The Tarot offers many different subconscious meanings as the pictures on the cards have undergone many changes depending on the artists who developed each set. Though various designs have appeared over the centuries, the basic premise of tarot remains the same and the cards are still popular in unraveling the mysteries of life.Overview
The Empress is mother, a creator and nurturer. In many decks she can be shown as pregnant. She can represent the creation of life, of romance, of art or business. Associated with the Empress are the Magician and the High Priestess. The Empress can represent the fecundation of an idea before it is ready to be fully born. The Empress is symbolized by Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more aptly interpreted to be Demeter, goddess of abundance. She is the giver of Earthly gifts. At the same time, she can be overprotective and possessive. In anger she can withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. According to mythology, due to fury and grief, Demeter keeps the Earth cold and barren until Spring when her child is returned to her.
Meaning of the card
The Empress card is one of the easier trumps to read. She's Mother. Generally, Mother in a good sense. Patient, loving, giving, generous. If defining her as the Querent, you can say that they are currently feeling like a mother hen, worried about their children, new business, new creation, new romance. Male or female, they want to dote and hover and fret over every little sneeze and problem. If defining the Empress as someone related to the Querent, well, it might well be the Querent's Mom, or a woman who's very motherly toward them.
The focus of this card is on feelings, emotions, self expression, socializing, or short and long distance trips.
