The Emperor

✦ I am directing.

✦ Symbolism

The symbolism is very strong: a stone throne, a scepter, and a suit of armor underneath his red robes. The fact that he’s wearing armor underneath those lush, beautiful robes gives us some insight into the man. It makes me think about a Kevlar vest under the uniform of a police officer. The image he presents is professional and competent. Underneath the uniform, though, there is steel. The symbols on his throne are dominant, as well. Ram heads on his throne and in most Basic decks, gold or a shiny item in his left hand and a staff in his right. For some reason, the gold looks like a set of brass knuckles to me, but I’m weird. He’s got shifty eyes; he’s incredibly attentive.

✦ Background Features

The mountains behind him are the most noticeable background feature, but look at the bottom of the throne. In some Basic decks, there is the smallest trickle of water running behind him. In Llewellyn’s Classic Tarot, the waters are still. Both of these conditions show that emotion is present for our Emperor, but only just. Think about that. When we see water in tarot, we know that that’s emotion. The water in this card is so easy to overlook. When we see this card in a reading, maybe we’re not going to get what we want right away. We need to deliberate and try to figure out which approach is the best approach.

✦ Decision Making

Someone has to make the hard decisions. Someone has to decide that we’re going to invade here, not there. Someone has to decide what to do in a crisis, and someone has to be That Guy, or nothing will get accomplished. In a way, this card is John Wayne, the sheriff, and your dad on his best day. He’s going to make everything okay. He has authority, stability, and common sense. He can take care of things and make sure that tradition is carried on and that everything is safe. He’s a soldier, a police officer, a fireman. He’s going to take care of us.

✦ Domineering Nature

Even when the card isn’t inverted, though, he can be domineering. I always think of the Bible story about Jericho. God said, “Hey, go build a city over there. There’s already a city there? Hang on, I’ll knock it down. Now build your city.” It’s that “my way or the highway” thought process that I can’t go with. With the Emperor, it’s good to remember that the difference between being an effective leader or a tyrant is that when you’re a leader, people don’t wince while you’re talking.

✦ The Emperor Inverted

This card is about being reckless. You have to learn the rules before you break them. Kind of a “damn the Man,” “forget about being safe or taking precautions” kind of card. It also represents bullies. Racists and egomaniacs—all talk, no substance.