Basic Interpretation
The Emperor card is the governing power of any civil institution, such as family, community, corporation or government. It contains self-rule/self-discipline: a person who creates order, establishes values or preserves secular traditions. It also implements the laws and rules preserving the integrity of an institution. The Emperor card calls our attention to the need for discipline, structure, and protection from the parts of our world that are chaotic, threatening or destructive. These forces can come from within us as well as manifesting externally.
How to Read this Card Reversed
Reversed, the card represents a failure to preserve order. It can also indicate a period of chaos caused by a lack of structure, governmental reorganization or simple lawlessness. On a personal level, it can symbolize the giving away of our power to unworthy authority. It may indicate personal weakness preventing self-rule. For some people this card indicates they are being too rigid, in an effort to protect against a perceived danger. The Emperor card represents any situation where are we not in charge.