The Emperor

The 4th Key

Colour: Scarlet
Sound: C Natural
Sign: Aries (Cardinal Fire)
SIMPLE LETTER: Sight

This path connects beauty with wisdom. The fiery aspect of the Garden of Eden.

Sight is attributed to this card. This is the self-observation of the One. This is the first sense attributed to a card as Aries is the first sign of the zodiac.

He is precise and firm, applying a mathematically measured reason to all things. The bridge between the Father (Chokmah) and the Son (Tiphareth). The Sun is also exalted in Aries implying that the Emperor exercises some control over the solar energy of the higher self.

When applying the alchemical three phases of energy to the upper triangle, the Magician is Mercury, the Empress is Salt, and the Emperor is Sulpher. The Magician acts upon the High Priestess and they are by their union transformed into the Emperor and the Empress.

When we close our eyes allow images to float by us taking whatever direction they will, we are tapping into energy ruled by the Empress. When we begin to think about what is happening before our eyes by classifying the images according to colour etc. we are tapping into the energy of the Emperor. We are acting upon form. She is the manifesting power which brings forms into being, he has something to control.

An important factor to consider here is that within all that is male there is female and within all the female there is male. Jung refers to the Animus (male) in females and the Anima (female) in males. These are personified as the Great Mother (Binah) and Wise Old Man (Chokmah) for the Sephiroth. On the paths, the Empress is the Anima and the Emperor the Animus. In Latin, Anima is Soul and Animus is Spirit. The soul represents the enclosure of spirit.