Emperor As Final Outcome Card?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 07 Dec 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

*Angelica*	07 Dec 2004
I did a celtic spread and asked about a man Im interested in, "Will we ever have a relationship more than just friends?" The final card was the Emperor card... this confuses me as much as all the other court cards... Im confused...any ideas anyone? :TEMPR Angel

Phaedra	07 Dec 2004
Well, without knowing any of the other cards in the layout, it's a little hard zero in on, but think about who the Emperor is. He is not one of the Court Cards (thank the Gods!) but a Major unto himself. The Emperor is one who is in charge, of himself and of the situation. He acts without doubt or reservation, because he knows what he's doing, because, well, because he's the Emperor, and if he didn't know what he was doing, he wouldn't be the Emperor, now would he. Ok, it's circular logic, but so is the divine right of kings. My gut reaction is that the man in question will decide, decisively, for himself, for his own reasons, where the relationship will go. That may be an annoying outcome, but there you are.

Seed Crystal	07 Dec 2004
Another way to look at the Emperor is as a system builder. By vision and personal command, the Emperor makes roads, libraries, schools, whatever you recognize as infrastructure. So an interpretation of this card in your reading might be, if you build the patterns and customs and support for the relationship, it may flourish. But it won't happen just by thinking it would be nice; it will take some work. Most lasting things do. Might be a relationship maintained over distance; might be one with traditions just shared by the two of you. Side note I cannot resist making: yuck on any relationship where it's all up to one person.

Shade	07 Dec 2004
I think it could also be a suggestion that you not leave things up to fate or become passive. The wording of your question "Will we become friends" sugests a passive stance, "Will it manifest on its own." I'd say be a bit more proactive.

Thirteen	07 Dec 2004
I like all the interpetations so far, and I do agree, the outcome would suggest that he is in control--especially as you don't seem to be aggressively trying to change the situation, but waiting for change to happen. Given this, however, I think that Shade is on to something. The Emperor might be him--but it might also, as outcome, be a message to you to become active, to do and decide, rather than letting things just happen. That's one thing that can be said about the Emperor--he's aways first, always out in front, always active and doing. Even sitting in his chair, he's in command. By the way--Had you considered laying down a clarification card? You just lay down another card by the card confusing you. Sometimes that extra card is all you need to turn nonsense into sense.

DarkElectric	07 Dec 2004
Hi Angelica :) My take on this, especially not knowing the rest of the cards in the spread, would be this: Even though you like the guy, don't let him rule you. By this I mean several things. resist any temptation there might be to let him take up so much space in your head that the you part of your head becomes secondary. And you may want to consider if it's all that much fun to let someone else dictate to you. I just ended a relationship with a guy who was what I would call an 'Emperor' personality. Sweet as pie at the beginning. Then, somehow, he ever so kindly began to introduce what he perceived as my 'faults' into our conversations. With the express purpose of making them known so I could change them, of course. When I did not do this, the critiques stopped being suggestions, and became outright demands. It became rapidly apparent to me that things were to be done his way, always. This and other forms of imperious behaviour reinforced my belief in Democracy. I can say with a sigh of relief, that the Emperor has since been deposed. But keep in mind what exactly an Emperor is - what does one have to do to be one? What sort of mindset would a person need to be of in order to either, A- Want that kind of power, B - Be inclined to use that kind of power, or both. Look at this man you like carefully, and see how he views and uses personal power. This may indicate to you whether you really want a relationship with this man to actually go further. Look at his personality carefully. Good Luck.

paradoxx	07 Dec 2004
Along with everyone else, I can't discern the exact meaning on one card alone in a 10+ card reading, but the Emporer does indicate that important decisions need to be made either by you or whomever the Emporer card represents. Morality will become an issue over the holiday season. The deciosn being made will probably be the card that came just before the Emporer.

*Angelica*	08 Dec 2004
Thank you all for your input, however I dont remember the card before the emperor... I did draw a clarification card which was the 3 of cups :T3C (again) dammit...isnt that the happy joyous really-great-friends card????? :mad: Anyways, I did a quick relationship spread aswell to clarify things, but Ive posted it in the readings page as Im not sure if this is the right place to post it... Blessings :* Angel

DarkElectric	08 Dec 2004
*Angelica* wrote: btw...he's an aries...does that have anything to do with the emperor?? :confused: I'd definitely say so!!!! :P Leo can be similar. I'm Scorpio, and for some reason have been horribly attracted to both Aries and Leo men. In my particular case, that's formula for disaster. Both signs are very charismatic and dynamic. The Aries and Leo men I have known (on an intimate basis) have wanted to be in charge of everything, especially the relationship. Which doesn't fly with me, at all. In my experience with Aries, they tend to be leaders, not followers. Which can be a really great thing for people who have less inclination to lead. The Aries will joyfully accept the job. And they'll do it very, very well. If you like this sort of thing, there it is. Well aspected Aries is a marvel to behold. Their energy and passion is very difficult to resist. However, remember that you get both sides of the coin when you pick it up.

Fudugazi	08 Dec 2004
DarkElectric wrote: Even though you like the guy, don't let him rule you. I just ended a relationship with a guy who was what I would call an 'Emperor' personality. Sweet as pie at the beginning. Then, somehow, he ever so kindly began to introduce what he perceived as my 'faults' into our conversations. With the express purpose of making them known so I could change them, of course. ... ...Look at his personality carefully. My sister is married to an Emperor personality. Same thing - sweet as pie at the beginning (passionate, loving, swept her off her feet), but HE'S THE BOSS. He finds fault with her in public, controls all the finances - even tries to control her business! - her spiritual beliefs, and generally behaves like Augustus on a bad day. He can still be kind - munificent, I would say, on a good day and on his terms. He's told her that if she leaves him, he'll fight her through every court in France for the kids . He's even tried to put in doubt her sanity (unsuccessfully, because she's actually quite strong - you'd have to be to put up with all that). She has gradually, over the years gained more and more power, and come into her "Empress personality", but it is still not enough. He is 20 years her senior and really plays up the imbalance of power, income and experience. If such imbalances don't exist between you and this man, you will have more power with you. But bear in mind that relationships (of all kinds) with Emperors are ALWAYS about power balance. You have to be an Empress - or to take it ;) - though if you are a Magician you can give him a run for his money. If that's ok with you - go for it.

*Angelica*	08 Dec 2004
Thank you all so much for this :) Blessings :* Angelica

DarkElectric	08 Dec 2004
*Angelica* wrote: Ok so me being a leo sun with an aries moon would mean a power struggle??? lol Leo and Aries are allegedly an absolutely great pairing! However, there may be power struggles, without question, and not within yourself! You go, young Empress, and try to work it out so you two can share the throne! If not, have the guards drag him off to the Tower! })

huredriel	08 Dec 2004
Hi Angelica, Just be grateful it's not a Leo:Leo pairing!!! I'm a Leo and always seem attracted to other Leos. Nightmare for control issues!! But I wish you the best of luck :) Sure you'll have great fun finding out x Huredriel

Keslynn	08 Dec 2004
I don't think that the Emperor card always means power struggles for a relationship. The Emperor is certainly a go-getter, but that doesn't mean that he's always pushing other people around or out of the way. To me, that would indicate a more negative expression of his energy. I guess I concentrate more on his "4-ness," the stablility aspect. Yes, the Emperor initiates a lot of things but he also has great follow through. Perhaps the card indicates less of a power issue and more that he wants a longer term relationship with a solid foundation? It will take some work and initiation on your part to build the foundation, but the effort would be well worth it. The Emperor is someone you can count on. I'm a Leo, by the way, and my man is an Aries. There aren't any power struggles; we have a very equal relationship. It's also been a longer term one for me. He showed up as the Emperor in readings months before I met him. Good luck. :) Kes

*Angelica*	08 Dec 2004
Thank you everyone for your input...its made me smile, but I also posted a reading in the readings section to clarify the situation between me and this potential love interest and it turns out that the emperor may simply be him getting back with his ex to fulfill his "emperor duties"... I did fear this, but hey I am still hopeful, as I got the Knight of cups and 2 of wands as his feelings and how he sees me... Its still open to any new ideas however, and I will definitly update this thread with what happens next !! (its called a relationship spread...(oh noooo not another loved up saddo!)) Blessings :* Angelica

*Angelica*	08 Dec 2004
thanks once again! :*

Keslynn	09 Dec 2004
I'll PM you so we don't get too off topic. :) :) Kes

The Emperor As Final Outcome Card? thread was originally posted on 07 Dec 2004 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.