War, conquest, victory, strife, ambition, originality, overweening confidence and megalomania, quarrelsomeness, energy, vigour, stubbornness, impracticability, rashness, ill-temper.
צ
ATU IV
ATU IV The Emperor
The Son of the Morning,
chief among the Mighty
The Emperor
The Son of the Morning,
chief among the Mighty
This card is attributed to the letter Tzaddi, and it refers to the sign of Aries in the Zodiac. This sign is ruled by Mars, and therein the Sun is exalted. The sign is thus a combination of energy in its most material form with the idea of authority. The sign TZ or TS implies this in the original, onomatopoetic form of language. It is derived from Sanskrit roots meaning Head and Age, and is found to-day in words like Cæsar, Tsar, Sirdar, Senate, Senior, Signor, Sefior, Seigneur.
The card represents a crowned male figure, with imperial vestments and regalia. He is seated upon the throne whose capitals are the heads of the Himalayan wild ram, since Aries means a Ram. At his feet, couchant, is the Lamb and Flag, to confirm this attribution on the lower plane; for the ram, by nature, is a wild and courageous animal, lonely in lonely places, whereas when tamed and made to lie down in green pastures, nothing is left but the docile, cowardly, gregarious and succulent beast. This is the theory of government.
The Emperor is also one of the more important alchemical cards; with Atu II and III, he makes up the triad: Sulphur, Mercury, Salt. His arms and head form an upright triangle; below, crossed legs represent the Cross. This figure is the alchemical symbol of Sulphur (see Atu X). Sulphur is the male fiery energy of the Universe, the Rajas of Hindu philosophy. This is the swift creative energy, the initiative of all Being. The power of the Emperor is a generalization of the paternal power; hence such symbols as the Bee and the Fleur-de-lys, which are shown on this card. With regard to the quality of this power, it must be noted that it represents sudden, violent, but impermanent activity. If it persists too long, it burns and destroys. Distinguish from the Creative Energy of Aleph and Beth: this card is below the Abyss.
The Emperor bears a sceptre (surmounted by a ram's head for the reasons given above) and an orb surmounted by a Maltese cross, which signifies that his energy has reached a successful issue, that his government has been established.
There is one further symbol of importance. His shield represents the two-headed eagle crowned with a crimson disk. This represents the red tincture of the alchemist, of the nature of gold, as the white eagle shown in Atu III pertains to his consort, the Empress, and is lunar, of silver.
It is finally to be observed that the white light which descends upon him indicates the position of this card in the Tree of Life. His authority is derived from Chokmah, the creative Wisdom, the Word, and is exerted upon Tiphareth, the organized man.
The card represents a crowned male figure, with imperial vestments and regalia. He is seated upon the throne whose capitals are the heads of the Himalayan wild ram, since Aries means a Ram. At his feet, couchant, is the Lamb and Flag, to confirm this attribution on the lower plane; for the ram, by nature, is a wild and courageous animal, lonely in lonely places, whereas when tamed and made to lie down in green pastures, nothing is left but the docile, cowardly, gregarious and succulent beast. This is the theory of government.
The Emperor is also one of the more important alchemical cards; with Atu II and III, he makes up the triad: Sulphur, Mercury, Salt. His arms and head form an upright triangle; below, crossed legs represent the Cross. This figure is the alchemical symbol of Sulphur (see Atu X). Sulphur is the male fiery energy of the Universe, the Rajas of Hindu philosophy. This is the swift creative energy, the initiative of all Being. The power of the Emperor is a generalization of the paternal power; hence such symbols as the Bee and the Fleur-de-lys, which are shown on this card. With regard to the quality of this power, it must be noted that it represents sudden, violent, but impermanent activity. If it persists too long, it burns and destroys. Distinguish from the Creative Energy of Aleph and Beth: this card is below the Abyss.
The Emperor bears a sceptre (surmounted by a ram's head for the reasons given above) and an orb surmounted by a Maltese cross, which signifies that his energy has reached a successful issue, that his government has been established.
There is one further symbol of importance. His shield represents the two-headed eagle crowned with a crimson disk. This represents the red tincture of the alchemist, of the nature of gold, as the white eagle shown in Atu III pertains to his consort, the Empress, and is lunar, of silver.
It is finally to be observed that the white light which descends upon him indicates the position of this card in the Tree of Life. His authority is derived from Chokmah, the creative Wisdom, the Word, and is exerted upon Tiphareth, the organized man.
| Also see ATU IV: The Emperor according to: | ||||
| Tarot de Marseilles (Gebelin) | Eliphas Levi | Golden Dawn (Regardie) | Aleister Crowley | Frater Achad |
777 for key 15
I
Key Scale 15
II
Hebrew Names of Numbers and Letters Hé
III
English of Col. II. Window
VI
The Heavens of Assiah Teleh
VII
English of Col. VI. Aries
VIII
Orders of Qliphoth Ba’airiron
X
Mystic Numbers of the Sephiroth 120
XI
Elements (with their Planetary Rulers) Sun Fire Jupiter
XII
The Tree of Life Pathjoins 2–6
XIII
The Paths of the Sepher Yetzirah Constituting I.
XIV
General Attribution of Tarot The Emperor
XV
The King Scale of Colour (y) Scarlet
XVI
The Queen Scale of Colour (h) Red
XVII
The Emperor Scale of Colour (v) Brilliant flame
XVIII
The Empress Scale of Colour (#) Glowing red
XIX
Selection of Egyptian Gods Men Thu
XX
Complete Practical Attribution of Egyptian Gods Isis
XXII
Small selection of Hindu Deities Shiva
XXIII
The Forty Buddhist Meditations Loathsomeness of Food P
XXXIV
Some Greek Gods Athena
XXXV
Some Roman Gods Mars, Minerva
XXXVI
Selection of Christian Gods (10); Apostles (12); Evangelists (4) and Churches of Asia (7). [The Disciples are too indefinite]
XXXVIII
Animals, Real and Imaginary. Ram, Owl
XXXIX
Plants, Real and Imaginary Tiger Lily, Geranium [[Olive]]
XL
Precious Stones Ruby
XLI
Magical Weapons Throne and Altar]]
XLII
Perfumes Dragon’s Blood
XLIII
Vegetable Drugs All cerebral excitants
XLV
Magical Powers [Western Mysticism] Power of Consecrating Things
XLIX
Lineal Figures of the Planets, &c., and Geomany Puer
LI.III
English equivalent of Col. LI. H
LIII
The Greek Alphabet Ε ε
CXXXVII
Signs of the Zodiac ♈ Aries
CXXXVIII
Planets ruling Col. CXXXVII. Mars
CXXXIX
Angel Lords of the Triplicity in the Signs by Day Sateraton
CXL
Angel Lords of the Triplicity in the Signs by Night Sapatavi
CXLI
The Twelve Tribes Gad
CXLII
Angels ruling Houses Ayel
CXLIII
Twelve Lesser Assistant Angels in the Signs Sharhiel
CXLVI
Angels of the Decantes (Ascendant). Zazer
CXLVII
Angels of the Decantes (Succedent). Behahemi
CXLVIII
Angels of the Decantes (Cadent). Satonder
CXLIX
Magical Images of the Decans (Ascendant) A tall, dark, restless man, with keen flame-coloured eyes, bearing a sword.
CL
Magical Images of the Decans (Succedent) A green-clad woman, with one left bare from the ankle to the knee.
CLI
Magical Images of the Decans (Cadent) A restless man in scarlet robes, with golden bracelets on his hands and arms
CLII
Perfumes (Ascendant) Myrtle
CLIII
Perfumes (Succedent) Stammonia
CLIV
Perfumes (Cadent) Black Pepper
CLV
Goetic Demons of Decans by Day (Ascendant) Bael
CLVI
Magical Images of Col. CLV. Cat, toad, man, or all at once.
CLVII
Goetic Demons of Decans by Day (Succedent) Agares
CLVIII
Magical Images of Col. CLVII. Old man, riding a crocodile and carrying a goshawk.
CLIX
Goetic Demons of Decans by Day (Cadent) Vassago
CLX
Magical Images of Col. CLIX. Like Agares.
CLXI
Goetic Demons &c. by Night (Ascendant) Phenex
CLXII
Magical Images of Col. CLXI. Child-voices phœnix.
CLXIII
Goetic Demons &c. by Night (Succedent) Halphas
CLXIV
Magical Images of Col. CLXIII. Stock-dove with sore throat.
CLXV
Goetic Demons &c. by Night (Cadent) Malphas
CLXVI
Magical Images of Col. CLXV. Crow with sore throat.
CLXVII
Egyptian Gods of Zodiac (Asc. Decans) Aroueris
CLXVIII
Egyptian Names of Asc. Decans Assicean
CLXIX
As Col. CLXVII (Succedent) Anubis
CLXX
As Col. CXVIII (Succendent) Lencher
CLXXI
As Col. CXLVII (Cadent) Horus
CLXXII
As Col. CXLVIII (Cadent) Asentacer
CLXXIII
Genii of the Twelve Hours (Levi) Papus, Sinbuck, Rasphuia, Zahun, Heiglot, Mizkun, Haven
CLXXV
Hebrew Letters ה
CLXXVI
Numerical Value of Col. CLXXV. 5
CLXXVII
Geomantic Intelligences Melchiadel
CLXXIX
Numbers printed on Tarot Trumps 4
CLXXX
Title of Tarot Trumps The Son of the Morning, chief among the Mighty.
CLXXXI
Correct Design of Tarot Trumps A flame-clad god bearing equivalent symbols *
CLXXXII
The Human Body Head and Face
CLXXXIII
Legendary Orders of Being Mania, Erinyes [Euminides]
CLXXXIV
Numeration of Arabic Alphabet 5
CLXXXV
Numeration of Greek Alphabet 5
CLXXXVI
Diseases (Typical) Apoplex