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.
Four of Cups
Upright
Meditation, contemplation, apathy, reevaluation
When the Four of Cups shows up in a Tarot reading, new offers and opportunities are coming to you, but, you’re turning them away. Perhaps the chances do not interest you, or your cup is full (there are too much on your plate). Use your judgment to determine on what is actually important to you, and don’t be scared to reject new projects that don’t adjust with your path.
The Four of Cups can also indicate a time when you are turning your energy inside, to align to this new stage of your life. You are creating the space inside yourself so that you are ready to receive new possibilities later and give them the best chance of achieving. Use this time for inner contemplation before accepting the next ‘significant thing’.
The Four of Cups can show up when you are bored or unsatisfied with your daily life. You may feel detached, indifferent or unambitious – maybe life has become boring. The Four of Cups invites you to bring your awareness inside and find a more enthusiasm in what you do. You may have found yourself separated from your inner truth, and need to re-establish this contact so you can get a more comprehensive sense of direction. Now could be an great time to switch off from the disturbances of the external world and allow you the space to listen to your inner knowing and achieve more transparency.
The Four of Cups could also note that you have shut yourself off from new chances because you have been hurt before. You may have had a break-up or experienced disappointment in your job and now want to avoid getting in the same spot again. However, you may miss new possibilities that are an better fit for you. Indicate whether closing yourself down is the best way of action, or if it’s time to open up to the opportunities accessible to you.
Reversed
Retreat, withdrawal, checking in for alignment
The reversed Four of Cups indicates a period of withdrawal. You are leaving into your inner world so you can focus on what is essential to you. Just be mindful that you don’t shut off your loved ones or seem indifferent in their lives.
If you are feeling isolated, don’t push yourself to go out. Just ‘be’ in this place, and when you’re able, start to mix with the external world again. It’s just a temporary phase of life. Acknowledge it and gain the most of it.
At times the reversed Four of Cups hints that you feel disappointed with the world around you. Everything seems difficult, and instead of solving, you’re choosing to leave. You may avoid the difficulties of the external world believing that if you step out, the difficulties will go away.
The reversed Four of Cups might indicate you are unwilling to open your heart to someone or to show your true feelings, wishing to withdraw. Be careful of how this could affect those who are close to you and recognize their desires along with your own.