Tarot Card Judgement: Meaning and Interpretation

Judgement - the major arcana card number 20. The Judgement card, like the Wheel of Fortune, holds great significance in a person's life and represents one of the symbols of karma.

Archetype of the Judgment Card

The Judgment card signifies an end and destruction that can lead to a new beginning. It's important to understand that this doesn't refer to the end of the world described in the Book of Revelation (although the card certainly alludes to the Divine Judgment), but to the end of a personal phase, of which there can be many in life. The Judgment card calls for redemption and renewal of strength, as well as the liberation of hidden potentials.

Behind the end that foreshadows Judgment, a new beginning opens

The Major Arcana Judgment is associated with the archetypes of the judge and the savior. This card represents the end of the old and the beginning of the new, rebirth, and purification. The judge embodies supreme justice and God's law. The savior helps people go through trials and reach a new level of consciousness. An example of such a figure is Jesus Christ.

Symbolism of the Judgement Card

The card depicts the Last Judgement. An archangel blows a trumpet, calling the dead from their graves. He has come to deliver a fair verdict to everyone. However, people do not feel terror but are rather amazed and delighted, reaching out to the angel. They are returning home—to Heaven.

The angel symbolizes spirituality, connection with higher powers, objectivity, and honesty. He can also be seen as a sacred herald who announces the impending verdict.

Judgement means it's time to overcome all obstacles, recover from losses, and start a new life. The card's old name, "Eternal Life," also hints at this. Overall, the Judgement card can be interpreted as a symbol of objectivity, honesty, accepting responsibility for one's actions and their consequences.

The Key Meaning of the Judgment Card

The Judgment card in Tarot symbolizes liberation and positive change. The Judgment Arcana warns that all problems are temporary and will soon end.

This Arcana predicts that the completed series of trials will lead to personal transformation, the emergence of new goals, values, and meanings. New abilities will unfold, and old habits and attachments will be left behind. Temporary difficulties will end, and the seeker will achieve their goal, entering a period of happiness, comfort, and tranquility.

A series of trials foreshadowed by the Judgment will lead to a transformation of personality

The Judgment card also speaks of successfully passing karmic lessons, healing, and retribution for past actions. In this sense, the Arcana is similar to the Death card, which also symbolizes personal transformation through loss.

The person indicated by this card is honest, open, fair, and a wise mentor for weaker and dependent people. However, in a reversed position, the card can indicate resistance to change.

General Meaning of the Judgement Card in an Upright Position

When the Judgement card appears in an upright position, it may indicate the following general meanings:

The need to make an important decision that will significantly impact the future. This could be related to past actions or current activities.
Responsibility. The querent might need to take responsibility for their actions, either towards others or themselves.
Consequences stemming from the past.
Balance. The Judgement card might also suggest finding balance between different aspects of life, such as work and personal life, spirituality and materialism, reason and intuition.
Objectivity. The Judgement card can also call for objectivity and honesty, indicating the need to make decisions based on facts and circumstances rather than emotions or biases.

The Arcane Speaks of the Most Difficult Choice to Come

General Meaning of the Reversed Judgment Card

When the Judgment card appears reversed in a spread, its meaning can be opposite to its upright position.

The general meaning of the reversed Judgment card can be as follows:

Failure. The reversed Judgment card can symbolize failure in achieving goals or passing tests, difficulties in communicating with others, and problems in personal relationships.
Missed opportunity. The reversed Judgment card can indicate missed opportunities in life due to insecurity, fear of risk, or other reasons.
Struggles. The reversed Judgment card can symbolize struggles and difficulties a person faces. They might experience stress, anxiety, worry, and negative emotions.
A vicious cycle that is difficult to break because the person is dependent on harmful habits or stuck in negative thoughts.
Shattered hopes and dreams, leading to disappointment and hopelessness.
Illnesses. The card can indicate possible health issues or negative consequences related to insufficient care for one's health.
Routine, lack of variety in life.

The Meaning of the Judgement Card in Love in the Upright Position

Tarot reader zoomboola.com believes that when the Judgement card appears in the upright position during a love reading, it can have the following general meanings:

Decision Making. The Judgement card may indicate the need to make decisions in relationships. This could involve important moments like accepting a marriage proposal, moving, breaking up, having a child, etc.
The Need to Take Responsibility. The card can help recognize the importance of personal responsibility in relationships.
Balance. The card suggests the need to find balance in relationships. It can help understand that mutual respect and support are key aspects of healthy relationships.
Objectivity in Relationships. The Judgement card may also call for objectivity and honesty in relationships. It may indicate the need to make decisions based on facts rather than emotions.
Meeting a Future Partner Soon (if the querent is single).

It is worth noting that decisions predicted by the card should not be delayed.

The Meaning of the Reversed Judgment Card in Love

When the Judgment card appears reversed in a love reading, its meaning can be quite different. For example:

Resistance to change. The reversed Judgment card may indicate resistance to changes in the relationship, where one or both partners are not ready to change or accept new conditions.
Stagnation in the relationship. Partners are not growing or moving forward, which can lead to a deterioration of the relationship.
Inevitable changes in the relationship that may be unpleasant or cause concern.
Hiding the truth or a lack of openness in the relationship, which can lead to further problems.
The possibility of an imminent breakup or end of the relationship, which could be very sudden and painful for the partners.

Overall, the reversed Judgment card in a love reading can indicate a rough patch, misunderstandings, injustice, and a lack of harmony in the relationship.

The Judgment card often foreshadows a rough patch in the relationship

The Judgment Card as the Card of the Day

If the Judgment card appears as the "Card of the Day," its meaning in this context could be as follows:

Upright: Today, karmic laws might manifest, bringing either rewards for good deeds or retribution for bad ones. Be cautious, especially if you have something to hide – an unexpected revelation could lead to negative consequences. However, the card can also symbolize a good start and justice. It's important to rely not only on your own strength but also on circumstances, and to strive to manage them according to your desires.
Reversed: The Judgment card in the reversed position may indicate that today could bring difficulties or obstacles due to a tough decision. Uncertainty and a feeling of unfair treatment by others might accompany today's events. The card might also suggest the need to reassess decisions and consider the situation more carefully.

What the Judgment Card Warns About

The Judgment card may indicate that one needs to carefully assess the situation and make important decisions.

You will have to take responsibility for your actions

Additionally, the card can also offer the following advice:

Be objective in assessing the situation; don't act impulsively.
Take responsibility for your decisions and actions, especially if they affect others.
Don't fear changes in life.
Be fair and don't deceive yourself or others.
Recognize the importance of your decisions and their impact on the future.

Overall, the Judgment card may warn about the need to make decisions and offer advice on how to be objective, take responsibility, find balance, and be fair. It can also advise not to fear change and to recognize the importance of the decisions made.

Anita Martin astrologer