What's with this Emperor?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 25 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Indigo_lady	25 Jun 2003
I've taken my time away from my tarot cards for the last couple of days.. I just felt like it So in that time I decided that I was going to start using reversals So I did a CC on the general situation around me, it sounded like a good start. So my own interpretation the CC separated my emotional life and my economical situation and wanted me to see that.. so I did.. and there seemed to be some unresolved issues in my economical situation, which is true. There was a huge fight in my family a couple of years ago, colosal proportions, and there are still some questionable issues about inheritances and properties. etc etc etc... but it's a very touchy obviously still that everyone pretends to overlook... anyways.. the cards were pretty good at pointing that out.. and crowned it with the emperor reversed So I decided to do a specific reading on the issue, and again it's crowned by the Emperor Rx I've been considering "investigating" the whole situation by myself and asked what would be the most possible outcome of that, and lets just say that the cards strong advised me against doing that.. and again the Emperor Rx So he definetely caught my attention. (you know... after the 3rd time around... :-p ) I know the Emperor himself is a lot about discipline, order, structure, authority, you know the lessons that a father is suposed to teach you. It also reminds you to a certain extent of the importance of tradition, family, you belonging within a group. Emperor is a ruler, not only in his house but an Emperor outside like a boss, or someone in a position of power. An Emperor Rx might indicate lack of maturity or of willingness to take roles that are meant to be yours So since there's not really a paternal figure in my life (and seriously the lack of it I doubt is any issue for me at this moment) I think the Emperor is conveing a message of some kind of energy being blocked... I can see some possibilities, but I think they lack depth... you know, if he's so insistent he might be trying to say smth else What do you guys think of the Emperor Rx ?

Indigo_lady	25 Jun 2003
I sure use a lot of "So"... hehehe

Thirteen	25 Jun 2003
You're actually right on the money with your observations on the mature and immature aspects of the Emperor--and the use of "so's" ;) It's all a matter of control, of who is in command and how. Control and command are both problems in this situation: 1) Either or both people in this argument are acting as spoiled children throwing a temper tantrum. This is the Emperor gone to a childish extreme--my way or no way! Which side threw the temper tantrum? Which side is the spoiled brat? It's important you examine the argument and know--did you act like a child? Did they? 2) There is NO control. The situation is Chaos, headless. I would tend to say that the Emperor stands for both in this situation--one or more sides acted like children (point #1) and now (point #2) everyone is "touchy" and "overlooking" the blow-up--which means no one is in charge--no one is issuing commands, and no one is obeying commands. Not good. You need a ruler in this situation. It can no longer be avoided, no matter how touchy or distasteful. So. Your choices are: 1) Take command of your own life, and walk away from this inheritance stuff (whatever is involved). Forget about it, cut the ties, never look back, never regret. Find your own kingdom. 2) OR--Get real ADULT and go after it with lawyers. If you want the throne, you have to fight for it, not merely argue that it's yours. 3) OR--you and the other side come up with an Emperor, a decision maker, you both can repect and obey. If neither side can be in control, find someone who can be. Good luck--sounds like a real sticky situation.

Mimers	25 Jun 2003
When I see the Emperer Rx I usually think of disorderliness. If it represents someone, it would be a control freak. Someone that excerts controll to get what they want. Power going to their head. It would depend on other cards, but that is my general take on him. I don't usually read the reversed cards as blocked. Hold on, I am going to get my book 'Tarot Reversals' by Mary Greer. Let's see if we can get some ideas from her. Ok, I am paraphrasing directly from Tarot Reversals. Mary Greer suggests that the reversed Emperer can also represent the weak man. One with not backbone. Doesn't stand up for what he knows is right. Could also mean failing to set boundries. Being overly critical and judgemental. could also represent the 'inner' man in us all. These are just some of her suggestions. Do any of these touch a cord with you and your reading? Let me know if these helped.

divinerguy	25 Jun 2003
I see the reversed Emperor as kind of like a Latin American country, whose dictator has been deposed. There's a power vacuum. People see the opprtunity to obtain it, and may try some shenanigans to take advantage of the situation. My advice? Listen and observe, get good advice, and act decisively.

Indigo_lady	12 Jul 2003
I love your impression of a headless chicken divinerguy... Truth be told, latin american countries are ALWAYS like that, dictator or no dictator, permanent chaos... ;) It's funny how the Emperor Rx is a symbol of chaos, immaturuty and lack of decisivness, a bit of cowardice too.. yet the advice for it, is to act not just as an emperor but as a wise emperor, analise the situation from a distance and then decide what is the best way to take You're very accurate Thirteen ... ;) by the way, I opted for the 1st one.. I decided it was the healthiest thing for me at the moment. This won't be my place anyways

Yatima	14 Jul 2003
It is an interesting fact that in the Marseille deck the Emperor, different from II, III, V, and VIII, has no fixed position on the throne but somehow leans cool on the side of it (like smoking a cigarette, taking some time of his duties...). Somehow, he seems not to be a control freak but a person with heavy duties that realizes that the deeper sense of them (even of order at all) is beyond...

jmd	15 Jul 2003
The emperor does often appear to be only sitting half-way upon his throne in many Marseilles decks. Another area you may wish to contribute to in discussing the possible Marseille significance of this card - as well as here, is in the Historical and iconographic section of the Forums. Another sequence which may be worth reflecting on is that of the Magician (young man) meeting the (virginal) papess/High Priestess, which then is with child as the empress, to give birth to the future king/emperor, who's task is to become a wise man/pope... But again, this probably goes beyond the thread. It is nonetheless always interesting to make comparisons of the card under discussion with others in its immediate series (1 - 5) as well as comparing something of significant imagery (the throne and II, III, V, VIII; or the legs and XII).

The What's with this Emperor? thread was originally posted on 25 Jun 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.