KEYWORDS - The Emperor

Masculine strength (in a man or woman). The power, strength and fortitude. Standing firm. Unwavering. A position of power.

The Emperor

Where the Empress represents the feminine, the Emperor represents the masculine and even the patriarchy and in both men and woman, our inner strength, power and ability to stand firm. Externally this can literally mean your father, a father figure in your life or a person of authority, in a position of power or it can represent the system itself as in bureaucracy. This can represent coming up against a person or situation in your life that is unyielding or unbending, with an unwavering sense of conviction and who can take on a leadership role. Or this can represent finding that within yourself. What the Emperor lacks in emotion he makes up for in power. This is a person you might go to for advice or help, in a personal or a professional capacity but who you will not be able to influence or sway. Internally this can represent reaching within to find your own inner strength, a sense of conviction, willpower or standing strong without wavering from your position.

The Emperor Reversed

Reversed or with challenging cards around the Emperor, as he represents power, this could indicate that you are feeling disempowered, that you have given your power away. It could indicate that someone has power over your, whether real or imagined.