Empress Tarot Card Meanings by Avia from Tarot Teachings

Empress Tarot Card Meanings

The mother figure of the Tarot deck, the Empress Tarot card meanings are all about love, abundance, nurturing, and pleasure. When we observe the card we see elements of nature – all exploding on the card – the Empress brings about the flood of growth and is the epitome of abundance. She reminds us that there is always enough for everyone to enjoy. There is no shortage.

Key Words for the Empress Tarot Card Meanings

Promise
Fertility
Assurance
Protection
Creativity
Abundance
Femininity

Many decks depict the Empress as pregnant. This is very symbolic, and when pulled, this card conveys a message that the situation is pregnant with a promise – full of opportunity. Along with the symbolism of pregnancy holding promise, comes the waiting period. Just as there is an incubation time until the child comes forth, so too is there a time of waiting until our desires become manifest.

Venus is the astral ruler of the Empress card. As such, this card expresses love, beauty, art, and pleasure. When we pull the Empress card it is a clear indication that we’re on the right track with our artistic endeavors and should be encouraged to participate in the activities that instills love in our hearts, and creativity in our souls.

The Tarot card meanings associated with the Empress are strongly linked with motherhood. When we pull this card for ourselves or for others it is often a message to a mother or from a mother. Keep this in mind as you are conducting your readings.

Key Symbols Relative to Empress Tarot Card Meanings:

This section focuses on a few select symbols that can help us further define the Empress Tarot card meanings.

Shield: The Empress abides by one motto: “From love I do come, from love I do go” and her shield is a testament to this creed. The Empress knows (as we all should) that when we enter all situations with the shield of love, we are always protected. When we envelope ourselves with a force-field of love, there is no need for fear. The shield is a paradox – we think of protection – yet the emblem of love (Venus, a heart) is pictured on the shield. The paradox is that where there is love there is instant protection, yet to love also requires our vulnerability.

Waterfall: Water is a universal sign of motion, emotion, abundance, and also gives the reader a concept of abundance as it is usually depicted on the card in the form of a waterfall. This symbol expresses the ability of the Empress to open up her intuitive resources and allow abundance to flow through her freely. Consider the exhilarating rush of a waterfall – expansive and powerful – even a little frightening as it crashes against the rocks. The waterfall is a reminder that with tranquility also comes extreme force – we must be mindful of our capacity to love and create – as well as our ability to hate and destroy.

Wheat: Wheat is a universal sign of nourishment. With it comes the association of harvest. This symbol is a profound expression of the Empress in her nurturing glory. She assures that all the elements are in place so that growth occurs, and a bounty is harvested. She also reminds us that the seeds we sow are in direct relation to the harvest we shall reap. The wheat is also a symbol of a process – a time to sow, a time to grow and a time to pick the fruits of our labor. The Empress is keenly aware of time and the part it plays in manifesting our desires. Let the wheat be a symbol to us that our desires are not usually on “microwave time” (press a button & it’s done). In short, it takes time to see the process of our desire to unfold into our reality.

Key Questions:
When contemplating the Empress Tarot card meanings, ask yourself the following questions: