The Emperor is the fifth card in the major arcana and represents leadership, structure, order, divine masculine energy and authority. The Emperor is represented by the number four as it’s connected to energies of stability, security and building, as four is a builder number. The number four represents practicality, efficiency, stamina, order and determination.
The Emperor is connected to the element of fire and the zodiac sign Aries, as it’s associated with power, leadership, independence, entrepreneurship and self-reliance. This card symbolizes a figure of authority and power who is in charge of an “empire” or who is the decision-maker in a situation and is seeking order.
This card is also connected to the planet Mars which represents passion, action, high energy, independence and drive. Because of this the Emperor can also be connected to things like entrepreneurship, running a business and having the ability to run your life independently without anyone else managing you.
The Emperor Meaning
This card shows your ability to manage your life in a fair and honorable way through good old-fashioned hard work, patience and diligence. The image on the card shows a man sitting on a throne, wearing a crown and holding a scepter, representing his power and dominion over his empire.
On his throne are engraved ram heads connecting him with the zodiac sign Aries which is represented by the ram. In the card, the Emperor exudes power, authority, control and has a commanding presence. So the Emperor can symbolize someone who’s in charge or who’s in control of a situation in your life and who has the final say on any decisions.
Therefore, when the Emperor comes up in a reading it can show that you will need to take control over a situation in an empowered and honorable way, or that you may need to refer to an authority figure. Alternatively, the Emperor can also represent things like being overly controlling, building something from the ground up and stepping into a powerful role that comes with much responsibility. Always look to the cards around it for clarification or to get a deeper meaning.
Upright
Divine masculine energy, order, structure, leadership, stability, honor, being the provider, authority, a father figure, building and running an empire, control, power.
Reversed
Controlling behavior, having a “my way or the highway” mentality, not taking the lead role in your life, using excessive force, acting harshly towards others, domineering, unyielding, rigid thinking.
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THE AWAKENED SAGE 