Here’s a complicated concept for a lot of people (myself included): the so-called Divine Masculine. The Emperor is the epitome of male power. Sounds terrifying, right? What many of us have been led to believe, through countless conquerors, kings, overwhelmingly male cops, overlords, and abusive dads is that male power is strong-arm-ish, violent and overbearing. Who the hell wants more of that?
Yet here’s the thing: that’s not masculine power. That’s masculine people power-tripping.
If the Empress is the archetype of female power – nurturing, abundance, the untiring inspiration of the creatrix – then the Emperor can be seen as a similar ideal. Yang energy manifest: focused, driven, organized, strong. Outward moving energy. He’s the Holy Father to the Empress’s Great Mother – authoritative and sure-footed, defining the world around him with firm boundaries and a pioneering mindset.
If you draw this card, you are either acting in a similar fashion – doing, rather than observing – or you’re just kind of a bad ass. The Emperor is a leader who handles responsibility with class. Whatever you’re asking about, I’d say this card gives you the go-ahead to act with conviction. Set some limits, make some laws – or at least some decisions. Own your power.
We may all have mixed feelings about the hierarchy and power-structures that the Emperor represents, but let’s face it: some sort of social organization is necessary. Putting aside biases, the Emperor can be seen as a strategic, take-charge kinda guy. He works towards stability and structure, and he gets things done.
Like a boss.
The Emperor Upright
▹The inner-male
▹Power, leadership, ambition
▹Confidence
▹Vision
▹Protection and support
▹Stability
▹Working for the good of society
The Emperor Reversed
▹Tyranny and authoritarianism -or- cowardice and weakness
▹Betrayal of trust
▹Narrow-mindedness
▹Low self-worth
Whichever way you pull this card, take it as a prompt to review your relationship with strong leaders and the structures that uphold them. There may be a lot to loathe there, but there is also a lot to learn. And stepping into your own power requires a firm grasp of whatever these things mean to you.