Beyond Keywords: The Emperor Tarot Card Meanings In Context
Learn to interpret the Emperor in any tarot reading.
To move beyond keywords towards mastery of the Emperor (in the Rider Waite Smith deck), it is helpful to understand the card in various contexts. That is why this guide covers:
Arthur Edward Waite's original vision for it, from The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911).
Emperor Meanings for all major life areas; general, love, career, spiritual, and intellectual.
Interpretations for several common spread positions e.g. situation, advice, outcome
Key card combination pairs like the Emperor with the Empress.
The RWS Emperor at a Glance
Keywords: Authority, Structure, Control, Fatherhood, Leadership, Stability
Reversed Keywords: Tyranny, Rigidity, Lack of Discipline, Abuse of Power, Chaos
Element: Fire
Yes/No: Yes
In This Article:
A.E. Waite’s Original Vision
Upright Emperor: Meanings in Context
Reversed Emperor: Meanings in Context
Journal Prompts for Personal Reflection
The Emperor in Key Card Combinations
Controversies & Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
A.E. Waite’s Emperor Card (Rider Waite Smith Deck)
A.E Waite’s Emperor card shows a stern, bearded figure seated on a large stone throne adorned with four rams' heads, symbolising his connection to Aries and the principles of leadership and action.
He wears a suit of armour, which indicates he is protected and prepared for conflict. His posture, however, is one of stability, not aggression.
In his right hand, he holds an ankh-sceptre, representing his authority over life, and in his left, a globe, signifying his dominion over the material world.
Behind his throne are barren, imposing mountains, reflecting the stark reality of his rule and the unyielding nature of his authority.
Waite’s Divinatory Meanings of The Emperor
In his 1911 book, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, A.E. Waite gives the divinatory meanings for The Emperor as follows:
"Stability, power, protection, realization; a great person; aid, reason, conviction; also authority and will. Reversed: Benevolence, compassion, credit; also confusion to enemies, obstruction, immaturity."
Upright RWS Emperor: Meanings in Context
In Life Areas
Generally: The Emperor relates to structure, rules, and authority. Creating a budget, following a strict routine, the rule of law, dealing with a government agency.
In a Love Context: This card signifies a traditional, committed relationship defined by clear boundaries. A protective partner, defining the relationship, a proposal of marriage, a stable partnership.
In a Money/Career Context: This card points to leadership and success within a structured environment. A promotion to a management position, running a successful business, a corporate job, financial stability through careful planning.
In an Intellectual Context: The Emperor represents logical, structured thinking. Writing a well-organised thesis, creating a detailed project plan, a preference for facts over feelings, studying law or engineering.
In a Spiritual Context: This card is about a disciplined spiritual practice. Following a specific set of religious rules, a structured spiritual order, the "Divine Lawgiver" aspect of God, a respected spiritual leader.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: The structured, authoritative energy of The Emperor advises you to take control, be disciplined, and create a solid plan.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: The outcome is one of stability, success, and control. Your authority will be established, and your plans will be realised.
As Obstacles: The obstacle is excessive control or rigidity. Progress is blocked by a tyrannical boss, bureaucratic red tape, or your own inflexible attitude.
As Hidden Energy: The disciplined, authoritative energy of The Emperor is an untapped resource. There is a powerful potential for leadership and control that you are not currently using.
As Resources/Alliances: Help comes in the form of a powerful, influential person. A father figure, a boss, a mentor, or a government body can provide the structure you need.
Reversed RWS Emperor: Meanings in Context
In Life Areas
Generally: Reversed, The Emperor can point to a lack of discipline, chaos, or an abuse of power. An unstructured life with no routine, a rebellion against rules, a corrupt official, a chaotic household.
In a Love Context: This card often signifies a controlling or domineering partner. An imbalance of power in a relationship, a refusal to commit, a "my way or the highway" attitude, a chaotic and unstable partnership.
In a Money/Career Context: This can mean a tyrannical boss or a chaotic workplace. A failed business due to a lack of planning, financial instability, a disorganised project with no leadership.
In an Intellectual Context: This points to a rejection of logic and structure. A chaotic and disorganised argument, a refusal to follow the rules of a debate, an immature and stubborn intellectual position.
In a Spiritual Context: This can mean a dogmatic and rigid spiritual belief system. A corrupt spiritual leader, using spiritual rules to control others, a rebellion against all forms of spiritual discipline.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: A warning against being too controlling or, conversely, too chaotic. It is time to challenge an abusive authority or to bring some much-needed discipline to your own life.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: The outcome is defined by chaos or tyranny. A project will fail due to a lack of structure, or you will find yourself under the control of an abusive power.
As Obstacles: The obstacle is a tyrant or a complete lack of control. A micromanaging boss, your own lack of self-discipline, or a chaotic environment is blocking your progress.
As Hidden Energy: Concealed
As Resources/Alliances: Insurgents, militias, activists, protestors, journalists.
The RWS Emperor in Key Card Combinations
Combinations with Major Arcana
The Emperor & The Hierophant
The Emperor (↑) & The Hierophant (↑): A traditional institution. A corporate CEO who follows the rules. A religious government.
The Emperor (↓) & The Hierophant (↑): A chaotic person who despises tradition. A failed business due to a refusal to follow expert advice.
The Emperor (↑) & The Hierophant (↓): A powerful leader who breaks with convention. A successful company with a rebellious, unorthodox culture.
The Emperor (↓) & The Hierophant (↓): A corrupt and dogmatic organisation. A chaotic cult leader. A complete rejection of all rules and traditions.
The Emperor & The Chariot
The Emperor (↑) & The Chariot (↑): A disciplined and successful military campaign. A well-planned business expansion. A victory achieved through willpower and control.
The Emperor (↓) & The Chariot (↑): Conquering tyrant. Indomitable will.
The Emperor (↑) & The Chariot (↓): Disorganized, apathetic, lazy or unsuitable leadership/authority. Phyrric victory.
The Emperor (↓) & The Chariot (↓): Catastrophic and humiliating defeat.
Combinations with the Suit of Cups
The Emperor & The Two of Cups
The Emperor (↑) & The Two of Cups (↑): A traditional marriage proposal. A formal business partnership. A relationship with clear, defined boundaries.
The Emperor (↓) & The Two of Cups (↑): A controlling person who is ruining a good partnership. A refusal to commit to a loving relationship.
The Emperor (↑) & The Two of Cups (↓): A stable, committed relationship that has lost its emotional connection. A business partnership that is functional but loveless.
The Emperor (↓) & The Two of Cups (↓): A chaotic and co-dependent relationship. A business partnership that fails due to both a lack of structure and a breakdown in communication.
Controversies & Notes
The Father Figure
The Emperor is the archetypal Father or patriarch, the worldly counterpart to the Hierophant's spiritual authority.
While The Empress creates and nurtures, The Emperor structures and protects. He represents the necessary principle of order and law that allows society to function and creative endeavours to flourish.
He is strongly masculine, but only toxically so when reversed.
The Ram's Head and Aries
The four rams' heads on the throne are not merely decorative. They are a direct link to the astrological sign of Aries, the ram. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, a cardinal fire sign ruled by Mars.
This correspondence imbues The Emperor with the qualities of a pioneer, a leader, and a warrior. It signifies his initiative, his drive to build and conquer, and his role as the primary masculine, active principle.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Emperor
What does The Emperor card mean as a 'yes' or 'no'? As a card of stability, control, and realised plans, The Emperor is a very strong indicator of 'yes'.
What is The RWS Emperor's elemental correspondence? Fire. This links the card to things like action, leadership, willpower, and authority.
Is The Emperor always a man? No. While he represents the archetypal masculine principle of structure and authority, The Emperor can represent a person of any gender who embodies these qualities. He can also represent an institution, a government, or a set of rules.
