The Emperor embodies the male principles of abstract law. These are the laws that govern the material world and they are immutable. In the Rider/Waite/Smith deck this card is depicted as a ruler on a stone throne ornamented with ram’s heads. He wears armor beneath his robes and holds a scepter. This was one of the most difficult cards for me to warm up to when I was learning the Tarot years ago. The symbolism seemed harsh and cold. In Today’s Journey Tarot this card is simply called Law. The unyielding order of the Universe is represented by the armillary which charts the stars and planets. The gardener maintains this order by tending to the garden, not by dictating its influence upon our lives. His companion animal looks to him, willingly complying with the natural laws of the Universe because he can sense that he is part of it. This card suggests that the Universe is working the way that it should. It may need some tending at times but we cannot change what is.

Teresa Sue McAdams, co-creator of “Today’s Journey Tarot”, co-author of “Today’s Journey Tarot, A Traveler’s Guide”, and author of “Lessons, The Wisdom Within Each Moment”