The Empress (Card 3) in the Rider-Waite Tarot: Insights for The Fool (Card 0)

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Published: 2026/01/15 Author: September Rabbit Source: network

The third card in the Rider-Waite Tarot is known as "The Empress." Fields, rivers, forests... "The Empress" represents harvest and brings vitality to all things in the world. To use tarot for divination, it's not only necessary to understand the meanings of the cards but also to be proficient in using tarot spreads. The Rider-Waite Tarot special section on Huayi Mingzuo Network has compiled relevant content for your reference.

Basic Information of The Empress

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

Card Description

The Empress represents nobility and passion, the perfect embodiment of a woman, the pure and nurturing maternal force, and the source of rich sensory and material life in the world. The Empress sits comfortably on a chair, holding a staff that is a sacred tool governing life, symbolizing nobility and prosperity. Below her feet is a heart-shaped shield with the symbol of Venus, indicating she is the guardian deity of Libra and Taurus. This symbol represents love as a bridge between the mind and the material world. It is usually used to represent women, signaling motherly nature, symbolizing the Empress's inclusiveness, and bringing abundance to her people. The Empress wears a white long dress covered with pomegranate seeds, and beneath her feet are ripe wheat stalks. In the distance, there are lush green trees and rivers. Pomegranate seeds symbolize fertility. Unlike the High Priestess, who hangs this pattern on the curtain behind her, the Empress embodies fertility herself, and the ripe wheat at her feet is the fruit of fertility. The forest and river behind her represent the revival of the earth and its abundant vitality.
The Empress represents a path through the senses to the soul. She is more passionate than idealistic. Her arms and sharing are quite practical because she knows that no matter what she must pay, now is the best time to give. This is precisely the lesson that Libra needs to learn in astrology. Learn that love is not an idealistic or intellectual problem, but a sharing of body, emotion, and sensation, and the joy experienced in daily life.

Interpretation of the Card: The Empress sits gracefully on a comfortable chair, surrounded by a dense forest, giving a feeling of carefree and relaxed. A heart is placed beside the chair, as if she is willing to grant you these fertile lands and fruits. A complete love should be sincerely thanked.

Upright

The appearance of the upright Empress indicates that you are now consciously aware of your tasks and responsibilities. There is an unknown, even unperceived evil force within your heart. This force includes arrogance, laziness, jealousy, hatred, and other negative emotions. Ignorant people have ignored them before, making it impossible for you to examine your true inner self. However, the Empress will resolve all problems. Her greatness, tolerance, and maternal nature will help you recognize the direction your heart should go and guide you on how to act. In a relationship, there will be a significant leap, but this change is good. Your thoughts and actions will be full of passion and generosity, and your own soul will be satisfied. Don't ask how the Empress begins, because now, you have already started.

Reversed

The ignorance of the Fool continues to spread here. The staff fails to play its proper role, and the most important thing is overlooked by you. You focus only on unimportant matters and overvalue them. Your happiness is fading away. When you find that your charm can no longer affect others, don't think it's due to the loss of your charm, but rather that you have completely chosen the wrong direction. In relationships, difficulties you don't want to see will appear, which require you to think carefully and solve them. Lack of achievement makes you afraid. The more you try to hold on to something, the more you realize you cannot obtain it. Check whether it is your excessive pride that has led to this situation. For you, starting is not possible unless you thoroughly understand your heart, which may take a long time.

The Empress's Advice to the Fool

You should deeply consider that life is changeable and unpredictable, and the only thing we have is this very short moment. If you do not want many misfortunes and difficulties to come into your life, try to lower your standards and reduce your desires. Moreover, make great efforts to strictly limit yourself to necessities. Imagine a moderate wealth, a moderate appearance, a moderate talent, and a moderate position. Believe that your partner is the best one.