THE EMPEROR

Maybe I have issues with authority -- I think I've been avoiding this card for a while now. When I came upon this sculpture by Ron Mueck, however, I could suddenly see everything from a different angle (more photos here). The boy is so primal, his size so robust and inconquerable. His eyes flash with defiance. He could scatter us like twigs, yet his posture is defensive, reluctant. I wondered whether this sculpture sums up what if feels like to be a king -- engendered with superhuman authority, seemingly inviolate, surrounded by awed or adoring eyes, unable to hide.

This vulnerability is a gateway to understanding the Emperor's psyche. After all, he's no mere paper tiger, no immense cardboard-cutout icon of virility and stability, no mere stuffed shirt on a throne. To truly understand the importance of his no-nonsense regime and unflinching commands, you need to look past his crown and realize his primary motivation: fear.

This is what makes him such a perfect partner -- and opposite -- to the Empress. Her love for her subjects is luxuriant, generous, unrestrained, wanton. The Emperor's is anxious, vigilant, practical, violent if necessary. Together, they form the yin and yang that set the stage for our civilization. But alone and unchecked, he becomes the sort of dictator that we still see springing up from repressive cultures even today.

In a reading, those fatherly qualities tend toward a positive and helpful interpretation, guiding you toward stability, oversight, and responsibility in the matter at hand. However, depending on the context, you may only hear his paternalistic warnings about risks and consequences and want to rebel. Can your ego accept good advice even if it comes from a bossy, interfering individual? Have you become the Emperor of your own life? Do you still cling to some other guiding force for protection? All our daddy issues get some fresh air when the Emperor surfaces! Hopefully seeing the overgrown boy behind the stern, grey beard will help you do what you need to do.