The third card in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck is known as "The Empress." Fields, rivers, forests... "The Empress" symbolizes harvest and brings vitality to all things in the world. As a type of divination, the Tarot uses ancient Western mythology and astrological knowledge for its readings, making it a highly mysterious method of divination.

Tarot Cards — The Empress

Card Name:The Empress
Corresponding Card:17 The Star
Corresponding Astrology:Venus
Corresponding Figure:Demeter
Element:Earth
Key Words: Noble, Passionate, Harvest, Nature, Compassion, Dedication, Maternity, Fertility
Strengthening Cards:The Lovers, The Star, The Nine of Cups, The Seven of Pentacles, The Ten of Pentacles

Card Description

The Empress represents nobility and passion. She is the ultimate embodiment of femininity, the pure and creative maternal force that gives rise to all life, and the source of rich sensory and material experiences in the world.
The Empress sits comfortably on a chair, holding a scepter that is a sacred tool governing life in the universe, symbolizing nobility and prosperity. The heart-shaped shield at her feet bears the symbol of Venus, indicating that she is the guardian of Libra and Taurus. This symbol represents the communication between the heart and the material world through love. It is typically used to represent women, foreshadowing motherly instincts, symbolizing the Empress's compassion and the abundance she brings to her people.
The Empress wears a white gown embroidered with pomegranate seeds, and beneath her feet are mature wheat stalks. In the distance, there are lush green trees and rivers. Pomegranate seeds symbolize fertility, and unlike the High Priestess who carries this pattern on the curtain behind her, the Empress's design directly indicates that she herself embodies fertility. The mature wheat at her feet is the fruit of this fertility, while the forest and river behind her represent the renewal and vitality of the earth.
The Empress represents a path from the senses to the soul. She is more passionate than idealistic. Her arms and sharing nature are very practical because she knows that no matter what she has to give, now is the best time to give. This is precisely the lesson that Libra needs to learn in astrology: learning that love is not an idealistic or intellectual exercise, but a sharing of body, emotion, and sensation, as well as the joy experienced in daily life.

Reversed Meaning

When The Empress appears reversed, it suggests difficulties in family environments or certain romantic relationships. You may find it difficult to achieve your plans or unable to genuinely love someone in a relationship because you are too intellectual or idealistic about love. I want to say again, you need to return to the upright position of the previous card to master the lessons within it. It could mean that you have thoughts of dating, but you find yourself unable to put in the daily effort required for a romantic relationship. Regarding children, a reversed Empress might indicate miscarriage, abortion, or childbirth.
A reversed Empress implies that even if you are grounded in work, you may still fail to meet expectations, discovering shortcomings and trying to improve. Emotionally, you may be overly idealistic, unable to tolerate flawed relationships. There may be difficulties in family or romantic relationships, and regarding children, it might indicate miscarriage, abortion, or childbirth.
Love: Represents unrequited love.
Work: Represents declining performance.
Health: Represents being overweight.
Entertainment: Represents obstacles in plans.
Money: Represents excessive spending, over-investment, unnecessary losses.
Other: Represents vanity.
Conclusion: Represents not getting what you want.

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