The Empress represents motherhood and the feminine side of power; she is the goddess in the mother aspect. The mother represents balance between active mind and wisdom; she is the ruler and authority and a woman’s influence. The Empress is faithful and takes action and initiative. She is beautiful inside and out; she takes pleasure in others’ successes, she has a joy of life, and she is a muse. She takes action impulsively and is completely faithful; she is the woman as ruler. Her element is Earth and Air. She is associated with both Virgo and Libra. Her planet is Venus (love and pleasure). When it arrives in a reading, the timing is when everything aligns. Her Chakra is the Solar Plexus, the I feel Chakra. She is the number three in numerology, or the number twelve, which combines to a three. In a yes-or-no reading, this card means yes!!
Colours:
Red – Love, eagerness, physical and practical.
White – Innocence, purity of motive, balance.
Yellow – Warmth, energy, curiosity, enlightenment.
Green – Abundance, nature, fertility, balance and success.
Symbols:
Venus: sexuality, sensuality and love. The active feminine principle. She actively creates and nurtures.
Swans: These creatures mate for life; they symbolize perfect love and are a heraldic symbol.
River/Waterfall This represents the flow of life, for water is life. The continual flow and the ever-changing life-sustaining nourishment.
Fruit: Completion of the creative process. Fruits of one‘s labour.
Hearts: Love and sensuality.
Heart-shaped shield: love and romance, the Venus symbol represents sexuality and beauty.
Corn: Represents an abundant harvest and the ability to produce.
Sceptre: The sceptre is a masculine symbol of authority; this one has a feminine orb at the top representing the spiritual.
Pose: The Empress sits on a throne of cushions, surrounded by nature, representing abundance.
Cushions/Rugs: Luxury, relaxation, comfort, sensuality, and feminine sexuality.
White Gown with Pomegranates: White indicates purity, the gown is flowing, and pomegranates symbolize fertility.
Pregnancy: Creative process, full effort and hard work on the part of the creator.
Bees: Activity, sweetness, busyness, and production.
Moon: link to the feminine, the mother aspect of the triple moon of the tarot.
Starry Crown: Represents the 12 houses of the Zodiac, the months and the hours. The stars are six-pointed, indicating dominion over the world. The cynical nature of creativity. The length of time that creation can take. The crown is a symbol of authority.