~ a Ramble by Helen ~
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| The DruidCraft Tarot* |
Today I wanted to take a look at both these cards and not just see them as individuals but how they actually complement each other and indeed work together. So what do you see when you look at the Empress? A mother, fertility, creativity, nurturing? Is she the symbol of pregnant with expectation? I think for me, she is the beginning of something new. She represents the birth of a new idea, relationship or even a new cycle in life. That is when she’s not being over protective of her new baby as it were. Now her opposite the Emperor often is seen as the ‘father figure,’ combining the energy of knowledge and support with being in charge, but he too can be overbearing, harsh and even a bit of a tyrant at times.
An unlikely pair they seem to make. Their personalities would appear to be the opposite of each other, but it seems to me, what he does with his authority and protection is provide a solid foundation from which her creativity can embark.
While she is the mother of creation, whether that be a new project, giving birth to new beginning or literally a baby, her energy is focused on nurturing and seeing those creations grow. He is the father who provides the stability for those creations. It is his sense of order and his ability to acknowledge that there are rules and regulations, and that whether we like it or not, we need to work within those boundaries that life sets, that governs if the Empress’s creations actually bear fruit. At his best he can provide order to the problems that may exist, but beware he is strong, authoritarian, and ambitious and can be controlling. However, without his guiding hand, I think the Empress may exhibit a weakness, not in relationship to creating, but in allowing those creations to go out and into the world. The Emperor makes sure they become a material success. He is the part of this partnership that faces up to one’s responsibility in order to turn the Empress's creation into a reality. In short, she is the idea and he is the influence that brings it into existence.
Let's look at them numerically. The Empress is a number 3 card; this often represents in tarot, growth and expansion. It shows where the Ace and the 2 have come together to create a third. In relation to the Empress it’s an expression of the creative energy at work in combining different elements, a major step in turning something into a reality. This is where the Emperor steps in. He is a number 4 card and this can be thought to signify security, structure, stability and most importantly, material completion.
Is this a marriage made in heaven? Not sure about that, but it’s certainly a good match.
* The DruidCraft Tarot by Philip and Stehanie Carr-Gomm, Illustrated by Will Worthington (St. Martin's Press)
I recently did a 3 month lay out for myself and in the 3rd month the layout was: Page of Swords, 8 Wands, The Empress, and The Emperor. Since my parent and grandparent pairings are all missing one member, I am uncertain what this means....kinda confused lol. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit difficult for me to answer this without knowing what your spread definitions are and what relevance the parent and grandparent pairings play. If you were just looking at the cards for what they mean for that particular month, without considering the parent factor and without positional definitions, one possible interpretation could be : Page of Swords represent something that is in an idea form, a new beginning of some sort, the 8 wands could be telling you to set this idea in motion, the Empress says get your creative juices going and the Emperor says give it some form and stability. Remember that the 8 of wands is all about action, it shows a transitional period and new possibilities. Your Empress is the mother of creation, all sorts including new projects and the Emperor is the one that gives form to those creations and offers stability and the opportunity to move forward with that idea. Now this is just one possible interpretation - that could be completely different depending on positional definations etc. When stuck look at the core meanings for each card and that should guide you. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteyes it does - thank you! I was stuck on trying to figure out how parents and/or grandparents (Empress and Emperor showing up side by side) would fit into this reading. I am very new at this so only practice on myself right now. Your thoughts actually fit in MUCH better.
ReplyDeleteI asked if I should try a new specific career to make some big money and the cards that showed up were six of wands (I am kinda iffy on that because the next two cards distracted me) then the emperor showed up and the emperess showed up in the last position. I think that means I should go for it? What do you think?
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit difficult for me to answer too. You say the first two cards are 6 Wands and Emperor and you say the last is card was Empress, but you don't say how many cards were actually involved, just the three? I think I mentioned to you before, that is ,if you are the same anonymous who asked a question originally, that "When stuck look at the core meanings for each card and that should guide you."
ReplyDeleteThe 6's in tarot tend to suggest positive change - the 6 Wands tells you to appreciate where you are but also cautions you not to stand still too long - so what would you think that is suggesting to you? Keep moving yes.... Emperor is all about discipline, order and structure and Empress is about creating something new. I'm sure you can work out the answer for yourself if you follow the core meanings. Good luck!
I can't believe I came upon thIs article! I just did a reading for myself last night. I did a 4 card spread which is..The situation, the challenge, advise and the outcome. I asked about going to Florida to see my daughter, grandson amd the new baby girl she is having. I really want to go and visit for 8 days after she has her baby So, I can take care of her after she gives birth. Of course, this will take some serious $$. I got the Empress, the Emporer side by side, 6 of pentacles engaged and King of Swords. I have been reading for a while but of course, I love having my cards read by someone else. What do you think the meaning is?
ReplyDeleteHi Angel, I hope you manage to get to Florida and see your daughter.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what you mean by "6 of pentacles engaged." We all love having our cards read by someone else, unfortunately I'm not in the business of "free" readings. If you would like a reading I suggest you purchase one of Zanna's readings, the choice and price is at the top of the page. Good luck with your endeavor to travel abroad. Remember that the Empress is all about creating, and the Emperor about giving some structure to those creations, I'd start saving now!
I just came across this site...needed to understand 3 card spread..i just had a emperor, the lovers and empress ?
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit difficult to answer this without knowing what your spread was and what the card positions were and your question.
ReplyDeleteHello, I am currently doing a love spread and I have received the empress and emperor as card 1 and 2. The four of wands as card 3 and there of swords as the 4th card. I can't interpret it in feeling lost! Can you please help me! X
ReplyDeleteWhat you need to look at is your positional definitions, position 1 how does the Empress answer that question for you? Look at what she represents, remember she is creative and nurturing. She is a symbol of love and marriage - how does her qualities relate to your first position? This is how you get to understand what the cards can mean. Look at her basic meanings:- positive: peace comfort, fertility, accomplishment, love, joy etc. I hope this helps, also it is impossible for me to answer your reading without knowing your actual question and position definitions of the cards. If you learn the basic meanings you will be able to give yourself a good basic reading. Go on have a go that's how you learn that, and practice. Read the post again it will give you insight into the characters of these two.
ReplyDeleteI did a reading asking what he wants to happen between us and I got 6 of Swords, then Empress, then Emperor. Does he want me to leave my current abusive relationship, then us to become a couple? Does that make sense? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi well, it does sound reasonable with these cards what you have suggested. If we look at the 6 of Swords, that card suggest one moving out of an anxious situation towards something more contented. Now as you have asked "What he wants to happen between you", it does appear that he wants you to move out of that uncomfortable situation and into a space where you can gain respite and a brighter future. The Empress and Emperor are a couple, one gives birth to the ideas and one gives structure to those ideas. I would say that your interpretation is a good one! Best of luck. Helen
ReplyDeleteI had a reading done for me and I had the Empress, The Emperor, and the World card. What does this mean?
ReplyDeleteIf you had a reading done by another person then you really should be asking them what it means. A good reader will be able to explain how these cards relate to each other. Go back and ask the person who did the reading for you.
ReplyDeleteShe explained a little, but not in great detail. she was doing a 3 card spread and my 3 cards just popped out while she was shuffling. She said the cards are the ultimate pull, that it is representing a power couple and we can do great things, that the world card is a power card. I just have so many questions now that I'm not there.
ReplyDeleteYou can still go back and ask her to explain more fully, I really cannot explain someone elses reading for you without knowing what the question was and whether the three card spread had positional definitions etc. You really should go back and ask her to explain more fully.
ReplyDeleteHi! I was wondering if someone might help me interpret my card reading. I had: the world, the emperor, the empress and the tower. I was asking a question about future plans/buying a home, etc. I'm curious as to what this spread might indicate. Any ideas? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello Emily, firstly I did not write this article as an invitation to do free tarot readings, I wrote it to help others understand better what these cards mean. If you cannot read your own reading I suggest that you study the basic meanings of all the cards, this should give you at least the background to do a basic reading for yourself. If you would like a paid reading, then Zanna has that facility offered here on her blog. She also offers free classes in tarot the links are to the left hand side of this blog. Good luck with your study.
ReplyDeleteHi I did a past present and future spread and I asked if me and and a ex whose at a distance will be together in a relationship in the future and I got the world card as past position and the emperor in present position and the empress in future position?
ReplyDeleteHello Anonymous, first let me say that I'm not in the business of doing free readings, if you want a reading Zanna offers those on this her website , which you can find at the top on the left hand side of the page. This article was to help people see the possibilities in the Empress and the Emperor and how they can work together. I suggest you read it again, and then go back to basic meanings and try and relate your cards to each other. Just to start you off, your world card could possible represent for you that one cycle has came to an end and it's time to start a new one . Now you need to ask yourself what the Emperor in the present means to you, is it a situation or a person? the same with the Empress - good luck in your learning journey.
ReplyDeleteWhat about a couple where he is the emperor(life path 4) and she is the empress(life path 3)?Is anybody who experiment such a combo?Could be this pairing kinda "beauty and the beast" type of love story?Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I would call it beauty and the beast, I think I would be more likely to call it a union of creativity and stability. I do not see the Emperor being the beast, but rather one who is protective and provides a safe haven (more like a father figure) if you like for the Empress ability to be creative.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I was hoping if you can tell me the meaning of a reading for a love relationship where 7 spread were used. Its tarted off with Lovers, then ace of cups, 9 of cups,emperor, empress, fool, and finally 4 of cups.
ReplyDeleteHello, firstly I did not write this article as an invitation to do free tarot readings, I wrote it to help others understand better what these cards mean. If you cannot read your own reading I suggest that you study the basic meanings of all the cards, this should give you at least the background to do a basic reading for yourself. If you would like a paid reading, then Zanna has that facility offered here on her blog. Good luck with your study.
ReplyDelete