Tarot Card Meanings
The Empress is associated with fertility, expression, creativity and nurturing among many other aspects.
The Empress is a lovely, full-figured woman with blonde hair who exudes serenity. She has a crown of twelve stars on her head, demonstrating her ties to both the mystical world and the cycles of the natural world (the twelve months of the year and the twelve planets). Pomegranates, a symbol of fertility, are embroidered on her robe, which is draped over a sumptuous collection of pillows and flowing red velvet. Venus, the planet of love, creativity, fertility, beauty, and grace, and the essence of The Empress is represented on one cushion.
The Empress is surrounded by a stunning, lush forest and a winding stream, representing her connection to Mother Earth and life itself. The trees and the water give her a sense of calm, and the power of nature renews her. Golden wheat emerges from the ground in the foreground, reflecting the abundance of a recent harvest.
NOTE: The Tarot card meaning description is based on the Rider Waite cards.
The Empress represents a close affinity with our femininity. Femininity, which can be expressed in a variety of ways such as elegance, sensuality, fertility, creative expression, and nurturing, is essential for achieving balance in both men and women. You are encouraged to connect with your feminine energy by the Empress. Make your life beautiful. Taste, touch, sound, smell, and sight can help you to connect with your senses. Use these senses to feel pleasure and profound fulfillment. Spend more time with your partner, go to a day spa, learn how to massage people, and dine at a fine restaurant. Learn various methods for creative expression, whether it be through drama, music, painting, or other art forms. This could be the ideal time to start a new hobby that gives you access to this side of yourself.
The Empress represents abundance. You have everything you need to lead a comfortable life, and you are surrounded by the pleasures and luxuries of life. Your dreams are now becoming a reality because you are going through a time of growth. When The Empress appears in your Tarot readings, take a moment to consider the abundance in your life and express gratitude for everything you have accomplished. By doing this, you will be able to build on this energy and create even more wealth in the future.
The Empress, who represents the Mother Earth archetype, compels you to go outdoors to ground your energy and be in aligned with the earth. Visit your preferred natural area, such as a forest, beach, mountain, or lake, and sit there for a few minutes, hours, or even days to take in the energy in the area and to be in awe of its beauty. Give yourself the time and space to shift your perspective and invite nature’s grounding spirit into your heart and consciousness. You can access higher states of consciousness by doing this.
You will unavoidably adopt The Empress’s nurturing personality when you are in tune with her energy. You have a strong desire to support and nurture others out of a place of love and compassion. You view caring for others as a gift and an honor, and you gain benefits from doing so. In a more literal sense, you might assume the role of “mother,” perhaps by taking care of someone else’s children or your own, or by spending more time with your children.
Additionally, the Empress may portend a pregnancy or birth. This could refer to the literal pregnancy or childbirth of a new idea or project, or it could be a metaphor for either. Nurture and encourage the development of your creative ideas to bring them to life. Acting in compassion and love, allow those designs and their manifestation to flow through you.
Reversed, The Empress compels you to give yourself the love and attention you deserve. Especially if you have been giving away your power by putting too much emphasis on another person’s emotional or material needs while neglecting your own, now is the time to bring your loving energy and focus to yourself. Plan a girls’ weekend, take a solo stroll, or begin a personal creative project. Filling your cup and taking care of yourself are crucial if you want to take care of others without feeling resentful.
You might also yearn for a closer bond with Mother Nature. Now is the ideal time to spend even a short amount of time in a natural area like a beach, park, or garden. Take a moment to observe the small details, such as an ant scurrying across the ground, newly-emerging leaves on the trees, or the deep purples and greens of the flowers and plants, as you take in the radiant energy of being surrounded by nature’s beauty.
The Empress Reversed might make you think about problems with your body image. When it comes to your appearance and body type, are you the one who judges you the harshest? Regain love for your body and express gratitude for all of its beautiful curves, lumps, and bumps. Rediscover your inner and outer beauty.
You might play the “mother” role in your relationships too much, becoming overly controlling, co-dependent, and overprotective. If this strikes a chord with you, it’s time to stop concentrating on the mother-child relationship and start building adult-to-adult relationships by encouraging independence, trust, and compassionate love.