Tarot: 4 The Emperor
Throne, ram’s heads, orb and sceptre. Sometimes an Eagle.
The Emperor represents management. Once the beginnings of the project have been set out, it is time to learn how to manage it. Again, like the empress, this card rarely signifies a person, but a process. This card is also the first one to be represented by an astrological sign, Aries.
Oh, management is such an Aries ideal… It is so full of bluster and appearance, and getting all of the glory. Of course, it is a noble task in itself, and does deserve recognition. This card deals with the question of how others can do things for you, and how to get them to do it.
In the story of The Fool, as we retrace him through having an idea, seeing his talents laid before him by the Magician, learning his direction from the High Priestess, and giving birth to his project with the Empress, we find that the fool now realizes that he has to manage it all… He does his taxes, buys upgrades for his tools, and may even start gathering a staff, but at the head of it all sits the fool, feeling as successful as ever as he makes every decision and plans every detail.
Something has to give… The fool can either rest here, for it is a comfortable position, and many would say that it is a successful one… or he can continue on to become a leader, and let others manage the day to day tasks.
It should be noted that other Fools have turned away from the path… Some sit at the cliff, looking over it, afraid to climb down its cliffs. Still others refuse to accept the gifts of the Magician, because of the tricks used to bring them out. More yet have refused the help of the High Priestess, as she didn’t give them a straight enough answer. Even more fools have stopped short of starting their projects, giving the Empress the hard work that she requires out of those who come to her… Of those who make it to the Emperor, very few remain, having given up their dreams and ambitions, so getting this far is certainly a success in its own right… yet something lies just beyond the hill, waiting to be seen.
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