Arcana Alchemy: The Empress
This series, “Arcana Alchemy”, will highlight each Major Arcana card individually -this specific post is dedicated to the Major Arcana card #3 - The Empress.
Missed the first 3 Major Arcana cards? The Fool ( 0) Read it here! | The Magician (1) Read it here! | The High Priestess (2) Read it here!
The information provided below stems from a combination of books, Tarot Decks, and my own personal experience with the cards (books & decks are cited at the bottom of this post). However, it’s my belief that the meaning & archetype of each Tarot card is fluid and living, it changes - reading to reading, day to day, century to century. The most important meaning of each card is the one YOU interpret in the moment, as Tarot is and always will be a tool to help you connect with your intuition.
Contents of Blog Post
About The Major Arcana
Symbolism of The Empress
Analysis of The Empress
The Empress Archetypes in Myths & Stories
The Empress Imagery Comparison
Activities: Journal Prompts, Tarot Spread, Guided Visualization, Affirmations, Song Playlist
In standard tarot decks there are 78 cards. Of the 78 cards in a tarot deck, 22 of them are labeled Major Arcana. These 22 cards are labeled “major” because they are often interpreted to represent the divine and universal cycles that humanity repeats through its own existence. Each card in the Major Arcana depicts a different archetype, journey, or phase in the human experience. All 22 cards are foundational and full of meaning not only individually, but also in relation to each other.
The cards in the Major Arcana are numbered from 0 to 21, beginning with The Fool and ending with The World. When you lay the Major Arcana out next to each other, it becomes clear that the cards depict a journey or path, often referred to as "The Fool’s Journey," where the figure of The Fool starts as an innocent wanderer and gradually gains wisdom and experience through encounters with different archetypes represented by the other Major Arcana cards. However, this is just one lens of viewing the Major Arcana and it’s important to note that often times our human journey is non-linear and is constantly cycling.
Another way of viewing the Major Arcana, is to attribute each Major Arcana card as a “part” of oneself. This lens is inspired by Internal Family Systems (IFS), a therapeutic model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz in the 1980s, an idea that the psyche is made up of different "parts," each with its own personality, emotions, and coping mechanisms. Every part interacts with each other and influences our behavior. It is my strong conviction that Tarot mirrors, not predicts, what we are thinking and feeling in the moment of each reading. Therefore, when you’re pulling cards for yourself and a Major Arcana card is present, you might ask yourself what part of me does this card represent? When you work with Tarot in this way, true healing can begin as you identify, integrate, and harmonize each part of oneself.
The Empress (3) is the fourth card in the Major Arcana (though numerically number 3) and follows The High Priestess (2). Each Tarot card relates to each other and gives us a narrative to follow, so it’s important to begin this analysis with a quick summary of the cards that have come before. The Fool (0) represents divine chaos and the infinite absolute, The Magician (1) represents the divine/absolute in a physical form, The High Priestess (2) represents the intuition and wisdom that comes when we tune into the cycles of the cosmos and our own physical bodies and mind, The Empress (3) puts the knowledge we learned from The High Priestess into physical action, actively teaching others through example how to live a life that coexists with the natural world and the beauty of expression and creativity that comes from living in harmony with our own bodies.
The Empress is most frequently associated with motherhood, fertility, and abundance. I have witnessed in my own life, when gathering with others to talk about Tarot, that the Empress is a revered card (especially among women). We respect this card, we love this card, we long to have this card present in our lives, because it offers a safety and warmth that every human longs for - the ideal nurturing mother. However, many humans never got to experience the nurturing we assume mothers should provide, what we got was an experience that instead challenged us, shaped us into who we are now, and maybe for some dictated parts of ourselves that we don’t even like. Personally, I don’t read The Empress as motherhood and fertility when it gets pulled, but if we flip that idea of nurturing and comfort and put the responsibility back on ourselves, I think it creates a much more hopeful and controllable future. Questions that might be helpful to ask yourself when you pull this card - How can I nurture myself? How can I create a safe and comfortable place for myself that restores my own body and soul? Because for a lot of us, the mother relationship is a pipe dream, and we play victim to it with thoughts and statements about our own mothers lacking abilities, but our parents’ failures are not the point. The point is to fill in the gaps yourself. How can you fulfill your own needs and nurture your own body? And if you are a mother, this is even more relevant, how can you nurture yourself so you can then turn around and nurture your children? You can’t pour into someone else’s cup when your own is empty.
Unique to women, but not unique to all creatures, is the physical entity of the womb, a portal of creation. The Empress reminds us we are all one. The Earth and all creatures present on the Earth come from the same source and matter that humans do - in fact we quite literally exchange molecules with everything we touch! This interwoven connection to the universe and the Earth is seen in The Empress’ crown of stars, 12 stars for the 12 zodiacs, and the 9 pearls on her necklace symbolizing the 9 planets (well what once was 9 planets!). I love how Rachel Pollack summarizes the deeper meaning of The Empress in her book Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, “The body, and the natural world, are realities that must be integrated rather than denied.” A lot of us have been taught that the body is evil and impure, but those stories were intentionally sold to us to disenfranchise all of us (not only women). Because the reality is, our bodies are magical - from organs that rebuild themselves, memories that get passed down through DNA, to the silent and unseen self-repairing the human body does every day - our bodies should be respected and intentionally cared for.
Where The High Priestess is focused on her inward spiritual journey and connection to the divine, The Empress is focused on the physical, carnal, journey and her connection to the Earth. The Empress is sensuous and fully present in her body; she is able to feel everything and the sensation of having a body itself is pleasurable. Most importantly though, The Empress respects her body, because she recognizes the magic that lies dormant in its bones and she is reminded how lucky she is to experience life in this tangible way. The Empress gives us permission to indulge in the physical, because the physical experience is just as relevant as the spiritual and a powerful part of our physical existence is our ability to express ourselves.
The Empress is full of creativity and blossoms when she can express herself, she is the muse and envy of many. Expression is what happens when body and soul align, there is medicine in expressing yourself not only for you, but for others also. There are many forms of expression: singing, storytelling, writing, painting, sewing, and even posting on social media (to name a few). Each and every one of us has a unique lived experience that longs to be memorialized and processed through the form of self-expression. A creating Empress is a healing and healthy one.
The last thing I want to highlight about The Empress is her ability to create community. When The Empress is activated she nurtures community and friendships, she recognizes that the other humans in her life are not to be feared or pushed away, but to be embraced. The Empress is the embodiment of unconditional love, she accepts all humans like they are her own children. The shadow side of The Empress is she can easily overextend. So it’s important for The Empress to balance leaving herself open to engage in community and friendships, while also remaining true to the needs of her body and her own personal limits. This is where the skillset of The Emperor can help provide boundaries and structure for The Empress to thrive. But that’s for the next post!
THE MOTHER : THE CARETAKER
The mother and caretaker archetypes represent the fundamental human instinct to bring life into the world, sustain it, and protect its growth. While the caretaker role focuses on the act of maintenance, the mother archetype in The Empress represents the source of life itself. She embodies maternal love not as passive affection, but as a generative power that feeds, protects, and allows all living things to grow in their own time and space.
Examples: Demeter (Greek Mythology), Yemaya (Yoruba Tradition / Afro-Caribbean Faiths), Mary, Mother of Jesus (the Bible), Marmee March (Little Women), Maria von Trapp (The Sound of Music)
THE EARTH : THE BODY
Represented visually by lush forests, flowing rivers, and golden wheat fields, The Empress personifies Mother Earth as a fertile, self-sustaining ecosystem that generates life from its own substance. On a human level, she governs somatic awareness, physical pleasure, and the intelligence of the body—teaching that the physical vessel is not something to transcend, but a sacred, sensory home designed to experience, nourish, and anchor creation in real time.
Examples: Gaia (Greek Mythology), Pachamama (Inca Mythology), Te Fiti (Moana), Hagrid (Harry Potter)
THE ARTIST : THE CREATOR
The Empress contains the archetype of The Creator and The Artist because she turns abstract ideas into physical reality. As The Creator, she is the fertile soil where inspiration gestates and grows into form (both figuratively and literally). As The Artist, her Venusian energy brings sensory richness, beauty, and emotional warmth to whatever she touches.
Examples: Pamela Coleman Smith, Leonardo da Vinci, Frida Kahlo, Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Saraswati (Hinduism)
The following images are different examples of The Empress in various tarot decks. Don’t forget to pull out your own deck(s) and compare as well!
While observing the images, ask yourself the following questions:
How do they compare?
What colors are used the most?
Are there any common symbols used in each card?
How does each representation make you FEEL?
Is there a particular representation of The Empress that you resonate with the most?
Why do you think this version speaks to you?
If you were to design your own Empress card, what symbolism would you include?
Journal Prompts
What creative project, idea, or passion is currently growing inside me that is ready to be brought into the physical world?
What does true comfort and security look like to me right now, separate from society's definitions of it?
How can I better connect with my physical body today? What is my body craving (e.g., rest, movement, nourishment, touch)?
Tarot Spread
The Empress’ Garden
4-Card Spread
Card 1: The Seed – What creative spark or intuitive inkling is ready to be planted in your conscious life?
Card 2: The Soil – What environment, mindset, or daily nourishment does this specific idea need to take deep root?
Card 3: The Blossom – What insight or inner truth must you awaken right now to coax your potential into full bloom?
Card 4: The Harvest – What tangible abundance, fulfillment, or sweet reward awaits you if you tend to this creation with patience and ease?
Guided Visualization
For best results, have somebody else read to you OR record yourself reading this visualization and then play back for yourself.
Close your eyes and breathe into the center of your heart. Imagine that your breath is a soft, emerald light expanding within you. As you relax, the boundaries of your surroundings begin to soften and fade.
You step forward and feel the softest, most resilient moss beneath your bare feet. It is warm, and you can feel the energy of the earth pulsing gently up through the soles of your feet.
You are standing at the threshold of a lush, ancient forest. The air is thick and sweet, smelling of sun-drenched pine, blooming jasmine, and rich, fertile soil. Listen to the sound of a nearby stream, its clear water tumbling over smooth stones in a steady, calming rhythm.
As you look around, you realize that every element from the Empress card is alive around you.
To your left, vast fields of ripe, golden wheat stretch all the way to the horizon, shimmering like a sea of amber under a warm, late-afternoon sun. The grain hangs heavy and full, symbolizing the unconditional abundance that is yours for the taking.
Behind you, the stream culminates in a spectacular waterfall that cascades into a deep, turquoise pool. The water is cool and clear, representing the natural, effortless flow of your creativity and emotions.
You follow a winding path lined with vibrant wild roses and fragrant cypress trees until you reach a clearing. There, seated on a throne cushioned with soft, crimson velvet, is the Empress herself.
She is breathtaking. Her presence is a physical warmth, a cocoon of complete safety and unconditional love. She does not look at you with judgment, only with a deep, calm, and nurturing joy.
See the crown of twelve stars shining softly above her head, connecting her to the cosmos and the cycles of the seasons. Her gown is covered in pomegranates, the same fruit sacred to Venus, symbolizing fertility, creativity, and passion.
In one hand, she holds a golden scepter, its orb glowing with a gentle, inner light that symbolizes her sovereign power over the natural, material world. Resting against her throne is the heart-shaped shield bearing the Venus symbol, reminding you that all her power stems from a foundation of love.
She smiles and extends her hand toward you. Step forward and sit in the soft moss beside her throne. Feel her warmth, and the immense love she is radiating. This is the ultimate "Mother Archetype" of the cosmos, and in this moment, you are her cherished creation.
She softly speaks, her voice like the rustling leaves: "You are a part of my creation, unique and necessary. Everything you see, everything I have nurtured, is an extension of your own capacity to receive, to love, to play, and to create. You do not need to struggle to earn this abundance; you were born for it."
Feel a sense of deep, somatic safety settle into your very bones. Any need to "do," to "achieve," or to "prove" melts away. You are safe. You are held. You are cherished.
She reaches into a woven basket beside her and pulls out a small, perfect golden seed. She gently presses it into your palm and folds your fingers closed over it.
"This is your unique seed of creativity," she whispers. "It might be an idea, a project, a relationship, or simply a new way of being. Plant it within your heart and nourish it. Trust the natural cycles; trust that in my garden, everything that is intended to grow will thrive."
Take a moment to simply be with the Empress. Feel the deep sense of abundance that permeates the air. Allow any emotions, any creative flashes, or any intuitive insights that arise to flow through you like the nearby stream.
When you are ready, gently thank the Empress for her presence and her gift. Begin to bring your awareness back to your breath. Feel the solid ground beneath you.
Slowly, gently, you are returning to your physical room. When you are ready, open your eyes.
Affirmations
I honor the natural cycles of creation and trust my ideas will bloom in perfect time.
I nurture my body, mind, and spirit with softness and radical self-love.
I am deeply grounded and connected to the nourishing rhythm of Mother Earth.
My unique creativity flows from me freely, authentically, and without effort.
My voice and my art are necessary expressions of the divine feminine within me.
I am worthy of comfort, luxury, and rest simply because I exist.
The Empress - Song Playlist
This list below is merely inspiration for you to create your own playlist filled with songs that remind you of The Empress! Then use that Empress playlist to empower & remind yourself that YOU are the Empress, creativity and joy blossom from your fingertips naturally!
Resources provided here are FREE, but if you do want help support my love of Tarot so I can continue to spend time creating more content I welcome any donations here.
Sources
Books:
Tarot For Your Self by Mary K. Greer
Tarot Therapy byLeona Nichole Black
Motherpeace by Vicki Noble
The Bible & The Tarot by Gil Stafford
Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot by Rachel Pollack
Tarot for Light Seers: A Journey Through the Symbols, Messages & Secrets of the Cards by Chris-Anne
Wild Card: Let the Tarot Tell Your Story by Jen Cownie & Fiona Lensvelt
The Library of Esoterica: TAROT by Jessica Hundley, Design by Thunderwing
Tarot Deciphered by T.Susan Chang and M.M Meleen
A Walk Through the Forest of Souls by Rachel Pollack
The Complete Guide to Tarot & Astrology by Louise Edington
Tarot Cards the Hidden Symbols Explained by Derek Johnsen
How to Read Tarot: A Modern Guide by Jessica Wiggan
Tarot for Change by Jessica Dore
The Neuroscience of Tarot by Siddharth Ramakrishnan
78 Acts of Liberation Tarot to Transform Our World by Lane Smith
Tarot Decks/Images:
Zodiac Tarot by Cecilia Lattari & Illustrated by Ana Chávez
Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot by Matt Hughes
Harmonious Tarot by Walter Crane & Ernest Fitzpatrick
After Tarot by Corrine Kenner, Pietro Alligo, and Giulia Francesca Massaglia
The Wildwood Tarot by Mark Ryan & John Matthews
Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham and Abigail Larson
The Wild Unknown Tarot by Kim Krans
Mystical Forest by Cecilia Lattari & Illustrated by Wes Gama
Spiritsong Tarot by Paulina Fae
Tarot de Marsielle by Pierre Madenie
The Rainbow Tarot by Sonia Lazo
The Mystical Dream Tarot by Janet Piedilato
The Star Tarot by Cathy McClelland
The Muse Tarot by Chris-Anne
Soul Tarot by Lindsay Mack, Illustrated by Chelsea Granger
Phantasma Tarot by Paulina Fae
Hush Tarot by Jeremy Hush
Rebel Heart Tarot by Alice Grist and artwork by Niki Cotton
Tarot for the Great Outdoors by JQ Gordon & Illustrated by Sharisse Steber
Star Spinner Tarot by Trungles
Seasons of the Witch Winter Tarot by Lorraiane Anderson and illustrated by Tijana Lukovic
Rider-Waite Smith Tarot by Pamela Smith & Arthur Waite
Woodland Fairy Tale Tarot by Cecilia Lattari & Giulia Varetto
Travel Tarot by Jeff Hinshaw & Art by Studio Muti
