Known also as Son/Sun of the Morning and Chief among the Mighty, the card of The Emperor is aligned with Aries and represents order, leadership and responsibility. Aries represents independence, courage and individuality. The card of The Emperor is number four, which is a foundational number and so represents wholeness, stability and structure. When The Emperor appears in a reading, he often represents authority figures we must deal with in a responsible way, since they also represent the balance of power. If we get on the wrong side of The Emperor, we can find ourselves in all sorts of difficulties involving red tape and hold-ups. In his negative aspect he is overbearing and in love with power for the sake of it. He often appears as a father figure, a boss or other man of power - when the card is drawn for a woman it represents a powerful figure who is significant to her growth since in society women are often discouraged from owning their power. They then choose to experience the essence of power through the channel of a significant male figure where it is deemed more acceptable. But that is not necessarily the only way this card need be met. In his positive aspect he gives us all the ability to take responsibility for ourselves and be seated in our power, and not imagine ourselves to be the victim of circumstance or the whims and fickleness of fate. When we are in our own power, we know how to take control, how to influence, how to disregard the trivial and time-wasters that are prevalent more and more in our age of distraction. We know how to get things done that are important to us and are not swayed from our purpose. When we are in our power, we can take care of ourselves and those that matter to us without losing our ability to make things happen. Traditionally, this card means financial stability, status and rewards brought through hard work and climbing the corporate ladder. It bestows great success in business and in matters related to progress in one's career. "Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power." - Seneca Image "The Emperor" © sceithailm.deviantart.com
