Card Type: Major Arcana
Card Number: 3
Star Sign: Taurus and Libra
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Crystal: Rose Quartz
Other Names: Aphrodite
Key Meaning: Creativity
The Empress tarot card represents feminine creative energy. You are in the process of giving birth to someone, or something important.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
Empress Keywords
🥰 Upright: Fertility, creativity, beauty, comfort
😒 Reversed: Neglect, infertility, self-indulgence
Empress Tarot Card Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. The Empress is a typical Earth Mother, seen here seated in a blooming garden. She is full-figured and in the middle of her childbearing years. She wears a string of pearls and a crown of 12 golden stars, one for each sign of the zodiac. A shield with the symbol of Venus engraved on it, rests by her foot. She seems very happy, and these are not difficult times. This Empress is the accessible goddess, someone we are allowed to touch and talk to.
When the Empress turns up, it means knowledge is being turned into action. The High Priestess, which is the previous card, represents knowledge. The Empress now uses this knowledge and does something practical with it. The Empress says you are in the process of giving birth to something important. This could be a child, as the card refers to motherhood. Equally, it could represent the birth of a creative project, job or business.
This Tarot card represents a passionate approach to life, love and family. The Empress of course is married to the Emperor, which is why she also represents wife, marriage and wealth.
What Zodiac Sign is The Empress?
The Empress Tarot card rules two star signs, Taurus and Libra.
Venus is the planet assigned to the Empress card. In ancient Rome, Venus was the Goddess of beauty, love and attraction. Both Venus and the Empress share a love of beauty, compassion and good taste.
In astrology, Venus rules the second house of money and possessions, and the seventh house of marriage, relationships and partnerships.
The Empress card corresponds to the element Earth.
Romance: What does The Empress Tarot Card Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the Empress turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on your question. For example, if you asked:
💖 Will I find love? Yes, you are wife material, the Empress says. A connection could come through a matchmaker, friend, dating agency or dating app.
💖 Does he or she like me? The answer is yes. Very much so! They consider you kind, nurturing and very attractive.
💖 What is the future of our relationship? This card indicates strong chemistry, marriage and family. Your relationship should endure.
💖 Will we have a baby? Yes, this card can suggest a healthy pregnancy, as well as parenting.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify when You Ask About Work?
If your question relates to work, business, career or study and you receive the Empress Tarot card, then it can mean:
⭕ You are involved in a creative project or business, which will be successful if you work hard.
⭕ A business idea or area of study which involves children or beauty can be successful.
⭕ This is a good time to mentor other people.
⭕ Taking a career break or maternity leave. You are nurturing yourself or others.
Careers associated with this card include: Childcare, pediatrics, teacher, beautician, hairdressing, visual arts, graphic arts, marketing, public relations, counselling, matchmaking, chef, cake decorator, catering and interior design.
If you are considering hiring a candidate and this card appears, it means:
This candidate is ideal if you are looking for a compassionate and enthusiastic team member. They are not an obvious choice for management, preferring to work at their own pace without constant looming deadlines.
MONEY: What is the Meaning of The Empress in a Money Reading?
If you asked the Tarot about money and finances, and you receive the Empress, it can mean:
💲 Financial security. Either you have money, or there is a way now for you to make money or marry it.
💲 A business or creative partnership can be successful.
💲 This is a lucky phase, you could win money, a prize or scholarship.
💲 Spending money on ‘beautifying’ your home, garden or body.
Tarot Combination Meanings
“Empress combined with The Emperor” – Perfect partnership
“Empress combined with The Sun” – Your idea will be successful
“Empress combined with the 5 of Pentacles” – Rejected in love
HEALTH: What does The Empress Tarot Card Mean when You Ask About Health?
In a health reading, this card generally signifies good health. It can indicate pregnancy, as well a healthy self-body image.
Health conditions associated with this card include: infertility, obesity, weight gain after childbirth, venereal disease and diabetes. It also rules: The throat area (as Venus rules the throat area).
YES/NO: Does The Empress Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and this Tarot card turns up, then the answer is YES.
TIMING: Does This Card Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 This card is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle to understand if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 The Empress card represents April 19 – May 20 and September 22 – October 23. If the card is reversed, timing will be longer – perhaps up to a year later, same dates.
Karina’s Timing Method:
I am using a traditional major arcana timing method here, based on the zodiac sign assigned to each card.
What is the Meaning of The Empress Tarot Card Reversed?
When the Empress is upside down then our Empress falls from her throne and is disorientated. This can mean:
✔️Neglecting yourself, perhaps you are caring for relatives or children. Remember, you are no use to anyone if you are running on empty.
✔️Overindulgence on food and/or drink. Being greedy, or spending too much money.
✔️Problems falling pregnant.
✔️ Smothering a relationship by mothering the person too much.
✔️Laziness in a job, studies or life in general. Not pushing yourself enough to learn or progress.
✔️Other keywords associated a reversal include: barrenness, idle, complacency, overprotection, vanity and waste.
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The Empress Symbolism
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Previous Card: High Priestess Tarot Card | Next Tarot Card: The Emperor Tarot Card
Complete List: Tarot Card Meanings
Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.
