Emperor Tarot Card Meaning

Share This Post

This post covers the Emperor Tarot Card Meaning in the traditional tarot deck. Featured card is from the Tarot of the Ages deck

Planet: Mars energy

Astrology: Aries – Dynamic manifestation, energetic growth, birth of new potential

Element: Fire

Hermetic Kabbalah Element: 15 – heh

Emperor Tarot Card Meaning

Themes:

  • Aries energy
  • Authority, assertiveness, confidence, vigor, structure, authority, rules and control
  • Mind over heart, mind over matter.
  • Experience and knowledge.
  • Forge ahead.
  • Rules without emotion and not easily influenced.
  • If The Empress is about the organic positive forces in life like creativity and passionate rule; the Emperor is about structure, logic, stability and authority. “The Father” – masculine energy.

Emperor Tarot Card Meaning In a reading:

  • This card asks what world are you building and why? Who is in control?
  • The querent should step into their power, take charge of their life and do what is needed to achieve the thing.
  • Get serious and practical about budgeting, organization, goals, planning etc.
  • It can mean that the querent’s rational mind is in charge instead of intuition or it can mean the need to take better control of one’s life.
  • Finding pleasure in order. Helps understand purpose of rules.
  • Responsibility for sharing wisdom with the world.
  • Confidence, stamina, knowledge.
  • Often comes up when there is a need to reorient to authority or if dealing with authority currently. Or the need to see the kingly power within themselves.
  • Confirmation that the querent has what it takes – they have the courage and stamina- time to take that seriously. Permission granting card – “its your time, you can do it.”
  • The querent is receiving validation to do the thing.
  • If 5 of swords or 7 of wands (combative conflicted energy) also out – definitely refers to shadow side of the emperor.

Symbolism in the card:

  • Ram Head – Aries / Mars
  • Armor – protected / war / emotionally shut off
  • White beard – wisdom
  • Ankh – eternal life / virility
  • Orb – ruling his world
  • Red Robe – passion, power, masculine energy
  • Crown – authority
  • Mountains – resistant to change / solid foundation
  • The number “4” – stable cube but it can also be brittle
  • Older man – gained wisdom or absolute power has left him corrupt (we don’t know for sure)

High expression

  • Navigating positive structure
  • Authority in a collective (in a positive way)
  • The alpha Wolf that makes the pack feel calm.
  • It is an energy of practicality, taking stock, strategic thinking and is decisive action

Shadow side

  • Patriarchy, master/ servant dynamic.
  • Lack of control and the need for self-discipline.
  • Positive direction is needed.
  • Controlling and / or stuck in ego.
  • Using others as a means to an end.
  • My way or the highway.
  • Authority messing with you. Domination. Inflexible. Narcissism.

Magical Uses

  • Fire magick.
  • Cultivating will (Mars).
  • New moon – set intention to strengthen will.
  • Include structures on your alter
  • Dress in a way that makes you feel powerful
  • Stand taller.

Check out the Free Resource Library for free printable PDFs and digital products.

“The Emperor” card from the “Tarot of the Ages” Deck (1988). Illustrated by Mario Garzio

More To Explore

Human Design Line 4
Human Design

Human Design Line 4

This article covers Line 4 in the Human Design System at a high level. Line 4 is associated with qualities often seen in individuals who

Human Design Line 3
Human Design

Human Design Line 3

This article covers Line 3 which is associated with the characters of individuals who are willing to sacrifice for a greater cause. What is Human