The Empress

The Empress is symbolic of the fertility of women: the creative, giving and loving woman. She symbolises caring for others, giving your time and love freely and working to keep others happy.

The Empress can be seen as symbolising your own mother. Whatever else she has or has not given you she created you. What greater gift than to bring another into existence?

The Empress is found in Greek myth as fertility goddess Demeter who, when her daughter Persephone was condemned to live with Hades god of the underworld for half of the year, mourned her daughter when she was absent. When she mourned the earth mourned too and all the plants died. In this way the Greeks explained why there was autumn and winter. In spring Persephone returns from the underworld, her mother rejoices and all the plants grow again.

Demeter is symbolic of the earth. It is strange to think that we are perfectly evolved to live upon this earth yet we surround ourselves in buildings and machines to remove ourselves from it! One of the best ways I know of finding peace is simply to stop and experience the earth.

There is a good meditation you can do on the theme of the earth. Lie on your back, inside or outside, and become really conscious of where your body meets the earth. Extend your consciousness to the place where you are. So, for example, if you were on your bed extend your consciousness to your bed, then your room, then your house, street, town, area, continent - until you are lying upon the entire earth. At this point think about what the earth has given you..life, food, water, friends and love. Then gradually draw back your consciousness into your body.

After doing this meditation I always feel extremely relaxed, looked after, and quite unable to lift my head for a while! It’s a very good way to get to sleep as you feel supported and cradled by an entire planet!

When this card comes up in a reading it suggests a time of great abundance and love. You’ll feel supported and cared for. It might also be a time to look after your mother or your planet. Maybe you can give something back by thanking your mother for everything she has done for you, or making sure your family recycle everything they can so our planet can carry on looking after us for many, many years to come.

Claire x