Discussion on Tarot; The Emperor

[Mithrea]

The Emperor is honestly a card I don’t see much. He rarely comes up in my readings, if ever. Here are my thoughts on him anyway:

In Lacanian theory, the Symbolic Order is represented by the father. It is law, social structure, and institutions. It becomes the filter through which we view society and make decisions. It is in a somewhat skewed manner, roughly equivalent to Frued’s superego.

When I see the Emperor, I see the Symbolic Order. He is about law and punishment. He speaks of structure and stability. He encompasses business, leadership, politics and action. He is power wealth and accomplishment. He is th most male card in the deck, to me.

In The Renaissance Tarot, the Emperor, L’imperatore, is a large fellow with a firm stance. He has one hand on his hip and carries a scepter. He wears an ermine trimmed coat. He is flanked by Zues with his lighting bolts and the eagle of Zues.

In the Witches Tarot, he is a king draped in red and gold, wearing a crown and holding a scepter. There is something scattered on the floor about him, they look like wands but I’m not sure. He is standing in front of a throne and the colored semicircles are yellow and gray.

In the Tarot of the Southwest Sacred Tribes Tarot, he is shown in profile and is very regal looking. He is flanked by feather decorated power wands.

In Tarot Art Nouveau, he’s very Zues looking. He has a large staff, wears a crown and is surrounded by gold. Behind him, over his head, there is a grape vine.

I think it’s curious that the imagery on this card is very simple in every case. I think that’s because this card is very no-nonsense. He is direct in the fact that he gives simple kingly commands without explanation.

[Theres]

i always look at the trumps in relation to the fool's journey. at #3 he is born into the physical world, and at #4 he is introduced to the structure of this physical world, given a 'foundation', as it were.
this is about law and structure, but NOT rigidity. the building that doesn't sway in the wind will collapse from it.
in the Thoth deck the Emperor is depicted enthroned, with his arms and legs in the position of the alchemical symbol for sulpher. he is drenched in the sun rays of Tiphareth, showing (to me) that the source of his power is NOT wordly, but divinely bestowed. so, while he represents physical order, he is not Malkuth.
he is very Aries and very masculine, but well balanced. going once more to the Thoth deck, at his feet are the shield with the double-headed eagle, a very martial symbol, but also the lamb, as a symbol of peace. structure must represent both concepts, if it is to keep from becoming too rigid.
i really like this card, and think that it may be one of the most instructive (and misunderstood) cards in the pack!

[Neptune]

Now I have been told by many that The Emperor is the card that represents me. How is this determined and based on what has been addressed this card does not seem so much like me. Confused... please help if at all possible:confused: :confused:

[Flaire-FireStar]

Both times I've taken that tarot test, I've ended up as the Emperor.. But like Mithrea, I don't see him very often in my readings.

To me, he seems to be the authority- everything must come to him before it can continue on. He decides who gets to stay, who gets to go..Pretty much it's "My way or the high way" with the Emperor.

When I do get him in my readings, sometimes I get the feeling that I know him from somewhere, or that I'll meet him. That I'll be in contact with a father figure. But even though he might be a father figure to me (sometimes) I still see him as authority.

[Theres]

well, the Emperor is lawfulness, but he is not 'The Law', if you know what i mean.
but he may be the round hole that sorts out the 'square pegs'.

[Flaire-FireStar]

I mean like the head of a family or a business

[Faery-Wings]

Okie, I use Universal Waite. To me the Emperor is regal, direct, an authority. He is stern but kindly, not mean or indifferent. He represents power that has been obtained through wisdom, experience, and intelligence. Definitely Aires~ with the rams' heads on his throne. Masculine, assertive power. :)

[Silver Venus]

I love everyones thoughts :) Ill share mine when I have a little more time..

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Flaire
like Mithrea, I don't see him very often in my readings.

To me, he seems to be the authority- everything must come to him before it can continue on. He decides who gets to stay, who gets to go..Pretty much it's "My way or the high way" with the Emperor.



I agree and also think I dont see him as much as maybe I dont need to see him in my readings for comfort or advice.. as I dont turn to figures like him in life in general..

As the Empress is the ulitmate feminine force of the tarot to me, the Emperor is the male, her counter card, her opposite although very alike in many ways just different in his approach.

He represents to me~ authority, strength power, leadership, domination, force.
~ and could not have any of these without the organisation of the Empress, the feminine force.

Mithrea ~ I think he is very much like the god Zeus, always laying down the law, but often making mistakes and not following them himself... he has the power but does he have the will of the Empress?

[Scarlett O]

The Emperor in the Cosmic Deck is very simple and basic. He doesn't look threatening or domineering. Father-figure maybe...I do seem to see him a lot in readings and he's hard for me to interpret. Actually, he looks like a man you could go to for really great advice, just so long as you wanted to hear the truth. I guess he reminds me of my ex-father-in-law to a certain degree, (even though he and I never saw eye-to-eye.) He's an ex Lt. Col. in the Air Force, very staunch and a stickler for the rules. Not necessiarily unyielding, but he MUST have a reason to yield.

When he comes up in one of my friend's readings (which is quite often) we know who he is immediately, if he's representing a different person than the person I'm reading for. For some reason I have it in my head that The Higher Arcana cards are definate parts of ourselves or lessons that we need to learn (or whomever the reading is for) and not someone else. Am I totally wrong with this thought?

[Theres]

i agree, absolutely!
the trumps are definitely archetypal in nature, having something to do with the subconscious direction of the querant. when a major arcana card comes up in a spread, i don't think it has to do with anyone else.
in fact, this is the basis of the work i do with the tarot, since i don't 'read'. i look at the trumps as the keys that unlock the passages of the subconscious, and by getting to know them better through meditation, we can develope a more accurate 'map' of our inner mind.
it is said that we only use 10-15% of our brain capacity consciously. i think by better understanding the tarot archetypes we can increase that percentage. and that increased knowledge can only make one's reading more accurate, i would think.

[Chibi-Fallon]

There are a few cards I *never* get and the Emperor is one of them. I use an Arthurian (is that how you say King Athury stuff?) deck, so that give you a pretty good idea as to who the Emperor is. ;) The picture has him in a throne (the same one as the Empress with a few small changes) and he does look rather authoritative, and stern. It’s never been one of my favorite cards, but it does seem like a very strong card, if you know what I mean.

[Scarlett O]

Originally posted by Greenman
i agree, absolutely!
the trumps are definitely archetypal in nature, having something to do with the subconscious direction of the querant. when a major arcana card comes up in a spread, i don't think it has to do with anyone else.
in fact, this is the basis of the work i do with the tarot, since i don't 'read'. i look at the trumps as the keys that unlock the passages of the subconscious, and by getting to know them better through meditation, we can develope a more accurate 'map' of our inner mind.
it is said that we only use 10-15% of our brain capacity consciously. i think by better understanding the tarot archetypes we can increase that percentage. and that increased knowledge can only make one's reading more accurate, i would think.

That being said...How as a girl, are you supposed to interpret The Emperor? If the reading is for myself...Do I need to be more authoritive or am I too authoritive? This is why The Higher Arcana is so hard for me to interpret.

[Mithrea]

Originally posted by Chibi-Fallon
There are a few cards I *never* get and the Emperor is one of them. I use an Arthurian (is that how you say King Athury stuff?) deck, so that give you a pretty good idea as to who the Emperor is. ;) The picture has him in a throne (the same one as the Empress with a few small changes) and he does look rather authoritative, and stern. It’s never been one of my favorite cards, but it does seem like a very strong card, if you know what I mean.



Ah Chibi I envy you. I have wanted that deck for a while . . . :)

[Theres]

Originally posted by Scarlett O
That being said...How as a girl, are you supposed to interpret The Emperor? If the reading is for myself...Do I need to be more authoritive or am I too authoritive? This is why The Higher Arcana is so hard for me to interpret.

it makes little difference whether you are male and female, the archetypes are the same for everyone.
i would interpret this as structure, or the need for structure. perhaps a more determined framework.

and Chibi, which Arthur deck do you have? is it the 'Arthurian Tarot', or 'Legend; the Arthurian Tarot'?

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I agree, don't limit yourself to a single interpretation. The emperor can mean many a thing. Examples: power, strength, respect, loneliness at the top, responsibilities....etc.

It's the feeling and interpretation that the card brings out in you that is the correct interpretation. ;)

[Myst]

May also represent a man in your life - your father, a mentor, even a boyfriend who seems more mature and strong, or a friend who will help guide you in your path.

[Faery-Wings]

Celtic Dragon, The Emperor

He is a regal, stately man, leaning on a regal drgaon. They both show wisodm of the ages within them. They have been together for a long time, and are comfortable with each other. He is, as in UW, a father figure, but IMO, a bit more kindly and compassionate. He looks on the two children playing with the baby dragon and I feel that he sees them as the future. He wants to raise them all well, so that someday they will take the place of him and his dragon. I see this card showing strenght and wisdom tempered by love and compassion.

:)