The Emperor.

Meaning in a Tarot reading :

Opportunity.
Action.
Authority.
Stability.
Intellect.
Straightforwardness.
Leadership.
Ego.
Independence.


Appearance :

The crowned Emperor sits on his marbled cubic throne featuring ram’s head carvings, symbolising Aries. The fiery barren landscape around him symbolises his masculinity, authority & discipline. He represents the opposite of the soft femininity of the The Empress. He holds an Orb to represent his power over the laws of the material world. The sceptre in his right hand reinforces his male potency, the ankh which tops it is the ancient Egyptian symbol of life, something he pursues with characteristic vigour. He is action personified, his robes and demeanour emphasize his power & majesty. The heavy bejewelled gold crown is a symbol & reminder of his worldy authority.

Interpretation :

The Emperor is father, ruler and warrior. Enterprising, dominating, opinionated and aggressive. His function is to organize the world for both himself and others. So, if The Emperor should appear in your reading, it perhaps suggests it is time for you to take notice of material concerns, take control of real-world concerns. This might be in terms of creating a new job, changing jobs or even buying property. The Emperor symbolises that the time is right for you to make these dreams reality. His energy is about moving things on, making things happen; he is indeed a helpful influence should you have been lacking discipline or direction. You need to strive for stability and power, take on responsibility.
 
Correspondences

Tree of Life Path : 5
Trump : 4-Emperor
Hebrew Letter : he,
Element Planet Zodiac : Aries
Deities : Athene, Mars
Animal : Owl, Ram
Plant : Tiger lily

My Relationship with The Emperor
I am myself a typical Aries, liable to temper tantrums. If I recognise myself going through emotional outbursts devoid of logic, ( thankfully diminishing as I get older), a meditation on the Emperor card usually helps to get me grounded. My card features an ex boss of mine, Nils, a remarkably focussed Danish guy who managed to keep it together in all sorts of exceptional circumstances. If I find myself wasting energy by letting my creativity explode into many scattered directions I find The Emperor can help give me stability. If I have problems finding the stamina to see one project through to completion, The Emperor can help reactivate my limited powers of organization. He logically views the situation and through the power of accurate observations applies his expertise to make a success of any endeavour. He is indeed the driving force of The Major Arcana. In conclusion I wish I could harbour some more of the controlled leadership qualities inherent in the Emperor whilst still retaining the fiery Aries creativity, a very difficult prospect that needs endless determination and commitment.