At number Four in the Major Arcana is the Emperor. I have to be honest and say that this card is one that I used to despise. I had this notion that this card was true patriarchy, toxic, rigid, dominating and destroying all beautiful things. When it used to come forward for me, I would dread sitting with it, pushing back on whatever it was speaking to in my reading.
Then I read a piece from the outstanding book Women Who Run with the Wolves, and it completely changed my perspective. I will be sharing that section from the book later in this post. I mention it here to insert the narrative that in working with the tarot, be open to where you see or connect with the cards from seemingly random, or outside sources.
Sometimes, the cards that we struggle with the most are the ones that call on our capacity for compassion, patience, and curiosity. Sometimes, we understand the cards best not by learning through memorization, but rather through the means of taking the scenic route, and keeping an open heart.
Now, I love this card because I know that it is not speaking to toxic masculinity, patriarchy, or domination. It speaks to sacred power, foundations, and a strong will to build support from the ground up.
Creating Foundations and Stability with the Emperor
The Emperor comes after the Empress (see the Empress post to read the full narrative on her invitations), which means that the Emperor is going to hop-frog or lily-pad off of her invitations. The Empress speaks to bringing something forward and into the light, usually something integrated or embodied from the High Priestess. The Empress card is about being connected to the powerful force of life, and therefore death as well. The Empress is a warrior for the rights of all to live in beauty and abundance and sacred creation.
With that being said, the Emperor comes forward, after her, and builds a supportive foundation for what she is manifesting. The Emperor speaks to: Support and protection are the foundation. A strong force of will, more than control or power, is key. The Emperor says that no matter how beautiful, creative, forceful, or Divine the manifestation is from the Empress, if it does not have a strong and solid support system, or foundational base, it cannot root into long-term expansion. The Emperor knows that his strong force of will is needed to support and protect what the Empress brings into being, not power or domination. Through a strong will to steady the rippling outwards of manifestation, it can root into a sustainable and strong presence.
Looking at some of the depictions from my decks, we first see the Emperor depicted as an Owl, speaking to the noble wisdom that a good Emperor must have, along with a swift perception to act or hunt by seeing into the depths of the darkness. The Emperor in the light is about utilizing that wisdom and strong force of will to act for the good of all. His nobility and strength are inspiring to behold, and a reminder that strength, wisdom, and protection can only be achieved by experiencing the hardships.
This reference to wisdom can be seen in the Shadowscapes Tarot image above, with a small ankh charm hanging from the regal horns of the Emperor. Horns, rams, the Sun, and fiery colors the throne or the robe in the above photos are all going to be seen again and again in tarot depictions of this card. The Emperor is ruled by the astrological sign Aries (the ram), and the Sun is the ruling planet of Aries. This means that with the Emperor there is also a lot of fiery energy of motivation, expansion, and assertiveness.
The Emperor continued...
The next way I read the Emperor is: Merges creations and order, balances and brings to external spaces. This means that the Emperor is associated as well with a sense of manifesting, new beginnings, and becoming, just like the Empress. They also share the natural warrior energy, fighting and using their power or voice for the good of all things. One of the main differences between the two (other than the binary gendered understanding) is that the Emperor is a shepherd for what the Empress brings into being. His strength, power, and authority, when in the light, creates a new beginning for it to root and thrive. He starts to move it down the line, carrying it towards long-term change and good.
The Emperor is associated with integrity and honor. His rule is meant to support, safeguard, and protect all things so they have the means to live a thriving and beautiful life. Like a good father, the Emperor shields and protects, but does not lie or hide the truth. He comes forward when you need to understand how to overcome and grow outside of your comfort zone by leaning on your foundations and support.
We see this narrative in the images above. The largest tree in the forest, like the one in the Wild Unknown, is the one that endures and builds strong roots each season, and sometimes that only comes from holding firm amidst the harsh blows of strong winds. The red sun behind the tree speaks to the fact that the trees grow by integrating the force and power of the Sun. This strong energy of the Sun and the Emperor are the same. They give out from within their fiery core, and at times it can burn, but it also brings life and renewal to the land.
The Dream Protector from the Mystical Dream Tarot sits at the base of the tide, a reference to the fact that Emperor is not without emotional fluidity. This scene is also a reference to the tale of King Canute (Cnut) who sat before the waves a great tide to show his people two things. The first is that the elements they were subjected to are the same elements to which he is also subject. The elements do not care that he is a mighty King. The second thing he wanted to show his people is that his power is still one of a man’s, and that the power of the Almighty was the Supreme. Read more about the tale here.
This leads me into the last way I read the Emperor. The Emperor speaks to knowing what is within control, and what is not. Self-governance rules from the inside outward. The Emperor in the light understands where power, control, and vigilance are needed, and where they can stifle and micromanage organic growth. The Emperor knows that true strength does not need to be mentioned, touted, or flaunted. It’s presence alone is enough to build and assert itself.
This is why all those dumbass dudes on TikTok or Instagram who claim to alphas are truly weak. Strong alpha men don’t need to mention or claim they are alphas. The resolve they hold within themselves is enough. True Emperors are also supportive of their strong Empress’s. They know a strong woman is something honor and revere, not dominate and order around. Looking at you Harrison Buttlicker.
This brings me to the quote I read in Women Who Run with the Wolves, which I mentioned earlier. The quote reads:
“He brings ideas from ‘out there’ back into her, and he carries ideas from her soul-self across the bridge to fruition and ‘to market’. Without the builder and maintainer of this land bridge, a woman’s inner life cannot be manifested with intent in the outer world.”
This quote was speaking to nature of the animus (term coined by Jung as the masculine component of the unconscious mind), and how it can do great things for the feminine, the emotional, and the soul of all if it does it with the integrity of his strength to manifest the beauty of the inner self into the outer world.
The Herbcrafter’s Tarot has the Emperor associated with the Hemlock tree (not the poisonous plant) because the wood of the Hemlock tree is pliable and flexible, yet hardens and toughens over time. This is why it is used often to make frames, scaffolding and houses. This is how strength is cultivated. It starts as fresh and flexible, and over time strengthens in itself to hold and support a secure future for all.
The Emperor from the Ostara Tarot shows a youth who is passionate in supporting and ruling from a loving and protective space. He stands tall in himself, assured of his capabilities to read and understand the mysteries of life which are symbolized by the sigils that cover his body.
More depictions of the Emperor from my collection show some similar themes. The ram from the Dark Wood Tarot stands tall and strong over the rocky cliffs. He trusts his ability to move through difficult terrain with ease. The Dragon Emperor shows the need for emotional and reflective actions to keep our strength humble, to keep our egos in check.
Again, the Hush Tarot does not disappoint. The Grackle bird is playful, brave, and resourceful. His intelligence allows him to wield a forceful presence while being aware of his actions and emotions. The hands that break the structures suggest a need to understand when old foundations need to be destroyed. The Mouse (to me at least) shows an understanding of how to meet the task at hand, and speaks to the fact that nothing is superior or greater than another. Sometimes the most powerful Emperor’s come in small sizes. The people in the bottom wear masks to hide themselves and their true identity. The Mouse, the Grackle, and the Bee all stand in their truth.
The Spirit Animal Tarot shows another ram looking down from the cliff edges, but here he is aware of his limitations as the Hawk can see even further. This speaks to the need to know where your strengths and weaknesses lie in order to rule, govern, and lead fairly.
A Worthy Representation. A Worthy King
Finally, I just want to share one representation in media that I think truly fits the Emperor. King Theoden is strong, able to lead his men into battle, and fights alongside them. When Saruman was poisoning his mind, those who loved him stayed, knowing the good King he was is still in him. He weeps for the loss of his son, and does not hide his pain.
His love for Eowyn, and her return in love by saving him from the Witch King of Angmar shows the power of a man who has ruled by love. This love is what makes him feel unashamed in meeting the great fathers before him after death.
Seriously, if this scene doesn’t get to you…. I don’t know what will. The actor who played Theoden so beautifully just died. RIP Bernard Hill. You will always be Theoden. Hail the victorious dead!
Thank you for reading. This blog post coincides to the podcast episode where I explain more in detail about the Emperor, read the Emperor poem from my poetry, and go more in depth to this card that I love
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Ashlie McDiarmid
Hello there! I hope you liked this blog post. As a tarot and oracle reader, my goal with my blogs is to offer you content, resources, and access to the tools that have transformed my life.
I believe that your own intuition is the deepest form of knowing, but here in my little corner of the internet, I share insights based in intuition and instinct. I share my love for nature, witchcraft, and the wild spirit.
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Click these links to read up on some more of the information I used in this blog post.
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