Artistic Disclaimer: The cards which are shown are from the Shadowscapes deck, by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law. You can see the deck here: https://www.shadowscapes.com/Tarot/cardsmain.php?suit=0 The work Ms. Law does is full of grace and beauty and I cannot recommend her enough as an artist. I was thrilled when she came out with a deck of cards featuring her artwork. Please respect the artist and give credit if you share these or any artwork belonging to anyone.
Meaning Disclaimer: All information below is based on my own practices and interpretations. Everyone can and should come to their own meanings as needed. The given meaning for a card is where you start. Look at the card, look at where it sits in the deck. Is it reversed? Does that mean the opposite of the original meaning, or simply a temperamental change? Does one image suddenly speak to you more than ever? Listen to your gut…and speak your truth.
Emperor – Card number 4
The Emperor is the fifth card in the Major Arcana.
Card Placement in the deck…i.e. : The magician is the second card in the Major Arcana. Card One. The standard meanings are:
UPRIGHT: Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure
REVERSED: Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility
My Meanings:
This is the Alpha male card. STRONG masculine energy. Keep in mind that while men can use feminine energy, so can women use masculine energy. Also keep in mind that I am using the admittedly outdated and sexist western standards of “feminine” and “masculine” only so I have a starting point in the interpretation of the cards. That being said, this card represents the traditional Alpha male…all the good and bad of that stereotype. Generally an upright reading would emphasize the positive aspects of this…such as authority, strength, firm control of ones environment, and leadership. A reversed reading would concentrate on the negatives, such as: inflexibility, hubris, cruelty and unwelcome domination. (Domination by itself is not necessarily a bad thing.)
Image Study of this card:
This Emperor is firmly rooted in the here and now and has a strong grip on his world. Outside influences have to work very hard to disturb or distort his worldview and actions. He, quite simply, IS.
The Hierophant – Card number 5
The Hierophant is the sixth card in the Major Arcana
UPRIGHT: Spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, conformity, tradition, institutions
REVERSED: Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo
My Meanings:
This is the male companion to the High Priestess, the High Priest if you will (and it is sometimes called that in other decks) This is the spiritual “male” energy…the kindly and traditional priestly figure. Conformity is the byword for this card…not constrictive, but a platform to build upon. Reversed I tend to read as one who goes against the usual flow. An outlier…someone who knows all the standard and traditional forms and rules, but has chosen a path that lies outside the norm. Again, both pathways are valid choices…just different.
Image Study of this card:
This is the way things are. A tree is always rooted in the earth and grows strong. The leaves always turn in the seasons and there is deep wisdom to be found here. A strong and enduring connection with time and history. Always willing to share his knowledge with those who ask. Supplicants come to him for answers, he does not go to them.
Cinna Luna's Tarot Readings 