CARD NUMBER 6. – The Creation: Night and Day (Heaven).

Upright. – Mystery, blind love, longevity.

Reversed. – Trouble, deceitfulness, disillusionment.

“Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.” – Steve Maraboli

The Proverbial Leader

In most every hierarchal system, there is going to be some form of leadership. While not every ruler may be considered sovereign, there is a great deal of power that comes with any role that is notably elevated above the majority. Not all are suited for the responsibility that comes with taking such a position. At the same time, there are also some that are naturally inclined towards taking up leadership roles. 

The Emperor is such a person; he is the one that is generally regarded as holding the greatest amount of power in his territory. In order to properly handle his duties as a ruler, The Emperor possesses all of the qualities and skills that are widely regarded as vital to good leadership: responsibility, effective communication, critical thinking, conviction, and charm, to name a few. The Emperor’s wisdom is best utilized in making decisions for the majority, and his understanding of the complex nuances of everyday life allow him to maintain a system of governing that supports all of his community. The Emperor does not allow himself to be easily swayed by the opinions of others, and has a great amount of faith in his superior leadership skills.

You are much like The Emperor, and are able to move forward with your life with power and conviction, seemingly reshaping the shape of nearly every situation to best fit your needs. You are the leader of your life, and you are unafraid to take authority in every decision that you make in regards to your personal lifestyle. At the same time, this affinity for self-leadership most likely also translates into the relationships that you have with others. In your personal relationships, you are often looked to for advice or guidance in tricky situations. 

Even if your suggestions don’t always match their own personal thoughts, most that approach you are confident in the fact that your wisdom and knack for authority will very rarely lead them astray. You may also tend to take on roles that are explicitly designated as types of leadership; you may be a manager or supervisor in your workplace, or you may be perceived as a figurehead for your family and household.

Your romantic life has always been something that you’ve viewed as supplementary, as opposed to being your life’s central focus. While this does not necessarily mean that you dislike romance, it does mean that you are able to be content in any situation so long as you are able to maintain control over it. However, this results in you becoming quickly uncomfortable in situations that you can’t fully control; this becomes particularly difficult when a unique individual is added to the equation. 

Your partner isn’t always going to be exactly what you want them to be, and this has led to some issues in the past. You don’t do well with stubbornness in a relationship, and find yourself seizing control far more than you may be willing to admit. On the other hand, this same mentality may also lead to discontent with your single life, especially if you are actively seeking romance. Your lack of control over the feelings of others is incredibly frustrating, and you may find yourself being easily annoyed by the fact that you haven’t yet found a desirable partner.

Romance is an equal relationship, and is not meant to be used as a tool to gain authority over your partner and their personal decisions. Take this as a sign to step back and let your partner be who they are going to be, even if this doesn’t mean that they will always do what you expect of them. 

If you are too assertive in a relationship, you may begin to make your partner uncomfortable with sharing their decisions with you, resulting in them becoming more distant and closed off. Instead, let them make their own choices, and learn to bite your tongue when it isn’t your place to intervene. If you are actively seeking a new relationship, this may also be a sign that it is time for you to let nature run its course. Your perfect partner isn’t going to magically appear overnight, and there is nothing that any of us can do to speed up the flow of time. Instead, take a look at the relationships that you may already have; you may find that romance is hiding right beneath your nose!

FOUR. THE EMPEROR

He has a form of the Crux ansata for his scepter and a globe in his left hand. He is crowned monarch—commanding, stately, seated on a throne, the arms of which are fronted by rams’ heads. He is executive and realization, the power of this world, here clothed with the highest of its natural attributes. He is occasionally represented as seated on a cubic stone, which, however, confuses some of the issues. He is the virile power, to which the Empress responds, and in this sense is he who seeks to remove the Veil of Isis; yet she remains virgo intacta.

It should be understood that this card and that of the Empress do not precisely represent the condition of married life, though this state is implied. On the surface, as I have indicated, they stand for mundane royalty, uplifted on the seats of the mighty; but above this there is the suggestion of another presence. They signify, also—and the male figure especially—the higher kingship, occupying the intellectual throne. Hereof is the lordship of thought rather than of the animal world. Both personalities, after their own manner, are “full of strange experience,” but theirs is not consciously the wisdom which draws from a higher world. The Emperor has been described as (a) will in its embodied form, but this is only one of its applications, and (b) as an expression of virtualities contained in the Absolute Being—but this is fantasy.

You are seen as a leader in your workplace, even if you don’t hold a position that is primarily meant for leadership. Due to your wisdom and experience, many look to you for guidance when they aren’t sure what to do. There is nothing you enjoy more than leading your work team, designating jobs to each member and ensuring that every task is done to the best of their abilities. In situations where a disagreement arises regarding your work, you usually find that you come out on top. 

You are stubborn in your convictions, and have unwavering faith in the fact that you know your position and its responsibilities inside and out. Because of this specific style of performance, you may have found that others question why you don’t hold a higher position. Many would prefer to see you put in a seat of authority, even if this means usurping a current supervisor.

If you have been looking into a position that holds more authority in the workplace, now is the time to go after it. If there is a promotion that you’ve had your eyes on, put in your application now. Or perhaps you’ve been looking into transitioning to self-employment; now is the perfect time to make your move. You flourish when given power, and refusing yourself such a role that allows you to utilize your abilities as a leader may be putting you in an undesirable position. It may be leading to a constant state of discontent with incompetent supervisors, or even a lack of satisfaction with the way that your entire field is operated on a much larger scale. 

Take this as a signal to seize control and assert yourself as a leader, and if others are not willing to accept you as their leader, then it may be time to apply yourself elsewhere.

Despite the fact that one who is regarded as a leader may be talented in positions of authority, this does not always mean that they are using their power responsibly. When The Emperor appears in the reversed position, it may be a sign that your authority has gone to your head, leading you to begin abusing your power in order to get what you want.

These desires may come in many forms: money, material goods, subservience, or even unquestioning loyalty. While these are things that you could theoretically obtain by being a responsible leader, you have found that it is much quicker and easier to get them by throwing your weight around. However, it is important to remember that those who are below you in the hierarchy are not your servants, and it is inappropriate to treat them as such. After all, a leader that does not obtain the respect and loyalty of their supporters risks becoming a dictator.

The Emperor is the card of Fatherly authority. You are with, or you are somebody who is providing security and an element of structure to your work or personal life. There is an air of confident masculine energy surrounding you which allows for you to overcome any problem. Therefore, The Emperor can only be a YES card.

• Upright Emperor – Yes or No?
• The Emperor Reversed – Yes or No?
• The Emperor Meaning for Love – Yes or No?
• The Emperor Love Reversed – Yes or No?
• The Emperor Meaning For Advice – Yes or No?
• The Emperor Meaning For Advice Reversed – Yes or No?
• The Emperor Health – Yes or No?
• The Emperor Career – Yes or No?