As we approach Beltane, our card unveiled in April is the Empress!

In the traditional versions of the Empress card, she is a beautiful, plump blonde woman with a peaceful aura about her. She wears a crown of 12 stars (for the 12 zodiac signs, perhaps), a robe patterned with pomegranates, and is almost reclining on a chaise with cushions and velvet. One cushion features the symbol of Venus. She is surrounded by a forest and stream.

The main theme of this card has to do with what some would consider the "divine feminine" - fertility, beauty (going back to that symbol of Venus), creativity, beauty, love, grace, nurturing, abundance. We think of it as a good bridge from spring to summer (even further proof of an auspicious draw for Beltane)! 

This is a card that all fiber artists should love to pull upright! The Empress is calling you to create, to bring forth, to birth new ideas! There is fertile earth, it is the time to sow seeds! She wants you to experience pleasure, to treat yourself, to indulge in self-care that really renews you. Delve into what helps you create. There is an aspect of abundance to this card. There is enough for you to luxuriate in your surroundings - take a moment to appreciate what you have, to experience gratitude of the bounty. 

Reversed, she is a call to make self-care and self-love a priority. The Empress is very much bringing Mother Earth energy in a reading. Maybe it's time to ground yourself in nature. Get outside, enjoy the soil, the river, wherever you find a place to be lost. There is a loving, mothering energy with the Empress card and with it reversed, that energy needs to be directed inward. 

It could be you are also experiencing a creative block and having a hard time bringing forth the idea in your head. Or are you worried about what other people might think about this idea? The Empress wants you to focus on yourself. Don't worry about others' opinions here. 

Ultimately, the Empress is a card about nurturing, whether you are to be birthing and nurturing a creative idea into this world, or nurturing yourself. We are all in need of some mothering sometimes.   

Our Empress yarn is white, mint, and pomegranate, finished with gold and black speckles. It is perhaps a companion yarn to Death. 

Please note that yarn colors may vary per base as each type of fiber dyes differently. You can learn more on our Yarn Base FAQ page.

BASES:

Hattie Floof: 50g, 437 yards, 70% Superkid mohair/30% silk (lace weight)
Chester Sock: 100g, 437 yards, blend of 75% superwash merino/25% nylon
Gladys Shawl: 100g, 438 yards, single ply blend of 70% superwash merino/30% silk
Tortie Sport: 100g, 287 yards, 80% alpaca/20% silk
Minnie DK: 100g, 246 yards, 100% superwash merino wool 
Genny Worsted: 100g, 191 yards, 80% superwash merino/20% alpaca
Chubby Trevor: 115g, 136 yards, 100% superwash merino
Chunky Trevor: 150g, 82 yards, 100% superwash merino, single ply
Summer Fingering: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 438 yards
Summer DK: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 246 yards
Summer Worsted: 65% silk/35% linen, 115g skein, approximately 181 yards
Piper Fiber: 85% Polwarth Wool/15% Tussah Silk, approximately 4oz braid of fiber for spinning, felting, etc