The Empress - III
Keywords for The Empress
Empress Benefactor: gentle power. Beauty, Mother, Luxury, Feminine, Nurturing, Pregnancy, Potential
Divinatory Meaning of the Tarot Empress Card
Fruitfulness, action, initiative, length of days; the unknown, clandestine; also difficulty, doubt, ignorance.
Other associations of The Empress
Element: Earth
Astrology: Venus
As a Yes or No question: Yes
The Tarot Empress card meaning in a nutshell:
The gentle power that still rules, almost unnoticed and rarely opposed.
Archetype: Benefactor - gentle power.
Timing; ~ 224 days. Friday ~
The Empress in a sentence
The Empress brings success in creative endeavours and family matters.”The repository of all things nurturing and sustaining”
The Meaning and Symbology of The Empress
The Empress is, after The High Priestess, another feminine card. There is definitely a maternal feeling, and with the early Major Arcana, has a positive feel of creation, bonding, and love. A distinctly feminine card in almost every aspect; a woman, the Venus symbol, a flowing river. The heart-shaped again shows Venus, the goddess of love. The aspect of the mother is present too, she sits in a field of corn, and her dress is adorned with fruits (much like the design of the veil on The High Priestess). The Empress, who is sometimes represented with full face, while her correspondence, the Emperor, is in profile. As there has been some tendency to ascribe a symbolical significance to this distinction, it seems desirable to say that it carries no inner meaning. The Empress has been connected with the ideas of universal fecundity and in a general sense with activity. The Tarot Empress is a ruler, make no mistake about that, but a gentle one getting her will by peaceful means. She suggests and convinces, making her choices seem like the only reasonable ones. Quite often they are. If you follow the Tarot Empress you will have a pleasant ride, but if you oppose her it will all be uphill. While the Tarot Emperor is armed for battle and eager to engage in it, the Empress remains on her throne, relaxed, getting things done seemingly without any effort. If the Emperor is a warrior, she's a politician. He might win the war, but the Tarot Empress controls the land during the peace that follows. The ways of the Tarot Empress are so soft and gentle that even her enemies feel blessed, while she strips them of their power and turns them into loyal subjects, whether they are aware of it or not. The Tarot Empress is what's called the enlightened monarch, an expression used (and debated) for rulers, especially of the late 18th century, who had cultural and academic ambitions for their countries inspired by the ideas of the Enlightenment. One such monarch was Catherine the Great of Russia, who is portrayed in all her splendor on the painting below by Alexander Roslin in 1777.
Inner Symbolism of the Tarot Empress Card
A stately figure, seated, having rich vestments and royal aspect, as of a daughter of heaven and earth. Her diadem is of twelve stars, gathered in a cluster. The symbol of Venus is on the shield which rests near her. A field of corn is ripening in front of her, and beyond there is a fall of water. The sceptre which she bears is surmounted by the globe of this world. She is the inferior Garden of Eden, the Earthly Paradise, all that is symbolized by the visible house of man. She is not Regina coeli, but she is still refugium peccatorum, the fruitful mother of thousands. There are also certain aspects in which she has been correctly described as desire and the wings thereof, as the woman clothed with the sun, as Gloria Mundi and the veil of the Sanctum Sanctorum; but she is not, I may add, the soul that has attained wings, unless all the symbolism is counted up another and unusual way. She is above all things universal fecundity and the outer sense of the Word. This is obvious, because there is no direct message which has been given to man like that which is borne by woman; but she does not herself carry its interpretation. In another order of ideas, the card of the Empress signifies the door or gate by which an entrance is obtained into this life, as into the Garden of Venus; and then the way which leads out therefrom, into that which is beyond, is the secret known to the High Priestess: it is communicated by her to the elect. Most old attributions of this card are completely wrong on the symbolism - as, for example, its identification with the Word, Divine Nature, the Triad, and so forth.
The Empress Tarot Card Description
The Empress depicts a woman sitting on a throne. From the abundant nature that surrounds her, we can assume that this woman represents the Earth Mother archetype, a goddess of fertility. Her world is ruled by venus which means that there is complete love, harmony, fertility and luxury by the grace of this goddess. The woman herself has blonde hair crowned with stars, signaling her divine connection with the mystical realm. She is dressed in a pomegranate-patterned robe that represents fertility, and she is seated on cushions embroidered with a venus sign. She is surrounded by an enchanting green forest with a river streaming through it. The Empress brings abundance and blessings in the readings of those she meets.
The Empress is the embodiment of feminine power. Creativity and abundance is what this card is known for: the creativity you possess and the abundance of things around you.
When you are asking about your finances during a reading and the Empress appears, it means that it is best time for you to make an investment. You will find that money is easy to obtain. You will want to make sure that you are giving some of the money that you are making to a good cause to ensure the continuation of this abundance.
When asking about your health, you will find that this card is about fertility. This is the perfect time for you to try to get pregnant. This could mean that if you are trying to get pregnant, now is the time. If you are not trying to get pregnant, you will want to use extra precautions.
When it comes to love, you will find an abundance of males and females seeking you out. This could be for either romantic or friendship reasons. You will find that if you are already in a relationship, your bond will grow stronger.
Upright Empress Meaning
Upright:
This is a great time to get creative. Your creative energies will result in abundance and self-realization. Your hard work will pay off both spiritually and materially. You will be able to anticipate spiritual and material abundance through the efforts of your labor. The Empress often indicates fertility, childbirth and marriage. Your home life is important to you and it’s important to fill it with things that bring your peace and harmony. This is also the time to tap into your feminine power. In Love Tarot, the Empress can represent a relationship full of possibility. This is fertile ground for a new relationship to emerge. The Empress can represent the exchange of love, commitment and marriage.
This is a great time to get creative. Your creative energies will result in abundance and self-realization. Your hard work will pay off both spiritually and materially. You will be able to anticipate spiritual and material abundance through the efforts of your labor. The Empress often indicates fertility, childbirth and marriage. Your home life is important to you and it’s important to fill it with things that bring your peace and harmony. This is also the time to tap into your feminine power. In Love Tarot, the Empress can represent a relationship full of possibility. This is fertile ground for a new relationship to emerge. The Empress can represent the exchange of love, commitment and marriage.
The Empress shows us how deeply we are embedded to our femininity. Femininity could be associated with fertility, expression, creativity and nurturing among many other aspects. It therefore calls you to connect with beauty and bring happiness to your life. Understand yourself and get in touch with your sensuality so that you can attract life circumstances to bring happiness and joy. She is a signal that be kind to yourself, to take care of yourself.
The Empress is associated with fertility, expression, creativity and nurturing among many other aspects.
The Empress is also a strong indication of pregnancy and motherhood. You can look for other cards to confirm if this is truly pregnancy, or rather just an indication of a motherly, nurturing and caring attitude. The Empress card could also mean the birth of a new idea, business or project on your life. Owing to the good fortune that surrounds this card, you can be sure that such situations and projects would end successfully in your life. Discover and bring forth those ideas that have been clinging to you and make sure that you devote yourself towards accomplishing them. This card is a sign that they are going to be successful, and well taken care of. The Empress, as the archetype of the mother earth, also encourages you to spend time interacting with nature, the mother of all of us.
A happy life situation involving nurturing and love. In combination with the Sun it often means pregnancy. With the Fool, it often means raising children. With the Chariot, it often means nurturing career. With the High Priestess, it often indicates your mother. With the Emperor it often indicates a charismatic couple; can also be your parents. Empress with Hanged Man can mean creating a peaceful life. Empress next to Moon often indicates a spiritual path revealing spiritual gifts. Empress with Judgement can mean being a single mother.
The Empress Card as a Person
If the Tarot Empress card represents a person in a divination spread, which it usually does, it's somebody very resourceful that you do best to humor and get on your side - or listen carefully to, if that's not going to happen. The Empress is kind at heart, you will find. So, there is no reason to protest. If you're just polite, all will be good.
The Empress Card as You
If the Tarot Empress card has a position in the divination spread referring to you, it means you have the Empress qualities - be it temporarily or constantly. You are the cooling influence on any heated situation, the one trusted to find the peaceful solution even to a problem involving a lot of calamity. Others do well to follow your gentle lead, and several of them understand that.
The Empress in a time-based position
Past – The Empress in the Past position represents a past female influence. This could be anything from a role model to mother or even a bully, but the aspect to identify is that it is still having an impact on you and should be dealt with. If asked in regards to your family, it could be related to your Mother. If you’re asking about education or work, it could be that a female teacher or colleague is having an influence on you. Romance isn’t implied, but don’t ignore it.
Present – The Empress in the present position represents a new beginning, but not in the sense of starting right away. You may have just completed a task and are looking for the next project to work on. It’ll come. You could be bored and unsatisfied in your life. The maternal feeling in the card is strong, so maybe an older, more experienced feminine person can aid you.
Future – The Empress in the future position is the best position it can land in. Are you in a relationship now? If so, you or your partner is ‘becoming’ The Empress. This is a good sign. If you’re asking about work, it could be that things will pan out, eventually, and reach a comfortable plateau.
The Empress in regards to life issues
Work / Education – The Empress is positive in regards to work. People will look up to you. You could lead a project and people will work with you on it. This could be in your main job or a side project. Not a time to be aggressive, let things flow naturally.
Romance – The Empress is highly positive. You could meet the person you will be with forever soon if you are single. If you’re in a relationship, it can only mean good things. You will mature as a person and your relationship will be all the better for it. Are you trying for a baby? It’s a good time!
Friends – The Empress in regards to friendship could mean that you might be moving into a more central part of your friendship group. You might have a leading role when it comes to some activity or another aspect where people are going to have to rely on you.
Money – The Empress is positive in regards to wealth. Your finances are growing but share the wealth. Don’t keep it hidden, after all, it’s only money, the true wealth is the potentiality of money.
Health – The Empress gives you wisdom in regards to health. You might suffer from something that you have in the past, possibly something like a cold or flu. As mentioned above, this is a good time for pregnancy. Empress ~ Love conquers all and can heal us on every level. Empress also speaks of pregnancies. If poorly aspected it denotes laziness, sexual transmitted diseases, and stress from making poor lifestyle choices.
Spirituality and Mentality – The Empress has the wisdom of an experienced mother within her, so now might be a good time to discuss your spiritual beliefs with others.
The Empress Card as an Event
If the Tarot Empress card represents an event, it calls for calmness and careful consideration of the choices of action, since things are much more delicate than they may seem. Also, it suggests that you accomplish much more by gentleness than brute force, even if you are able to do the latter. Search not to win, but for a win-win solution. Everyone will praise you for it.
Empress card combos
The Empress >Ace of Wands >Ace of Cups: Pregnancy with these three alongside in any combination, but most notably
Ace of Wands >The Empress for pregnancy,
Ace of Cups > The Empress: birth (in either order of combination) may also be joined by Page of Cups.
> any Page: Mother and child (see Pages for child description)..
> The Emperor: (Venus and Mars) Parents; sometimes a strong influential couple.
> The Lovers: There may be a constant need to ‘mother’ this relationship; the partner may require continuous attention to bring it about.
> The Devil: Careful with this one! A number of possible indications (depending upon situation): creative expression is blocked - or difficulty conceiving - or it might suggest domestic abuse. In the case of the latter, The Devil could just as easily represent stifling; The Devil isn’t usually healthy, one way or another.
> The World: Great success but achieved through consistent nurturing of all aspects leading to the conclusion.
Reversed:
You may experience a period of financial uncertainty. Work can feel laborious and mundane. Financial matters can be tested and you may find that you are struggling to make ends meet. Spiritually, the Empress reversed can indicate that you are being too greedy with your emotions or you may be holding on to your money too tightly. A lack of creativity is hindering your growth.
Empress Reversed
A situation involving neglect and lack of support. Take a step back and embrace your feminine power. Light, truth, the unravelling of involved matters, public rejoicings; according to another reading, vacillation.
Reversed Empress Meaning
The Empress reversed indicates that you have lost too much of your own willpower and strength because you have started placing too much effort and concern to other people’s affairs. While the Empress's nature is of showering her loved ones with attention and care, this can sometimes go overboard. You might be neglecting your own needs, or even smothering the ones you love with your well-intentioned actions.
In a role reversal, perhaps a reversed Empress is finding her way into your life; it could also mean that you are relying on others to take care of you, and make decisions for you. You need to work towards removing this influence on your life, and build confidence in your own actions. Always try as much as you can to ensure that you solve matters on your own.
The Empress in reverse could show a lack of growth in different aspects of your life, through either stagnation or lack of encouragement. Expect a period of poverty, in the sense that you will be lacking in the things which you desire. Consider if your lack of growth is being caused by your own influence, or if somebody else is putting it on you, especially somebody in authority who should be your guide and mentor
The Reversed Empress in a time-based position
Past – The Empress in the Past position can represent a negative influence in your past; likely a female influence. was there somebody in your past whom you felt has held you back? Make sure the things they have said and done aren’t affecting you now. The Empress can represent an old partner. We all have experienced a bad relationship. as with any negative experience, learn, grow and move on.
Present – The Empress in reverse can represent a lot of things in your current life. As you have done the past, look out for a negative female influence in your life. Sometimes it’s only when we stop to consider people that we can see their motives. Be careful it isn’t you, even if you are male. Are you criticising yourself too much? Would you sometimes go so far as to say you hate yourself at times? You won’t get another body or mind, so learn to better yourself.
Future – The Empress in reverse can suggest a future where you are either controlled or not fulfilling your potential. Be careful with your relationships. What might seem like a good budding start of a healthy relationship may soon dissolve into an emotional mess. You have to start accepting your flaws, many of them will be self-perceived.
The Reversed Empress in regards to life issues
Work / Education – The Empress in reverse can represent an overbearing boss, teacher or workload that may be a bit too much for you. If things are less than professional, then be sure to report them. You shouldn’t have to tolerate bullying at school or work. Be sure you’re getting credit for what you’ve done.
Romance – The reversed Empress is not a good sign for romance. You have to trust your instincts, even if a situation has arisen that seems to be good for you. being pursued by more than one person might sound good, but it’s very likely that someone’s emotions will be hurt in the process. It’s likely something wild might happen soon, so be ready for it, especially if you are single. It might be memorable, but in any case, take care.
Friends – The Empress in reverse can represent that overbearing friend and a lack of balance in who you are spending time with. If you have multiple groups of friends, try exploring the one you are less comfortable with. You might find some people with interests you can bond over. It’s surely worthwhile to try.
Money – The reverse Empress when representing money can mean you need to watch how you are spending your money. Be sure you’re saving enough, but also be mindful that you aren’t spending too much on something self-destructive; someone else, an expensive hobby or folly, to name a few. There may be financial issues ahead, so be prepared.
Health – The Empress in Reverse has been known to strongly represent pregnancy or lack thereof. If you are planning on getting pregnant, then consider the outcomes. If you aren’t planning, then be sure to take extra care. It’s a big commitment. Be sure you are always in control of your body. Take care of it.
Spirituality and Mentality – As with the Empress drawn upright; The Empress in reverse still has the wisdom of an experienced mother within her, so now might be a good time to discuss your spiritual beliefs with others; particularly an older female. Getting advice doesn’t mean you have to follow it.
Reversed Empress card combos
Empress reversed with the Hermit can mean loneliness and difficulties making friends.
Empress reversed next to Devil tarot card can mean promiscuity and love addictions. Empress reversed next to Moon can indicate a worrywart.
Empress reversed next to Judgement can mean difficulties caring for someone elderly.
Empress reversed with the Hermit can mean loneliness and difficulties making friends.
Empress reversed next to Devil tarot card can mean promiscuity and love addictions.
Empress reversed next to Moon can indicate a worrywart.
Empress reversed next to Judgement can mean difficulties caring for someone elderly.