LEARN TAROT

IV. THE EMPEROR

All about control.

Aries. (Fire) — Leadership, logic.

Authority, structure, leadership, fatherhood, regulation.



Meaning

He is king and head honcho. The warrior and defender. Counterpart to The Empress. The Emperor instead rules with grit, strength and force.

Authority, power, leadership, responsibility, passion, and action. Add structure and show leadership skills. The need to set boundaries. Draw upon the capable inner resources you possess to get the task completed. Self-discipline and stability through action. Solidity, solid foundation, laws, security. Secure, controlled outcome. Rational. Masters the world of matter and physical manifestation. Be disciplined.

Father figure, masculine, disciplinarian, protective. Ruling. He can represent the father, husband, man in your life, boss, CEO, or any authority figure. A powerful influence, generally male in nature.

Masculine creativity. Vision. Ambition. New beginnings.

Get in touch with your inner sovereignty and natural self-possession, despite any self-limiting beliefs, habits, or appearances to the contrary. Reach within to find a deep strain of natural nobility and leadership. acknowledge your potential for mastery. Reinforce a sense of sovereignty within yourself. You have the necessary abilities to be the final authority. This situation is an opportunity to showcase your competence and skill. Act with the confidence of someone who knows how to take care of business.

Merciful wisdom. The more enlightenment and cosmic perspective this energy brings, the better life is for all.

Aggression, competition. Assertiveness and rationality will take you far.

You may be on a path to advancement or promotion, but it can also be neutral. Often you’re destined to take on greater responsibility. It may presage change or loss that necessitates you stepping forward to shoulder a greater burden than you have in the past. Whatever the impetus for the change, it indicates you may possess an uncommon inner strength that will compel you to act and lead.

Other: A symbol of sex. Assistance.

Reversed Meaning

Problems with control. Bullying, tyranny, lack of boundaries, aggression, power struggles, domineering, abuse of power, coldness, excessively controlling, rigid, stubborn. There may be a tendency to behave like a petty tyrant, insisting on being indulged, served and flattered. This emperor prefers his own version of events to what is actually true and as such risks losing the respect of his people. Try to curb whatever arrogance might be distorting your point of view. Remember that the emperor is also the servant of everyone in his realm. If he doesn't serve well, the negative impact of his own defects are what will bring him down.

Inability to lead. Low focus, bureaucracy. Lack of discipline, lack of control. Potential recklessness. Consider leaving your job if someone’s acting like a tyrant. Learn to cut things out if it’s lack of discipline in finances, maybe with the help of a professional.

Other: Father issues.