The Emperor Soul Meditation

Continuing upon The Fool's Journey, the next Soul Meditation that I explored was for The Emperor card, number IV of the major arcana.  I know this may be hard to believe after my experience with The Empress meditation and it's connection to my mother, but I wasn't expecting to have a hang with my father during The Emperor meditation.  Maybe this is because my Dad is still alive so I don't think of connecting to living people during a meditation, but now I've learned that that ca be such a simple thing.  It is the archetype that I'm connecting to during the meditation, and The Emperor energy embodies the masculine parent.  It should come as no surprise and happen with relative ease to bring to mind my dad's energy as the archetype of fatherhood.  No let me go into detail about what I experienced during the meditation:

I stepped into the card to find myself in a dry, clear, mountainous landscape.  My trusty friend, the big, shaggy white dog (who you may remember from The Fool meditation), came along with me and I laughed as he told me that he is my spirit animal.  Should have guessed that one earlier! We came up to The Emperor's throne which was cool and rough to the touch.  The Emperor looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and said it was about time I showed up.  He was happy to see my dog as well and we smiled at each other as we held hands and then embraced. Not only had he been waiting for me, but my skills on the battlefield and in command were also sorely needed by the troops.  I felt a rush of surprise and pride that I was a needed part of the group.  I told him that he should know better than anyone that tarot time works differently than real time, so there was no accounting for when I might arrive.

We both looked down at The Emperor's watch then and I noted that the hands moved rapidly, unevenly, and in opposing directions.  When I looked back up I was in the body of The Emperor, staring out over a vast battle scene that was momentarily paused in order to regroup the army.  I felt The Emperor imbue me with his lessons for leadership.  I felt his despair at his losses, and the terrible burden he shouldered knowing that his decisions effected the fate of all his people.  I also felt his swell of pride and admiration when his eyes fell upon me.  He had created me and raised me and this type of leadership was reward beyond anything.  I was a great champion who could turn the tide of any battle, raise people's spirits, and lead us to victory.  I had all the skills and resources necessary to do the job.

I also saw my girlfriend out there on the field, dressed in battle armor, ready for combat. She met my eyes and bowed her head in salute and I knew that she was a great leader as well, and together we could each have our space to be valiant and strong women, getting shit done.

When I stepped out of The Emperor's body he hugged me close and told me that he loves it when I come to visit, and I should come anytime.  That's when I knew The Emperor was also my real father, who loves to hear from me and enjoys my company.  The Emperor pulled out gifts from his pocket:  a heart shaped-box of chocolates, money in large denomination notes, and a piece of paper with his leadership advice.  On the piece of paper was simply written: Rulership is Mercury.  This message is somewhat cryptic to me at the moment.  I know that my astrological final depositor is Mercury, and therefore this planet has a huge influence upon me.  I need to look into this further though, explore the connection between The Magician and Mercury, and how these influences can help me develop and enhance my leadership skills.  I feel like there is still a lot for me to learn and grow concerning responsibility and taking on the burden of creating and shaping my life.

Another great meditation!  I'm enjoying taking about week to do each card.  I'll do the meditation and journal about it one day, and then let 5 or 6 days go by before I write up these little reports of the experience.  I feel like this not only gives me time to digest the messages and meanings I unearthed during the meditation, but typing this all up really solidifies the card's meaning for me so that I can become a better tarot reader.