The Emperor:

 The Emperor:

“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”

This path is associated with the Hebrew letter Tzaddi, it is the twenty-eighth path on the Tree of Life and connects Netzach to Yesod or the sphere of Venus to the Moon respectively. It is associated with The Emperor card of the Tarot and its Zodiacal attribution is Aries, a martial sign wherein the sun is exalted. As we approach closer to Tiphareth on the tree, the polarity presented on the two sides of the tree become increasingly more important to our readings and meditations. This starts becoming apparent with the paths of Resh and Tzaddi, as the paths are no longer connected to Malkuth and so the stabilizing force has become Tiphareth. As Tzaddi used to connect Chokmah to Tiphareth, its influence was that of the father and gave it a paternal quality, which is still present in the new arrangement, although it has changed in some respects as the influence upon the path is now Netzach (Fire) and connects to Yesod (Water). Whereas the connection between Chokmah (Fire) and Tiphareth (Air) served the martial tendencies of the path as a result of their complimentary influence on one another. 

The interpretation is completion, we have reached a place where evaluating our current circumstances is now possible and further progress may proceed henceforth. The nature of this card is very dynamic but within familiar circumstances and complacency may be what's indicated. The need along this path is to re-establish one’s focus, so that the current state is not lost. This can easily happen as the card indicates the volatility of the situation. Whatever the case is, we need to move forward and not rest on our laurels, which may result in loss and failure. "But not to worry!" The Emperor card is also an advisor, meaning that the reflection mentioned will be a natural aspect of life along this path. Although Aries is a martial sign, the path is connected to Netzach and Yesod, these spheres have the potentiality of creating illusion and there is a powerful dual aspect to the path wherein, although the potential for success is present, so is the potential for failure and presents as an equally relevant meditation. This is where the lessons one has learnt certainly needs to be applied, and whatever one decides to do, needs to be done in haste, otherwise failure will almost assuredly follow. It should be kept in mind that Netzach and Yesod are elemental opposites and their influences upon the path could result in stagnation, if this occurs, failure will be the outcome. However, Aries is a fire sign and therefore more akin to Netzach and their mutual attraction is a key to successfully navigating this path.

The Emperor card is also attributed to the three Alchemical elements of Sulphur, Mercury and Salt and these are the elements associated with man’s intellectual, emotional and physical constitutions, although there are numerous attributions for these three elements, these may serve us as the most relevant examples. These elements need to be brought to power in order to aid the enquirer. The Alchemical elements mentioned are also associated with The Chain, The Scourge and The Dagger and these weapons are used in order to maintain balance, so that these parts aid instead of hinder the magician. The card should therefore be viewed as the need to pull all these faculties together and to make them work to bring about a welcomed change. The elements also serve as a guideline for what the card reflects and should be kept in mind when meditating on this path, especially with concern to readings, that may bring clarity and elucidate an appropriate course of action. Therefore, the danger on this path is stagnation and herein is presented the maxim: "change is stability", although the nature of The Emperor is kind and benevolent, what he has to teach us must certainly not be taken lightly; and the lessons are forthcoming.

“Love is the law, love under will.”