Herbal Tarot - IV - Emperor - Atractylodes

Soaring Eagle

You can see the major arcnana cards in Constellation 4.

Description: The Emperor is seated upon a rock. In his right hand he holds a scepter topped with a circle, and in his left hand he holds a sword pointing down. A large atractylodes plant is crowing in the front of the card, and there is one growing directly behind the Emperor, supporting him and giving him strength. There is a river running behind the Emperor, with a forest and distant mountains seen in the background.

Significant Details: The sword represents strength, will, and justice. The atractylodes is representing strength and support.

Keywords: Stability; Authority; Establishment; Structure; Father

Medicinal Uses: “It is used for diarrhea , generalized aching, mental fatigue, dizziness , lack of appetite, vomiting, edema (accumulation of fluids), and spontaneous sweating. It is also used to prevent miscarriage and to treat restless fetal movement. Other uses include restoring deficient digestion associated with poor absorption, malnutrition, anorexia, metabolic acidosis, hypogylcemia, and rheumatism. It has also been used to treat tumors of the cervix, uterus, breast, and stomach. White atractylodes has the additional benefit of being a "Spleen Qi tonic," meaning that it rebuilds metabolic function by increasing nutrition , increasing energy, and regulating fluids. White atractylodes is also thought to have restorative, normalizing effects on the digestive system and Liver.” http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3435100064.html

My Interpretation: This is a time of looking for stability, structure, and finding your inner strength. This may represent a person of authority, a father figure.

Number Significance: The Emperor is in Constellation 4 with XIII Death and the Four's.

Thoughts/Points to Ponder: The emperor is looking away from us. What is he looking at or for? Is he ignoring us? Trying to make us realize that we know the answer if we look within ourselves?