The Empress
Major Arcana · III
- abundance
- nurturing
- creativity
- comfort
- dependence
- creative block
- smothering
- neglecting yourself
In the picture
A crowned woman rests on cushions in a field of ripening wheat, with a forest and a waterfall behind her. Her gown is patterned with pomegranates and a heart-shaped shield bears the sign of Venus.
Upright meaning
The Empress is growth and plenty: things ripening in their own time when they are cared for. She stands for nurture, pleasure in the senses, creativity and the natural world. The card often points to a fertile period, for a project, a relationship or a home, and to generosity toward yourself and others.
Reversed meaning
Reversed, the care goes out of balance. You might be giving so much to others that you run dry, or holding on too tightly to someone. It can also signal a creative dry spell. Rest and simple comforts help things grow again.
About the Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana are the trump cards of the deck, numbered 0 to 21 from The Fool to The World. Read in order they tell the story of a journey, and in a reading they tend to point to big themes and turning points rather than day-to-day events.
