What does the Empress card mean?
When you think of an empress, you might think of a ruler, a queen, or a person who's gained a position in power. While the empress tarot card can reflect those qualities, it also holds a much more nurturing, creative, and abundant message behind it.
When the Empress appears in a reading, it's a sign that there is someone or something that either has or is in need of healing. Empress asks you to go inward and find what you need to heal and grow into the person you know you can be.
Empress Tarot Card Associations:
Element
Earth
Zodiac
Taurus
Planet
Venus
Keywords
The natural world, creative energy, creative block, creative ideas, nourishment, nurturing, abundance, fertility, awakening, motherhood, healing, abundant nature, art, self care
Imagery
The empress tarot card showcases a beautiful woman. She is wearing a white gown and sitting on a plush red chair. She's outside in nature, enjoying the grace of the natural world. In one hand, she holds a wand; the other rests on her knee. The Empress is gorgeous, wearing a kind and soft look on her face. Behind her is a bright yellow sky, as well as grasses and a forested area.
How the Empress Tarot Card Meaning is Derived from its Imagery
The Empress depicts signs of nature because she is associated with Mother Earth. The earth needs to be nurtured and well-taken care of in order to not destroy or injure the land. This is true for people, and the Empress uses nature as symbolism for this.
Nature is also associated with feminine energy, and the Empress is the physical embodiment of the feminine in human form. She is 1 of two parts of the masculine and feminine energies found within the tarot, followed by the Emperor. The yellow sky is a symbol of positive energy, helping encourage the seeker to begin making beneficial changes and efforts in themselves to help them grow and heal. Yellow is associated with the sun, which is vital for any plant to grow to its fullness.
The Empress in the Fool's Journey
In the fool's journey, the empress tarot card appears after the high priestess, which marks the time when the seeker travels into the depths of their subconscious, and into the mystical realm, where they're faced with the ultimate truth of themselves.
Seeing this in-depth expression of one's soul can lead be overwhelming, which is why the Empress appears to help remind the seeker to continue to care for their needs and desires. This is a time when you must invest in yourself, relax, go outside in nature, and disconnect from the heavy weight of the world around you.
The Empress is the motherly icon for the Fool. The parental masculine energy, or fatherly icon, is the Emperor. Just as human life begins with significant attention and care from parents before leaving "the nest" to take on the world, the early stages of the Fool's journey take place in the care of the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine.
However, the only way the Fool can take on the World and fulfill the calling in his heart, is by venturing forth out from the protective care of the Empress and the Emperor.
The Empress Tarot Card Meanings
The empress tarot card has both positive and negative meanings, both of which can help the seeker grow and use this knowledge to find ways to better themselves and others.
The Empress Upright Meaning
In a tarot reading, if the Empress appears upright, it's a sign that there is an abundance of creative, fertile energy in your life right now. You're in a place where you're basking in the sun, out in nature, taking in all of life's glory. You have the energy and empowerment needed to begin moving toward your goals. The Empress may also represent a woman or person in your life that's helping take care of you right now, and they have your best interest at heart. Don't be afraid to open up to others and take help anywhere it comes.
The Empress Upright in Love
If you find the empress tarot card appearing upright for a love reading, it's a sign that there is an enormous amount of love between the two of you. This person brings in their own nurturing and healing energies, and they are able to feel and receive your own. Because of this, you're encouraged to continue the connection as it's set to bring you the joy and happiness you seek for the future.
The Empress Card in Reverse
The Empress reversed asks you to reflect on your current situation and see where you've neglected your needs. Are you eating enough? Sleeping enough? Are you taking care of your physical and mental health? If not, it's a call to find ways for you to overcome this. You may have felt stagnant lately if the Empress appears in reverse, and it can be a sign that you've held on to resistance in some area of your life.
Nature flows abundantly without resistance, which allows it to grow and flourish into its greatest self. When people move through life without resistance, everything begins to flow similarly, bringing more creativity, fertility, and abundance into your life with ease. Work towards letting go of any resistance that you've been carrying lately and welcome in the Empress'sEmpress's healing energies.
Reversed empress Card for Love Meaning
In love, a reversed empress tarot card description suggests that the relationship may be lacking a sense of nurturing needed in order for it to be strong and long-lasting. There must be an emotional connection in order to grow with each other, there can't just be a physical one. The Empress reversed asks you if you are investing enough into the connection and if another person is as well. If so, is this a connection that feels worth continuing?
Significance of the Empress
The empress tarot card shows the importance of reflecting on nature and how you can help bring nature's magic into your own life. The Empress encourages you to find ways to practice self-care every day, how you can nourish not only your body but also your mind, and to spend time outside in nature.
This is a very positive, loving card, one that reminds us of the power of feminine energy and how it can be used to wash away stagnation, pain, and any sense of lack you may have in your life.
Final Thoughts on The Empress Card
Out of all the tarot cards, the Empress is one of encouragement. She is the mother, the earth, and the energy needed to help rejuvenate every part of you. If you find yourself drawing this card from your tarot deck, reflect on what it may mean for you.
Are you the Empress? Are you in need of taking better care of yourself? When the Empress comes knocking, welcome her in with open arms.
All the Empress Tarot card meanings point to growth. When this card emerges, consider it from the perspective of spurring, supporting, or sustaining growth. Of the whole Tarot deck, this card most embodies Mother Earth and carries with it the energy of new life.