Emperor as How Someone Sees You (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Emperor is the card of leadership, authority, power, and stability. He is Mars personified, in control of everything and everyone around him. He sits upon his throne, holding the ankh in one hand, symbolizing life, and an orb in the other, symbolizing the world. He is energetic, driven, objective, and fearless. 

The Emperor is full of masculine yang energy. As the father of all creation, he believes in protecting everyone around him. He shows love by providing for his loved ones. Underneath his tough exterior, he is still an emotional being, but only shows that side to the ones he trusts the most.

Upright Emperor as How Someone Sees You

If you are asking about how someone sees you, and you draw the Emperor, that means this person sees you as someone they want to protect. The Emperor, contrary to the Empress, is a card of authority. In this context, they want to provide for you like a father would. They want to offer you both material things and experiences. They want to take you to luxurious places and pamper you whenever possible.

The Emperor means that they see you as someone who brings security and stability. You are their anchor, the one that keeps them grounded. They look at you with respect and admiration. They are confident in your decision-making abilities and often seek your advice. Your presence alone is enough to reassure them — they will always be on the right path as long as you are with them.

For singles and those embarking on new relationships, the Emperor is a sign that they see you as an important person in their life. They want to offer a romantic relationship with you. They are ready for commitment. This person wants to protect you and makes sure you feel their affection and love. They will move mountains for you. That is how serious they are about your connection.

For existing relationships, the Emperor means that they see you as family. No matter how strong and independent you are, they cannot help but feel protective of you. They want to keep you safe and secure at all times. Your partner wants to prove how seriously committed they are to you. They want to profess their love through actions. If you are considering marriage or kids, this card is a positive sign.

If you are asking about an ex’s intentions, the Emperor shows that they see you as someone they want to win back. This person regrets ending the relationship. Letting you go was a mistake. The Emperor is a ruler who wants to take what is rightfully his. Your ex is planning to make his move any time soon. 

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Emperor means that they see you as their life partner. Your partner is family-oriented and wants to start one with you. They are confident that you are already at the stage where entering a deeper commitment will be fine. There is genuine trust and love involved. You are someone they can build a future together with.

Emperor Reversed as How Someone Sees You

If you are asking about how someone sees you, and you draw the Emperor reversed, that means this person sees you as someone they need to overly protect. While being protective is okay, being overboard brings more harm than good. This can become irrational anger and unnecessary jealousy. They are easily irritated as if you are always on eggshells. They might have had unresolved father issues in the past. If this is the case, you have no control over their abusive behavior. Instead, ask yourself if you are willing to sacrifice your mental health for this person.

The Emperor reversed means that they see you as an unappreciative person. They have done everything they can to impress you. However, you don’t give them any sense of affirmation or appreciation. You must take a look at yourself and reflect on past actions. Have you done something to make them feel this way? Alternatively, this indicates an unresolved childhood trauma inflicted by their father figure. While you don’t have the responsibility to resolve them, you can always correct the imbalances brought by the Emperor by bringing positivity into your life.

For singles and those embarking on new relationships, the Emperor reversed is a sign that they see you as an achievement that needs to be conquered for their ego, not because they have genuine feelings for you. The card indicates a lack of commitment and love. They are only attracted to winning you, not because they are interested in you. If you want to start a new beginning with this person, you should talk about your expectations early on. 

For existing relationships, the Emperor reversed means that they see you as someone who might abandon them at any time. There may be attachment issues involved. Sometimes, either of you pursues the other, only to pull back at the first hint of intimacy. You must openly talk about these issues and be honest with one another. Going to couple counseling might help, particularly if your partner suffered from traumatic childhood experiences that haunt your current relationship.

If you are asking about an ex’s intentions, the Emperor reversed shows that they see you as someone already in the past. They no longer have feelings for you. But they are open to casual hookups from time to time. If you want to reconcile with this person, you must first address the reason behind the breakup. If the blockage is left unchecked, you will only reopen past wounds, and the relationship will fail.

In the context of whether or not a relationship is headed for commitment, engagement, or marriage, the Emperor reversed means that they do not see you as someone they can forge a deeper connection with. Your partner lacks the emotional maturity for such a commitment. They have internal conflicts brought on by unresolved childhood wounds. They have ignored these problems for the longest time because they thought they would go. But now that it’s manifesting in your relationship, you might need to reconsider where you stand. Remember that problems like this need weighty introspection, and your partner can only solve them alone. This is a road only they can travel.

Conclusion

For relationships and feelings, The Emperor takes a very masculine approach. Though it is different from the feminine approach of the Empress, it does not make the Emperor’s love any less valid. This card reminds us to take a close look at intentions and relationship dynamics when evaluating a relationship. If a person’s love and intentions come from a good place, give them the freedom to express it how they choose.

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.