Liminal/New Liminal Tarot - Adjustment (Justice)

[Bodhiseed]

 

11 – Adjustment

 

With beams of light streaming from her laurel-wreathed head, a woman holds a babe in each arm while balancing on tiptoe atop a golden ball. A translucent set of scales rests on her shoulders.

 

The two babes might symbolize knowledge and integrity. Integrity is adherence to moral and ethical principles. The trouble with moral standards is that they come from social, religious, philosophical, and political groups of humans, which leaves much room for error. For instance, it wasn’t too long ago that slavery was considered perfectly fine by many of these groups (unless you happened to be the slave). On the other hand, knowledge can lag behind or be twisted by misinformation. For example, scientific studies have shown that homosexuality has some basis in the genes and brains of those who are gay, but certain religions might declare that being gay is an immoral choice. Like the lady balanced on her tiptoes, we have to find a balance between what we believe and what we know. As ideas and ethics change, we have to adjust our stance. It often requires some cognitive and compassionate shifts on our part. How do we find truth and justice in a world of changing values and knowledge? It can help to have our own personal core values, such as honesty, courage, empathy, acceptance, kindness and equality to guide us. Like the set of scales this woman supports, the responsibility rests on our own shoulders.

 

“Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.” ~Samuel Johnson