IV. L'Imperatrice - The Little Emperor

[fire cat pickles]

Minchiate card deck - Florence - 1860-1890 - Trumps - 04 - Papa quattro
A. Baragioli (editor) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

IIII. L'Imperatrice, The Little Emperor, is confident without being overconfident. He is not egotistical. He is comfortable in his own skin. Finally, the Fool has come into his own. His position faces forward, ready to face the world. His ankles are crossed, yes, but not because he is in a state of ill-preparedness. He has is ducks all in a row. The bravado of his earlier years gone, he can literally rest secure in the knowledge that the world is in his control.

 

 

The RWS compliment is the IV. Emperor, of course. It's easy to transpose what we already know about this card to the Minchiate, but I think there is more to it than that. The globe the Little Emperor holds has a star on top of it. He shows us that he is the light of the world and not only the sole proprietor of the known world. He is the caretaker of the world's spiritual concerns, as well. And as such, he is more likely the IV. Emperor and the V. Hierophant rolled up into one. It may be prudent here to note that not only is he Papi quattro but also the fifth trump card in the sequence.

 

 

In readings, his advice is for us not to be caught up one-hundred percent in life's material pursuits but in our spiritual well-being also. A holistic approach is crucial if we are to achieve balance.  This is noticeable in his posture, as well. Although he is positioned forward in "the present," he is still glancing to the left to the past, as if wary of what has happened can affect him yet still. This is wise of him, as he takes the best and the worst of what has happened but at the same time uses these lessons to teach him how to live life to the fullest. This balancing effect is evident in the Number Four of this trump card, and this balance is a prerequisite for his next stage in life as he seeks a mate to complete him.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 22, 2021 by fire cat pickles