The Justice card reminds us that actions have consequences and often shows up when we are called on to take responsibility for our actions. We often have to remember that life is not always fair, and we do not all start from the same position. But it is more productive to play the hand you have been dealt than complain about the unfairness.
Upright Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief
In the upright position, the Justice card can indicate that you will finally reap the rewards of previous actions and that your hard work is paying off. It may also give you nudge to reach out and help someone in need, especially if you think that they have been treated unfairly.
Reversed Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief
In the reversed position, the Justice card often means that you are about to suffer the consequences of your previous actions, but reminds you that it is your past actions and decisions that have created this situation. This is not a reprimand, but a reminder to be careful with the decisions that you make now because they will shape your future.
Number – 11
The Justice card is linked with the number 11, which is one of the master numbers in Numerology. It represents our ultimate power to create our own lives through our actions, choices, and attitudes. It also often represents a gate that we must pass through but that also represents a point of no return.
Element – Air
The Justice card is associated with the intellectual element of air and suggests that we should try not to let our minds be clouded by emotions when judging right from wrong and the best path forward.
Planet – Venus
The planet Venus rules the Justice card, and she is compassionate. It can remind us that while we may be in a position to “give someone what they deserve”, this is not always the best idea. What we choose to do to others has a greater impact on us than it does on them. Seeking vengeance can be very damaging.
Justice – Tarot Card Description
While the Justice card appears differently in different decks, most pull on the symbology represented in the Rider Waite deck.
The figure of justice sits enthroned between two pillars and in front of a veil. The columns represent the laws of nature, the balance of cause of effect, while the veil signifies compassion.
The figure holds an upright sword in its right hand, and this is the strong arm of justice. The upward orientation of the sword indicates a firm decision that cannot be changed, and the two sides of the blade are the double edge, which is action and consequence.
In his left hand, the figure holds a set of scales. These represent the impartiality of the universe and the way that the universe has a way of balancing itself out.
The crown on the head of justice represents the benefit of a well-ordered mind. The single foot pointing out from under the robe is a reminder that our actions in the mundane world have spiritual consequences.
Read our profile of the Egyptian god Osiris, god of the afterlife and letting go.
Justice – Upright Tarot Card Meaning
The Justice card suggests that you are being called on to account for your actions, and you may be rewarded for actions that you may have thought went unnoticed.
The card may also call on you to provide justice for someone else and stand up for what is right in a challenging situation. It calls on your sense of fairness and reminds you to make decisions and act in alignment with your core values.
The card may also appear when you are faced with a choice that will have long-term repercussions in your life. It is a reminder that what you do now will have a ripple effect through your future. This reminds you to make decisions with your long-term goals and desires in mind rather than trying to take the easy road and gain instant gratification.
What to do?
When the Justice card appears upright in a Tarot reading it is a reminder that actions have consequences, and you are about to get what you deserve. You will most likely be rewarded for some recent behavior, or you may find yourself paying for past actions, but you can rest assured that your payment will be fair.
Justice – Reversed Tarot Card Meaning
When the Justice card appears reversed in a Tarot reading, it often means that you are about to pay the price for previous mistakes. Lies or less-than-honest actions that you have taken in the past are about to be exposed, and there will be consequences.
It can also show up as a warning that the path you are choosing is not in line with the ideals of justice and that you are doing yourself a disservice. It might ask you to reconsider a course of action that you know in your heart is not right.
When reversed, the Justice card can also be a reminder that life is not fair and that sometimes you have to play the hand that you are dealt. There is no point complaining to the universe about the unfairness of your lot. You are better off looking for an opportunity in adversity.
What to do?
The Justice card reversed suggests that you are about the suffer the consequences of previous actions, or a current course that you are taking is likely to have adverse long-term consequences. It reminds us that life is not always fair, but if you act upon your own conscience, you will know that you have dealt with others fairly.
Justice in Relation to Other Tarot Cards
When evaluating The Justice card in relation to other cards in the Tarot deck, its presence significantly underscores themes of balance, fairness, and the consequences of one’s actions. Representing the ideal of moral clarity and karmic law, The Justice card embodies the concept of cause and effect, urging the querent to consider the ethical implications of their choices and to strive for equilibrium in their personal and external affairs. This card encourages reflection on justice, accountability, and the necessity of making decisions with integrity and impartiality.
Relationship with the Major Arcana
In the narrative arc of the Major Arcana, The Justice card serves as a pivotal symbol of the search for truth and the importance of acting with fairness. Its interactions with other Major Arcana cards can reveal the dynamics of ethical dilemmas, the pursuit of truth, and the quest for balance:
– Justice and The High Priestess: This pairing explores the balance between intuition and rational judgment. While The High Priestess represents the deep, intuitive understanding of mysteries, Justice emphasizes the objective, clear-eyed assessment of situations, suggesting that true wisdom arises from harmonizing inner knowing with outer fairness.
– Justice and The Emperor: Together, these cards highlight the structures and rules that underpin society and personal conduct. The Emperor, representing authority and societal order, alongside Justice, which symbolizes fairness and ethical standards, remind the querent of the importance of upholding justice within established systems and the role of leadership in maintaining balance and righteousness.
– Justice and Temperance: This combination focuses on the theme of moderation and the reconciliation of opposites. Justice, with its emphasis on fairness and equilibrium, and Temperance, representing harmony and blending, together advocate for a measured approach to life’s challenges, encouraging the querent to seek middle ground and to integrate diverse aspects of their experiences.
Relationship with the Minor Arcana
The Justice card’s connection with the Minor Arcana illuminates how themes of fairness, decision-making, and karmic outcomes manifest in the more practical and day-to-day aspects of the querent’s life:
– Justice and Two of Swords: This pairing underscores the challenge of making balanced decisions amidst uncertainty. The Two of Swords, symbolizing a stalemate or indecision, alongside Justice, calls for clarity and courage in choosing a path that aligns with truth and fairness, even when the way forward is not entirely clear.
– Justice and King of Pentacles: When appearing with the King of Pentacles, Justice emphasizes the ethical dimensions of material success and the use of power. This combination suggests that prosperity and leadership come with responsibilities to act justly and to consider the impact of one’s actions on the broader community and environment.
– Justice and Eight of Cups: This pairing speaks to the idea of walking away from situations that no longer serve justice or the higher good. The Eight of Cups, representing emotional departure, and Justice, advocating for ethical alignment, encourage the querent to leave behind unfair circumstances in pursuit of a path that resonates more deeply with their personal sense of justice.
Justice Tarot Reading
When the Justice card shows up in a Tarot reading it means that you are about to receive the results of your previous actions. Maybe your hard work will finally pay off, or perhaps things will take a negative turn due to poor decisions made in the past. Either way, it reminds you that your current situation was made by your past decisions and that you should be careful with future decisions.
Life is not fair, and you can’t expect everyone to be dealt an equal hand. But if you are fair, just, and truthful in your interactions with others, things usually work out for the best.
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