Delegation

The Emperor of the Cary Yale

In the Cary-Yale Visconti deck - one of the oldest Tarots, there is an interesting feature on both the Empress and the Emperor - namely, they have courts. Now, this might seem obvious - a throne is after all, only as good as the system that carries out its commands, and which helps to advise and temper it - but somehow, the Emperor has become associated with singularity, authority, and individuality in a way that I believe has undermined him as a leader. In order to recover the leadership capacity of this card, we need to give credit where credit is due - the royal sages, advisors, generals, jesters, cooks, ladies, philosophers, artists, butt-wipers, and indeed any and EVERYone involved in the infrastructure of Order. In fact, where many see the Emperor as the sign of authoritative power - I see it more as the emblem of delegation. The wise leader is the glue that binds together an association of functions, all of which operate like organs in "his" body. Nor are they immune or deaf to criticism and advice. The wise king hears it, and decides whether it is meant sincerely, or as an insinuation. The former is tolerated, the latter is ejected from the house, so to speak.

The point here is that the wise king is a responsible, responsive, and involved delegator - accomplishing tasks by earning the faith of the people. When you see a sword, think of the scabbard. When you see an Emperor, consider their court.