The Storyteller Emperor (and Empress, for that matter) is divided into two images, one representing the card in its "upright" or positive position, and one representing the reverse, or negative position.

The Upright Emperor is based on Harry S. Truman, known for the motto, "The Buck Stops Here." Various stories are shared that show his visionary nature, his strong sense of responsibility, his respect for the position of President of the United States, and his desire to do what was "right," not popular (ie, desegregating the army). I recognize this is a controversial choice, as is my Reversed Emperor, Frank Rizzo, former Mayor of Philadelphia.

Many have wondered why I chose him instead of Richard Nixon, a more well known abuser of power. Rizzo, to me, represented "Might over Right," and a lack of vision even more distinctly than Nixon, who occasionally used finesse. Rizzo's symbol of power was his nightstick, he was a Chief of Police whose strongarm tactics and simplistic philosophy made him an attractive political candidate to people who wanted easy answers.

The image of Truman shows a man who takes the symbols of democracy seriously--he holds the American flag and stands against the backdrop of the White House. Topping all is the Statue of Liberty, which represents America as the melting pot, welcoming diversity. The Bald Eagle, another emblem of American freedom, observes from his perch, implying far-sighted vision. The fighter plane embodies the role of action from which Truman didn't shrink, despite the varying viewpoints on the righteousness of this action.

Unlike the American flag Truman carries in his right hand, Rizzo holds a mask, indicating wicked delight in duplicity. In his other, he clutches a thunderbolt, implying quick, not reasoned, response. He is running downstairs, showing that he appeals to the lowest common denominator instead of elevating himself and his constituency. His face is partly composed of dollar bills and a chain link fence--the duel between power and containing power. On his forehead is his own image (personalization), wearing his tuxedo and waving his beloved nightstick. Both Truman and Rizzo wear a hat, but Rizzo's head is too large for his, a sign of overweening ego. In the bottom left corner are a black man's hands tied together at the wrists, referring to the abuse of black men imposed by the police department during Rizzo's tenure as Police Commissioner and Mayor. The political button he wears on his lapel denotes his charismatic side, worn as a seal of political approval, a medal to inspire confidence and lure votes.

Stories about human beings inevitably show that no one is all one thing, unsuited to a quick keyword. But in some ways, they hearken back to a time when mythic gods were expected to have human qualities and foibles.

Diane

The Old Grey Cat
http://www.oldgreycat.com