The Emperor is a card of expressing intent through action, determination, and clarity. It balances the acceptance and compassion of the Empress card with discrimination and conscious choice. While the Empress gives birth to all things and loves all things equally, the Emperor selects which children of the Empress to invest in. While it is true that it is all good, it is also true that we have choice in life how we direct our energy. The Emperor functions best when it is connected to the energy of the Empress, as if the masculine force is just an extension of the greater feminine desire to create. Within the larger context of acceptance, you have the power to select what you will give your attention to.
In Vedic astrology, the Emperor corresponds to the sign of Aries. Aries is a cardinal fire sign ruled by the planet Mars. It is the inhale of the will chakra. It is about drawing energy into your power center and claiming your personal power. Aries is the sign of positive action. So the Emperor card helps us to move with clear intent in our lives.
In the Toltec shamanism schematic I've intuited, we are still in the mastery of awareness. The first three cards of this mastery were about initiating ourselves into the art of becoming aware and learning the basic tools of intent, deep listening, and acceptance. Now with the Emperor card we begin the process of integrating what we've learned into our lives. The Emperor shows how we can move into our lives with clear perception. This card is where we become aware that we have choice and we are choosing to perceive in certain ways, whether consciously or unconsciously. This is where we become aware of our own power and our own intent.
This card is not always about physical action. In many depictions of this card, the Emperor is not wielding any weapon. It is not about warfare or having power over others. Essentially the Emperor card is about perceiving in deliberate ways. It directs warrior energy towards creating a stable energetic structure within which to cultivate our awareness and prepare for personal transformation. Perhaps there is an action you need to take in order to establish this energetic container. Or maybe the act of will is simply shifting your perceptions, which may not look like anything on the outside.
Use the energy of the Emperor card to get clear about how you are perceiving and where you would like to direct your energy. When you find yourself in a habitual pattern of thought or emotion, see if you can summon some of that warrior energy to consciously shift the pattern. Even if you are unable to shift it or if you just shift it for a moment, bringing yourself to that moment of clarity will increase your awareness of how you are holding energy.
Find the Emperor card and place it somewhere visible. Remind yourself of that warrior energy, and apply it to different areas of your life. Use it to remind yourself what you are cultivating and giving your attention to.
Next: The Heirophant
(c) 2004 by David Ray
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