04. The Emperor

“What does he talk about besides his great achievements?”

Vision

The Emperor oversees his island in a guardian’s posture. In this confined territory, The Empress’s free and open policies are reined in. Priority is given to meeting the need for stability and autonomy. Around The Emperor, an invisible protective shield shatters any stones thrown at him, symbolizing his triumph over all attacks and limitations through his talents, disciplines, and resolution.

Message

I often discuss with friends the personal impacts of creating a tarot deck. Each card, from its conception to completion, represents a distinct challenge I face in my life. The High Priestess asked me to set boundaries. The Empress made me reevaluate my relationship with my mother. As for The Emperor, it starkly pointed out my then-greatest inner demon: basing my self-worth on an external void. Sometimes I felt unqualified to discuss tarot, attributing the valuable guidance I had received solely to luck. In my mind, there loomed a tall, imposing figure of authority who would never acknowledge my worth.

Keywords

stability | sovereignty | establishment of order | rule | obedience | supremacy | grasp of the core | engaging in external affairs with a pragmatic mindset | self-principled