THE EMPRESS

 I just completed a card - The Empress for a collaborative deck Tarot Pink for Cancer. My mother died from breast cancer when I was twenty six so this was a meaningful project to work on.

Having just visited India where I took a Sacred Painting Intensive in Haridwar, a holy city in the north of India at the base of the Himalayas, I was inspired to paint the Goddess Ganga as my new Empress. While I was in India I attended Aarti, the sunset ceremony on the Ganges River where thousands of pilgrims come to the headwaters to worship. Offerings were made to the river, candles set afloat and garlands strewn into the aqua water while the crowd chanted mantras to Ganga. I felt the immense love and gratitude for Mother Ganga, who brings life and nurturance to so many. Here was a living example of the qualities of the Empress.

The Indian Goddess Ganga holds four infants in her loving arms, the different colored babies represent her ability to embrace and love everyone, unconditionally. The Empress is the Great Mother representing fertility and nurturing. Her power as Empress comes through ruling from the heart. The Empress is very sensuous, she loves beauty. Her crown and jewels symbolize abundance; she is a creator and manifestor. Ganga’s mermaid tail symbolizes her natural ability to go with the flow. She is wise, kind and harmonious.

When you pull The Empress card, She is here to give you support, she loves you unconditionally and will nurture you with a tender heart. Ganga the Empress is the source of life, notice the beauty and abundance in nature and open yourself to her gifts. Sink into her loving embrace. 

You can find out more about Tarot Pink for Cancer at this site: www.tinyurl.com/tarotpink

 Here is a short video explaining the meaning and symbolism of the Empress in the Tarot de St. Croix.