The Emperor
Major arcana, number 4
Upright
Order and responsibility — set the frame, work steadily inside it, and results follow.
Reversed
The structure has hardened, or there is no structure at all and things are drifting.
| Arcana | Major |
|---|---|
| Number | 4 |
How to read this
- The 22 major arcana speak of the large movements; the 56 minor arcana speak of the specific events inside them. Noticing which one you drew tells you the scale.
- A minor card is read by combining suit and number: the suit says which area of life, the number says which stage within it.
- Reversed is less an opposite than the same force blocked or overdone. Before flipping the meaning, look at where that force is actually going.
- A card is a picture of the present situation, not a fixed future. The same card reads differently depending on what you asked.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does the tarot card The Emperor mean?
Upright: Order and responsibility — set the frame, work steadily inside it, and results follow.
Q. What does The Emperor mean reversed?
The structure has hardened, or there is no structure at all and things are drifting.
Q. Where does The Emperor sit in the deck?
Major arcana, number 4