Constellation of the Emperor

rwcarter

The Constellation of the Emperor
The Principle of Life Force and the Realization of Power
Emperor – Death – The Fool – Fours


Keywords: Completion and Transition. Establishing and Building. Releasing. Mortality and Immortality. Rites of Passage.

The Emperor’s fertility and virility are respectively shown by the Ram’s head mask and the beard he wears. The golden throne that he sits upon is his seat of authority. The cubic stone upon which the throne rests represents both his control over matter and the solid foundation of his rule, which is stable, durable and eternal. The Emperor represents the quintessential father figure. He also represents the state, authority and power. He gets what he wants through force, energy or military strength. Amun-Ra was the king of the gods. Both the Waas Scepter and the sword he holds in his hands are symbols of his power.

Death represents the completion of one state of being and the transition to another. It suggests the rite of passage from a lower to a higher plane undertaken by the mummy in the sarcophagus. Through the canopic jars that surround the sarcophagus and the pesehkef (which was used in the Opening of the Mouth ceremony), the mortal body was able to live on immortally in the Underworld. For the Egyptians, death was seen as the beginning of a new (eternal) life. Death represents casting off the past and the need to look forward to the future.

The Fool epitomizes the Life Force since Amun was self-created. He then created Tefnut and Shu. The name Amun means hidden. He is the hidden god, the god behind the universe and the power behind the sun. The wand he carries is a combination of the symbols for power, stability and life. This fool has the power to transform the world so that it fits his expectations.

As an opportunity to consolidate and complete, the 4 Wands represents the completion of work after a long period of labor. It represents the ability to locate oneself in time and space through the success of one’s work. As a gift to one’s personal power, it suggests establishing roots in a new place or domestic harmony. As a challenge to one’s personal power, it suggests the power of a larger entity like the law or government.

As an opportunity to consolidate and complete, the 4 Cups represents drinking in an experience and overcoming an obstacle. It represents the ability to locate oneself in time and space through the dissatisfaction one felt at the time. As a gift to one’s personal power, it suggests the absorption of divine life and power. As a challenge to one’s personal power, it suggests either boredom and apathy with what one has or achievement/celebration and no one to share it with.

As an opportunity to consolidate and complete, the 4 Swords represents the end of conflict that brings truce. It represents the ability to locate oneself in time and space through the conflict/cessation of conflict that one experienced at the time. As a gift to one’s personal power, it suggests the appeasement of one’s enemy. As a challenge to one’s personal power, it suggests those who would rather take the easy way out of a dispute instead of stand up for truth and justice.

As an opportunity to consolidate and complete, the 4 Disks represents planning or building for the future. It represents the ability to locate oneself in time and space through the planning that was done at the time. As a gift to one’s personal power, it suggests planning that leaves one in a position of strength or enhances one’s power. As a challenge to one’s personal power, it suggests a lack of planning that ends up threatening one’s power.

Rodney