Traditionally the Emperor is seen as representing authority and rulership, the stability and solidness needed to build a civilization.  It symbolizes the traditional power structure in modern, patriarchal society.  This card is the 4th Trump of the Major Arcana.  Four symbolizes earthly reality, basic structure and orientation, and stability - think of the 4 seasons, 4 directions and 4 elements of earth, air, fire and water.  

"Positive:  You have a need to identify with the powerful force or group and lose some of your isolation and separateness.  You can gain a degree of comfort, satisfaction, or success by associating with the strong and established force.  You may need to give someone temporary power in your life if you're at a time when you don't feel able to make healthy choices for yourself.  Go ahead and give up some of your freedom to become allied with the force at hand.
Upright:  You have a vested interest in a particular culture, social group, institutions, economic group, company, or community.  You identify with a powerful group or individual.  You may attend meetings, go to work, or participate in family or social activities that identify you as "one of them".  Because you identify with this person or group your success or  failure in the world is affected by theirs." - Gail Fairfield

The first thing that caught my eye looking at these two cards is the image of an infant's hand clutching its father's finger on the Experimental Emperor.  This take the card from the larger picture of EMPEROR to the smaller one of father.  It is no  less important by any means but sometimes not held us to as much admiration and fame.  I suppose when you get right down to it, a successful and effective Emperor is actually a father - to his people and to his nation.  Like a good father he should be fair, firm and focused without being unnecessarily harsh or hurtful.  Looking at the more tradition Emperor on the Dame Fortune card, the beard caught my eye.  Something about his visage struck me as embodying wisdom.  This reminded me of that feeling we have when we are children that our parents know everything.  We often see them as the source of all knowledge.  The first time we realize they are no infallible and do not know everything can be quite shattering.  

The other aspect of the Emperor, whether as ruler or as father, is to create a safe and solid foundation upon which future generations can build.  Considering that this is something upon which I need to focus today, it makes me wonder how that applies in my own life.  Right now I'm not sure but it is something I will need to ponder.  But one area in which it fits is my godfather/uncle who passed away earlier today.  He was a very strong, positive (if somewhat cranky) Emperor figure in my life.  Uncle Jack married my grandmother's sister, Beanie/Gloria (which actually makes him my grand or great uncle I suppose).  They eventually had 7 sons all of whom live within 30 minutes of their parents.  Both stood as godparents to me when I was baptized (which meant a lot to my mom).  He was also a fireman so as a child he took on larger than life proportions to me.  He was always a bit irascible but loveable - at least in my eyes.  He seemed to embody the best aspects one would seek in a patriarch without needing to be perfect.  He didn't need to prove he was tough by being a bully because he knew inside himself that he was strong.  Even though we didn't see each other very often, he was always a presence at the edges of my life and now he's gone.  I'm glad he's not suffering anymore but I know I shall miss him and will feel his loss.  Farewell Uncle Jack, I hope your journey to the Otherworld is beautiful and filled with joy.