Sage Leaves: The Emperor, Jungian Archetype
Healing Ancestral Wounds Through Tarot
This week’s Sage Leaves includes the beginning exploration of The Emperor with a discussion of his role as a Jungian archetype. We will explore his role in the Heroine’s Journey and his presence in readings for generational wounding in future weeks. We also have a fresh Tarotscope for the week of March 24-31, 2025.
During the week, we randomly post brief articles on questions that arise from readers as well as herbal self care recipes. I’m a trained herbalist with a deep tradition of working with plant allies from the botanical scientific aspects, the horticultural angle, and of course, as a classical herbalist using plant-based options for self care. Sometimes I like to share that knowledge with my readers when something comes along that I think should be shared. I think we all need a little of that these days!
Spotlight on a Jungian Archetype: The Emperor
The Emperor in Tarot is a powerful symbol. He represents structure, stability, and control. In Jungian psychology, he connects to the Father Archetype—a figure of authority, leadership, and protection. He is the one who builds, enforces rules, and creates order out of chaos.
The Emperor and the Father Archetype
Swiss psychologist Carl Jung believed that people share universal patterns in their minds. These patterns are called archetypes, and they appear in myths, stories, and dreams. One of the strongest archetypes is the Father. The Father Archetype can be protective and wise, guiding others toward success. But he can also be strict, controlling, or even harsh if his power is not balanced with wisdom and care.
The Emperor in Tarot is the Father of the deck. He sits on a stone throne, wearing armor, showing that he is strong and ready to defend what he has built. His red robe symbolizes passion, energy, and action. He holds an ankh, an Egyptian symbol of life, in one hand, and a globe in the other, representing his control over the world. He is the ruler, the lawmaker, the provider.
The Emperor’s Role in the Psyche
In Jungian terms, The Emperor represents the Ego—the part of us that organizes and controls our daily lives. He helps us make plans, set goals, and take responsibility. He tells us, “Stand tall, take charge, and build something lasting.” Without The Emperor’s energy, life can feel chaotic, without rules or purpose.
But The Emperor can also be too rigid. When his energy is unbalanced, he becomes a tyrant. He demands control over everything and fears change. This is the dark side of the Father Archetype—the ruler who refuses to listen, the authority that becomes oppressive. In psychology, this can show up as being too controlling, unwilling to adapt, or stuck in rigid beliefs.
The Emperor’s Lesson in a Reading
When The Emperor appears in a Tarot reading, he asks: Where in your life do you need more structure? Where do you need to take charge? He may represent a person, such as a father figure, boss, or leader. He could also represent an inner part of yourself that is ready to step up and take responsibility.
If The Emperor is reversed, it can mean you are either resisting structure or dealing with someone who abuses power. It could also be a sign that you need to loosen your grip and allow things to flow naturally. Not everything in life can be controlled.
Balancing the Emperor’s Energy
Jung believed that for true growth, we must balance our inner world. If The Emperor’s energy is too weak, life feels uncertain and unstable. If it is too strong, life becomes rigid and unchanging. The key is harmony—using wisdom, structure, and leadership without becoming too controlling.
By working with The Emperor archetype, you learn how to build a strong foundation while staying open to growth. A true leader, after all, does not only command—he listens, adapts, and leads with wisdom.
Energetic Influences This Week March 25-31, 2025
This is a reading for the energetic influences at play for the week of March 25-31, 2025. Starting the week on Tuesday, I drew the 5 of Cups as Mercury in Aries Sextiles Pluto in Aquarius, Wednesday's card was the 7 of Swords as the the Moon in Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus; Thursday's card was 7 of Cups as retrograding Venus entered Pisces; Friday's card was the Knight of Cups as Moon in Pisces conjuncts Neptune in Pisces; Saturday's card was Ace of Swords with a solar eclipse in Aries as Mercury retrogrades into Pisces; Sunday's card was The Lovers as Neptune enters Aries; and finally, Monday's card was the 8 of Cups as the Moon enters Taurus. Now we will explore each of the cards laid for each day of the week for a guide to energetic influences for the week of March 25-31, 2025.
The week unfolds like a story, a journey through tension, revelation, and ultimately, growth. Each day presents an opportunity to refine your will, sharpen your focus, and commit to the path you are crafting. There is no room for emotional indulgence—this is a week of action, decisions, and discipline. You are called to rise to each challenge, not as a victim of circumstance, but as an active participant in your own transformation.
The week ahead is one of deep emotions, quiet realizations, and turning points. There are no fiery Wands to push you forward with passion and action. Instead, you move through the world of thoughts and emotions—Cups and Swords filling your path. This is a time of reflection, of seeing through illusions, and of deciding what is worth holding onto and what must be left behind.
Two Sevens appear, reminding you that this is a moment of self-exploration. You are facing crossroads, questioning what is real and what is deception. Three Cups ask you to swim through your feelings, while two Swords demand clarity and truth. Eclipse season continues, making the shifts feel even heavier. The Mercury retrograde keeps past patterns circling, urging you to reflect before taking action.
Let’s move through the week, one day at a time.
The week begins with sorrow. Something has not gone as planned, and you can feel the sting of disappointment. Maybe it’s a lost opportunity, a conversation that ended badly, or an emotional wound that still lingers. Mercury in Aries sextiles Pluto in Aquarius, stirring up deep thoughts about power and communication. Words have weight, and you may realize something that changes how you see a past event.
But look closer. The figure on the 5 of Cups mourns the spilled cups, yet two cups remain standing behind them. Not everything is lost. Hope still exists, but you must shift your perspective to see it and find your path out of loss .
Wednesday, as the Moon in Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus, the air crackles with unexpected revelations. The 7 of Swords warns of deception—either from someone else or from within yourself. Are you avoiding the truth? Are you pretending something doesn’t matter when, deep down, it does?
This is a day to be careful with words. Be mindful of hidden motives, both in others and in yourself. You may feel the urge to withdraw, to keep your plans secret. That’s okay, as long as secrecy does not turn into self-deception.
With retrograding Venus slipping into Pisces on Thursday, emotions become murky, and the world seems full of possibilities—some real, some fantasy. The 7 of Cups appears, showing you a table full of choices. But are these choices truly yours, or are they distractions?
You may feel overwhelmed, unsure of what is real and what is an illusion. Neptune’s dreamy energy pulls at your heartstrings, making everything seem more beautiful, more tempting. Take your time. You don’t have to choose today.
The Moon conjuncts Neptune in Pisces, bringing a wave of emotional depth. The Knight of Cups arrives with an offer—perhaps a message, an invitation, or a creative inspiration. He is the dreamer, the poet, the romantic.
This is a day to listen to your heart. If someone expresses their feelings, believe them, but also remember the fog of retrograde Venus and Neptune. Not all words are backed by action. Still, the Knight of Cups reminds you that emotions are not meant to be locked away. Feel deeply, but move cautiously.
Satuday’s solar eclipse in Aries shakes the foundations of your world, as Mercury continues its retrograde into Pisces. The Ace of Swords slices through confusion, bringing clarity and revelation. Something hidden comes to light.
This is a moment of truth. It may be sharp, even painful, but it is necessary. Lies, illusions, and old habits cannot survive under this blade. You may have a sudden realization about a relationship, a job, or a personal goal. Whatever it is, it changes your path forward.
Sunday, Neptune enters Aries, adding a new layer of intensity to your dreams and desires. The Lovers card appears, marking a significant decision. This is not just about romance—it’s about alignment, about choosing the path that truly resonates with your soul.
A relationship may come into focus. Are you in harmony with this person, or is something off? If this is about your own journey, ask yourself: Am I making choices based on my true values, or am I being influenced by outside forces?
The Lovers is about commitment—not just to people, but to ideas, to goals, to a way of being. The eclipse energy lingers, making this choice feel even more powerful.
On Monday, the Moon enters Taurus, bringing a grounded energy, but the 8 of Cups tells you it’s time to let something go. There is no more denying it. The cups you have relied on are no longer fulfilling. You must move forward, even if it means leaving something comfortable behind.
This could be a relationship, a habit, a belief, or a situation that no longer serves you. The past few days have shown you the truth. Now, you must act on it.
The road ahead is uncertain, but it is necessary. With The Lovers appearing the day before, you have already made your choice. Now, you must take the first step.
The Bigger Picture: A Week of Shifts and Realizations
This week, you are navigating emotions, illusions, and truths. The lack of Wands means this is not a time for impulsive action—it is a time for thinking, feeling, and deciding. The two Sevens speak of reflection and self-discovery. The Cups guide you through deep emotional waters. The Swords demand honesty.
By the end of the week, a transformation has occurred. The 5 of Cups began with sorrow and regret, but the 8 of Cups ends with movement and release. The story arc is clear:
Tuesday: You mourn what is lost.
Wednesday: You question what is hidden.
Thursday: You are tempted by illusion.
Friday: You are led by emotion.
Saturday: You see the truth.
Sunday: You make a choice.
Monday: You walk away.
This is a week of letting go—of illusions, of false hopes, of things that no longer nourish your soul. By next week, the energy will shift. You will be lighter, clearer, and more aligned with your true path.
For now, trust the process. Let the Cups guide your heart. Let the Swords show you the truth. And when the moment comes to walk away, do so with courage.
That’s it for this week! Look for Sage Leaves in your inbox on Tuesday afternoons (North American time.) We look forward to exploring more about Tarot, Healing and more! Take care, be well, and good-bye for now!