Jonathan
Hi, I’ve been reading through this discussion concerning the Emperor as feelings with great interest. I naturally fall into the King Of Wands character but during difficult relationships fall into the Emperor. I do feel that I need to add to this discussion concerning some of the bad press concerning this card concerning feelings. I have been a member of both fathers 4 justice and families need fathers and I have conducted tarot readings (without profit) for the past 6 years. I have found the Emperor to appear when there has been a conflict of interest between the women I’ve been involved with and my two sons. This has simply meant that my two son’s interest comes before any relationship and I do think that’s a noble trait in a man. I have also met many Emperors’ during my time with both charities. It’s ridiculous to think the Emperor upright (unless reversed) means tyrannical and a dictator (male negative traits), infact many Emperors are very loving and protective (would sacrifice their own life for their children) and can and do emulate to a lesser degree the roles of the Empress. It would be similar to add the female (negative) attributes of pride and envy to the upright Empress!
If you get this card for feelings, ask yourself why you/him/her think of him/her this way...perhaps you have behaved immaturely and he/she loves you and wants the best for you like a father figure. This has cropped up for me when dating a woman much younger than myself and immature and reckless in her actions. Also ask if you’re a threat to his/her children’s best interests.
Is this card romantic......depending on your values this card is the Father Of All the King’s......as the Empress Is the Mother Of The Queens... I’ve found many Emperors during my charity work and I can assure you they have no shortage of female attention. Very charismatic and many very attractive. Natural born leaders! To the post concerning a Victorian Father and the Emperor, actually It would be better to compare the Empress to Queen Victoria. And the Emperor to Vespasian! That post is like comparing margarine to butter. With respect, sorry.
I also read both Empress and Emperor as the Alpha Male and Alpha Female of the species. Biological imperative to have both for the survival of future generations and to set an example to the Beta males and females the lessor/or alter ego of both Emperor and Empress of the Kings and Queens of tarot. (yes there’s a reason for the rank promotion folks!) Both are guided by the high priest and high priestess respectively.
As a natural King Of Wands might regret this spontaneous post eeeeekkk but this has been on my mind 3 days! I don’t want to cause any offence. (I will repeat this post to other Emperor discussions, as there are a few on this forum which need it! )