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"He has a form of the Crux ansata for his sceptre and a globe in his left hand. He is a corwned monarch--commanding, stately, seated on a throne, the arms of which are fronted by rams' heads. He is executive and
realization, the power of this world, here clothed with the highest of its antural attributes. He is occasionally represented as seated on a cubic stone,
which, however, confuses some of the issues. He is the virile power, to which the Empress responds, and in this sense is he who seeks to remove the Veil of Isis; yet she remains virgo intacta.
It should be understood that this card and that of the Empress do not precisely represent the condition of married life, though this state is implied. On the surface, as I have indicated, they stand for mundane
royalty, uplifted on the seats of the might; but above this there is the suggestion of another presence. They signify also-- and the male figure especially--the higher kingship, occupying the intellectual throne.
Hereof is the lordship of thought rather than of the animal world. Both personalities after their own manner, are "full of strange experience," but theirs in not consciously the wisdom which draws from a higher world.
The Emperor has been described as (a) will in its embodied form, but his is only one of its applications, and (b) as an expression of the virtualities contained in the Absolute Being--but this is fantasy."
Ah, now we come to the Emperor. Yesterday I saw part of a pbs show on castles, and thought about the emperor sitting in one of these fortresses. It was interesting, the narrator emphasized the war part of the castles-
these were built primarily for battle, for defense of ones' land and holdings, and finally as a home. There were certainly glories, and adornments, but those
came later--the architects of the castless were concerned with how to keep the enemy from breaching the castle walls. So the Emperor comes from both sides-nurturing, perhaps, strong and defensive, definitely!
The Emperor signifies authority- careful, logical, sometimes impersonal, authority- doing what is good for the 'all' sometimes overriding the individual. This is an individual with a ton of responsibility on his
shoulders, but with the wisdom that has come from years and years of experience to be able to handle that burden with grace, and with rightness.
This card looks to the external, the outside world that is as much part of our lives as our internal side. Despite our needs to find the spiritual side of us, most of us deal with the responsibilities of everyday life along side this- school, work, children, parents, bills, laws, regulations... things that are far more logical. The Emperor enforces those rules, regulations and laws---even perhaps not really caring whether it is 'right' or 'wrong', if these are the laws for what is best in his eyes...logic will demand compliance, but we hope for mercy, for understanding, for love.
Symbolism:
-orange-earth, energy, power, sun source
-sits on grey throne, wisdom
-has rams heads on thrones arms, someone who will forge ahead; also signifies sexual energy and power
-white hair and beard- experienced person here, one who has been through his own mistakes and trials to come to this place
-red garments- passion and creativity. Rams head again on the left shoulder, again the power, force behind the man, there ever ready to spring forth and take charge.
-has armour underneath the cape- could be the protective armour of the warrior and soldier, could also protect the man/soul underneath
-there are mountains (we see this alot in Waite- here are two, similar to the pillars, duality showing up again) for the strength to climb to those peaks
in ones journey, one must take along the wisdom of the elders; also a stream of water we saw earlier in the HP and Empress cards--consciousness, the flow of the spirit.
What happens when you draw this card? Ask- are there control issues going on? Do I need to seek wisdom from someone else that has gone through this or might know what to do? Am I being logical or reasonable, or perhaps going all on emotion- balance needed here? Is there someone in my life, at work, play, home, love that is surrounding me with rules and regulations...and
what is my reaction? Am I being responsible for those things that I have the responsibility for--or am I shirking my duties and responsibilities? What
will bring about stability in my life right now?
For some reason, be it fairy tales or mythology or just subliminal advertising...there is a tendency amongst humans to look outward for someone to take care of us...the proverbial knight or princess to ride in and
get rid of all our bills, our work loads, and just let us play and be the wonderful people we know we are. But the harsh reality is that this seldom happens. At some point we realize that we have no where to turn but to ourselves.
NOW there are times when we go too far into that- you've met the controlled, responsible person who allows themselves no joy or play because of responsibilities (said with a stern frown!). And you have all met the peter pans of the world (meant for male and female here!) that believe that life is
but a lark and someone else must pay the bills. The Emperor reminds us that we must face our responsibilities, yet we do this with BALANCE, for
therein truly lies our peace...
Take time to pull the fours from the minor suits-- this is definitely a card of balance, even with the swords...a time where things are 'just so'. The
emperor emphasizes that very characteristic- with things being 'just so' in balance of everything else. It can be done he says. If not, you find in the
reversals irresponsibility, unlawfulness. Look to the other cards in a spread to see if deceit is there..
He is ruled by the planet mars, with Aries as the zodiac sign. We are talking quick rushes of energy, of power coming in to take things and put them in order---if it stays too long, it can destroy.
This card could tell you to look for the emperor within yourself in making decisions, taking responsibilities, doing what is right...or it may be that this is a 'someone' that might have the right advice for you.
Ignore what is right and chaos can occur. Look first at yourself- what are your responsibilities in a project, a relationship, an action? What part did YOU play in it? This isn't to go to the other extreme and take everyone elses responsibilities (for you codependents out there! *G*) (been there, done that!) but to simply accept one's own part in things. If action is needed, do it. Be the Emperor.
Now remember my post from before? Well this has to do with someone I know who has the Emperor's power but does not have the wisdom of a true Emperor. In
doing this work, I've come to realize that, and to see what responsibilities I have, and what others I don't. This is where the cards, as a spiritual guide, can be so helpful. I'll let you know how this works next week, after the emperor comes to visit!
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