Readings
Two Cards
If you are trying to make a very important decision in your life and you don’t know which path to follow, if you are really doubtful about the consequences the crossroads tarot spread will help you to find your way.
The Emperor
Upright
Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure
The Emperor is the father figure of the Tarot deck, suggests that you are adopting this protective role (regardless of whether you are male or female), affording for your family, and protecting your loved ones.
Similarly, the Emperor represents a strong and charismatic leader. Status and power are necessary to you, and you are most comfortable in a leadership role where you can direct others. You have a clear vision of what you want to manifest, and you arrange those around you to manifest your goal. You listen to the advice of others, but you prefer to make the final decision.
The Emperor reflects a system defined by rules and regulations. You create law and order by applying policies or guidelines to a specific situation. Be strategic and highly organized in your approach by sticking to your plan until the end.
The Emperor card also implies world knowledge and expertise. You have gained valuable wisdom and living experience, and now you enjoy offering guidance to someone who might benefit from it. You may be a teacher, coach, boss, or just a good friend who likes to take the knowledge and pass it on so that others can be as wise and powerful as you.
Reversed
Domination, excessive control, lack of discipline, inflexibility
The reversed Emperor requests you to assess your relationships with responsibility and discipline. Are you expressing too much or too little of these in your life right now? Are they serving for you or against you?
In the reversed position, the Emperor can be bossy and inflexible in his thoughts. The card can suggest an over-use of authoritative power. It could be you or another person, often a boss, partner or family member. And it may be because of deep insecurities and self-doubts.
Recognize the position of power in your life. Are you declaring your power and dominance in a way that leaves others feeling weak? Or are you giving away much of your personal power to please others? Try to find a solution where you start from a place of personal power and enable others to do the same. Power can be equally distributed – you don’t need to take it from others, nor do you need to give yours away.
Sometimes, the reversed Emperor asks you to stand up to authority. You may feel fed up with an oppressive boss or a hierarchical organization and feel forced to enter a more flexible and adaptive environment. Maybe you aspire to be your own boss and work independently by starting up your own business.
In a love reading, the reversed Emperor hints that you may be in an unbalanced relationship and it‘s making you unhappy. Your partner has become overbearing, possessive and dominating. This dynamic is putting tension on the relationship and blocking the flow of energies between you.
Ace of Swords
Upright
Breakthroughs, new ideas, mental clarity, success
The Ace of Swords signals a ripple of new energy from the mental realms. You may be on the edge of an important discovery or a new way of thinking that enables you to view the world with fresh eyes. Or, you may have a sudden understanding of a problem that has been troubling you and you can view the route ahead. Meditate daily to clean away the mind chatter and gain the most of this mental potential.
See this card as a sign of hope. It states your mind is expanding. You are open to welcoming new ideas. You grow on new ideas, motivation, and vision, and you are excited to track new possibilities that draw upon your creative abilities.
When the Ace of Swords shows up in a Tarot reading, it says you that now is a great time to start a new project. As an Ace, you are at the start of the journey, but you can feel the energy rising up and can’t wait to get started. If you direct this energy into the right movements, then you will succeed in your endeavors.
As with all Swords cards, the Ace of Swords expresses power; but the sword is double-edged, meaning that it can build and finish. The message is obvious: with authority comes responsibility. You will need a powerful heart and mind and use your power for the help of others and yourself.
The Ace of Swords also helps you to track the truth of the circumstance and to find equity. You have great transparency on the circumstance and can now defend your point of view.
Reversed
Inner clarity, re-thinking an idea, clouded judgement
The Ace of Swords reversed symbolizes that a new idea is arising from within you, but you are not ready to share it with people. You may still be searching what this idea means for you and how to best manifest it in the outside world. You may also seek more transparency about whether this is a plan you wish to pursue more. When this card shows up in a Tarot reading, it’s essential to give yourself time and space and free your mind.
At times, the reversed Ace of Swords can be a sign you have an idea that’s not coming to success in the form you had expected, and it’s time to go back to the starting point. You may still be tracking an idea that no longer has any sense for you. This card asks you to use more time on describing in common terms what it is you need. Concentrate on the basics and do some better preparation. Be certain about your ambitions and purposes.
The reversed Ace of Swords can also imply blurred judgment and a lack of rational certainty around a particular situation. You are missing important information that will benefit you decide, so spend your time and energy into endeavoring out the facts.