Tarot Tid Bit: The Emperor

What’s on the Card?

The Emperor sits on a throne decorated with ram’s heads. His scepter is fashioned to resemble the male symbol (divine masculine). Behind his throne are mountains (unmovable) and the river of the collective unconscious that we have seen flowing through the last two cards. His garments and the sky are red because he is connected to Mars as the masculine energy. A bit of a blue sleeve shows a hint of his spiritual energy which he hides under his rugged exterior. Beneath his clothing, is full knight’s armor as he must be shielded from any chaos he may encounter. He holds an orb to represent the world that he wields power over.

What does it all mean?

Just as the Empress is the divine feminine, the Emperor is the divine masculine. He represents order from chaos and an unwavering willpower. His throne is stone and his face is stern. He will not be persuaded easily. As to doing any work, he could. He is capable. However, he is much better at overseeing what others are doing and mandating what must be done. He is the master of delegation. The Empress “makes” what the Emperor “commands.”

Interpretations: order (cosmos) from chaos, the rules, delegation, organization, firm or stubborn attitude, unmoving and set in a pattern of behavior, your own masculine energy

Comparative Tarot: Pay Homage to the Emperors

The Tarot Mucha brings us our first Emperor to consider. He is standing rather than seated. His robes are in tones of orange and red. The mountains and river are present on this card as are the scepter and orb. The landscape appears to be desert.

The second Emperor lives in the Everyday Witch Tarot. He is depicted wearing the antlers of Cerrenos while sitting on a wooden throne. He is dressed in blue garments with a red, fur-trimmed cape. Like the Rider Waite Smith Emperor, he is protected by armor. His scepter holds the moon, and he sits beneath the night sky. At his feet, there is a scroll with the constellations diagramed for his consideration. Behind him, there are looming mountains. One interesting difference in this card from other versions is the presence of his familiars. A black cat enjoys sitting on his lap while a German Shepherd lays by his side.

As promised in my description of the Empress from the Silver Witchcraft Tarot, I am showing you what held her gaze, or shall I say who. The Emperor, her divine counterpart, holds the other end of her red cord in a long handfasting. He looks in her direction and we can imagine them locking gazes. He shares his pedestal with a ram and baby goats.

Tarot Tidbits are short, hopefully informative, looks at the cards of the Tarot.