Tree of Life: Chokmah into Binah – Path 14
Planet: Venus
Number: 3
Hebrew Letter: “Daleth” meaning door
Light: fertility, abundance, motherhood, nature, sensuality
Shadow: dependence, smothering, emptiness, lack of growth
Key Themes of The Empress Thoth Card
The Empress in the Thoth Tarot embodies love, creation, and imagination, representing both the highest spiritual and the lowest material aspects of existence. As the divine feminine, she is the gateway to incarnation, bringing together the consciousness of The Fool, the directed consciousness of The Magus, and the subconsciousness of The High Priestess into a diverse tapestry of experiences. She is the great mother, the embodiment of Earth’s rhythms, and the symbol of passion, joy, sexuality, love, mercy, and maternity. She is the subtle force and intelligence that illuminates reality through imagination.
The Fool's Lesson from The Empress
Continuing on his journey, The Fool comes to encounter The Empress. The Fool notices the glow of her being is undeniable. He quickly finds this incredibly mature and sacred holy woman is holding the entire Earth in her lap. She sits tranquil while nurturing all of life, and gracefully manages to nurture her inner world as well. The Fool cannot help but approach this divine woman, as he believes she can greatly help him on his journey.
The Empress imparts to The Fool the power of love and creation, teaching him the importance of how he uses the elements in combination. The Empress reveals the limitless potential within The Fool, encouraging him to embrace change, break old structures, create new ones, and explore life’s mysteries. She also teaches him about the divine feminine, the nature of women, and how to nurture his own and others’ bodily needs. Through her, The Fool learns to appreciate life inside and around himself, understanding the importance of nurturing and caring for oneself and others.
Joe’s Divine Guidance: The Empress in a Tarot Reading
Upright
When the Empress appears upright in a reading, it signifies a time of abundance, creativity, and fertility. It suggests that you are in a phase of growth and that it’s a good time to nurture your ideas and projects. The Empress encourages you to connect with your senses and appreciate the beauty around you.
Reversed
In the reversed position, the Empress may indicate that you are feeling a disconnect from your feminine side or experiencing a creative block. It could also suggest that you are over-giving to the point of depletion.
Mystical Symbolism: Decoding The Empress's Symbols
Pelican: Symbolizes self-sacrifice and continuity of life, which the Empress is turning away from.
Two Moons: Represent the balance of opposites in nature, with one waxing and one waning.
White Eagle: Symbolizes alchemy and sex magic, indicating a new and better mode of love.
Zodiac Pattern on Girdle: Represents universality and physical attraction.
Cosmic Door in the Background: Symbolizes the gateway to new experiences and realities.
Crown of Isis: With its waxing, waning, and full moon, represents the cycles of life.
Dove & Sparrow: Symbol of Venus, the goddess of love.
Rose and Green Dress: The colors are associated with Venus, the astrological sign of the Empress.
Bees on Dress: Symbolize energy and vitality.
Blue Lotus of Isis: Held over her heart chakra, symbolizes universal love and creativity.
White Rose: At the base of the throne, represents Venus and the waters of universal life.
Double Headed Eagle on Shield: Represents alchemical white tincture, symbolizing female sexual fluids, with the waxing moon in its beaks indicating growth and fertility.
Path 14 on the Tree of Life: Chokmah-Binah
The Empress connects Chokmah to Binah. Think of the Empress as a bridge builder. She unites the wisdom of Chokmah with the understanding of Binah, which creates a diverse world full of unique experiences.
The Empress brings together the consciousness of the Fool, the focused creativity of the Magus, and the subconscious of the Priestess. She shapes the energy of the universe or imagination (Chokmah) into form (Binah).
In essence, the Empress in Thoth tarot is our gateway to life. She represents the cosmic process of birth, where entering life is seen as the end of the previous state. This journey through the Empress’s path is a transformative process, leading to a deeper understanding of the universe and our place in it.
The Empress Hebrew Letter - Daleth
The Empress is associated with the Hebrew letter Daleth, which means “door”. This signifies her role as the gateway to life and imagination. Daleth represents the ability to move in and out of different states of consciousness, symbolizing the Empress’s role as the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind.
Astrology Insights: The Empress's Primary Association
The primary astrological correspondence of the Empress is Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and relationships. Venus rules over our capacity to form relationships and harmonize with others. It is also associated with our values and aesthetics. When the Empress card appears in a reading, it may indicate a time of harmony, attraction, and desire in your life.