The Emperor (Card IV) - Basic Meanings

General:

The Emperor, numbered IV (which is four in Roman Numerals), is all about structure. This is like rocks and mountains, and the work that goes on behind the scenes. It's indirect the part of service and care that's the initial leg work so you know WHAT kind of service and care is needed, and then HOW you are going to organize it all so it can actually get done; preferably at the most optimal time. 

Obstacle: 

If the Emperor is in the obstacle position then it's quite likely that you are being so structured that you are nitpicking yourself or others to death. Micromanaging, requiring a level of exactitude that is stifling and beyond reason. You are too far removed from why you are doing what you are doing. You've lost sight of the joy of appropriate creative free flow and collaboration. It's okay to take time to make it beautiful. 

Solution:

In the solution position the Emperor is reminding you that you need to do first things first, that there is an order and structure to getting things done. Get all your ducks in a row, all the paperwork and requirements squared away, all before you go out to do anything. Every house needs a foundation (even prefabs), before building the frame, before building the rest, etc; THEN you can have fun decorating.

NOTE:

Using NO pictures is on purpose so that these meanings can be more easily applied to any Tarot deck using the Smith-Waite system, aka: Rider-Waite Smith (RWS).