I WILL BE WORKING USING THE RIDER WAITE TAROT DECK AS A BASIS FOR THIS EXPLORATION.

The Empress sits proudly on her throne. She is a mother, a representation of fertility and love. She is graceful and radiates the energy of Hera. She brings abundance and peace.

The Empress is a motherly figure with blonde curls, she is sat on a rather comfortable looking throne, her embroidered dress draped around her. Behind her is a luscious green forest and placed on her head is a crown with 12 stars. She is regal and beautiful. Her pomegranate-adorned gown is symbolic of fertility and, like The High Priestess, harks back to the myth of Persephone, Demeter, and Hades.

The twelve stars on The Empress’ crown is significant, as the number 12 has a lot of cultural and mythical significance. It is the number of full lunations in a year, and the number of years that it takes for Jupiter to orbit the sun. As well as this, it is important in classical Greek mythology as the number of Olympians, the number of labours undertaken by Heracles, the number of Titans. 12 is also significant in Hebrew and East Asian cultures. The Empress is connected to the earth and with the history of the world. The green forest demonstrates the fertile power that The Empress has, as well as her connection with the earth.

The Empress is strongly linked to the figure of Hera from Greek mythology or Juno from Roman mythology- she is the dignified and ever watchful queen. The ultimate mother, she is also associated with Demeter, Ceres, Pagan mother-goddesses, and the Christian Virgin Mary.

When The Empress appears in a reading it is telling us something about our femininity, whether the querent is male or female. It is talking to us about our fertility, expression, nurturing, or creativity. Embracing the feminine side of ourselves is the key to balance, particularly if a man is the querent. The Empress is the card of Mother Earth and protects and nurtures us. She is willing you to go forward and take on new challenges in the knowledge that she has got you.

The motherly nature of this card asks us to look after ourselves, practice self care and accept yourself. She is a card of fertility and this may be poignant for querents who have struggled with this. She asks you to recognise your importance as a central figure in the lives of those you love- you are very needed and very valuable. The Empress promises fruition and joy.

Someone close to you may need a bit of love and care; reach out to those you love and check that they are okay. You may be the person that they need right now, but be wary of becoming a martyr.

If The Empress appears reversed in a reading, she is telling you to nurture yourself. You may be spreading yourself too thin and neglecting yourself- becoming the martyr mentioned above. Take a step back and reevaluate where you are. Cut off the things that do not serve you positively and then begin to take more steps forward. You can not help others if you, yourself, are not in a good place.