The Emperor (Reversed) | Tarot Card of the Day
“Take charge, confront fears, and reinforce what's unstable.”
The Emperor (Reversed) | Tarot Card
If the Emperor appears reversed, he may be asking you to identify what feels unstable in your realm at this time.
Often this instability results from procrastination on pressing matters that require confrontation. Sometimes this card alerts you to embodying too much passive “Empress energy.” Confrontation can seem like an uncomfortable concept. We often would much rather avoid the conflict. In truth, avoiding and procrastinating lead to a perpetual sense of inner turmoil and anxiety that is much more difficult to exist with. Confronting issues or projects that have been avoided will revitalize and restore your sense of order, control, and self-confidence. Take responsibility for all that is under your charge. It’s time to lead, not follow. The Emperor’s role is to defend, promote, and protect all that he cares for.
YouTube | The Emperor (Reversed) | Tarot Card of the Day
Do you feel disrespected by others, and that your personal boundaries are being tested?
The Emperor is an archetype for establishing firm foundations. He also teaches you that "feeling secure" can only exist when you act assertively and protect your boundaries. If you don't speak up for yourself, you are wearing a sign that tells others that they can take control of your life and its direction. To the Emperor, this is the same as ceding his crown to an invading warlord. The Emperor’s personal honor code forbids it. The Emperor is the personification of the voice within your head that wants you to speak up assertively when something isn’t right. If you feel angry, that others are thoughtless or disrespectful toward you, it's probably because you haven't been letting your "inner Emperor" speak up.
The Emperor is seated on his throne, decorated with rams. Rams charge, defending their territory and their mates. The Emperor wears armor under his robes. This symbolizes that he ready for action at any time, to stand up and protect his realm. His beard symbolizes thoughtful maturity. The Emperor is never "aggressive," just to prove his masculinity. He takes action only when his world needs to be stabilized and protected. The mountains surrounding him are protective barriers. They are also his seat of power. From their peaks, he can survey all of his realm, and take action to protect his boundaries from barbarian invaders. He is completely relaxed with the scepter, and the orb. The scepter it a symbol for "male," the orb is a symbol for "female." The Emperor holds both in balance, and understands that each are equally indispensable.
The Emperor is a firm figure, the complete opposite of his soft-featured wife, the Empress. The Empress sits relaxed in her garden, dispensing love, peace, and nurturing to her children. However, her garden can only exists because the Emperor protects its borders, giving her a safe space to do her important work. Within you, there is not only an Empress, but an Emperor as well. Both are vitally important to being a balanced human being. If one archetype is ignored, inner turmoil will result.
When the Emperor appears reversed, he also reminds you to step into your majesty.
Stop fooling yourself into thinking you “can’t do this.” Instead of avoiding that which needs to be reinforced, dive in and change it. Take charge and create the stability you wish to see. Face the issues confronting you and act. The Emperor is the archetype of pro-activity. Meet your deadlines take charge of your life. Confront your finances, take care of that cavity, dust off your “to-do” list. The Emperor exemplifies not only control of his empire, but self-control as well. Your self-esteem will skyrocket when you summon the courage to do what is right.
Looking to learn more? Click on the card names below:
Discover the The Emperor Upright meaning.
Learn what The Emperor means in matters of love, as part of my ‘Tarot in Love’ series.
