If You Pull the Emperor Tarot Card, Here's Exactly What It Means

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Do you ever look around and think, Oh my, this is a real mess. How did I get here and how will I ever get out of it? How did everything get so disorganized and chaotic?! Before we answer that, we need to recognize that perhaps there was never a system in place. We were just flying by the seat of our pants this whole time, and that is how we wound up in disarray.

When the Emperor appears in a tarot reading, it’s time to cut the nonsense, get down to business, and create a plan that we actually see through! The Emperor is a stoic authority figure in the Major Arcana; he creates rules and structure for a reason. He doesn’t really care about your excuses, your feelings, or whatever explanation you may have for your lack of discipline. We've all been there: Wasting time with distractions, explanations, and justifications when what we really need to do is to stick to a predetermined methodical strategy of ruthless dedication. The Emperor might not display warm fuzzies, but he does show his love through practicality, honesty, and unwavering stability. He wants what's best for you, and sometimes what’s best is a little tough love.

The Emperor Tarot Journal

The Emperor Tarot Candle

The Emperor Eco Tote Bag

The Emperor Mini Print

The Emperor Iron-On Patch

The Emperor Tarot Card Necklace

The Emperor Keywords

Assertive, respect, discipline, direct, organized, routine, structure, authority, practicality, order, control, rules, boundaries, stubborn, rigid, reckless, power-hungry, domineering

The Emperor: Upright Meaning

You cannot gain respect without showing why you are worthy of it. Respect is earned by being respectful of others, doing what you say, and being straightforward. Let’s be honest! There is nothing wrong with being direct. When you need to get things done, you can't be afraid of just facing it head-on. That could mean that it comes with a little side of confrontation, which isn’t a bad thing!

When you're assertive and spell things out clearly, it leaves no room for interpretation because you've have stated your needs, desires, and expectations truthfully. It’s so much worse to be two-faced and act like everything is fine while you're internally seething with rage and resentment! Leaning on passive aggression is a horrible way to handle conflict because it doesn’t provide any sort of resolution. Instead, it creates more issues by masking what’s actually wrong and displaying displeasure in a way that feels dishonest and unpleasant.

If no one understands where you really stand or what you really want, how can they show up for you? If something is on your mind, the best way to handle it is by taking the lead with open and honest communication. This can be an act of vulnerability, but this isn’t about feelings or caring what others think of your direct nature. This is about establishing respect and trust by showing that you care enough to be clear about what matters to you.

The Emperor: Reversed Meaning

Are you being a bit too rigid right now? Maybe you're being so disciplined that it’s verging on perfectionism, with no room for error or creativity. It’s important to have a routine, but sometimes life throws a wrench in the system of our most carefully laid plans. Some rules are meant to be broken, and some master plans need to be hurled out the window in favor of a last-minute impromptu change. Staying steadfast to something that just isn’t working will only leave you frustrated and disappointed, and honestly, it's probably just a waste of time and energy!

Don’t be tyrannical and unable to change. Go with the flow and see where it takes you! Let it fall apart and come back together. P.S. I’m going to let you in on a little secret from the universe: Try as you might, no matter how hard you plan, you simply cannot control everything—so you might as well stop trying! Yes, have a plan A, B, and C, but be prepared to scrap it all. The universe has a better option unfolding for you.

You Might Also Like

• Here’s What NOT to Wear to a Wedding

• Meet the Laziest, Easiest Acne Routine You’ll Ever Try