IV The Emperor (Atractylodes)

Life has been peaceful lately. Isn't this what I long for? Mostly yes. The flip side of peace is boredom. I have periodically been feeling that, too. The problem is our lifestyle as it is now is not sustainable. We are both underemployed and can't afford to carry on this way forever. However, I have one regular writing client, which I didn't have a year ago. It is a beginning. I just need more of that, plus a more active approach to finding new clients. And I have started doing fiction writing exercises almost every day, a point of great satisfaction. Really I am closer than ever to the life I have always dreamed of. So if I can reside deliberately and consciously in the present, while keeping a mindful eye on the future, I will be doing well.

Feeling gratitude for this peace, today I draw a random card from the the Herbal Tarot. I have hardly touched the deck in almost a year, so last winter's fresh discoveries and associations have abandoned my memory. I am practically starting over.

I do not remember the meaning of the Emperor. The herb Atractylodes is also unfamiliar.

The emperor sits on a rock, symbolizing a strong foundation. He carries a sword and a staff. He gives me an intuitive impression of willpower, perhaps brutality, mitigated by age and wisdom (grey hair in a long braid). He occupies fertile land with a flowing river (to me a symbol of the course of life which we can view only from the present moment; the past and present are out of sight). Mountains rise in the distance, perhaps representing goals and ambitions. A coniferous forest grows before the foothills. The wilderness represents obstacles and a long journey to achieve our goals. Patience must accompany determination. From the unknown Atractylodes I infer only tenacity.

The guide book suggests a divine ruler overseeing creation, the purple robe representing high consciousness, the river revealing the Empress reaching out to him. His character is fiery, desiring order and structure, strongly masculine, requiring balance from feminine energy. The mountains represent wisdom, needed to balance the power of this card. Atractylodes has warming qualities and benefits the digestion. Spiritually it suggests digesting life's experiences to turn the Emperor's impulses toward greater creativity.

The Aeclectic Tarot reiterates these points, emphasizing the herb's supportive role. The sword means justice. The Emperor could point to a father figure.

This reading indicates I need to call up more yang, determination and organization toward my endeavours. Maybe I have been too peaceful. It's a kick in the butt.

What tangible step can I take in this direction? I have two story ideas for potential new clients. I need to write both of them and send them out by Monday at the latest.