Tarot Card: The Empress Tarot Card Meanings

The Empress Upright Meaning

The Empress is a Major Arcana, or “trump” card, that portrays the energy of the great mother. She is nature, around us but also within us, the ever-unfolding source of life-giving power. The Empress is often pictured as a pre-Christian Goddess, as the one whom The High Priestess is channeling down to Earth for the rest of us.

In medieval Europe, The Empress card was painted to represent whatever queen currently ruled the land, probably to satisfy the Inquisitors. But the scholars of the Renaissance and beyond had no doubt of her true identity — she could not be fully revealed on Tarot cards as “the woman clothed with the sun” until after the French Revolution.

This supreme archetype of femininity also symbolizes fertility. It is The Empress who provides us nourishment and security. She is also sometimes seen as delighting us with flowers and fruit. A potentially terrifying aspect of this archetype manifests itself whenever karmic mood swings wipe out our plans, like a storm that has come upon us. Whatever happens, The Empress is the source of our embodiment and of natural lLaw. She might even be called “The Great Recycler.”

The Empress Reversed Meaning

Because the Empress represents Nature, when she is reversed she has tremendous natural power to correct her heedless children. Volcanoes, tsunami, hurricanes and the like symbolize violent emotions triggered by ignorant or foolish humans.

If you feel like being corrective, you are probably justified, but set limits on how punitive you allow yourself to be. You don’t want to go too far and destroy all you have taken so much delight in.

The Empress Advice Position

The Empress advises you to trust in the good sense you have shown up to this point. Recognize your good intentions in carrying out your responsibilities as a compassionate human. You are capable of demonstrating the finest aspects of your personality.

Demonstrate this through caring actions, a forgiving and generous attitude, and wise understanding of others’ needs and struggles. Bring a healing influence to the current situation and take full credit for the supportive part you play.

The Empress Love Position

The Empress symbolizes harmony, comfort, creativity, and wisdom. This Great Mother beckons us with her life-giving support. She is the abundant matrix from which we draw vital life and out of which we individuate. She exemplifies health and natural joy in the body, the healing arts, music and all things good, true and beautiful. We learn our highest ideals from her. The Empress in this position indicates that you personify something generous, warm, and nurturing. If you can wholeheartedly express and embrace these life-giving impulses, then you will very likely draw your potential soul-mate or desired partner to your side.

The Empress Career Position

A charismatic individual in the work environment may be attracting people like bees to a flower. This kind of person helps us realize the importance of being inspired by high ideals. Naturally this is a valuable person to have around. Such a person provides support and acceptance for everyone to be nurtured by.

If you find yourself in resistance to this character ask yourself why. Judging by the fruits of their work, this person may be worth your admiration. Emulation is the appropriate response to the new and upbeat influence the person you are involved with is bringing into your life.

The Empress in a Yes or No Card Reading

The Empress is a card of comfort and creativity. If you’re looking for simple Yes or No guidance and receive The Empress, the answer is YES. Cultivate an attitude of abundance and prioritize what makes you happy.