When The Empress card is drawn, it"s time to stop pondering our fate and get busy! It"s a time of amazing prosperity, and we can be a.s.sured that we"ll be very successful at everything we put our minds to. The Empress is a sure sign of the ability to manifest our dreams.
This card can be an indicator of impending pregnancy or the birth of a child (this can include adoption). Motherhood and maternal issues are also within The Empress"s domain, so nurturing ourselves or those around us is something this card is very concerned with. However, we need to remember that "giving birth" can be a metaphor for beginning a beloved project or a new phase of our lives. Our "baby" might be a business we just opened or a book we"re in the process of writing.
And while we"re nurturing those around us, it"s also just fine to do something luxurious for ourselves. We may spend time in nature, buy ourselves a beautiful piece of jewelry, or seek out healing experiences such as ma.s.sage or Reiki.
The Dreamer"s Journey On the next step of the journey we meet The Empress. We"ve benefited from the quiet time we spent with The High Priestess, and now we"re clear on what we want to do. The Empress teaches us to take action and to harness our self-confidence in order to create wonderful things. Many see her as the embodiment of Mother Nature, full of abundance and creativity. From her, we learn that we"re able to do many things at once if we"re committed and dedicated to our cause-which is incredibly exciting!
Her optimism is contagious, and suddenly we"re raring to go-there"s no more holding back. The Empress"s ability to surround herself with luxurious and beautiful things also teaches us that by putting all our efforts and pa.s.sion into our endeavors, we will be richly rewarded.
Symbolism In the background of this card, we see a waterfall that pools into a stream leading toward The Empress. This is the water that came from the gown of The High Priestess, and it represents the physical manifestation of the epiphanies that we received during our time of meditation with her.
The Empress is surrounded by abundant life, including cypress trees that symbolize the strength of our convictions to achieve our goals.
In traditional tarot, The Empress is usually shown in a pregnant state to symbolize the amazing fertility and creativity of the moment; however, our empress is Archangel Gabriel, so we have her holding a baby instead. This shows that this is a moment of great opportunity for manifesting whatever we wish to create.
The b.u.t.terflies are a symbol of evolution, since they can transform themselves from caterpillars into beautiful, winged creatures.
Surrounding The Empress are many symbols from nature. The baby bear reminds us of its magical ability to hibernate and then to reawaken in the spring. Our time of quiet with The High Priestess has past, and now we must wake up!
The tender nature of the deer reminds us to be kind to ourselves and others as we take on this new time of creation.
Squirrels are famous for gathering nuts to get ready for winter. They represent the need to be prepared, as well as an invitation to make our tasks playful and enjoyable.
The cougar is a very powerful animal that acts with confidence and self-a.s.surance. It asks that we take charge of our own lives and not allow others to dissuade us from our goals.
Coyotes work in groups to accomplish goals, as we"re asked to do when The Empress card is displayed.
Angel Number The Empress (Card 3) is very much like an ascended master, taking the wisdom she"s garnered in her life and creating great things with it. (We can choose to work with ascended masters such as Quan-Yin, Buddha, or Jesus.) The number 3 is also connected to creativity, innovation, and communication.
Archangel Archangel Gabriel is usually mentioned in roles involving communication, such as announcing a birth or being considered a messenger between G.o.d and humankind. Her name means "the strength of G.o.d," and she"s often portrayed carrying a great trumpet to awaken those who slumber and call them to action. She"s known for appearing in copper colors.
Astrology The Empress is a.s.sociated with the planet Venus in astrology, which represents both emotional and material concerns. It can reflect the aspects in our lives where we have love of a romantic nature or of family, but also the desire to possess lovely things. It"s also known to be the planet that influences our creative endeavors-such as art, music, and writing.
The Emperor
The Emperor shows up to tell us that we need a few rules and some organization. By implementing a little structure around our plans, we"ll find it easier to bring our dreams to life in the way we intend.
This card represents the constructs of society that make our daily lives possible-such as homes, roads, and infrastructure. The Emperor card is about leadership and integrity; and it can also reflect father figures, people in authority, government officials, and those who are enlisted in the military.
The Dreamer"s Journey Thanks to The Empress, we"re excited and ready to make a difference. However, we"ll need a plan, and The Emperor is just the person we need to help us put one together. Under his tutelage, we come to understand the power of logic and discipline as a way to bring our creative dreams to life.
His energy feels like a loving but strict father who only wishes to see us succeed and be happy. We also learn from The Emperor that we must consider the needs of others, and not just our own desires, as we move through life.
Symbolism While The Empress dwells outside in the fertile energy of nature, The Emperor resides indoors. A building is a creation of humankind and therefore represents the structure of society.
Through the open window behind The Emperor, we see the lights of the city he has created. This symbolizes civilization, order, and the things we need to feel safe, such as a roof over our heads.
Our Emperor wears a golden crown and holds a golden scepter. Gold is the metal of royalty.
Swords symbolize many things, including maintaining justice. The Emperor has the sword of Michael to show that he creates with fairness. The sword is not currently drawn, though, because The Emperor has built things so well that he largely focuses on ruling rather than law and order. However, the sword is always accessible should it be needed.
At his feet, we"ve placed a lute, as we wanted to soften the energy of pure logic that is traditional to the card. Even the Emperor, with his desire for discipline and order, is served by sometimes going to his softer side to soothe his heart with music and art.
Angel Number The Emperor is Card 4. This number has a long-standing a.s.sociation with angels and their desire to serve, a.s.sist, protect, and create opportunities for our growth and success. The number 4 is also about stability, structure, and getting things done.
Archangel The angel we chose for The Emperor is Archangel Michael, whose name means "he who is like G.o.d." This powerful archangel is strong and protective, and like The Emperor, is a.s.sociated with those who look after our safety (such as the police). He can help us activate the parts of our minds that are about structure and logic. Archangel Michael can help us feel safe and secure, which is another purpose of the Emperor. He resonates to the colors of royal blue and gold.
Astrology The astrology of this card is Aries. This first sign of the zodiac is direct, independent, a.s.sertive, self-a.s.sured, and known for taking charge and getting things done. A true go-getter, this sign is always ready to kick-start a project. Sometimes Aries is a better leader than an actual doer, but its commitment to the quest is unquestionable.
Unity
The Unity card asks us to consider the broader implications of our actions. It"s also a duality card. When this card shows up, we may find ourselves being called upon to take a traditional route and do things via tried-and-true methodologies. Or we may be asked to buck tradition by thinking outside the box and doing things our own way. The way to know which message is being presented by Unity is by interpreting the other cards that surround it or, as always, by listening to our intuition.
The Unity card asks us to spend time with like-minded individuals who can help us develop our spiritual gifts. We may feel called upon to join spiritual inst.i.tutions or schools where we can grow along with others who feel the way we do.
Unity can also indicate that certain rules that have been imposed upon us by society or family no longer serve us. These constraints should be cast off in favor of new guidelines that lead us forward on the path we wish to follow.
The Dreamer"s Journey As humans, we have a tendency to make rules, but what are rules without morality? The Unity card represents a guru or teacher who can help us see the meaning behind our purpose. His wisdom provides us with different guidance from that of those we"ve met on our journey so far. The mentor on the Unity card challenges us to understand ourselves more deeply. We may know in our hearts that we want to pursue a career as a writer, for example, but why do we want that? We may have a plan to change the world, but how does our plan benefit the greater good? These are questions of profound meaning and deep spirituality.
Unity doesn"t judge our answers per se, but merely gives us access to them, helping us grasp what we label as "good" or "bad," and how that correlates to the world at large. This is a search for the meaning of life that not only enriches our souls, but brings light to those around us.
Symbolism In traditional tarot, this card is called The Hierophant, and it displays many Christian-based religious icons. In fact, in some of the earliest decks, this card is even called The Pope. In redesigning the card, we wanted imagery that would reflect a broader set of spiritual philosophies.
Seven orbs representing various belief systems fly around Archangel Sandalphon. And while it wasn"t possible to place every single belief system on the card, the energy is meant to be all-inclusive. Seven orbs were chosen because that number reflects being on the right path and being spiritually aware.
Above all the orbs is the one true light of Heaven at the top of the archangel"s staff.
Around Sandalphon"s waist is a set of crossed keys, silver and gold. They represent the conscious and the subconscious.
Angel Number The Unity card is number 5. If you were going to limit the meaning of this number to one word, it would be change! It"s all about freedom of ideas and endless curiosity-someone eager to see what"s next in life. This number also likes the company of others very much, as it can learn so much about the positive changes they might create for themselves.
Archangel The archangel for this card is Sandalphon, who"s known for delivering prayers from Earth to Heaven. He carries our desires to a loving and benevolent Universe. Sandalphon helps those who are seeking to enrich their inner world, and also helps them find others who are also searching. His halo is a beautiful turquoise.
Astrology The astrology of this card is Taurus, a sign of determination and faith, and a stable and loyal energy that displays great wisdom and knowledge. It is reliable, and very much values peace. However, this sign can also be a bit rigid in how it sees things. This matches the Unity card"s duality message of either sticking with or bucking tradition.
The Lovers
When The Lovers card turns up in a reading, of course the first thought may be that a powerful and long-lasting romantic relationship is on its way-and often that is the case. This is not the type of love that just falls into our lives for a brief time and then fades away. The Lovers card is a herald of true and enduring love, so engagement or marriage is indicated. If there"s a card in tarot that represents a soul mate, then The Lovers card is surely the one. Whether or not the relationship lasts our entire lives, we will absolutely be changed forever.
This card can also signify an important decision. When that occurs in a reading, we"re encouraged to make a choice of the heart. We must feel the right direction to take. With the presence of Archangel Raphael, this card can also indicate a return to health.
The Dreamer"s Journey As we continue along our path, we discover The Lovers. With this card, we"re either reminded of the influence that a heart-to-heart connection with another person can have over us, or we discover it for the first time. We come to realize the power and importance that emotion can play in our lives. In the story of this journey, this is where The Dreamer learns of romantic love for the first time. Of course, that"s a metaphor, so this experience is attributed to us or our clients in a reading. The relationship we encounter with this card can also be a very intimate, yet platonic one. If so, it probably involves a companion whose friendship will last a lifetime.
Our hearts themselves tell us that our choices can also be guided by our emotions. It"s not just the cool logic of The Emperor or the morality of the Unity card that can lead us in the right direction. Sometimes the heart must be our only compa.s.s.
Symbolism This card represents opposites: the feminine and the masculine.
Behind the woman is a tree with five fruits to represent the five senses, which are based on information the body takes in. Behind the man is a tree with fruit to represent the signs of the zodiac. At the time tarot was created, astrology was considered purely a science. Therefore, it can be said that the woman"s perception is all feeling, while the man"s is intellectual.
The man"s attention is focused toward the woman and her role in his life, which is a very worldly concern. The woman"s focus is on Archangel Raphael, representing a desire for the spiritual. But there"s true love to be found in the successful commingling of our experience as humans with the knowledge that we"re also children of G.o.d.
Their differences also remind us that, regardless of the genders of the people involved, opposites attract, as they help us learn and grow.
In the foreground, marigolds are growing. These flowers are a.s.sociated with healing, and therefore with Archangel Raphael.
Violets are also in the image, representing fidelity and love.
Angel Number The Lovers card is number 6 in tarot. As explained in Angel Numbers 101, this is a number that"s focused on worldly concerns such as fertility and carrying on the family line. It"s worth mentioning, however, that in traditional numerology, the number 6 reflects caring, love, understanding, and nurturing. It represents a true and unfaltering concern for family and for others we love.
Archangel Archangel Raphael is known for heralding love in ancient texts. Therefore, his place in The Lovers card is particularly appropriate. Raphael"s name means "G.o.d heals," and he"s also considered to be the healing archangel that we can call upon for any concerns regarding health. He presents himself in beautiful emerald green.
Astrology The Lovers card is ruled by Gemini, the sign of communication, but also of duality. The same principles of light and dark, masculine and feminine, are present in this astrological sign. It is yin and yang, and just like The Lovers card, it is the mix of these two energies that makes it so amazing.
The Chariot
The Chariot is the card that refers to heading out on a big adventure. We may deal with many situations that we"ve never encountered before, so sometimes it"s necessary to attempt to simultaneously make more than one person happy. We may have to juggle priorities in such a way that all of these obligations are fulfilled. The Chariot is a card that"s all about the balancing of opposing forces. We discover something new and then try to accomplish great things for the first time. This mastering of many things at once is done via the mind, a dedicated purpose, and sheer will.
The Chariot is a card of success, so it can indicate an upcoming promotion, job offer, or award. This card often asks us to feel safe when promoting ourselves or our endeavors in the media. Obviously, it can also symbolize modes of transportation such as cars, planes, or trains.
The Dreamer"s Journey Next on our voyage we encounter The Chariot. All the cards along the journey so far have led us to this moment. We"ve taken our leap of faith; have become clear on what we wish to accomplish; and have created a plan that includes logic, morality, and heart. Now we head out into the world to put all of that to the test.
With The Chariot, we discover that life is challenging. There are always people to please, multiple considerations to balance, and many moving parts to our chariot that must be maintained. Here, we discover that there"s a power in merely desiring that our endeavors be a success; we learn self-discipline and determination.
The charioteer is generally seen as having been victorious on his quest-so much so that the accolades thrown his way make him very visible in the public eye. For some, the joy of that is natural, and it requires no effort beyond accepting it and simply taking a bow. For others, that type of acknowledgment can feel very uncomfortable. The Chariot teaches us to have pride in our accomplishments and to allow others to express their appreciation in a public way.
Symbolism Metatron rides his chariot pulled by two horses: one black, one white. These are competing forces that The Chariot rider is so masterfully keeping in perfect balance.
His reins aren"t real, but made of energy to symbolize his ability to use pure desire to keep these raucous forces working together.
On the side of the chariot is the merkabah, otherwise known as "Metatron"s Cube." This magical creation is called the "chariot of G.o.d" and is a symbol of sacred geometry. We can focus on this image to help us manifest anything we"re trying to create.
Angel Number The Chariot is Card 7. This is a number of single-mindedness and purpose that seeks out the truth in every situation. A very spiritual number, it fits in well with the concept of a human who ascends to the realm of archangel and then rides a magical chariot to Heaven. Clearly, Metatron is following his life path perfectly!
Archangel The archangel on this card is Metatron, returning for a second appearance. We chose him because he"s one of two archangels who were once human. He was said to have so pleased G.o.d that he rode to Heaven in a chariot of fire. Metatron can also help recharge our batteries so that we have the energy necessary to fulfill our goals. His colors are green and violet, or dark pink.
Astrology The astrology for this card is Cancer. While this is a very watery sign for such an action-filled card, keep in mind that Cancers are greatly concerned with security and being in control. Cancers are tenacious and very adaptable, which helps them maintain a mastery over any situation that a.s.sures success.
Justice
The Justice card encourages us to always do what we know is right-and in doing so, we can know that justice is always on our side. If we find ourselves in a situation where someone has the ability to make a judgment or evaluation in our favor or not, drawing the Justice card is a very good indication that things will go our way, but legal contracts should be reviewed very carefully before signing.
Justice also asks us to stand up for our beliefs-to know that we"re right, and to hold firm to our convictions.
As we mentioned in Chapter 2, Justice was originally Card 8 in tarot until the Rider-Waite deck flipped its position with the Strength card in 1909. We"ve chosen to return it to its original position in the Angel Tarot Cards in order to restore the continuity of The Dreamer"s Journey.
The Dreamer"s Journey When we make decisions or interact with others, we"re accountable for our actions. As we visit the Justice card along our journey, we learn the rules of life, both karmic and judicial. The choices that we made along our path were put into action with The Chariot, and now those actions may be reviewed by others. Justice looks at the way we treated those around us as we moved forward. If we were kind and fair to everyone and acted with integrity, then Justice will be proud of our growth and will defend us. With this card, we"re taught to stand up for ourselves when we know that we"re right.
Justice also asks us to be activists in our own ways. If we see injustice or unkindness in the world, we"re asked to call attention to it. Each of us has concerns that touch our hearts, and we need not try to change everything in the world. If we all were to pursue the causes that mean the most to us, then the world"s inequalities would be resolved!
Symbolism Archangel Raguel floats before two pillars that give the appearance of belonging to a court of law.
He carries perfectly balanced scales to show fairness and objective choices.
He also carries an upright sword. This shows us that justice is double-edged. On one side, it makes fair and just decisions. On the other side, it expects accountability, demanding that we remain in our highest integrity.
Angel Number Justice is Card 8. This number is often considered to be related to material prosperity and abundance, and that"s true. However, the very shape of the number shows an even structure of two natures. It has an understanding of right and wrong, black and white, light and dark. This number is committed to karmic balancing.