III · The Empress
Key points of this lesson
Roman numeral III
The number 3 stands for a first completeness, creativity and the birth of life. It breaks the standoff of 2 by joining them into a third — abundance and growth.
Golden background
The broad field of yellow stands for solar energy, sacred wisdom and the vitality of life. It sets the whole card in an optimistic, warm, hopeful key.
Yellow = light and the awakening of consciousness
The same symbol also appears in
- I The Magician · background · The same bright yellow ground, for the power of consciousness.
Crown of twelve stars
The twelve six-pointed stars on her crown stand for the zodiac, or the twelve months of the year — the Empress rules the material world and the cycles of nature.
The same symbol also appears in
- XVII The Star · sky · In both cards the star points to cosmic guidance.
Orbed scepter
The scepter raised in her right hand is tipped with a sphere for Earth or Venus. She rules the material world through love and beauty rather than force.
The same symbol also appears in
- IV The Emperor · scepter · Against the Emperor's ankh scepter, hers is rounder — a softer kind of power.
Pomegranate gown
The red pomegranates on her white gown are the ultimate symbol of fertility, abundance and feminine creative power, hinting at gestation and the nourishing energy of the mother.
The same symbol also appears in
- II The High Priestess · veil · Behind the High Priestess the pomegranates stand for the fertility of the subconscious; the Empress makes that fertility material.
Venus shield
The heart-shaped shield is carved with the sign of Venus, confirming the Empress as an embodiment of the goddess. Heart for love, shield for protection: love is the strongest defence there is.
Ripe wheat field
The golden wheat at her feet stands for the gift of the earth and material plenty. The Empress does not only create life, she supplies what life needs to keep going.
Red cushion
The vivid red cushion stands for passion, sensual pleasure and the blood of life. It softens the cold stone seat — the warmth and acceptance of the mother.
Red = vitality and the heat of action
The same symbol also appears in
- IV The Emperor · red robe · In the Emperor, red reads more as power and conquest.
Forest and waterfall
The dense forest behind her stands for vitality, and the falling water for the source of feeling. The stream waters the earth so that everything can grow.
Element of earth
The Empress answers to earth: sensual pleasure, bodily health and the ability to bear fruit in the real world. She is Mother Earth in miniature.
The same symbol also appears in
- XXI The World · four creatures · The bull in the World stands for earth — the final fulfilment of the Empress's energy.