A Beginner’s Guide to The Empress Tarot Card

In the world of tarot, few cards look as regal and majestic as The Empress. Known as a symbol of abundance, warmth, and femininity, this card can spell out bountiful blessings as well as words of caution, depending on the type of spread you’re creating and the placement of the card (Upright vs. Reversed). We’ll walk you through the most common interpretations and placements for The Empress tarot card in a variety of different readings, including spreads relating to love, career, finances, health, and spirituality.

Things You Should Know

The Upright Empress tarot card embodies qualities like femininity, bounty, beauty, and imagination.
The Empress Reversed symbolizes insecurity, a domineering nature, and a lack of imagination and creativity.

Section 1 of 8:

The Empress Tarot Card Upright & Reversed Meanings

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The Upright Empress symbolizes femininity and prosperity. A creator at heart, The Empress carries a motherly, feminine energy that’s associated with abundance, beauty, fertility, and compassion. Think of this card as a tribute to Mother Earth—it embodies your ability to create new paths, nurture those around you, and receive all the bounties and blessings that life has to offer.^{[1]
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- Common themes: Fertility, prosperity, femininity, benevolence, creation, supportive energy
- Star sign: Taurus
- Element: Earth
- Planet: Venus
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The Reversed Empress stands for insecurity and over-dependence. When Reversed, The Empress can point to a recent inability to put yourself first or view yourself in a kind, uplifting light. It can also signify that you’re giving too much of yourself to the people in your life, or that an obstacle is standing in the way of your innate creativity and imagination.
- Common themes: overbearing energy, an absence of development or progress, insecurity, neglectfulness

Section 2 of 8:

The Empress Tarot Card Yes/No Meaning

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In the world of tarot, The Empress is a beacon of life, abundance, and endless possibility. With this in mind, pulling The Empress card in a yes or no reading is most definitely pointing to the answer of “yes.”^{[2]
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Section 3 of 8:

The Empress Tarot Card Appearance & Symbolism

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A regal woman with an elaborate crown appears on The Empress card. In the very center, a well-dressed woman sits perched on top of a magnificent throne. True to her name, she bears a crown with 12 stars rising from the top, a necklace that contains 9 pearls, along with a majestic scepter. Surrounding this woman is a bountiful scene of nature, along with the symbol of the planet Venus (a circle with a plus sign on the bottom).^{[3]
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- 12-pointed crown: The Empress has a strong association with Earth and the concept of life. In this vein, the 12 stars attached to the crown represent the 12 zodiac signs that span a calendar year.
- Necklace with 9 pearls: Similar to the crown’s symbolism, the 9 pearls on the necklace represent all 9 planets in the solar system (including Pluto).
- Bountiful nature: The Empress’s connection to Earth is represented by the beautiful scenery sprawled behind her. Most iterations of this card also feature a recently harvested field of wheat, which symbolizes prosperity and fertility.^{[4]
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- Venus symbol: In astrology, the planet Venus represents beauty and love—traits that are both exemplified in The Empress.^{[5]
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Section 4 of 8:

The Empress in Love

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Upright The Upright Empress spells nothing but good things for a love reading. Chances are, plenty of the people in your life are flocking around you to bask in your energy. Whether you’re content staying single or hoping for a new significant other, The Upright Empress points to good things in the future—according to this reading, love could very well be on the horizon.^{[6]
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- If you’re already in a relationship: Buckle up! According to The Empress, your relationship is only going to grow and prosper into a deep, fulfilling connection.
- If you’re looking for a new relationship: Listen to your heart and really embrace your romantic side. With The Empress in your corner, you’re sure to find a great partner.^{[7]
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- If you’re trying to get pregnant: The Upright Empress can definitely symbolize an upcoming pregnancy, but check the other cards in your spread for confirmation (like a 9 of Pentacles or a 3 of Cups.^{[8]
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Reversed The Empress Reversed may signify that your love life is feeling a bit stagnant. You’re experiencing a big sense of FOMO when it comes to all things romance, and this anxiety of missing out may be negatively impacting your attitude toward relationships. It’s time to take a step back, unplug, and focus on what you have control over, rather than you what you don’t. You’re a lovely and special individual, and love will make its way to you eventually.^{[9]
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- If you’re already in a relationship: It’s time to dedicate a little extra caring and nurturing energy to your partner. Look for opportunities to make beautiful memories together, like planning a romantic picnic, getting reservations at a special restaurant, or taking an impromptu trip together.
- In regards to pregnancy: Pregnancy could definitely be in your future, but it’s not something that you’re currently planning for. If you are trying to get pregnant, The Empress Reversed could signify issues like infertility.^{[10]
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Section 5 of 8:

The Empress in Career

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UprightThe Upright Empress only points to good things in your career—you might have a promotion in your future, or you could be assigned to a really interesting and fulfilling project. If your job hasn’t given you great vibes lately, The Empress is reminding you to hang in there. Just follow the regular ebb and flow of your work routine, and trust that things are starting to improve.^{[11]
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- Tip: Reach out to your boss or manager and ask for feedback on your work performance; that way, you can focus on putting your best foot forward whenever you’re at work.
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ReversedYou might not feel like you have a lot of creative expression at your job, or that you can’t quite express yourself the way that you want to. The Reversed Empress could also be a sign of people not seeing the real you, or labeling you in a way that doesn’t feel authentic to your true personality (e.g., a coworker labeling you as shy and quiet when you view yourself as an assertive individual).^{[12]
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- Tip: Look for ways to be true to yourself at work and let your light shine through. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries and stand up for yourself if you feel that people aren’t adequately respecting you and your energy.

Section 6 of 8:

The Empress in Finance

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UprightThe generous and benevolent Empress is reminding you that it’s time to give back to the people in your life, or to your general community. Since you’re in comfortable financial standing (or, at least, more comfortable than some other people you know), try spotting a friend for coffee or lunch, or donating to a charity that means a lot to you. If a loved one is struggling with something money-related, offer to help them (even if they can never repay the debt).
- Tip: Be on the lookout for opportunities to help your friends, loved ones, and community. Did your friend just lose their job, or is a relative recovering from a tough illness? Offer a helping hand as the people in your life navigate these struggles.
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Reversed The Reversed Empress doesn’t carry any bad financial omens—but it is a sign that you’ll have to work for your reward. A promotion could very well be in your future, but you’ll likely have to put in the extra time and effort to achieve the financial status that you’re looking for. Similarly, there might be some sort of money-related prize in your future, though you’ll have to be patient and wait for it to appear.^{[13]
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- Tip: Chat with your boss or manager and see if you can take on any extra responsibility at work. Presenting yourself in a more responsible and hard-working light may help you climb the promotional ladder a little faster.

Section 7 of 8:

The Empress in Health

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Upright In a health reading, The Upright Empress is reminding you to practice self-care and not spread yourself too thin. You deserve to relax and to be loved and cared for—and who better to give you that love and respect than yourself?
- Tip: Set aside time on the weekend (or your day off) to totally unwind. This could involve taking a warm bath, enjoying a peaceful walk in nature, meditating, or listening to relaxing music.
- If you’re doing a pregnancy-related reading in terms of health, The Empress is a major indicator that a baby could be in your future.
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Reversed The Reversed Empress seems to indicate that your emotions and your physical health are a little out of sync. Some emotional stressors in your life could be impacting your ability to flourish, and you might not be as active and energetic as you should be. A little exercise can go a long way, so don’t be afraid to break a sweat!
- Tip: Getting exercise encourages your brain to release certain chemicals that help you feel good.^{[14]
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  Go to source} Take advantage of this by doing activities that you really enjoy, like swimming, hiking, or going for a bike ride.
- Unfortunately, a Reversed Empress card isn’t a great sign for a pregnancy-related reading. It could signify an upcoming pregnancy that you aren’t expecting or wanting; or, it could relate to struggles and obstacles if you’re trying to conceive.

Section 8 of 8:

The Empress in Spirituality

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Upright The powerful Empress wants to remind you of your own intuition, and the importance of taking a pause and listening to what it’s trying to tell you. Your instincts are on the right track, so take a moment to embrace your innate spirituality and explore your spiritual path in more detail.
- Tip: Take some time to explore different religious or spiritual beliefs that you find intriguing to you. Above all, follow your gut—it knows what’s best for you and your spiritual well-being!
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Reversed According to this placement, you and your intuition are practically strangers, but The Empress wants you to change that. It’s time to sit down and make a conscious effort to reconnect with yourself—chatting with any female spiritual figures in your life could be a great start. Follow the advice these individuals have to share, and see if you can apply it to your life.
- Tip: Try some simple exercises to help you get more in tune with yourself, like mindful meditation or deep breathing exercises.