
In the previous Biblical Tarot series post, we took a look at Mary Magdalene as The High Priestess. We examined who she is and how the Church of Rome distorted her character by destroying her Gospel and depicting her as a penitent whore. We also looked at the metaphysical symbolism contained within the card. Today we will examine the Biblical Tarot Mother Mary Empress card and some ways to interpret her role historically as well as in our lives today.
Jump to the Mother Mary Empress Tarot Spread

There are many who claim to channel Mother Mary today. While I don’t believe they are all channelling some other entity, I find it difficult to listen to Her voice through another. This goes for the official, Church-verified apparitions too, by the way. My personal belief is that she wishes to address each of us personally, through that still small voice within.
I find it particularly difficult to credit the judgmental messages and threats of terror that come through in some of the ‘verified’ apparitions. This is not the Mother I know and love. If you are looking for a book to get to know Mother Mary in her true essence, I recommend Untie the Strong Woman: Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Love for the Wild Soul by Clarissa Pinkola-Estés.
Mother Mary in The Bible
When the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce that she would conceive and bear a son, whom she would name Yeshua, she did not show fear. Instead, she responded with remarkable faith and acceptance. For someone so young, she embodied a powerful sense of serenity and trust in God’s will. Gabriel greeted her with the words, ‘Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you’ (Luke 1:28), and although she was initially perplexed, she quickly embraced God’s plan for her. Her unwavering ‘Yes!’ to God’s message—’Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word’ (Luke 1:38)—set the tone for a life devoted to divine service.
Mary’s life continually reflected this ‘Yes!’ to God. She is the perfect example of obedience and trust in divine providence. One significant example of her faith and influence is seen at the wedding in Cana. It was here that she instigated the first public miracle of Jesus. When the wedding feast ran out of wine, Mary turned to Jesus and informed Him of the situation. Her words to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you’ (John 2:5), demonstrated her absolute faith in Yeshua’s power. Yeshua responded by turning approximately 120 gallons of water into wine, marking the beginning of His public ministry.
Mary’s role in the Bible is not only one of motherly devotion but also one of profound faith and unwavering commitment to God’s will. Through her life, she exemplifies a model of discipleship and devotion, offering a powerful testimony of trust in God’s plan.
Mother Mary as a Metaphysical Metaphor
Neville Goddard‘s interpretation of Mother Mary steps away from the traditional views found within orthodox Christianity. According to Goddard, the story of Mary giving birth to Jesus is a profound metaphor, rather than a historical event. I share Goddard’s understanding of her role here because it resonates even though I feel there is much more to Mary than a metaphor.
In Goddard’s metaphysical framework, Mary is a symbol of the divine potential within each person. He posits that the birth of Christ is not a singular historical occurrence, but an ongoing spiritual process. This process occurs within every individual who harnesses their imagination and embodies a consciousness of divine love and creativity.
Christ within each of us represents the highest potential and divine nature inherent in all human beings. The immaculate conception is, therefore, the divine idea or vision placed in the womb of our conscious mind. By nurturing this divine idea through persistent faith and imaginative effort, we can manifest our innermost desires and achieve a transcendent realisation of our oneness with God.
Another Metaphysical Take on Mother Mary
According to the online Metaphysical Bible Dictionary, Mother Mary represents the following:
“Mary, the mother of Jesus, represents the soul that magnifies the Lord ‘daily in the temple’ and through its devotions prepares itself for the higher life. She signifies the divine motherhood of love. She can also be said to be intuition.”
Mother Mary in the Gnostic Gospels
In Gnostic Gospels and apocryphal texts, Mother Mary is often portrayed with a nuanced and elevated role that diverges significantly from her depiction in the canonical Gospels. In these texts, Mary is not merely a passive participant in the divine narrative but is an active, spiritually important figure.
The Gnostic tradition interprets her as a bearer of esoteric wisdom and divine knowledge, often linking her closely with Sophia, the embodiment of wisdom in Gnostic cosmology. This association elevates her from the simple, obedient servant of God to a profound teacher and a spiritual guide blessed with inner vision and understanding of the higher mysteries.
Furthering this enrichment of her character, apocryphal texts like the Protoevangelium of James extend her narrative. They explore her miraculous birth and virginity, emphasising her purity and chosen status from a young age. These writings delve into her life beyond what the canonical Gospels provide. They attribute her with a unique holiness and close proximity to the divine even before the Annunciation.
How Mary Became the Mother of God
The title ‘Theotokos,’ meaning ‘God-bearer’ or ‘Mother of God,’ was officially conferred upon Mary in 431 AD. This happened during the Council of Ephesus. The Ecumenical Council aimed to address the Nestorian controversy. This controversy revolved around the interpretation of Christ’s nature and His incarnation.
Nestorius, the Patriarch of Constantinople, argued for the title ‘Christotokos’ (Christ-bearer) instead. He emphasised the distinction between Christ’s divine and human natures. However, the Council affirmed Jesus Christ as one Person with two natures. He is both fully God and fully human. Thus, Mary rightly bore God in her womb. The declaration was a profound acknowledgment of her unique role in salvation.
Empress Pulcheria played a pivotal role in endorsing the title of Theotokos for Mary. She was a powerful advocate for orthodox Christianity. Pulcheria wielded significant influence in both church and state affairs. Her deep devotion to the Virgin Mary was well known. Pulcheria’s support for orthodox teachings was instrumental in condemning Nestorianism. Her leadership ensured that the Council of Ephesus sided with Cyril of Alexandria. Cyril was a staunch opponent of Nestorius. The Council upheld the title of Theotokos thanks to Pulcheria’s efforts. She contributed to the widespread acceptance of this title. This solidified Mary’s position as the mother of the incarnate God.
The decision to declare Mary as Theotokos had far-reaching implications for Christian doctrine and Mariology. It underscored the unity of Christ’s divine and human natures. By affirming Mary’s role as the Mother of God, the Council of Ephesus elevated her veneration within the Christian community,
Multi-facetted Mary
Mother Mary is depicted through various perspectives: traditional Christianity highlights her unwavering faith and obedience to God’s will, especially in pivotal moments like the Annunciation and the wedding at Cana. Metaphysical interpretations, particularly those of Neville Goddard, view her as an archetype representing the divine potential within everyone, symbolising the ongoing spiritual birth of Christ within each individual.
The Gnostic Gospels and apocryphal texts present her as a profound, wisdom-bearing figure closely associated with Sophia, enriching her narrative with a blend of sanctity and agency. Additionally, the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD officially conferred upon her the title ‘Theotokos’ (Mother of God), affirming her unique role in salvation and her veneration within the Christian faith.
Mama Mary
Believers often form their unique relationships with Mother Mary on a deeply personal level, especially those who may have been deprived of motherly love growing up. In the absence of earthly maternal care, they may find solace and comfort in Mary’s loving and nurturing presence. To them, Mother Mary becomes not only a spiritual figure but also a divine mother who offers unconditional love, guidance, and compassion.
This profound maternal connection can fulfill emotional voids, providing a sense of being cherished and protected. Through prayer, meditation, and personal devotion, individuals cultivate an intimate bond with Mary, feeling her supportive and healing presence as they navigate life’s challenges, reinforcing their faith and sense of belonging.
The Mother Mary Empress Card in the Biblical Tarot
The Empress card in traditional Rider Waite Tarot is rich with symbolism of fertility, abundance, nurture, and maternal care. These themes resonate deeply with the figure of Mother Mary, making her an excellent fit for this card in the Biblical Tarot deck. Here are seven reasons for this alignment:
1. Maternal Symbolism
The Empress card traditionally symbolises motherhood, nurturing, and care. Mother Mary is universally recognised as the epitome of maternal grace and love. As the mother of Yeshua, she exemplifies the selfless devotion and nurturing spirit that resonates with the Empress card’s essence of nurturing and care.
2. Abundance and Fertility
The Empress card is often associated with fertility, creation, and the bounty of nature. Mother Mary, as the Mother of God, is seen as the source of spiritual fertility. Her life brought forth not just a son but a savior, whose teachings and sacrifice would proliferate throughout the world.
3. Compassion and Love
The Empress embodies unconditional love and compassion, qualities that are core to Mother Mary’s depiction in religious texts. She is often invoked for her intercession and mercy, symbolising the divine feminine principle of unconditional love and compassion.
4. Venus Correspondence
In the RWS Tarot, the Empress card is associated with Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and harmony. Similarly, Mother Mary is often referred to as the Queen of Heaven, radiating divine beauty, unconditional love and harmony.
5. Divine Feminine
Mother Mary represents the divine feminine, embodying qualities of grace, gentleness, and spiritual wisdom. These attributes are aligned with the nurturing and fertile energy of the Empress. She portrays an archetype of divine motherhood and the nourishing aspect of the feminine principle.
6. Symbol of Inner Strength
Despite the serene and gentle depiction, the Empress card also embodies inner strength and resilience. Mother Mary’s life, full of profound faith and endurance in the face of sorrow (such as witnessing her son’s crucifixion), exemplifies this inner strength and unwavering commitment to her divine role.
7. Spiritual Nurture
Finally, the Empress signifies not just physical but also spiritual nurture. Mother Mary’s role in biblical and Gnostic writings extends beyond being Jesus’s earthly mother. She is a symbol of spiritual guidance and inner wisdom. This indicates her nurturing presence in both physical and spiritual realms.
Visual Representation
In the Biblical Tarot deck, Mother Mary is depicted crowned, surrounded by cherubs who attend to her. Her hands pointing to her Immaculate Heart symbolise her boundless compassion and unconditional love. The imagery underscores her role as a nurturing figure who offers comfort, guidance, and spiritual abundance to all who seek her.
The Pink Rose Symbolism in the Mother Mary Empress Card
The pink rose is a potent symbol of love, grace, and spiritual wisdom in the context of the Mother Mary Empress card in the Biblical Tarot. The colour pink represents a softer, nurturing aspect of love, resonating deeply with the qualities of Mother Mary. Here are some key points about the pink rose and its symbolism:
- Unconditional Love: The pink rose represents unconditional love, tenderness, and gentleness. These qualities are quintessential to Mother Mary’s character. As the Empress, she exudes these attributes. She offers boundless compassion and caring to all.
- Grace and Elegance: Pink roses symbolise grace and elegance. Mother Mary embodies these traits as the Queen of Heaven. Her presence in this card offers divine serenity. She provides a gentle guiding hand for those who seek her wisdom.
- Spiritual Wisdom: The pink rose is often linked to spiritual awakening and inner wisdom. In the Mother Mary Empress card, it signifies her role as a spiritual guide. She nurtures the soul and helps individuals connect with their higher selves.
Traditional Catholic images of Mother Mary’s Immaculate heart typically depict white and/or red roses. The truth is that roses of all colours are valid representations of different facets of the Queen of Angels, just as the Angels themselves represent all the colour rays of Heaven.
The Rose Lineage of Priestess
The rose has long been a symbol associated with a lineage of spiritual teachers and priestesses, often referred to as the Rose Lineage. This lineage includes figures like Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene, who model different aspects of divine feminine wisdom and spiritual mastery.
In essence, the pink rose in the Mother Mary Empress card not only underscores her nurturing and loving nature but also ties her to the larger tradition of the Rose Lineage of Priestesses, modeled beautifully by Mary Magdalene in the Biblical Tarot High Priestess card. Together, they offer a profound symbol of divine feminine wisdom and spiritual guidance.
Conclusion
By embodying themes and qualities like motherhood, nurturing, and fertility, Mother Mary aligns with the Empress card’s symbolism. This connection elevates her as a powerful representative for the Empress in the Biblical Tarot. She offers profound insights and divine guidance to those who seek her wisdom.
Mother Mary Empress Tarot Spread
Use this spread to meditate on how you can embody the qualities of Mother Mary in your everyday life, drawing from her faith, wisdom, strength, and nurturing spirit.

Card Positions
- Faith and Obedience:
- Purpose: What lesson can I learn from Mary’s unwavering faith and obedience to divine will?
- Card: Represents the quality or aspect of faith you need to focus on or develop in your life.
- Maternal Grace and Love:
- Purpose: How can I better nurture and show unconditional love to myself and others?
- Card: Highlights ways you can embody maternal grace and love.
- Inner Strength and Resilience:
- Purpose: What inner strength do I possess, and how can I use it to overcome challenges?
- Card: Reflects your resilience and the source of your inner strength.
- Divine Feminine Wisdom:
- Purpose: How can I tap into my divine feminine wisdom for guidance?
- Card: Indicates the areas of your life where you can find or use divine feminine wisdom.
- Compassion and Mercy:
- Purpose: In what ways can I be more compassionate and merciful in my daily interactions?
- Card: Reveals how you can integrate more compassion and mercy into your life.
- Spiritual Guidance:
- Purpose: Where do I need spiritual nurturing or guidance most right now?
- Card: Shows the aspect of your spiritual life that needs attention or growth.
- Manifestation of Divine Potential:
- Purpose: How can I nurture my divine potential to achieve my innermost desires?
- Card: Highlights the steps you can take to manifest and realise your divine potential.
How to Use the Spread
- Prepare and Focus: Take a few moments to center yourself before drawing the cards. You may want to meditate on Mother Mary’s qualities or say a small prayer for guidance.
- Draw the Cards: Draw seven cards from your deck, laying them out according to the diagram above.
- Interpret the Cards: Reflect on how each card relates to its specific position and purpose. Take note of any intuitive messages or insights that come up during the reading.
- Journal Your Insights: Write down your interpretations and any actions or changes you feel inspired to make based on the readings.
The Mother Mary Empress Tarot Spread is designed to help you integrate her qualities and divine wisdom into your life. May it offer you the guidance and nurturing you seek.
Sample Mother Mary Empress Tarot Reading

1. Faith and Obedience – The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man in this position highlights the importance of surrender and letting go. It suggests that by embracing a state of suspension and viewing your situation from a different perspective, you can cultivate a deeper sense of faith and obedience to divine will. This card encourages you to trust in the process and make sacrifices for spiritual growth.
2. Maternal Grace and Love – 6 of Cups
The 6 of Cups represents nostalgia, kindness, and the simple joys of life. In this position, it suggests that maternal grace and love can be embodied through nurturing connections with others, especially children or younger individuals. It also reminds you to cherish and integrate the lessons from your past experiences of love and care.
3. Inner Strength and Resilience – 3 of Cups
The 3 of Cups traditionally signifies celebration, community, and shared joy. Here, it reflects that your inner strength and resilience are bolstered through your connections with friends and loved ones. Leaning on your support system and celebrating small victories together can provide you with the fortitude needed to face life’s challenges.
4. Divine Feminine Wisdom – The Lovers
The Lovers card, with its strong connotations of choice and union, denotes the importance of harmony and balance in tapping into divine feminine wisdom. It suggests that embracing both aspects of your nature—masculine and feminine, logical and intuitive—will guide you towards wise and profound decisions in your life.
5. Compassion and Mercy – King of Pentacles
The King of Pentacles symbolises stability, abundance, and practical wisdom. Positioned here, it encourages you to show compassion and mercy through tangible actions and pragmatic support. This could mean being generous with your resources or offering steady, dependable help to those in need.
6. Spiritual Guidance – Knight of Swords
The Knight of Swords, characterised by swift action and intellectual prowess, suggests that your spiritual guidance may come through clarity of thought and decisive action. It encourages you to seek and follow through on spiritual insights with confidence and determination, staying focused on your spiritual goals.
Manifestation of Divine Potential – 9 of Pentacles
The 9 of Pentacles is a card of self-sufficiency, accomplishment, and enjoying the fruits of one’s labor. In this position, it indicates that by nurturing your talents and working diligently towards your goals, you can fully manifest your divine potential. This card reassures you that through independence and careful cultivation, you will achieve a fulfilling and abundant life.
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