Don’t let the long white hair and wispy beard fool you: The Emperor is no frail old man. On the contrary, he is a symbol of power and authority.

As the father figure of the Tarot deck, the Emperor sits upon a large throne. In his right hand, he holds an ankh - the Egyptian symbol of life. In his left hand, he holds an orb, representing the world.

Getting this card in a reading isn’t necessarily a sign you’re about to become a father (but if you are, congrats.) It’s more about your ambition, strength and the wisdom you’ve gained from struggles you’ve overcome. Above all, this card represents rationality, rules and process. You’ve got this far by following the rules, so now’s not the time to stray from them.