The Archetype and The Tarot: The Gem and The Empress
Through the Gem and The Empress, this week we’re being called to draw our inner treasure into our awareness. Can we excavate our Gem from the sediment of our lives?
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The Gem Archetype
Once every few weeks, I pull a card from the Kim Krans Archetype deck just to change things up and this time I got The Gem. The first thing that comes to mind when I look at this card is a practice I used to do back when I was first learning to coexist with my sensitivities. Instead of trying to manage or block out others’ energy, I began intentionally trying to feel for what I called their inner treasure. I would feel their energy until I could recognize some beautiful kernel within, like true gentleness or earnest curiosity or profound courage. Though I began the practice as a coping mechanism, it quickly became something transformative for me. I realized that every single being does, indeed, have an inner treasure.
This inner treasure is what I believe Kim Krans calls the Gem Archetype. Not to be confused with purpose, the Gem is an innate goodness we are each born with and it is something that makes us special or unique. It’s like a signature energy within us that has the potential to radiate its glory out into the world. Perhaps it’s a gift or talent; or maybe a particular virtue like wisdom or patience; or the very unique way we look at life.
Kim Krans makes a point of saying that the Gem is always “found deep within a substance that is very much unlike it, such as a diamond in the rough. The Gem always stands in contrast to its surroundings.”
The Gem is asking us to dig deep and find this treasure within ourselves.
In the light, the Gem helps us understand our uniqueness and what we can always value about ourselves. It is through the Gem in the light that we claim and express our inner treasure. The light side of the Gem shows us that it’s okay to flaunt this jewel because everyone has one. It reminds us that our Gem is something to take pride in and, at the same time, there is no hierarchy. All Gems are glorious and equal.
The Gem in the shadow remains hidden. Rather than allowing itself to be excavated from the muck, the shadow Gem sinks deeper. When we’re dealing with a Gem in the shadow, it’s not uncommon to try to find our own value in another’s Gem. Focusing solely on someone else's Gem—either by taking credit for it, destroying it, or simply making comparisons and feeling jealous of it—hinders our capacity to recognize our own unique treasure.
Some questions to consider this week:
What are you inherently great at? (If it helps, think beyond obvious talents. Maybe you’re great at being kind. Or reacting quickly. Or identifying ingredients. Or making lists. Etc.)
How would you describe the contrasting environment of your inner Gem?
What’s your favorite way to express your inner treasure?
How can you help others find their Gem?
The Empress
In this card, we see a crowned figure wearing a flowing floral gown while they recline on a plush, red seat. In their right hand is a scepter or wand, and next to their seat is heart-shaped object bearing the symbol of the planet Venus. In the background is a lush forest and, in the foreground, the grass has gone to seed.
This is the card of unbridled fertility and juicy life force energy. The Empress is the nurturing, creative mother and is also super sexy. They represent abundance, growth, and the beauty of nature. With their gentle yet strong presence, they encourage us to cultivate our creativity and bring forth new life in all its forms.
When this card comes up, I believe we’re being tasked with getting clear on what makes our life delicious and then drawing that to us; allowing that deliciousness to be generative and regenerative.
How does this pair work together?
The image I see here is the Empress waving their magic scepter over a pile of manure until a beautiful, bedazzled flower grows out of it. How can we tap into this Empress energy to draw out our inner Gem from the poop of our lives? Can we look at the circumstances we don’t prefer and find a way to let our Gem shine within them?
When I first drew these cards, I thought it felt like a wonderful respite after last week’s Warrior and Justice. But as I went deeper with the energy of The Gem and Empress, I realized we’re being called to have just as much courage this week as last. Acknowledging our inner treasure, calling it out of hiding and expressing it for the world to see really does take The Empress’ special moxie.
So let’s all do this together. Let’s hold our Gems out for the world to see. I’ll go first. I think my Gem, my inner treasure, is my ability to learn. I’m a great student. (Oooh, yeah, that felt all kinds of weird to write. Looks like I’ve got some self-worth muck surrounding my Gem.)
Now it’s your turn. Tell me what your Gem is. Let me see it shine!
Blessings and love!
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Years ago I learned a new to me word - charism - which is the special light that shines in each of us. I will often reference it when I am speaking to audiences so I loved reading about the Gem and resonated with how it ties together with The Empress. Interesting that this pairing came up now, in the springtime when everything is being born.
My inner gem is as a Guide. I spent about a year studying archetypes and how they apply to me and, while I know we are all of the archetypes especially the survival ones, I finally landed on Guide and it has stayed with me for decades. Interesting about The Empress coming up right now because I am going through a lot of poop (hahaha, if only you knew!) so we will see what that is fertilizing for my future.
Let's see, I'll say my Gem is my sense of humor and laugh - I'm always the first to laugh, and loudest, sometimes inappropriately but never at the expense of others. People are always telling me I have a distinctive, infectious laugh, so I'll go with that. I think I was inspired early on by Uncle Albert's song in Mary Poppins. 🤣 https://youtu.be/pOMqqI-kzHY?si=btZ1Wnf9ZJ46ygS2