anything you see in this card or if you can suggest alternative meanings. egrines are the fastest animals in the world. They are believed to achieve speeds approaching 200km/h (124mph) when plunging from the sky after prey.
The Empress smbolizes creation and life. She is a motherly figure and is suckling her child while pregnant with another. The child in her womb represents the gestation of something new, whether it be an idea, a project, a new business, a blossoming love or perhaps a pregnancy. The expectant Empress is advising us that, whatever it is we are embarking upon, we need to take care and be patient, we need to give careful thought to our plans, be kind and considerate and nurture this new thing with a mother's love, just as she is caring for her child.The close-grown forest is still there in the background. It is not yet a time for looking ahead into the distant future, but a time to cater to the needs of this time and day. The stream is also still there but it is no longer running quickly downwards. It is travelling more slowly now and it also says that we need to take things steadily, build a secure platform on which to place our future hopes and plans. We needn't worry that our plans will not come to fruition because the Empress is surrounded by symbols of fertility such as the Hare and the pomegranate, a fruit composed mainly of seeds and representing abundance. And the cherries, also known as 'the fruits of Paradise', symbolizes sweetness of character, indicating success in good works. The lotus flower on the Empresses staff also signifies the blossoming of wholesome deeds and because it is wholly opened, it represents full enlightenment. There also is the Robin, a bird that traditional gypsies believe are bringers of good fortune. What we have to do is place our trust in the Empress and be assured that the universe will provide what is needful to us, and we have a protector in the form of the Stag, the only male aspect of the Empress card. As well as a protective symbol, he is there to add balance for, as male cannot survive without female, neither can female survive without male.Of course, we must not surmise that the way ahead will always be easy. We will sometimes be vulnerable like the moth and we may also suffer hardships, just as the sacrificial lamb suffered but if we remain steadfast, following the example of the woodpigeons - gentle birds of homing instinct - we will be blessed with love (as in the symbol of Venus, goddess of love, on the Empresses shield) and abundance, signified by the ripe wheat.I would love to hear from anyone who would like to comment on my interpretation or who could add to it.
