The Power of The Mother
She is the Daughter of the Mighty Ones and is ruled by the planet Venus. The Empress represents nature, fecundity, feminine power and beauty, pregnancy and marriage. She is the Earth Mother. the Greek Demeter, the ruler of the Seasons and represents the cycles of life and the nurturer of life. Venus/Aphrodite is associated with love, sensuality, beauty and artistic taste.
When seeking advice in regard to relationships and fertility, this card brings welcome news. She bestows her benevolence and abundant spirit on those who wish to manifest results in areas where nurturing is needed.
Fertility of the mind is also a manifestation of this card – creativity and a connection with your ability to bring in new forms through artistic endeavours. It is an impulse to create.
It is well to remember at this time that creativity can take many forms – a painting or drawing, a piece of music, a dance, a sculpture, or a story are the common things we consider when we think of art and creativity, but a new idea or a different way to solve a problem are also creative manifestations – it could be a work of art or a loaf of nourishing bread.
Traditionally this card refers to marriage, fertility and pregnancy, so if these are high on your list of priorities then this card is a good omen. It is also a good time to heal issues around motherhood, whether it be with your own mother, or if you are a mother, then with your daughter(s). The energy behind this card are supportive of the Mother Archetype, and brings much success when the heart is willing to help and heal.
Remember, also, that there is a dark side to this Earth Goddess. Treat her roughly or without due deference to her powers within her realm, that of nature and nurture, and you will feel the cold winter of her discontent. And yet the thing with this Goddess is that she is forgiving, and any discomfort or displeasure from her is not a permanent state.
Meditate on your ideal of femininity and motherhood/nurturer – you can now bring this energy into your life, whether in your own persona or through significant females in your life.
![Image “The Empress” © tsabo6.deviantart.com](The_Empress.jpg “The Empress”)
If there is a situation that has stalled or seems to be taking a long time to come to pass, the appearance of The Empress assures you of its arrival and success. Patience is a virtue valued by this Goddess and is rewarded in the end.
“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ? Maya Angelou
The Empress is the ultimate archetype of womanhood and femininity in all its aspects, and yet she does not represent an individual in the querent's life. The power of the Goddess is too great to be contained in a human individual and to do so would be to engage in hubris that does not serve the individual.
Rather she represents a phase in life or energy that we can connect with and honour. When The Empress appears in a reading for you, it is time to consider your own experience of motherhood – whether it is your children or your own mother and often this card will bring a healing with important female figures in your life.
What can you now give attention to in your life to nurture and grow it?