Artist's Block = Emperor

[LisaT4P]

Hey all,

I have been trying to create the Emperor card for a project I'm working on with some friends of mine. We have all agreed to shuffle our decks, draw one card, and then recreate that card as we see it. I drew the Emperor.

The problem is, I don't know what to draw! I'm so stuck on the stern faced old man image of the Emperor! All it means to me is a "military man, one who is in charge" a sort of kingly father figure.

Does anyone have some unique views of this man? Who is he? What does his appearance in a reading mean to you?

All help is appreciated!
Lisa :)

[Antoninus]

Well, to ME, the Emperor, represents great strength and discipline, calmness and collectivity, wisdom and knowleage. Im not much of an artist, but if I had the talent, I would draw him atop a war-horse with battle armor and a sword and battle standard. Empires are created in the forges of war.

[WHITE EAGLE +++]

I kinda agree with Antonious, a military man in armour, possibly mounted. However if i were creating this picture (Im and artist, and I use the Tarot, not that makes me an expert or anything) my first impression after rereading the discription of the card is "Male Energy". "this card suggests power and authority..he dominated the patriarchal world and is the active father archetype"..possibly representing your boss, your doctor, the president, or your dad.

I have been concentrating on Oden Father of the Norse pantheon, Zeus Father of the Greek pantheon and Osirus and Horus the father figures and creators in Egyption mythology. That is probably how i would portray him, as one of these gods, Almighty Father.

Good luck with your art!

[TwilightDreamer1979]

Merry Meet

Interesting topic, especially as I had a "readers block" with this card not so long ago .......... as it turned out the "block" was exactly what the card was trying to tell me - A guy who considered himself in charge and things had to be done his way was literally to stand in my friends way, to block her path and stop her from persuing a certain course. He used all the skill and knowledge within his power to manipulate her and stop her doing what he feared she would.

Just wanted to share my "block" too ;o)
love and light,
TD.x.

[Druchii]

What about a young asian or south american male, covered in the trappings of regality and military weight, a figurehead of sorts. Too young to comprehend his power and status, albeit, as nothing more than a figure head for an empire. Or maybe something more providencial like a Dali Lama, or a young Egyptian King.
It's more of a tragic concept than the war torn aged military stalwart that is so often depicted in popular mindset.

[Cev'aq]

The first thing I think of when I think "emperor" is a character from an Eddings book. Picture an older man, not particularly fit, standing atop a 30' tower, directing his assistants to move around thousands of lead miniatures on the ground, so he can accurately see what the war looks like from above. The leaders of the war are cast in gold, and he happily falls asleep each night with the case of gold figurines in his arms.

It's atypical, and rather humorous, but I like him. :)