The Emperor
Sun of the Morning, Chief among the Mighty
Fire made into law: the will that founds, orders and takes responsibility.
| Trump | IV of the 22 (Atu) |
|---|---|
| Letter | צ Tzaddi, “fish-hook”, value 90, Simple letter |
| Path | Path 28, Netzach to Yesod |
| Astrology | ♈︎ Aries, cardinal Fire, Mar 21 – Apr 20 |
| Old title | Sun of the Morning, Chief among the Mighty |
| Rider-Waite | The Emperor |
| Colour | Scarlet (King scale) |
In a reading
Authority, structure, will made into law; the father, the ruler, the one who takes responsibility. Badly placed: tyranny, rigidity, the ego that mistakes its own order for the cosmos.
Working with the card
| Do | Decide, set the structure, and carry the weight of it. |
|---|---|
| Bring | Authority, initiative, clear boundaries. |
| Beware | Rigidity, rule for its own sake, mistaking your order for the world's. |
| Ask | Where does this need a ruler, and am I willing to be one? |
Correspondences
On the card
A bearded ruler sits in profile on a throne of rams, his legs crossed to form the alchemical sign of sulphur. His robe is embroidered with bees and fleurs-de-lys; he holds an orb and a ram-headed sceptre. At his feet a lamb carries a flag, and a shield with a red double-headed eagle glows beside him.
Kabbalah
In the Thoth system the Emperor takes Tzaddi, the fish-hook, and path 28 from Netzach to Yesod. Crowley made this change on the strength of Liber AL I:57 ("Tzaddi is not the Star"), trading letters and paths with the Star while each card kept its sign. The fish-hook is the barb of desire that pulls form out of the waters.
Astrology
Aries, cardinal Fire, ruled by Mars with the Sun exalted: initiative, spring, the head of the year. The three decans of Aries are the Two, Three and Four of Wands.
Number
Four, the Solid of the Naples arrangement: the first number that can enclose a space, and so the number of matter, law and the square. Tzaddi's value is 90.
Depth psychology
The Father archetype and the senex: order, boundary, the rule that makes civilisation possible. Its shadow is the patriarch who has forgotten that his order was once a choice.
Thoth and Rider-Waite
Waite's Emperor sits full-face with an ankh; Crowley's is in profile in the sulphur posture, showing raw masculine energy rather than only kingship. The Tzaddi attribution is unique to Crowley; the Golden Dawn and Waite keep Heh and path 15.
Where sources differ
Golden Dawn and Rider-Waite tradition assigns the Emperor to Heh and path 15 (Chokmah to Tiphareth). Crowley's swap with the Star, made on the strength of Liber AL I:57, is followed by most Thoth users and rejected by most others. Note which system you are working in.
The sign in depth
| Dates | Mar 21 – Apr 20 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cardinal Fire |
| Ruler | Mars |
| Exalts | Sun |
| Weakens | Venus (detriment), Saturn (fall) |
| Motto | “I am” |
| Body | Head |
| Opposite | Libra, Adjustment |
| Gifts | Courage, initiative, honesty, energy, independence |
| Shadow | Impulsiveness, selfishness, anger, starting fights and projects without finishing them |
More in the astrology chapters: Aries.
Related cards
Pairs with
The decans of Aries
- ♂︎Two of Wands DominionMars, Mar 21–30
- ☉︎Three of Wands VirtueThe Sun, Mar 31–Apr 10
- ♀︎Four of Wands CompletionVenus, Apr 11–20
Courts ruling Aries
Other paths touching Netzach
Other paths touching Yesod
Correspondences follow the Golden Dawn system as used in Crowley's Book of Thoth and Liber 777. Paintings by Lady Frieda Harris, © Ordo Templi Orientis. Where sources differ.