It is time to step into a position of authority and control when the Emperor appears. This is a card of power, one that points to the leaders in the world, and those who have influence over your life and your circumstances.
The Emperor represents the power and influence that can be achieved through mastery and hard work. This Emperor has earned the right to sit upon their throne and rule over others.
Still, even at their most powerful, Emperors can be toppled from their throne. The Emperor maintains their position by ruling wisely and justly, or they may be in danger of losing it.
An Emperor who performs poorly must return to the previous card, the Empress, and remember the sense of abundance, care, and nurturing that made her so special in the first place. An Emperor who rules without their heart will never rule for long.
When the Emperor appears, it is time to take charge.
But taking charge means different things to different people. When surrounded by positive cards and circumstances, the Emperor often points to someone in control of themselves, someone who has risen through the ranks to assume the top position, perhaps in work or in life. This Emperor knows what they are about, and wants to help people accordingly.
However, when it is surrounded by negative cards or circumstances, the Emperor can be inflexible, someone who demands that you do things their way, and is unwilling to see things from anyone else’s perspective. This may be someone who abuses their power and authority to the detriment of others.
Clearly, the Emperor is a powerful card, and one of the most powerful figures in the Tarot, but that power comes with responsibility, and an Emperor who wields their power well will always be more beloved and respected than a tyrant who lords their position and authority over people.
As a Major Arcana card, this Emperor is likely to be someone very important and influential in your life, but there is also a chance that it represents you in your current circumstances. Remember, if you are in a position of power, you must use it well, or you may lose your throne.
Related article: Each Major Arcana Card Explained
What Does the Emperor Card Mean?
The Emperor can mean a number of things, but usually points to one of the following:
- An Authority Figure
- Following the Rules
- Structure
- Discipline
- Taking Action
- Ambition
- Being a Leader
- Providing Guidance for Others
- Laying Down the Law
What Does the Emperor Card Mean in Love & Relationships?
The Emperor is generally a positive card to see in a relationship reading, because it indicates your partner is steady and reliable, and someone who will protect you.
There is an air of authority about the Emperor, and perhaps you are involved with someone who seems very wise and very in control of their life, and this card indicates that they are willing to share this with you. This is a very good sign when you are hoping to build a long-lasting relationship with someone that can withstand the test of time.
This may also be a sign that someone in the connection is trying to establish very traditional roles for you both, or sees relationships from a very traditional viewpoint. You may need to beware any tendencies to become too rigid, from you or your partner, especially if that rigidity starts to become controlling.
It is important to remember that while the Emperor can guide and inspire and keep you safe, it does like to stick to its own rules and regulations, so if you are someone who seeks freedom and flexibility, then the Emperor may be less welcome in a romantic reading.
It is good to have a partner who is responsible and successful and in control of themselves, but not when they want to use that responsibility and success as a way to control you, too. This card may be more problematic if your reading features lots of 5s or 7s, but can be more grounding and positive if it is surrounded by more 4s or 8s. Â
What Does the Emperor Mean in a Career Reading?
In a career reading, the Emperor often indicates that you are either seen as an authority figure, or that you are dealing with someone in a position of power.
This person is likely high up the food chain, and may be the head of the company or occupying another important post. You may report to them directly, or need their OK before you can go ahead with your current project or ambitions.
The emperor can be a sign that you yourself are ready to take on the mantle of authority and control, and show people how capable you are. In that case, this card is generally a good indication that you will be able to meet the moment and perform your role with flying colors.
If the opportunity to prove yourself shows up, do not be daunted, as it is more than likely that the right people will be suitably impressed by you. You are more capable than you may realize.
Related article: Let Tarot Help You Make Your Next Big Career Change
What About the Emperor as an Obstacle?
The Emperor is generally someone you need to impress or appease, often a supervisor or important boss of some kind. This is not someone who will let you get away with doing the bare minimum.
Often you need to put in work when the Emperor is before you, and need to prove yourself as worthy or capable in your own right. If you do not do the required work, or are lazy, the Emperor will hold you to account, and punish you accordingly.
The Emperor can sometimes seem unfair or authoritarian, so you may buck up against their way of doing things, or handling the issue at present.
There is no easy way out when the Emperor appears, so remember that you must do the work required of you, or else you will be knocked down a peg or two, and forced to begin your journey all over again.
Do things right the first time, so you don’t need to repeat yourself.
What About the Emperor in Reverse?
When the Emperor appears reversed, it is generally a sign that someone is abusing their power and authority, or may not deserve the position they occupy.
This reversed Emperor is not a good leader and is not interested in what people around them need in order to continue on, like a bad boss who mistreats his employees, thinking he will get better work out of them by being as hard and unfeeling as possible.
Reversed, the Emperor loses the right to sit upon the throne they occupy, and can be easily toppled or brought down from their position of power by someone more righteous. This is not a card you want to see yourself reflected in.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Reversed Cards
How to Make the Emperor Work for You
To make the Emperor card work for you, try the following:
1. Assert Your Authority
Get more comfortable wielding your power. That does not mean exerting control over them, but acknowledge where you have earned the right and knowledge to say how things ought to go.
You know more than you think you do.
2. Learn From the Emperors in Your Life
Look around your life; who has influence over you? Who has it for the right reasons or the wrong reasons?
Consider these people carefully and how you can emulate them, or avoid making the same mistakes that they do. You may come to some very important realizations about how you can be your most influential and confident self.
Consider: What thoughts come to mind? How does it make you feel?
3. Journal
Write down five qualities that you associate with the Emperor that are positive, and five qualities that are negative.
Consider: What qualities make the best sort of Emperor?
Not sure how to use a Tarot journal? Read: How to Keep a Tarot Journal
Let the Emperor Guide You
It can seem daunting when the Emperor appears, because it may feel like you are being tested in some way, or that you need to prove yourself. However, the Emperor would not ask this of you if it weren’t possible for you to succeed!
Have faith in yourself and your ability to play by the rules and to exert authority and control in your own fashion, especially if you are someone who usually avoids taking responsibility or being in charge of things.
Remember to apply logic in all things, as the Emperor is clear-sighted, and has earned their right to sit upon their throne. Do not let yourself get caught up in drama or daydreams, and focus on what is real and what is possible.
The Emperor is telling you to take action and to get comfortable with being in command. Do not underestimate yourself.
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