TekkieTarot Posted June 28, 2019 Posted June 28, 2019 Hello, Would anyone like to share there meanings or experiences about the emperor rx? I really don’t know what to think of him when he’s reversed. The only think I associate him with is someone who doesn’t know how to be a man, someone who can’t step up and take charge. No backbone and weak. Also that he can’t be the man you need him. For example if your talking to a guy and you ask if he will become your boyfriend, and you get the emperor reversed that could be saying he can’t be your boyfriend he can’t fill that position in your life. The emperor rx just really gets me sometimes. So any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Marigold Posted June 28, 2019 Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) Well, this would depend very much on the reading wouldn't it ? Is it a financial reading, a relationship reading, a health reading, a work related reading ? And what do the other cards say which would give more insight ? For instance, if it's a relationship reading, it could mean that the person uses his/her power (an Emperor can be a woman as well) for themselves and not for the greater good. Or that they only make a show of being strong, but actually they're full of doubts and fragilities. In a financial reading, I'd say it would mean watch out. Could be risky to make the investment. Etc. etc. And what's the position in the reading of the card ? Past ? Present ? Advice ? What's hidden ? One can't plomp meanings on cards without there being some background to them. Edited June 28, 2019 by Marigold
Decan Posted June 28, 2019 Posted June 28, 2019 Honestly I have two kinds of meanings for the Emperor reversed; the first deals with an excess of power, like dominion and tyrany, the other with a lack of authority, someone rather weak who lacks of structures. Well, these ambiguities are embarrassing when you try to interpret a card. Otherwise with Tarot most of the times a card is pulled with other cards and there are also positions, so the matter is what this emperor could say with regard its position in your spread and according the context of your question.
Barleywine Posted June 28, 2019 Posted June 28, 2019 2 hours ago, Decan said: Honestly I have two kinds of meanings for the Emperor reversed; the first deals with an excess of power, like dominion and tyrany, the other with a lack of authority, someone rather weak who lacks of structures. Well, these ambiguities are embarrassing when you try to interpret a card. Otherwise with Tarot most of the times a card is pulled with other cards and there are also positions, so the matter is what this emperor could say with regard its position in your spread and according the context of your question. Nicely reasoned. One of the key aspects of the Emperor is the "Rule of Law," so reversal could bring an emphasis on anarchy or, less chaotically, disobedience of an arguably less volatile sort such as resisting paternal authority (something we all have to do eventually if we're going to grow up).
Grizabella Posted June 28, 2019 Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) My mind just jumped to "Donald Trump" I think he's a good example of a reversed Emperor. When the election was going on, I used to say of him that he didn't want to be president, he wanted to be king. He just doesn't know the first thing about what being the leader of a free country even is. And even if he did, he wouldn't be much good at it. Another example would be the fairy tale of the Emperor's new clothes. Edited June 28, 2019 by Grizabella
Decan Posted June 30, 2019 Posted June 30, 2019 Actually I opposed dominion with someone pretty weak who lacks of structures for the Emperor reversed, but on second thought, it isn't necessarily contradictory; someone authoritative can have personal weaknesses, and I also read somewhere that someone too domineering actually lacks of real authority. So here if I simply things, the card reversed can show an imbalance with authority.
Flaxen Posted June 30, 2019 Posted June 30, 2019 43 minutes ago, Decan said: Actually I opposed dominion with someone pretty weak who lacks of structures for the Emperor reversed, but on second thought, it isn't necessarily contradictory; someone authoritative can have personal weaknesses, and I also read somewhere that someone too domineering actually lacks of real authority. So here if I simply things, the card reversed can show an imbalance with authority. Yes, if I think in terms of UK history, there were weak kings and strong kings. A ‘good’ king had the respect of his subjects and therefore a natural authority. The ‘bad’ kings did not have the respect of nobility and this put their authority in question - often this led to a counter-swing and imposition of tyrannical measures. Perception can be key - Edward I embodies many qualities of the medieval notion of a good king. He was a competent military leader, financial administrator and religious. However, his actions in Wales and Scotland push him more to a ‘reversed’ Emperor. People aren’t black and white and the two emperors can coexist in one person. This is why I don’t usually read with reversals - all the nuances of a card are already there and the position and surrounding cards help to tease out the meaning.
Decan Posted June 30, 2019 Posted June 30, 2019 @Flaxen Interesting! This makes me think to another recent thread: If You Don't Use Actual Card Reversals, How do You Know When To Read Them As Reversed? A few conclusions were to apply the reversed meanings when the card is badly aspected somehow, that is surrounded by negative cards; yes "People aren’t black and white and the two emperors can coexist in one person", absolutely!
Page of Wands Posted August 21, 2019 Posted August 21, 2019 This is kinda old, but i love the discussions behind the emperor card. Im not a big fan of reversed cards, because i believe that a upright card can bring all necessary elements to give a good reading. Buuuuuttt...i do see a lot of value on the emperor card reversed. I saw in my life, basically, two kind of interpretations regarding reversed cards...or, two groups: First one - Reversed cards shows a blockage of the major meanings of a card. For example, the emperor upright could mean a great power to lead. Reversed, someone that have no idea of how lead people or a project. Second one - Reversed cards shows a negative aspect of the major meaning. Again, for example, the emperor upright could mean a great power to lead. Reversed, someone that leads but uses this power to oppress, like a violent dictator. I see myself more in the second group, i think the reversed cards shows a negative aspect of it. But, i dont think this is a rule...so that's why i rarely use reversals.
areda93 Posted August 23, 2019 Posted August 23, 2019 I'm still perhaps not the best at interpreting cards, but most readings I've had done for me in the last year have included the emperor reversed. As others have mentioned, I guess it does have to do with context. I asked someone to do a career reading for me and my past card was an emperor RX. This person explained that in my past, I havent been able to take control of my own life and lead it in a positive direction. There was a lack of will or strength that allowed for so many of my creative ventures to crumble.
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