Excerpt from Dark Days Tarot Guidebook by Emily Mundy:
IV. The Emperor~
Like the Emperor stands atop his mountain safeguarding the bounty of his kingdom, you must stand up for and rely upon your own power to protect all that you have decided and created for yourself. Your objective is to listen to your need to take action, and to do so effectively, as to express your true nature to the world around you. Sometimes an expression of force (coupled with morale and good intention) is required in protecting the people and things enfolded within your immediate environment. Depending on the position of The Emperor, this card signifies a savvy grip on delegation, or a collective cry for help managing projects and professionalism in life.
Suggested prompts:
upright: authority; power; professionalism
right: forward movement; stimulating dialogue and ideas
left: lack of creative power or inspiration
reversed: mess of motives; poor self-management