September 27-29, 2011: IV - The Emperor
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http://association.tarotstudies.org/images/HebrewLettersA/tsadde.gif
IV
THE EMPEROR
(Aries)MEDITATION COLOR: Red.
HEBREW LETTER: Tzaddi, fish-hook, an instrument cast into water to hook and draw forth a fish (Nun). As a verb, “to contemplate (think, speculate, fancy),” a synonym of dhyana. Tzaddi is the fundamental sound related to Sanskrit roots meaning “head” and “age,” from which stem words such as tzar, Caesar, Monseigneur, senate, etc.
CARD NAME: Emperor from the Latin imperator, imperare, “command.” The Indo-European root for “priest/priestess” has exactly the same spelling and sound as that for “emperor/empress,” though they are different words: per, meaning “to produce” or “to procure.” “King” is an important Qabalistic term related to adepthood, and Tiphereth in particular; “Red King” is an important Alchemical idea for the Sun.
ESOTERIC MEANING: The Natural Consciousness. Through it is completed (or, perfected) the nature of all that exist beneath the sphere of the Sun.
TREE of LIFE: Yesod to Netzach. (Links ‘the Foundation’ and ‘Victory’; or Subconsciousness with Desire: procreative energies transmuted into a more rarified desire or will force.)
ESOTERIC TITLE: Sun of the Morning, Chief Among the Mighty
TANTRIC & ALCHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Alchemical Sulphur (Rajas).
DIVINATION: Energy, power, vigor, ambition, conquest, victory, control, governance, law and order, originality, stability; overweening confidence, megalomania; quarrelsomeness, strife, stubbornness, rashness, ill-temper.
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Quite possibly my favorite card in the deck. It really stirs something up within me.
Here's what I got:
background: blazing sun with ray emanating everywhere.
Rams: indicative of Aries...emergence of light from the cold, frozen darkness of the winter when are furthest from the Sun
flames: the fiery-ness, the desire, constantly uplifing, constantly reaching upward
shaft of light shining on the back of the king: as I'm typing this I am reminded of the "spatial" location of Tiphareth in relation to Kether, as in Kether is behind Tiphareth and shining down on it. The light in the card is like a stagelight shining down on the King as if he were the central character in a play. He's the lead character....the leader
crown: of 8 (mercury) points...3 (understanding) diamonds (kether) are visible, 5 (brings to mind the pentagram) are hidden....understanding of his rightful place as ruler over that which is under the sun
throne: seat of power
red coat with arrows and bees embroidered on it: he is the director of the primal will and desire & as such he commands the respect & allegiance of those who cheerfully and willfully carry out his commands
Ram-headed wand: with this wand he is able to direct the undertaking of anything he chooses
orb with the cross above it: his playground in which he has dominion over...the world...specifically the sphere of elements
the lamb: his attitude of subservience to that which he serves...humility...indicative of the awareness that his power does not come from him per se but it is divinely invested in him by his Lord and the people which he rules and governs
shield with the sun: indicative of Alchemical redness
his posture: he seated in the glyph of alchemical sulphur...he embodies the fire and desire of the universal will...he IS the alchemical sulphur
fleur de lis - active masculine power
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@Shadonis said
"shaft of light shining on the back of the king: as I'm typing this I am reminded of the "spatial" location of Tiphareth in relation to Kether, as in Kether is behind Tiphareth and shining down on it. The light in the card is like a stagelight shining down on the King as if he were the central character in a play. He's the lead character....the leader"
But, on the Tree, The Emperor is placed between Yesod and Netzach. What would you make of the cone of light in that case?
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"But, on the Tree, The Emperor is placed between Yesod and Netzach. What would you make of the cone of light in that case?"
Ah! Hmmm I'd say the it would be indicative of the subconscious being imprinted with the particular emotional pattern required for the successful undertaking of whatever is coming from the Sun.
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Always in profile in the qabalistic decks.
He has chosen, and that's the only side of his face we can see.
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@Aegis said
"Always in profile in the qabalistic decks.
He has chosen, and that's the only side of his face we can see."
thanks, Aegis! that's an excellent observation!
he looks to the right - I feel it saying: "I am pure Rajas, energy and fierce joy!"
but to an outside observer it looks like he is showing only his left profile!
food for thought...
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@Aegis said
"Always in profile in the qabalistic decks.
He has chosen, and that's the only side of his face we can see."
There is something that, for 30+ years, has, for me, always distinguished this Emperor from "God, the Highest" ideas, and confirmed the appropriateness of its placement low on the Tree.
The traditional "Magical Image" of Kether is a classic Judeo-Christian deity image: a beared male seen in profile, only his right side seen. The interpretation traditionally given for this is, "In Him is all right."
It stands out to me that The Emperor is pointedly not given this message. There is nothing all-knowing and "all-right" about him. There is definitely, er, something not right.
There are only a couple of major decks that use this profile idea - Thoth and BOTA. Waite doesn't. The old G.D. deck doesn't. Etc. Nonetheless, I mention it as something that has stuck with me a long time.
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"There is nothing all-knowing and "all-right" about him. There is definitely, er, something not right."
He's incomplete. All masculinity. All desire. There is nothing feminine in this card. Not even the lamb. In fact, one could say he is looking to his left, toward his Empress, his lover and companion for that which is lacking in him. He has no power save that which is invested in him by that cone of light shining down on him. This is a man's man but even a man's man needs the tenderness, affection and support of a woman.
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Meditation on the Emperor.
*I rule.
Mine is the kingdom and the glory.
I am alone.
I am the ram. I lead.
I don't compromise, i don't settle or bind.
There is only one way - my way.
I am not giving it too much thought; i am merely following my nature.
Those who dare me i subject to my power, those who obey and are meek i protect and award.
I am not created by circumstances - it is i who create the circumstances.
I acknowledge others' needs, but i don't give in to them.
It is i who comes first.
The whole world turns as i turn my head.
I am certain, decisive and firm.
I know better.
Everything is as it should be.
I know not weakness or doubt.
There is no hesitation.
I am who i am, i do what i do.
When i stumble and fall - i raise on my own. Each and every time.
I am Tzaddik.
*http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii15/magicturtoise/emperor.jpg
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Here are some additional notes from a meditation I did last night.
Sun: source of power, energy and life radiating outward
rams: indicative of the force required to breakthrough into a new territory - an exploration of a new territory - one ram is behind and outside of the cone of light while the other ram is immersed in it - I consider the ram inside the cone of light to be inidicative of the energy that is required for the break through and the ram outside the light to be the energy required to set up shop in the new territory
fish hook: covered in bait it is cast into water to catch a fish - awareness cast into the sea of mind to draw forth an idea - the fisherman is fishing so that he may eat i.e. embody the idea and become one with it
flames: the perpetual desire represented by this card, inspiration
throne: the emperor's seat of contemplation
The Emperor: he is the conductor of this force - he is activity and energy as noted by the bees and arrows on his coat.
The Lamb: half in the shade, half in the light - this is indicative of the Emperors' willingness to subject himself to the higher force which he draws his power from
fleur de lis on the floor: active masculine power
Shades of orange, yellow and red: suggests a varying degree of desire and the wisdom to act on the power and instruction the emperor draws from the sea of mind with his fish hook
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@Jim Eshelman said
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@Aegis said
"Always in profile in the qabalistic decks.He has chosen, and that's the only side of his face we can see."
There is something that, for 30+ years, has, for me, always distinguished this Emperor from "God, the Highest" ideas, and confirmed the appropriateness of its placement low on the Tree.
The traditional "Magical Image" of Kether is a classic Judeo-Christian deity image: a beared male seen in profile, only his right side seen. The interpretation traditionally given for this is, "In Him is all right."
It stands out to me that The Emperor is pointedly not given this message. There is nothing all-knowing and "all-right" about him. There is definitely, er, something not right.
There are only a couple of major decks that use this profile idea - Thoth and BOTA. Waite doesn't. The old G.D. deck doesn't. Etc. Nonetheless, I mention it as something that has stuck with me a long time."
Thanks, I appreciate that.
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@Shadonis said
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"There is nothing all-knowing and "all-right" about him. There is definitely, er, something not right."He's incomplete. All masculinity. All desire. There is nothing feminine in this card. Not even the lamb. In fact, one could say he is looking to his left, toward his Empress, his lover and companion for that which is lacking in him. He has no power save that which is invested in him by that cone of light shining down on him. This is a man's man but even a man's man needs the tenderness, affection and support of a woman."
Me too, i appreciate reading your insights! Meditating on Emperor for me was the most amazing so far - for other Arcanum i needed to focus and , like, 'enter' the card - whereas here - its as if the card itself drew me instantly into its midst and i immediately felt its energy, also - without my intending so - i did saw myself as the ram, as if i shapeshifted or something... amazing, really, an owe-inspiring experience...
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Thanks Shodonis for pointing me to this link
I agree with him facing right…@Jim Eshelman said
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@Aegis said
"Always in profile in the qabalistic decks.
The traditional "Magical Image" of Kether is a classic Judeo-Christian deity image: a beared male seen in profile, only his right side seen. The interpretation traditionally given for this is, "In Him is all right.""
"In Christian theology I have also heard a term "I look to the right" or the good. This goes with the understanding that all the righteous will set on the right hand of God.
Right in my dream world is also the future or I look to the future. We on the other hand see the left side of his face…The past (according to my dream world).
This is more of a reminder that our future should be in the rays of the sun and our past left in the darkness.
I notice that the lamb not only has a light around its head but it also is holding or has a little flag resting on its shoulders. In Christian theology the light around the lambs head would seem to represent Christ or Christ Consciousness. I think Shadonis words about the lamb are pretty enlightening, but I do not see where the flag fits in.
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"I think Shadonis words about the lamb are pretty enlightening, but I do not see where the flag fits in."
A couple things immediately come to mind:
1: Waving a white flag during a battle usually means giving up, surrendering to the opposing force. Why I believe it to be fitting for this particular trump is that it is easy for us humans to get so attached to the object of our desire that we often try to impose our will on others to get what we want. And sometimes we face push-back from these people or circumstances. So the lamb, to me, is sort of a reminder that we can get what we want so long as we are willing to recognize that it may take some surrendering.
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The color of the flag - white - brings to mind ideas of purity...of the mind, heart and soul.
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I don't know the story too well but isn't there a story in the bible about a lion and a lamb. The lion being the "visible" source of power and rulership but the lamb is where the true power is coming from? Please correct me if I am wrong.
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@Shadonis said
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"I think Shadonis words about the lamb are pretty enlightening, but I do not see where the flag fits in."Waving a white flag during a battle usually means giving up, surrendering to the opposing force. Why I believe it to be fitting for this particular trump is that it is easy for us humans to get so attached to the object of our desire that we often try to impose our will on others to get what we want. And sometimes we face push-back from these people or circumstances. So the lamb, to me, is sort of a reminder that we can get what we want so long as we are willing to recognize that it may take some surrendering."
Don’t forget the self…. All those ego’s and other things that keep the true self or ‘Will” from doing what it wants to do. Even when one person waves the flag, that one is the unison of the whole group….or the chosen one that has been chosen by the others to stand up and give up for all.
There seems to be two pictures which could be seen her again. The visible self which tends to not pay attention to others and self will and the hidden self, which is actually in the light or ‘part of the light’ as I seem to understand it. -
A minor regret I have is that the best, most complete treatment of this card that I have ever written is a long passage inside of our confidential rituals. It isn't that the information is secret - but I don't want to spoil the overall experience of that point in that particular ritual. It's a real breakthrough point.
So, one of these days, I need to write something new - framed differently, approaching it differently - so that I can quote that anytime I want
Issues of The Emperor, Tzaddi, Tree placement, etc. come up quite often, and I'd like to have something pat to say.Meanwhile, I want to throw in a couple of points.
The Emperor represents sovereign reason. (The attribution "reason" is traditional - tied into the squareness of his number 4, his general dominant-male relationship to the Ruach, etc.) The word tzaddi, besides naming the Hebrew letter called "fish-hook," literally means "to contemplate." This is especially interesting because, to Tzaddi in Sepher Yetzirah is attributed the idea of harhoor, "thought, reflection, meditation."
Consider, then, the power of sovereign reason - possibly embodied in a posture, style, inner and outer quality of what is displayed in this card - applied to the purpose, the function, of thought, reflection, meditation. One quickly catches on that - holy moly! - raja yoga and the Tarot and the path of initiation in general have long shared the title "the Royal Way."
And this card is attributed to the Path that opens from Yesod to Netzach. What is it that raises our basic instinctual energies to a higher, purer, Will-fire of devotion and aspiration? It is this very process just described - the Ruach's application of itself, in still and squarely-held posture and focussed attention in reflection or meditation. The Divine Victory is forged by the right application of Sovereign Reason.
Something for you to think about...
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@Jim Eshelman said
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Something for you to think about..."Yes indeed!!! Wow! What a food for thought! Thank you so much Jim!
For the first time since we started this project - i'd like to spend even more time with an Arcanum... Mind blowing!
Thank you Jim! -
@Jim Eshelman said
" Something for you to think about..."
I read what you wrote, but now that I am researching this card more, what you wrote seems to make more sense to me. At this point I don't understand why.
I have been reading about Crowley being so intent to get these cards right.
I copied the card and blew it up to 7.5 X 10 so I could see everything that is there.
I seem to notice that on the left knee (on our right) there seems to be a skeleton head and on the right leg the dark area seems to form a body, much like the body of the magus. When you look at the light area on the same leg there appears to be a relationship, much like Nuit and Geb (some say Nut and Geb).
I am wondering if what I am seeing is real or not. It seems that the magus and death may be real, because the cards are supposed to tell a story that leads to the end card so a relationship to the end card may be in their also, but I don’t see it yet.
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@Jim Eshelman said
"...Meanwhile, I want to throw in a couple of points.
The Emperor represents sovereign reason. (The attribution "reason" is traditional - tied into the squareness of his number 4, his general dominant-male relationship to the Ruach, etc.) The word tzaddi, besides naming the Hebrew letter called "fish-hook," literally means "to contemplate." This is especially interesting because, to Tzaddi in Sepher Yetzirah is attributed the idea of harhoor, "thought, reflection, meditation."
Consider, then, the power of sovereign reason - possibly embodied in a posture, style, inner and outer quality of what is displayed in this card - applied to the purpose, the function, of thought, reflection, meditation. One quickly catches on that - holy moly! - raja yoga and the Tarot and the path of initiation in general have long shared the title "the Royal Way."
And this card is attributed to the Path that opens from Yesod to Netzach. What is it that raises our basic instinctual energies to a higher, purer, Will-fire of devotion and aspiration? It is this very process just described - the Ruach's application of itself, in still and squarely-held posture and focussed attention in reflection or meditation. The Divine Victory is forged by the right application of Sovereign Reason.
Something for you to think about..."
In Liber T you note:
"HEBREW LETTER: Tzaddi, fish-hook, an instrument cast into water to hook and draw forth a fish.... As a verb, “to contemplate (think, speculate, fancy),” a synonym of dhyana."
Every meditation I've done so far (using Liber T instructions) has coincided with and extended my traditional and regular meditation methods involving cultivation of the jhana (dhyana) factors: vitakka, vicāra, pīti, sukha and ekaggatā. When I started I was pleasantly surprised to find these Tarot meditations conducive to practicing jhana, and your comment here illuminates this phenomena even more.
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Regarding the governing and dhyana/jhana aspects corresponding to the Buddha's teachings:
From BOT:
"This is the theory of government.... It is finally to be observed that the white light which descends upon him indicates the position of this card in the Tree of Life. His authority is derived from Chokmah, the creative Wisdom, the Word, and is exerted upon Tiphareth, the organized man (my bolds)."
From Liber T:
"HEBREW LETTER: Tzaddi.... [A] synonym of dhyana.
DIVINATION:...governance...."
From Anguttara Nikaya 3.40 (The Buddha), Adhipateyya Sutta:
"There are these three governing principles. Which three? The self as a governing principle, the cosmos as a governing principle, and the Dhamma as a governing principle....
There is in the cosmos no secret place for one who has done an evil deed. Your own self knows, my good man, whether you are true or false. You underestimate the fine witness that is yourself, you with evil in yourself that then you hide. The devas & Tathagatas see the fool who goes about out of tune with the cosmos. Thus you should go about self-governed, mindful; governed by the cosmos, masterful, absorbed in jhana; governed by the Dhamma, acting in line with the Dhamma. The sage who makes an effort in truth doesn't fall back. Whoever through striving — overpowering Mara, conquering the Ender — touches the stopping of birth, is Such, a knower of the cosmos, wise, a sage unfashioned with regard to all things (my emphases)."