Judgement

[EtherealMoonRose]

Judgement is one card that really confuses me when it turns up in a reading.

 

To me, it's very similar to justice and I think the imagery really throws me off! (in the RWS deck). Usually all I can think about is judgement day and the bible ect....

 

I know judgement is about awakening and rebirth but can someone please tell me the main differences between justice and judgement? I have searched online and just end up getting more confused.

Edited July 3, 2019 by EtherealMoonRose

[Barleywine]

I'll quote something Rodney once said back on AT. "Justice is the trial and Judgement is the verdict." I've always preferred Aleister Crowley's take on Judgement/Aeon:

 

“Final decision in respect to the past, new current in respect of the future; always represents the taking of a definite step.”

 

If you're interested, here are my thoughts on Judgement from an earlier blog post. (I was taking the trumps two at a time, so the World is in here too.)

 

https://parsifalswheeldivination.com/2018/08/22/tarot-101-my-way-major-arcana-judgement-and-the-world/

[Marigold]

In the Tarot of Marseille tradition, Justice has as one function "Adjustment". (the first four letters are even found in the middle of this word). 

 

There’s nothing to be adjusted anymore when we reach Judgment. All has been done that was done. This is the final call. So there’s no need any more even to worry or to have hope. The decision has been made.

 

Some people see Justice as karma. Not only of the reincarnation type, but also of the more down to earth "you reap what you sow" type in this present life. If the card is interpreted like this, it would seem to imply that we're speaking here not of legal justice, not the justice of man meted out to other men, but are in the realm of cosmic law. 

 

Now with Judgment, we have moved out here of cosmic law and now find ourselves in the realm of spiritual law. We’re in a whole new universe here. Here we’re in the absolute. We’re one step away from complete realisation. (so like in a very practical sense now, because Tarot must of course also be practical, one could say that, for instance, the project we are working on has the definite potential to become something concrete.)

 

Others say that Justice is completely neutral. She doesn't judge if something is bad or good. That's not what she's hired to do. She just weighs the whole matter on her scales and she voices the verdict that the scales inform her of. One mustn't hold this against her. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

The angel that sounds the trumpet has a much more fun job than lady Justice. He has no verdict to give, just news. But it’s not the angel who awakens you fully from your slumber. And contrary to Justice, it is you yourself this time who decide your own fate. Will you awake ? If so, open your ears and listen to the trumpet sound. If not, go back to your slumber until you meet again. (This also has a practical application – all this stuff I’m commenting on has a practical application.)

 

Again in the Tarot of Marseilles, Justice more often than not has her left elbow resting ever so gently on the top of the left scale. She does occasionally show forgiveness and can tip the scale a wee bit in your favour. At least, this is often spoken of in TdM circles.

 

This is similar to the “adjustment” comment further up. We’re past the stage of tweaking.

 

She is perhaps also forewarning us of something with her sword and piercing look. This too, is justice. That we be informed and instructed in the ways of the world. She may be reminding us that "the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

 

The comment I would make about Judgment is exactly the same as the one just above about Justice, with an addition of a clear message of love and peace. I’m not going to try and rival with it or rather dare, so let’s just stick here to a practical application. Firstly, don’t get all hung up and obsessed about two-edged swords piercing one’s soul and body. What it’s saying to you in this practical application is that, for instance, you have turned to the Tarot to assist you, or to accompany you. Trust it. Don’t doubt and do dozens of readings on the same subject, modifying SLIGHTLY the question in order to try and get a different answer and therefore pretend that you're not doing EXACTLY the same reading. If you had done your reading correctly, in quietness and in peace, the Tarot will have discerned what you are seeking.

Edited July 3, 2019 by Marigold
Edited the whole post as I had to interrupt writing and it didn't make sense.

[Marigold]

Just to say that I heavily edited the above post. I'd had to interrupt writing it for an urgency and it wouldn't have made sense if I hadn't rewritten it. Sorry if this causes/ed any confusion.

[EtherealMoonRose]

@Barleywine and @Marigold Thankyou both for your awesome replies. Makes so much sense! 💕

[Mark Foot]

In my view, the judgement card has a positive signification. Every time it appears through my readings it has led to positive endeavours. According to experience, I reckon the judgement card as a positive omen, provided the following cards are positive, like the Star, the Chariot, etc...

[Alizon]

When I think of the Judgement card I always think of a dream I had shortly before a break up. I literally saw the sky break open and light shining from above as on "judgement day". 

 

To me it represents a stage when something has to change. There is no way out anymore, you finally have to be honest with yourself and what has to happen will happen. To me it also represents a big change which sometimes comes with the feeling of a rebirth and a change for the better. Sometimes it is something you can see on all levels and other times its just something that changes in your head - like an attitude, but it will nevertheless have an impact. 

 

To me it has not much to do with the justice card. More of my thoughts on the judgement card: https://www.alizontarot.com/20-judgement

Edited August 14, 2019 by Alizon

[Grizabella]

Gosh, I haven't read all these posts. I use the fiery page theme because I love it and I'm a fire sign, but the posts appear in grey against the slate grey of the background and I can't easily make out the responses unless I highlight each one by hand. I like the response boxes because as I type in them, the letters appear very light. Almost white.

 

Anyway, Judgment and Justice can be somewhat confusing, I know. Justice is getting what I deserve in response to a situation or my own doing, but Judgment is the "aha!" moment when I quit feeling sorry for myself and realize why I got that comeuppance from Justice in the first place. That's just one of the meanings, of course, depending on the spread, questions, etc. It's the sudden light bulb going off that brings you clarity sometimes. Justice can mean getting our "just desserts" whether we know or appreciate the reason or not, but Judgment is understanding the reason and being able to make us of the knowledge, even if the use is just to breathe a sigh of relief and say "thank goodness I didn't get what I may really have deserved . It could have been so much worse.'