My Description of the Card

In a red chair against a yellow background a lovely and softly regal women (with beautiful posture I might add) is seated in a lush garden. The garden has flowers and plants that are representative of all the seasons. There is a fountain with a small geyser of water erupting with two butterflies playing there. Although her body is slightly turned, her face looks directly at you and her gaze is focused.

She is dressed in a peach-pink gown and does not appear to be pregnant. She wear a crown of twelve "stars". The crown has been cleverly drawn so that the stars look like flowers and the crown made of leaves. At her heart chakra she wears a golden heart with the symbol for female embossed upon it. In her right hand, but interestingly leaning away from you, she holds a scepter. Also, on her right wrist there is a simple gold bracelet (does this tie her -- so to speak -- to the bonds of the 8 of Swords and the tassel on the wrist of the Queen of Swords? Hadn’t thought about that before).

From – "A New Handbook for the Apprentice" by Eileen Connolly

KEY: Promise of growth, prosperity and fertility in all things. Needs fulfilled with joy and satisfaction. REVERSE: Wasteful energies causing despair and failure. Unproductive activity can affect home and income.

MEMORY: Health, children and business good: All is well, you knew you could. REVERSE: All looks black, the reason why: You built castles in the sky.

GUIDELINES: Original seeds were well planted, harvest is wonderful. Now is the time to reap the benefits. The results or gains are much larger than anticipated. Look forward to a happy conclusion. Coming to the end and completion of hard work and sacrifice. Soon recognition and rewards will come for your efforts. REVERSE: Affairs are not coordinated, chaotic situations are arising. A need for good counsel and advice. Someone is suffering and feels the pangs of poverty or inability to meet obligations; could be suffering financially and unable to make ends meet. Depressing vibrations make you fell empty and withdrawn. Unable to understand the trials and pain endured. Feeling of hopelessness, throwing in the towel.

My Thoughts on The Empress

The Empress within me is at play in the World

Whenever …

• I speak with patience and kindness while not feeling much of either.

• I give of my time to listen (without comment) when someone needs to be listened to.

• I bake a batch of brownies to give to others and I don’t even eat one (well maybe one, but it’s only a taste test and purely scientific!)

• I absolutely, positively must plant something and feel the dirt between my toes.

• I buy toys at Christmas to give to children I will never know.

• I can feel the subtle changes in the air and light that herald a new season.

• I smile at the loveliness of children though my eyes are tearing for they will never be mine.

• I salivate over gardening catalogs and watch with delight the decay of my compost pile.

• The Empress within me is at play in the World and my Soul revels in her love and light.