Author: Hālau ʻĀha Hūi Lanakila

Today, look at the big picture of your life.  Where are you at in your life now?  What are the big lessons you’ve been learning?  What are you grateful for?  What are you tired of?  By taking time to check-in with yourself now, you can calm your mind and spirit.  When you are calm, your inner voice can be heard more clearly.  So check-in, calm your spirit and notice the wise guidance of your soul.  Judgment may appear reversed when there is difficulty tuning into your higher calling, or when judgmental thinking is an obstacle.  You may be trying to get clear about the best direction to take, but feel like you’re getting nowhere.  Your head may be spinning from too  much input from family and friends, the internet, TV, books and all other sources of information that fill our world.  If this is the case,it may be helpful to seek solitude and unplug so you can tune into your own voice.  You may have trouble trusting your own voice.  You may have ideas or fantasies that seem so impossible or unconventional that you quickly dismiss them.  While it’s true that we have to start from where we are, remember that anyone who ever made a dream come true started with one small step.  What can you do now to create the future you dream of?  Judgment also appears reversed when we are being judgmental of others, or are feeling judged by others.  Remember that what is true for you is not necessarily someone else’s truth; we are all committed to choose our own priorities in life.  Try not to make assumptions about someone’s behavior; it’s likely you don’t know the whole story.  If you feel judged by someone else, try not to let it get to you.  Just do your best by your own assessment.  fear of others’ judgment may be holding you back from pursuing your dreams.  What’s worse though:  being judged by others for following your heart, or getting to the end of your life and feeling full of regret for all the things you never did?

Today, make a to-do list and get to it.  No excuses.  No distractions.  You can get a lot of meaningful work done today, but only if you take responsibility for yourself.  The Emperor is about authority, structure and security.  When he appears reversed, there is probably some problem in one of these areas.  He represents someone who is abusing their power.  It may be that the person in charge of your situation, whether it is you or someone else, has let their power go to their head.  They may be overly controlling or critical.  They may put their own needs before the greater good.  They may be deceitful or greedy.  They may be lazy or unmotivated, or just not qualified for the position they hold.  The Emperor can also appear reversed when a situation is not safe or predictable.  Rules and structure are missing.  Chaos prevails.  If you are trying to get something done, but do not have a plan or structure, you may find you make no progress.  Alternatively, if you are too structured and rigid, the Emperor Reversed may be prompting you to shake up your routine and be a little less predictable for the sake of creativity.  This card can also indicate trouble with boundaries.  You may find it difficult to say “no” or to avoid taking on other people’s “stuff”.  Or, you may be pushing your own “stuff” on to others.  The Emperor is the father in the Tarot, and when he appears reversed, there may be problems with a father figure or in taking on the role of a father. Your father may be ill.  You may have trouble in your relationship with your father, or, if you are a father, with your children.

Be prepared to take a stand for what you believe in today.  Someone or something may challenge what you believe in.  Stand up for yourself.  There’s a good reason you feel so strongly about this issue.  You’re unwavering integrity and strength will serve you well.  There are big forces at work against you, for example, societal expectations, stiff competition, perhaps your own lack of faith in yourself.  By facing up to this challenge, you will refine your principles, gain courage, develop your character, and be ready to achieve mastery.  Ask yourself what you truly believe.  If you are confident in your perspective, then don’t back down!  You may even be required to be aggressive or defiant.

You may feel a nudge to do something different today.  Follow that feeling.  By expanding your world in new ways, you allow the universe to bestow new blessings upon you.  With the Wheel of Fortune reversed, it is likely that forward movement is halted.  It could be that plans to travel or proceed with a project are delayed.  You may feel like the same thoughts are spinning endlessly in your mid.  You are not making progress, and may even be moving backwards.  Alternatively, this card may be indicating that you are moving too fast.  Slow down and take the time to consider your next move carefully.  If you are considering an investment right now, this card indicates that you ought to reconsider.  No gambling at this time.

Today is a great day for creative play and for spending time with people you love.  You have a lot of love and passion flowing through you, so find ways to share it.  It isn’t a great day for big decisions, however.  The dreamy energy surrounding you today could make something seem better than it actually is.