Week V | The Emperor | Class

[mol]

Here is the next card...per request!

The Emperor:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/img/tarot/riderwaite_emperor.gif

Let class begin...

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

this is one of the cards that always snags me up!

He is the ruler of the people, by the people. He commands with a firm hand, but a soft ear. He rules the land, but is ruled by the people.

Other than that, I can' t seem to draw anything! ACK!! HELP!!

oh, oh,,........Maybe he's the father type figure since the empress it the mother type figure! Then that would make him the "breadwinner" so to speak. The type that works hard to achieve for his family. Trying to make his world a safer place for his family.

How's that? :D

Dagda

[Kiarda]

This one is kinda hard, there are'nt many clues..I see the mountains behind and his throne has animal heads on it..I am curious about the bright ball? he is holding..it appears he is very relaxed in a firm sort of way..his robes are not binding and yet he seems distant too..

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
His throne is of stone,which makes him seem like a rather dour fellow.But he is planted firmly in reality.Very wise and intelligent in a logical way.His cheeks and robe are red,which make me think of a lusty fellow.
Peace and love
Rain BrightStar

[Semele]

Yup he's a tough one to figure out. I had trouble the first time too. In fact often I still get him confused with another card we will look at in a few days time. I have to stay focused and concentrate on the subtle differences.

A couple of clues:

His thrown is adourned by four rams, the sign of Aries. The propellar thing atop his crown is supposed to be the symbol of Aries as well. Aries symbolizes force, aggression, and war, but as the first sign of the zodiac it also signifies the new life of spring, which can emerge from the stability of a just society.

He is very much like a father to me. The father has to be more strict and enforce the rules while the mother is the one who smooths things over and lets you know you are still loved. Well, thats very broad and general but I think you guys can see what I mean. Not to say mom is good and dad is bad, just that each play a certain role. Of course this day and age the roles are often reversed, or nonexistant.

In readings I usually look at this card as a symbol of a person who holds a great deal of control over you either positive or negative depending on the rest of the cards. Or perhaps even a run-in with the law.

He holds an ankh, Egyptian symbol of life, to indicate that under the law he holds the powers of life and death.

I am interested in the feeling you get regarding this card. Is it one of comfort or disdain or another feeling all together?

Semele

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
It's not a feeling of comfort.It's a feeling your going to have to answer to this guy.It almost feels like he's judging you,like he's disapproving.
Peace and love
Rain BrightStar

[Semele]

Some folks say that the way you view this card is a hidden truth of the relationship you have or had in the past with your own father. Any truth to that in your case BrightStar?

In my case I first saw him as someone who was trying to look important but really had no idea what was going on, which sadly enough describes my goofy pop....Can't wait to see him this week-end!

Semele

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
Could be,Semele.We weren't very close,he died back in '87.He was always telling me what a failure I was.How I'd never succeed at anything.I went to college and got all my degrees just to show him!He said I couldn't do it.So after he died,I did.Phi beta kappa,Law degree etc.Hmmm,interesting.I'd always heard these cards were prototypes,I think that's the word.They certainly do resonate with the subconscious.
Peace and Love
Rain brightStar
P.S.Oh no!I mentioned my Law degree,please don't throw things at me!

[Semele]

I wont throw anything at ya!!! We are a very diverse group of folks here. Nurses, Lawyers, stay at home moms/dads, whatever Mol does, and many many others.

I have found that the cards are very true to form and I can usually think of at least one person to represent each card I have learned about. I find it fascinating that they can withstand the test of time and still have such a clear meaning in our lives today.

Semele

[Rosabelle]

He looks strong and powerful. His stone throne is hard and decorated with ram's skulls. The kind of stalf he is holding looks similar to the Egyptian sign meaning life. is it meant to be like that?
the glowing ball has also fascinated me, i have no idea what it means.
the mountains behind him i think show dominance and power and the river is similar to the one with the empress.
:)
Rosabelle

[Semele]

I also am intrigued by the glowing ball. I don't have any literature that makes a direct reference to it and I can't really figure it out on my own. What do you guys think it could mean?

Also would you like us to post another card to keep you busy while we are gone this weekend?
Semele

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

YES!! Please post the next one! This is so helpful!!

TY,

Dag

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Originally posted by Semele
I also am intrigued by the glowing ball. I don't have any literature that makes a direct reference to it and I can't really figure it out on my own. What do you guys think it could mean?

Also would you like us to post another card to keep you busy while we are gone this weekend?
Semele

According to Rider/Waite book, that glowing ball is suppose to be a globe.

In the Robin Wood deck, he isn't holding anything in his left hand. His feet are on a globe. :) *shrugging shoulders*

[Polaris]

MM
in the next clas i said i missed this and another couple of weeks, but i have decided to do this one any way. right-the emperor. powerful man with a crown and a orb and the other thing that emperors get when they are crowned. he is old but still wears the signs of war- the armoured knights garb. he has ram heads on his chair and they must mean strength. this is another card that doesnt really callt o me.
well, here is my poem:

the emperor sits stone still
on his grey stone chair
the back is orange,
the sides are grey
and armour the garb he wears.

he hold the orb and old the land
as he holds his head
i rule the land
the mountains and seas
and gold and silver and lead.


this was a real tricky poem to write. comments please.

Polaris

[Rosabelle]

cool poem!

[Semele]

Very discriptive poem. I think you did a great job finding the words to describe the image. It really paints a picture.

Semele

[Semele]

As usual, here are Joan Bunnings descriptions...I just love her. She is very decriptive and puts it all out there for you.

ACTIONS

fathering
establishing a family line
setting direction and tone
protecting and defending
guiding growth
bringing security and comfort
offering explanations

emphasizing structure
creating order out of chaos
categorizing
being systematic
providing shape and form
being organized
applying reason
coordinating
sticking to a plan

exercising authority
taking a leadership role
commanding
exerting control
representing the establishment
being in a position of strength
coming in contact with officials
setting direction

regulating
establishing law and order
operating from sound principles
applying rules or guidelines
working within the legal system
setting standards of behavior
following a regimen

DESCRIPTION

The figure of the Emperor says much about the essential qualities of this card. We see a stern, commanding figure seated on a stone-slab throne. His back is straight, and his eyes meet ours directly. He is confident of his complete authority to rule.

The Emperor represents structure, order and regulation - forces to balance the free-flowing, lavish abundance of the Empress. He advocates a four-square world where trains are on time, games are played by rules, and commanding officers are respected. In chaotic situations, the Emperor can indicate the need for organization. Loose ends should be tied up, and wayward elements, harnessed. In situations that are already over-controlled, he suggests the confining effect of those constraints.

The Emperor can represent an encounter with authority or the assumption of power and control. As the regulator, he is often associated with legal matters, disciplinary actions, and officialdom in all its forms. He can also stand for an individual father or archetypal Father in his role as guide, protector and provider.

Well, there it is. Let me know.

Semele

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Thank you for posting the keywords!!

I like Joan Bunning too. I downloaded her program and printed it all out....wow...what a lot of paper it took! But I will keep it as a learning/teaching tool! I did this before I could find her book! :D the best thing I am finding is the discussion! It helps implant the material into my memory!!

:D

Dagda

[Semele]

I also love the discussion. It adds a whole new perspective to studying. I always learn more from groups. I also had started printing off Joan bunnings info...then Mol, the sweetie bought the book for me. I think he was tired of me wasting all his paper..."what do you think that stuff grows on a tree??"

Anyway i am pleased to announce that the info on her site is basically the book in a nutshell. She didn't leave off anything purtinant that you would have to purchase the book to learn. I love that!!

Semele

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I totally agree! I didn't have to print off the images of the cards, since I have a Rider/Waite deck. I didn't print anything I didn't need to. :D

Dagda

[Wildwood]

Hello

I was really interested to see the picture of the Rider-Waite
because it gave me a completely different feeling to the
picture of the Emperor in Legend: The Arthurian Tarot.

In the Rider-Waite deck the Emperor is sitting straight backed
on a throne and staring at you. I have to say I did not
like the feel of this at all. It felt controlling, just like someone
else pointed out, a man trying to appear in control of
a situation when he wasn't.
In my deck the emperor is side on and looking away from the
reader, deep in thought. This card always inspired my
confidence in him because he is thinking rather than
trying to make an impression on the reader. Probably
sounds a bit silly doesn't it.

Anyway - to business.

In my deck the Emperor is - King Arthur.

This is clearly a very strong, father/ruler figure in British
mythology. He is said to lie in slumber awaiting the day when
his people need him once more, whereon he will rise up and
aid us in our time of strife. As you see a strong archetype
for this sort of card.

He is alone in his throne room. His throne again carved out of
wood (a ram can be seen on the arm, thanks for the interpretation
of that Semele, I didn't make the connection with Aries and
war but it really helps.) Again on the top of the
throne is an eagle with it's wings outstretched.
There are two torches in this room both of which are alight and
look as if they are blown by the wind, although it is unclear
where the wind is coming from.
Although Arthur is holding a sceptre he grips it loosely
and it sits gently in his hand. This seems to me to
represent his gentle grip on the land and the people which
is what enables him to guide them and hold their loyalty.
Similarly the orb rests in his lap, (perhaps as a child would
sit in the lap of its father).
He is barechested, but wears a Red cloak with gold designs
on it.
On his left arm there is a bracer made out of a gold metal
and there is a plain gold circlet on his brow.
At his side there is a shield with Arthur's crest on it (the
red dragon) perhaps symobolising his role as protector
of his people.
As I said before he is deep in thought, not even looking out
of the card, unlike all the other Major arcana so far.

For me this is a clear counterpart to the Empress, his
warring aspect in balance with her living creating aspect.
Yet both rule wisely and justly.
This card has a sense of security about it, Arthur will defend
his people fiercely and yet will treat them with the love and
devotion of a father.
There is something very practical about the card, someone
who knows how to solve problems and uses the strength of
his convictions to do so.

Enjoy

Wildwood

[Semele]

Wildwood,
Sounds like the picture you are describing is lovely. I like the overall feeling of love and power being balanced. Perhaps the best way to protect his people is with love. And the gentle way he holds the septre gives off that impression exactly, but also lets you know he is ready to firm his grip and use it as needed. Thanks for sharing.

Semele

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

:)

[Semele]

Wow, He does look gentle. i like the way his legs are casualy crossed, yet ready to jump off his seat at any minute.

Semele

[Jazzmine]

The colors on the card are red, grey, yellow, and a purplish color. The Emperor is standing in
front of a wooden throne, I think. The is wearing a yellow gown and a red cloak over it. I think
this has reference to the red cloak over the Empress shoulders. He is the father figure with
the serious look on his face. He is holding a stick shaped like an ankh with the sign of aries
in the circle at the top. He is wearing a gold and red crown exactly like the empress.To me this\
shows all the male aspects and mirrors the empress which shows the female. At his feet it
looks like bones. Maybe from people that were threatening his home. There is only three bones
so I don't know if that is truly what they are. But to me it enforces the protection of the father.

[Illyandra]

Well there is the barren landscape and animal skulls (?) on his throne, in this deck it shows a hunting horn hanging from the back of his throne with birds (possibly hunting hawks??) carved so that they appear to be perched upon his shoulders.

I see 3 ram heads/skulls and 3 birds in the scene.

He is obviously a man of authority and from the hunting theme depicted I'd agree with the breadwinner theory. He is perhaps the stern but fair father figure. I'd also say a prosperous man, but at what cost?? Look at his surroundings, has he stripped the land of its resources just for money? Is the terrain behind him mountainous, or arid wasteland?? He seems to me to depict the ruthless businessman/woman who cares nothing of the environment but looks only to the goal/prize ahead. Riches mean more than spirituality, family, or even love.

This was a harder card for me! LOL! :D

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

yep! That was a toughy for me too!

doing good!

[Xois]

understand the "male" tools that bring about success


http://webhost.bridgew.edu/jllavoie/tarot/major4.jpg

[mythril]

Dagda, what site did u download joan bunnings writings from if u don't mind saying? :)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

www.learntarot.com


:D Enjoy!

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

*bump*