Meaning of Tarot Card, Empress

6th May 2008

This article will discuss the meaning of the tarot card, the Empress.  The Empress is the fourth card of the Major Arcana, card III.  As always, the meaning of the tarot card is influenced greatly by the factors present during the reading, as well as the surrounding cards.  However, there are a few accepted meanings that are applicable when the tarot card reader sees The Empress in a tarot reading.

The Empress is a mature woman, comfortable in her physicality.  The Empress represents the active, capable, empowered woman.  The Empress is the Earth mother, receptive to the needs of all of her children.  The Empress is the wise woman to whom the local people go in order to better understand themselves and their society.

The Empress lands Upright in a Reading

When the tarot card reader pulls the Empress for a questioner, there is an issue with how the questioner is relating to someone in her social group.  If the Empress lands upright, the questioner is comfortable in herself, in her body, and in her role within her social group.  Perhaps she is called on to be the mediator between two of her friends.

When the Empress lands reversed in a tarot card reading, the creative, interactive part of the questioner is dormant.  Perhaps she is traveling away from her home, or has been placed in solitary confinement (perhaps of her own making).  Perhaps it is a time for the questioner to turn inwards, and help improve her own being.
Circular Tarot Cards

If the tarot card reader is using circular cards, the Empress may land to the right or left.  When the Empress lands to the right, there are a couple of possibilities.  She may have an undertaking before her which requires her to focus and be more interactive, or take on more of a leadership role, than that to which she is accustomed.  Alternatively, she may be forcing a social or physical relationship.  Perhaps she (or someone else close to her) is playing matchmaker when it is not wanted.

When the Empress lands to the left in a card reading, the questioner is facing a situation where some of the people who need to work together to accomplish a task are not fully committing to the situation.  It may also be a situation in which she is feeling uneasy in her body, or is not being able to express herself fully in a sensual manner.  The tarot reader will know which reading is appropriate based on the surrounding cards, if other factors do not convey the information directly.

I hope you have enjoyed the meaning of the major arcana card III, The Empress.

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