Does The Emperor card mean yes or no in a Tarot reading? How can this major arcana help you get what you want?
The Emperor card almost always signals yes – especially if your goal is to manifest positive change in the physical world. The symbol of structure and authority, this card heralds well-ordered progression ahead.
However, this card also carries a warning of potential roadblocks. There are other cards that could simply say yes or no but a major card like this dives deeper (even with a yes or no Tarot reading) and offers advice on how to get what you want. The more you’re able to hear this message, the sooner you’ll see this progress.
To do this, we need to scratch beneath the surface of the card a little. We’ll look at the position and the type of question you’re asking and see how this card can really help you.
Does the Emperor Mean Yes or No?
Overall the Emperor card means yes. Unlike other major arcana’s like the Death card, it suggests structured and ordered change – not overnight overhauls. You have the potential to get what you want but whether it happens within days or years is going to depend on how we unlock the deeper meaning of the card.
Upright Emperor as Yes or No Question
Yes, it’s up to you.
When this card is upright it is telling you that you have the ability and authority to make this decision. The universe can make it a possibility and if this is something you want – you only need to open the door and walk forward.
The Emperor is a symbol of structured progression and not huge, emotional overnight changes. Things will unfold before you as long as you’re moving in the right direction.
Reversed Emperor as Yes or No Question
No, there’s something in the way.
If your card is reversed, that means something (or someone) has removed the choice from your control. You might be feeling lost and overwhelmed but this no doesn’t have to last forever.
If you’re able to take a step back and look at the big picture, we can turn this around. We often fall into the trap of thinking we’re already doing this but this card is trying to show you something you’ve missed. Something that is holding you back from getting what you want.
How to Get What You Want
A card like this wants to help you get what you want. However, one single Tarot card will only be able to tell us so much. Let me help by digging deeper with a free Tarot reading for you. Share some details and I’ll have a handwritten spread to you within an hour.
Upright Emperor as Yes or No for Love
Yes!
For relationships, the Emperor is telling you that you are in the driving seat. Whether you’re looking for a future relationship or an existing one, this is a symbol of a strong and lasting bond. There is a sense of order and predictability to this union.
This card is the symbol of established structure and for relationships, this usually suggests more traditional values like marriage.
Reversed Emperor as Yes or No for Love
Maybe, something is in the way.
Reversed, the meaning suggests that someone or something is preventing your love life from evolving the way it’s supposed to. There’s still a possibility of it happening the way you want but it’s not going to happen if you’re just waiting for it. This could be an individual who is challenging the authority of the relationship or a situation that is out of control. If this is not addressed, it could lead to problems that could make a relationship an impossibility.
It might be that you need to shake things up a bit within your own life. The reversed Emperor is too rigid and sometimes stuck in their ways that they’re missing opportunities. Shaking things up a bit and trusting others to take the reigns once in a while might be the way forward.
Upright Emperor as Yes or No for Advice
Yes, accept guidance.
If you’re asking advice from this card – it’s telling you to accept advice from elsewhere.
The card means that a father figure is giving guidance and support. It’s a symbol you should look to people in your life and not just the Tarot. There is a strong sense of authority and structure in the situation and this might be someone in your life who you know you can rely on. It might be someone available to you that you haven’t thought of.
This is a time to listen and heed the advice of those who are more experienced than you. The Emperor shows that things are under control, so trust the process and stay the course. This is a positive time for making decisions and taking action.
Reversed Emperor as Yes or No for Advice
No, take back control.
Reversed, the card is telling you that your future is not under your own control currently and the advice of the card is to remove that excessive control, domination and rigidity of another person or situation from your path. This is not a healthy place to be and it is time for you to take back control of your life. You may need to stand up for yourself and assert your own needs. You may feel powerless and this is not a good way to live.
You might still be able to turn this around to a yes but your focus needs to be on getting the control back into your life first of all.
Upright Emperor as Yes or No for Career and Finance
Yes, but not overnight.
For your career and finance, this card is telling us that if we want to succeed in these areas we need to put our trust in the universe and have faith that things will work out. This is the card of steadiness and accountability so it’s not promising you an overnight lottery win but it is a sign of things going your way when you take control of them.
We also need to be willing to take risks but not crazy leaps of faith. We need the faith to be bold when we know we’re making a calculated risk towards a goal we can achieve.
Reversed Emperor as Yes or No for Career and Finance
Yes, but it’s very far away.
Reversed the card keeps that message of a lack of control. There’s something else that’s calling the shots on your path at the moment and you are experiencing too little control, rigidity, and domination from an external source.
This is still a card for success in this area of your life but if you really want things to go your way you should reassess your situation and take back control of your own life. This can be done by standing up for yourself and asserting your needs. You may also need to find ways to be more flexible and adaptable in your approach to work and money matters.
Emperor for Trust: Should You Trust Them?
Upright: Trust them.
Reversed: Distrust them.
As the symbol of authority and a father figure, there are few cards clearer than the Emperor for the question of trusting someone. Upright the card represents someone who can be trusted to bring your life stability and structure. While reversed it can be the exact opposite.
As a major arcana, it also suggests this person is likely going to have a large impact on your life, one way or another.
What Is the Emperor Trying to Tell You?
It’s alright to lean on others who have more experience and ask the Tarot for guidance, but this isn’t the time to simply hope things go your way. If this is something you really want, it’s something you’re going to have to work towards actively.