IV - The Emperor

Titles: Sun of the Morning, Chief among the Mighty
Hebrew letter: ץ, צ (Tsadi = fish hook = 90, 900) [Single Letter = Zodiacal Trump]
Element: Fire
Astrology: Aries ♈ - Cardinal Fire - The ram (ruler: Mars, exaltation: Sun; detriment: Venus, fall: Saturn)
Time: 20 March - 19 April
Path on the Tree of Life: 28th Path (Netzach ↔ Yesod; 7 ↔ 9)

Symbols/Colours:

card represents a crowned male figure, with imperial vestments and regalia;
he is seated upon the throne whose capitals are the heads of the Himalayan wild ram, since Aries means a Ram;
at his feet, couchant, is the Lamb and Flag; (Ram/Lamb disposition = the theory of government);
the Emperor is also one of the more important alchemical cards; with Atu II and III, he makes up the triad: Sulphur, Mercury, Salt;
his arms and head form an upright triangle; below, crossed legs represent the Cross; this figure is the alchemical symbol of Sulphur (the male fiery energy of the Universe, the Rajas of Hindu philosophy, the swift creative energy, the initiative of all Being);
the power of the Emperor is a generalization of the paternal power; hence such symbols as the Bee and the Fleur-de-lys, which are shown on this card;
the Emperor bears a sceptre (surmounted by a ram's head for the reasons given above) and an orb surmounted by a Maltese cross, which signifies that his energy has reached a successful issue, that his government has been established;
his shield represents the two-headed eagle crowned with a crimson disk; this represents the red tincture of the alchemist, of the nature of gold, as the white eagle shown in Atu III pertains to his consort, the Empress, and is lunar, of silver;
the white light which descends upon him indicates the position of this card in the Tree of Life [Sic! Here, for reasons unbeknownst to us, Crowley refers to the original Golden Dawn placement (ה) of the Atu IV on the Tree]; his authority is derived from Chokmah, the creative Wisdom, the Word, and is exerted upon Tiphareth, the organized man.