Justice: Balanced Judgement
How fitting that I pick this card on the day that the U.S. election was finally called, and America (and the rest of the world) can finally look forward to a future without Trump in the seat of power. Though injustice has always existed in the world, these last four years made it that much more overt and even normalized for some. 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year, but I think today we finally have hope.
It’s hard to say what the next couple of days, weeks and months will actually look like, but we can hope that justice will be served (sooner for Trump) and that we can truly start to scrutinize the systems in place and ensure they serve everyone fairly. It’s a long shot, but today I am an optimist.
11. JUSTICE
What you see: Justice sits on a throne between two pillars. A purple veil is suspending between the pillars. In her right hand she holds a dual-edged sword pointing up, and in her left are a pair of scales. Her robes are red with a green mantle, and on her head is a gold crown with three turrets and a square gem in the middle. A white shoe peeks out below her gown.
What it means: Justice sits between the negative and positive, a symbol of truth, fairness and law. The veil divides the material and spiritual world, and could represent judgement of human actions in order to enter heaven. The upturned sword stands for victory and that actions have consequences, hence the double-edge. The scales represent impartiality, while the crown symbolizes mastery. Her red robes signify active judgement, her green mantle represents compassion, and her white shoe reminds of her divinity.
The story: As a character, Justice is rationale and impartial, but still has compassion (it acknowledges that not everything is black and white). As an event, the card stands for judgement of our actions — no one can escape this. As a relationship, it calls for balance and equity; the relationship cannot be sustained with imbalance. As a sign, it indicates a decision or similar to the Wheel of Fortune it reminds that the principle of karma exists.
As part of the Fool’s Journey: Justice is the moment of truth when things don’t go as planned; acceptance that things are going as they should be and justice will prevail.
Reversed meaning: Reversed, the card represents injustice and inequality.
In mythology: Themis is the Greek Titan Goddess of justice, divine order and law, who was often depicted holding a sword and scales though in the opposite configuration as Justice. Themis or Lady Liberty is often also blindfolded.
It’s hard to explain but I’ve always had a strong sense of justice: being subject to but also witnessing injustice evokes strong emotions in me. A huge part of my own inner conflict tends to be around trying to balance the scales and getting frustrated when it is for something out of my control. Hence, the concept of karma is personally liberating.
My research sources:
A Complete Guide to the Tarot, Eden Gray, 1970
Tarot Card Meanings, Biddy Tarot
Deck: The Rider-Waite Tarot Deck®
