III. Empress
Beauty, creation, nurturing, growth
“I nurture myself and others,
knowing that love flows through me.”
There is a moment in early summer when everything is coming to life. The air is full of smells: fruit is ripening, birds are busy, flowers are blooming. Everything around us is changing. Not only in theory, but in reality: the things we see and feel. This is the energy of the Empress.
In the tarot, the Empress is the card of beauty and abundance, fertility, creation and care. She is the mother, the lover, the gardener, the cook, the builder... Someone who creates and takes care of it as it grows.
She reminds us that creating isn’t just about thinking—it’s about doing, feeling, and experiencing: hands in soil, lips on skin, cookies in the oven.
If you were to meet her, she would not speak in riddles. She would hand you a bowl of ripe berries and check if you were eating well. Her energy is grounded, practical, and physical. Her care isn’t just from the heart, it is hands-on.
Think of a doe, standing in the woods with her ears pointed toward the slightest sound. There is a sense of attentiveness. She knows how to stay calm, protect and be patient. Soft, yet alert. Vulnerable, yet strong. This is the Empress in animal form: maternal and profoundly tuned in to the natural rhythms.
She tells us that we, too, need time to ripen. That beauty and pleasure aren't a luxury, but a need. And that creating is asking commitment, patience and love. The Empress reminds you: it’s not enough to want something. You have to tend it. Water it. Feed it. Show up for it.
But her message is not only about giving. It's also about receiving. The Empress doesn’t drain herself. That means she knows when to rest. When to say no. When to take up space. When to take a moment to appreciate what she has made instead of constantly looking for the next thing.
She is not afraid of softness or slowness. She knows that growth happens in cycles. So she follows the rhythm of nature: seasons, body... And she invites you to do the same: trust your own timing, appreciate the effort it takes to create something meaningful.
So take a breath. Look around you and feel the ground beneath your feet.
Reflections
- What in your life needs more nurturing and less control?
- How do you create space for beauty and pleasure without guilt?
- What are you currently growing? How can you give it the care it deserves?