Justice
11
Rules: Libra
Exaltation: Saturn
Planetary Association: Jupiter
Color: Green
As a Yes or No question: Depends on the question; if it a moral question, then yes. Otherwise, the answer would be no. Very dependent on the tone.
Upright: Justice, Laws, Trials, Scales of Fate, Cause and Effect, Lawyers, Judges, Karma, Marriage, Courthouse, Balance
Reversed: Dishonesty, Unfair trial/Court, Delay in Justice, Unfairness, Getting Ripped Off, Racial Profiling, System Working Against You, Bias, Bigotry
Justice Symbolism
The woman in the Justice tarot card looks like a judge. She is holding a sword so she can cut to the heart of the situation. The sword represents discrimination. She can easily look into a situation and see the truth. Her truth is balanced by the gold scale she holds in her other hand. She is the ultimate supreme court justice, only she is unbias, on a true, and ethereal level.
She sits behind a purple backdrop that is supported by two pillars. The backdrop represents her protecting the verdict. It also assures you that behind the background are the karmic retributions working behind the scenes. You know they are there, but you can’t see them. The yellow background behind the curtain connects Justice to the Sun. If one wants to delve further into that esoteric meaning, please feel free to do so.
The two pillars represent duality. These pillars are the same pillars we see with the High Priestess, except; the pillars in the High Priestess are black and white. Both pillars in Justice are grey (a mixture of the high Priestesses black and white pillars) to represent synthesis and balance. You are able to take what is from above and synthesis from which is below. It shows us that ethereal ability for balance, synthesis and examining everything fairly.
Justice Upright Summary
Justice can be taken both literally and figuratively. Yes this, like a few other cards in the deck, has a very literal interpretation. Meaning that things in terms of the law will start to be seen fairly, in your favor. (That is, of course, assuming you are innocent, expect the exact opposite if you are guilty.) Justice is similar to cause and effect, which is commonly known as karma. Everything we say and do has ramifications, so remember that when we pull this card.
The Justice tarot card brings in a sense of balance. Think of real justice, it isn’t to put more weight on one side over the other. Instead, its to fairly see both sides, and come to a conclusion. Anything that is symmetrical is important. Justice isn’t concerned with revenge. At times the Justice tarot card is not concerned with man-made laws, but with giving you back what you’ve put out. Justice deals with Universal laws that govern our universe. Remember that ethereal judge we spoke of before?
Past – Justice in the Past position represents a past decision that is playing out now and currently affecting your life. You may be thinking “Why is this happening to me?” or “Why did I get so lucky?” Think back on your past, could something you did before, be why this is happening now? It doesn’t mean that your choice was good or bad, just that it is currently affecting your present flow.
Present – Justice in the present position means you have a big decision ahead of you. In most cases, we are faced with decisions every day. However with Justice in the present position, it means that your choice could affect other people a great deal and drastically change your life. This is a time to weigh up your options, good/bad, pro/con. This wouldn’t be something small, instead, we are looking at big life events. Moving houses, new partners, new jobs, etc.
Future – Justice in the future position means you are working towards a large decision. Just like the decision we see in the present, we are looking at it instead as yet to come, or soon to be prepared for. Usually, we see it as a split choice. You might have to choose between two jobs or two partners. You won’t have to make any quick choices, don’t worry, but brace yourself for instead, a tough choice.
Reversed Summary
Reversed Justice can be about being in a legal situation where the guilty get away with a crime or where someone who is innocent is being prosecuted as guilty. Justice is also about balance, so Justice reversed is about imbalance. This, therefore, can mean again, literally, you not being fairly treated for a crime. But it can also mean, the system completely working against you. Much like in cases of racial profiling, bigotry, etc. Expect the balance to be off, and justice to not be in your favor.
A Song for Justice
Cover Art by The Muse Tarot