What Does the Empress Reversed Mean in a Tarot Reading?

PDF download Download Article
Exploring the many interpretations of The Empress reversed
PDF download Download Article

The Empress is a powerful tarot card that represents abundance, creativity, and the divine feminine when it’s upright—but what does it mean reversed? Generally, the reversed interpretation of a tarot card is the opposite of the upright interpretation, so in this case, The Empress reversed indicates insecurity, a lack of resources, feeling creatively blocked, and stagnation. To learn what this nuanced card means for your relationships, career, and health, read on.

Things You Should Know

  • The Empress reversed indicates feelings of insecurity, stagnation, and a lack of progress.
  • The Empress reversed can also indicate a blockage of some kind. You may be suppressing your creativity, repressing your feelings, or neglecting self-care.
  • In a yes or no reading, The Empress reversed means “no.”
Section 1 of 6:

The Empress Reversed: General Meaning

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Empress represents the divine feminine archetype who showers her loved ones with love and care, so when it’s reversed, it indicates something is out of balance or lacking in your life. You may be neglecting self-care, smothering your creativity, or putting others' needs before your own, and this is preventing you from enjoying the abundance that The Empress represents. [1]
    • Since The Empress is connected to motherhood, seeing it in reverse can indicate past issues with your own mother or struggles you're currently facing as a mom.
    • Spiritually, The Empress reversed indicates feeling disconnected from your intuition.
    • Keywords: domestic problems, stagnation, financial issues, creative block, dependence on others, insecurity, lack of growth, lack of progress, fertility issues, unwanted pregnancy
    • In a yes or no reading, The Empress Reversed means “no.” [2]
    • If you aren’t sure how this interpretation applies to your situation, don’t be afraid to ask clarifying follow-up questions. For each new question, pull and analyze a new tarot card from the deck.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 6:

The Empress Reversed: Love and Relationships

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You've been dating recently, but it feels like you aren’t really clicking with anyone and you aren't sure why. Sound familiar? The underlying problem may be that you aren’t being open about your feelings or showing potential partners your true self. This is preventing you from making emotional connections.
    • What to do: Work on understanding your emotions and putting yourself out there more, especially with potential suitors. Be your true self and don’t hide the qualities that make you unique! If you’re repressing your feelings, remind yourself that it’s okay to be emotionally vulnerable –even though it can be scary, it’s the only way to make a real connection with someone.
    • Keywords: lack of self-worth, lack of progress in love
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/58\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/58\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    One person in the relationship may be smothering the other or acting more like a mother rather than a partner. There may also be issues with being overbearing or controlling. This card can also mean you aren’t sharing your deepest feelings with your partner, and this emotional disconnect is preventing the relationship from flourishing.
    • What to do: The next time you get the urge to make a suggestion or step in to help your partner with something simple, ask yourself if it’s really necessary. Try to give your partner more space and independence. If you’ve been repressing your feelings, it’s time to sit down with your partner and have a heart-to-heart about whatever you’ve been holding back.
    • Keywords: clingy or controlling partner, suppressing emotions
    3. Advertisement
Section 3 of 6:

The Empress Reversed: Career

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/91\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/91\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You may be feeling stuck in a job that's going nowhere and it’s affecting your state of mind in a negative way. Or maybe you love your job, but your tasks have been dull and repetitive lately, and you don’t feel particularly appreciated by your coworkers or supervisors. The Empress reversed may also indicate general feelings of insecurity at work, especially if you feel that your skillset is lacking.
    • What to do: Find out if you can take on new tasks at work to break up the monotony, or learn a new skill that will help you feel more confident and further your career goals.
    • Keywords: insecurity, lack of growth, creative block
Section 4 of 6:

The Empress Reversed: Finances

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/71\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This card doesn’t indicate a lack of wealth, but feelings of insecurity around your financial situation. Maybe you grew up without a lot of money and now you’re having trouble shaking off the poverty mentality. Or perhaps you were struggling financially up until fairly recently and even though you’re comfortable now, you just can’t stop worrying about ending up in a financially unstable situation again.
    • What to do: Remind yourself that you’re financially safe now–it’s okay to relax and breathe a sigh of relief. You've earned your financial stability and there's nothing wrong with enjoying it.
    • Keywords: insecurity, financial worry, feelings of instability
    2. Advertisement
Section 5 of 6:

The Empress Reversed: Health

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Have you been prioritizing everyone but yourself lately? Or maybe you’ve been avoiding dealing with an emotional conflict, and the unresolved feelings are beginning to negatively affect your appetite, sleep, or physical well-being. The Empress reversed urges you to take care of your needs, whatever they may be, so you can feel good about yourself and improve your health. [3]
    • What to do: Take a day to spoil yourself, and learn to say “no” when someone asks you to take on a task or project that you just don’t have time for. If you don’t take care of yourself properly, you can’t take care of others—making yourself a priority benefits everyone around you.
    • Keywords: neglecting your needs, lack of self-worth
Section 6 of 6:

The Empress Upright Meaning

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/The-Empress-Reversed-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-The-Empress-Reversed-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The woman on the throne is a depiction of the earth mother archetype—a goddess of fertility in her full glory. Now is the time to nurture the things in life that matter the most, like your creativity, your emotional health, your family (especially children if you have them), and yourself. Revel in the abundance you have right now and take advantage of new opportunities as you continue your journey of growth. [4]
    • If you or your partner have been trying to get pregnant, The Empress upright can indicate a pregnancy is on the horizon. Even if you haven’t been trying to get pregnant, mother nature may be stepping in to make that happen.
    • Keywords: divine feminine, beauty, sensuality, nature, nurturing, abundance, pregnancy, motherhood
    • In a yes or no reading, The Empress upright means “yes.”
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Use Playing Cards As Tarot Cards
      8 Ways to Cleanse Tarot Cards & When To Do It
      How to
      Set up Tarot Cards
      How to Ask a Tarot Question: Tips and Example Questions
      How to Use Oracle Cards
      How to Do a Tarot Reading on Yourself
      What Does the King of Pentacles Mean in a Tarot Reading?
      3 of Cups Tarot Card: Everything You Need to Know
      How to
      Do an Angel Card Reading
      The World Tarot Card Meaning: Love, Money, and More
      What Does the Reversed Nine of Pentacles Mean?
      Moon Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, and More
      What’s the Difference Between Tarot & Oracle Cards?
      A Beginner's Guide to the Five of Swords Tarot Card
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about tarot card reading, check out our in-depth interview with Susan Levitt .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.astrology.com/tarot/card-meanings/the-empress
      2. ↑ https://calmingcosmos.com/the-empress-yes-or-no-upright-reversed-love-meaning/
      3. ↑ https://www.elliotoracle.com/blog/2017/8/18/the-card-of-the-day-the-empress-reversed
      4. ↑ https://www.astrology.com/tarot/card-meanings/the-empress

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,998 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement