EXERCISE NLb: Empress--long
Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 00:09:11 +0200
From: Moonchild
To: Comparative Tarot http://comparativetarot.com
Adaptation of Emperor Exercise by Nina Lee Braden
Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.
> Choose a Tarot deck. Pull out the Empress card. What do you see?
I chose the Rider Waite, simply because it's familiar, and I don't have
time to do more right now.
A blond woman (who in my mind resembles Maud Gonne) sits outside in her pajamas wearing a starry crown.
She holds a small orbed scepter raised in her right hand, while her left hand rests on her thigh. She sits on a bench
of some sort covered with pillows. Either supporting or leaning against the bench is a heart-shaped stone or shield
with a Venus glyph on it. Empress and bench rest on a patch of stone or open earth next to a field of grain. Behind
her is a patch of forest with a stream and waterfall. She is either musing or observing the grain; i.e. her gaze is
directed downward, toward the earth.> What are some of the major symbols or colors or motifs on your card?
The Empress herself and the Venus glyph symbolize the feminine; abundance of growing things for life,
nourishment, earth; the heart shape is the playing card equivalent for the suit of Cups.> Go through your deck, face up. Find three to five cards which seem to share some of the same symbols, colors,
or motifs that you found in your Empress card. What are those cards?I'm surprised to notice that the Devil has almost the same posture. A lot of people say the Queen of Pents is her
Minor counterpart, but I think the King of Pents resembles her more closely. They even have similar scepters.
She's got the stuff for making bread, and he, wine. I also chose Queen of Wands, Ace of Wands and Nine
of Pents. (The Chariot and the Sun are her children.)> Look at these cards closely. Do they help you to see the Empress card in any different light or manner? Do they
contrast with the Empress in any way? Do they amplify the meaning of the Empress in any way? If so, how?The cards with female figures amplify the Empress. The Nine of Pents accentuates the idea of ease, comfort and
plenty. The Queen of Wands compliments the warmth, attraction, life-giving and -nourishing forces of the
Empress. The Ace of Wands also stresses the life and growth forces. Looking again at the Empress and Queen
together, I'm reminded of the Biblical "handmaid" arrangement, where the wife (Empress) would bear the children,
but her handmaid (Queen) would get to have all the wild sex and play with the kids. Or the Empress could be Leah,
and the Queen of Wands, Rachel (mothers of the tribes of Israel).The King of Pents both compliments and contrasts. It's interesting that, OTOH, the Queen of Wands is the Water
of Fire, and then the King of Pents is the Air of Earth. The Empress is also "of Earth" and if she's Water of Earth
then, yes, Queen of Pents. But then, where is the Fire? where is the Air? Anyway, the King is a good match for the
Empress, in that they both have comfort, plenty and leisure. But, as mentioned, she bakes and he ferments. Also,
I feel that she's more concerned with quality ingredients or resources, while he's more concerned with a quality end
product and the enjoyment it brings. IOW, the bread is more for nourishment than taste; and wine is vice versa. Oh,
and maybe another thing: he's got those bull heads on his throne. Doesn't Venus rule Taurus?The Devil is more of a contrast. The Empress impels upward growth; the Devil, downward. He is dirt, darkness
and decay--and the roots that keep the plant anchored? Together they could represent the common good and the
common enemy.> Creative Visualization Twist
> Imagine a family picnic/reunion/Thanksgiving. The Empress is the matriarch. The other cards that you have
chosen are in attendance. Picture the characters in the card sitting around the table. Describe what happens.Ace of Wands: "I've got another idea for a dish we can cook up. Here, let me stir that gravy."
Nine of Pents: "We've got enough! Let's just sit down and enjoy it."
King of Pents: "I propose a toast to our wonderful cooks! Everything looks really great!
Queen of Wands: "It was nothing. I love to cook, and these get-togethers are so special. Devil! Put out
that cigarette and come to the table!"
Devil: "I'll be there in a minute! I'm trying to find out if a cat really has nine lives."
Empress: "Okay, everybody stop talking and eat! I'll go get the warm bread out of the oven."
Ace of Wands: "I've got a great idea for a game after dinner!"> Antithesis Twist
> Go through your deck face up again. Not going by meaning, but by picture only, choose the one card in the deck
which seems to you to be the most visually different from the Empress card. What is this card?Five of Swords.
> How does it differ from the Empress?
The sky is blue, with jagged grey clouds, rather than the calm warm unblemished yellow of the Empress.
The background holds sea and barren mountains, rather than running water and growing trees. The three
characters are not at ease: two are forlorn and one is smug. The main character is hoarding. Change is happening
more quickly.> Go back to the family table visualization. Have the character from this card unexpectedly interrupt the meal.
Describe what happens.Five of Swords: "A game? Did someone say a game? I'll play! And I'll beat everybody! What are the stakes?"
Empress: "You're late for dinner, young man."
Five of Swords: "Sorry, but I was having a lucky streak shooting craps, and couldn't break away."
Devil: "How'd you like those dice I gave you?"
Five of Swords: "Excellent! I really cleaned up!"
King of Pents: "Why don't you get a job, you little rat fink? A little honest effort pays off too."
Queen of Wands: "Hey, now, there's no need to call people names. It's a holiday; let's try to get along."
Nine of Pents: "I'm stuffed! I'm gonna go sit on the couch."> Do you want to be more like the Empress or more like the antithesis of the Empress? Why?
Empress, because she's more into sharing, while Five of Swords is into acquiring. Also, she appreciates slow
development, while he prefers more rapid change.> Choose one act to perform today which will help you to become more like the card which you prefer.
Well, we're potty training, so appreciating slow development is a daily focus right now! Also in doing the garden.
So if I want to stretch myself, I have to look for an opportunity to share, beyond the daily preparations and sharings
of food. What this exercise really makes me want to share is hospitality. Which I guess I will have a chance for, not
within 24, but within 48 hours. My daughter will be three, and we're planning three partys! Hmm, is that why I
conceived to do this exercise? Because it's Trump III, which makes three threes?Mind-boggling. = P
One Love All Love,
Moonchild
This page is excerpted from my original contributions to the Comparative Tarot discussion group.
Graphics created and generously shared by Full Moon Graphics.
http://www.moonchild.ch/Tarot/personal/exercise/EXnl03.html
