The Empress is the mother archetype in the Tarot. She is nurturing, loving, fertile and creative. She is the mother archetype and the means by which the Fool comes into the World.
The Empress. Rider Waite Tarot.
When The Empress card is drawn, she asks you if you are looking after yourself? It is so essential, for us to take care of ourselves.
When I was working as a Flight Attendant, we used to remind everyone during the safety briefing " Please put on your own Oxygen Mask before you assist anyone." We can only care for others if we are in a position of health and stability. The Empress is a reminder to put on your oxygen mask First!! Do take care of your physical body- go for a massage, pamper yourself.
The Empress sits on a pillow that is shaped like a heart, bearing the glyph of Venus. As the goddess of love Venus, she is sensual and follows her heart. She reminds you, to do the same. Sometimes it is essential to indulge yourself and follow your soul's desires. She is the creativity that flows and is a contrast to The Emperor who is the discipline that strengthens.
The Empress sits in a lush cornfield with a waterfall in the background. She is garbed in a gown, as pregnant women in the era would wear. On her head is a crown made of twelve stars, which represent the signs of the Zodiac.
The Empress is an indication of the abundance that is coming your way. You are about to enter a period of growth and fertility. Dream big, take a longer view of things so that you can benefit from the phase of plentitude.
The Empress is an indication to get the creative streak moving!! The Empress is the archetype of nurturing and care. She is the mother figure. Today could be all about mothering another or yourself. What parts of you do you feel need loving care and encouragement? Here on this gorgeous card, we also see Mother Nature in all her glory, the waterfall with the flow of abundance, and the lush corn fields representing fertility. I feel like a mother's love, the biggest balm for troubles is spending time in nature. Walking into the scenery of this card, using it as a portal reminds us that everything in life is cyclic and the world is huge, and we are so much bigger and stronger and powerful than we give ourselves credit for. After all, we exist because we are a winning combination, and any worries that we may carry will pass away. Knowing that nature is eternal, evolving and thriving is such comfort and makes our cares look smaller when we see them juxtaposed with eternity. Everything will grow and mature at the time that is perfect and on their own schedule, and so will you!!
Like the water that flows on this card, which areas of your life can do with the flow of emotion? Where can you allow more love and creativity to work through? I feel that the biggest advice of the Empress, however, is the ability to love herself!! Today is a call to honour and love yourself, warts and all!! After all each scar that you have earned, tell a story-the story of what makes you unique!! The biggest takeaway from the card of the Empress is that fertility we see here is a result of love and understanding. Love is the one power that allows us to rise over our fears and to see others without judgement and extend support to all. That kind of energy has its own power of manifestation.
Meditation on The Empress
“With every act of self-care your authentic self gets stronger, and the critical, fearful mind gets weaker. Every act of self-care is a powerful declaration: I am on my side, I am on my side, each day I am more and more on my own side.”– Susan Weiss Berry
How do you take care of yourself? What gives you joy?
What is your idea of mothering? How were you mothered?
What are you looking to create? How do you plan to nourish this baby so that it can grow into an entity?
Images Used on The Site. Illustrations from the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, known also as the Rider Tarot and the Waite Tarot, reproduced by permission of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902. c. 1971 by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a registered trademark of U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Are You Taking Care of Yourself?