Justice

Card Name:
Justice
Arcana:
Major Arcana
Key Meaning:
balance, law, honesty, responsibility
Reversed:
injustice, lies, imbalance, lawlessness
Justice – Major Arcana card number 11. The card symbolizes karma, law, and justice – each will be rewarded according to their deeds.

Archetype of the Justice Card

The Justice card in Tarot is one of the key archetypes symbolizing law and order in a person's life. It represents Themis, the goddess of justice from Greek mythology. A protector of order and moral principles in the social system, she always follows the law, has clear convictions about right and wrong, and remains steadfast in her decisions.
The arcane represents the goddess of justice Themis
The arcane represents the goddess of justice Themis
Her strength comes from a strong moral core, a love for order, a sharp mind, insight, and an understanding of the natural order of things. However, even Themis can fall into the trap of literalism: stubbornly defending her beliefs, she cannot accept others' viewpoints and sometimes gets carried away with moralizing. Her tendency to trust only facts limits her empathy.

The Justice card indicates the need to make decisions based on logic and common sense, rather than emotions. It also reminds us that every action has consequences and any imbalance must be corrected. We must take responsibility for our actions and respect the rights of others. It suggests an approach to life based on justice, order, and law, which can help achieve harmony in all aspects of life.

The Symbolism of the Justice Card

The central element of the arcana that immediately draws attention is a woman sitting on a throne. Her image differs from the classic depiction of Themis with her eyes covered. The woman's eyes are wide open – she seems to look directly at the inquirer. She represents not human law, but divine law, and thus sees everything.

She wears a red cloak, indicating energy, passion, and action. In her hands, she holds a sword, symbolizing sharp intellect, decisiveness, and clear thinking. The vertical position of the weapon signifies a firm and resolute approach to problem-solving.

In her other hand, she holds scales, a symbol of balance and justice. The scales suggest that before making any decision, one should carefully weigh all factors.

Behind the woman on the card, there is usually a fortress or castle, which may indicate the protection and security we can feel if we adhere to laws and justice.

The throne in this context symbolizes closeness to reality and objectivity in judgments, while the veil behind the throne speaks of the goddess's connection to higher aspects and the inevitability of karmic justice.

The Key Meaning of the Justice Card

Justice is a card of responsibility and karma. It evaluates our actions and behavior, helps make balanced decisions, and see the overall situation more clearly and objectively.
This is the arcane of responsibility and karma
This is the arcane of responsibility and karma
Its appearance shouldn't alarm you if you act according to universal laws – in this case, the card promises a favorable outcome. Its energy favors clarity, prudence, intuition, and a sense of responsibility.

But if you break the rules, the appearance of Justice in the spread doesn't bode well. The card helps you realize the consequences of your actions and brings the truth about your deeds to light.

Moreover, the arcane indicates the need for fair resolution of conflicts and adherence to agreements. The card reminds us of the necessity of being responsible for our actions and that crime always leads to punishment. However, for those who act with a clear conscience, Justice is the most reliable ally.

The General Meaning of the Justice Card in an Upright Position

The Justice card often indicates an upcoming encounter with legal matters, a major purchase, or a job promotion. The card can also signify the imminent resolution of a conflict or the querent's interaction with legal entities such as tax authorities, courts, police, etc. Justice may appear in cases of marriage or divorce, focusing solely on legal aspects.
Justice often speaks of upcoming legal matters
Justice often speaks of upcoming legal matters
Additionally, the Justice card in an upright position may indicate the following:
  • Justice and equality. The card speaks of the need for justice and equality in life. If this card appears in a spread, it may mean that the querent should adhere to these principles in their relationships with others.
  • Decisiveness and objectivity. The sword held by Themis symbolizes sharp intellect, decisiveness, and clear thinking—qualities that should guide decision-making.
  • Truth and honesty. Lies or withholding important information can lead to dire consequences. It's time to take responsibility for one's actions and be open and honest in interpersonal relationships.
  • Imminent resolution of disputes and conflicts. The querent may soon conclude a prolonged property dispute or resolve an old conflict.

General Meaning of the Justice Card in Reverse Position

  • The Justice card in its upright position relates to law, obligations, and honesty. If the card is reversed, it may indicate breaking the law, antisocial behavior, or general injustice.
  • A reversed Justice card can also warn of imminent legal proceedings, financial difficulties, overdue loans, or debts.
  • Additionally, the card may warn of problems or conflicts with close people.
  • The card may indicate the questioner's injustice or bias towards others.
  • In any case, the Justice card in reverse warns of injustice in all its forms. To understand what needs balancing, you should look at the adjacent cards in the spread.
  • If the Justice card appears in reverse, it's important to address the issues and find ways to correct the situation.

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

When the Justice card appears in a love reading in the upright position, it can indicate the following:
  • Need for Balance: The Justice card in a love reading may point to the need for balance and fairness in the relationship.
  • Partners may soon face a "test" of their relationship’s honesty and sincerity, and they will likely pass it successfully.
  • Resolution of an old conflict, with partners reaching a compromise on an important issue.
  • Making the right decision, which is critically important for the relationship.
  • Marriage.
  • If the seeker is single, the card may predict meeting an honest and decent person.
In the context of Love, the arcane can be interpreted very broadly
In the context of Love, the arcane can be interpreted very broadly

The Meaning of the Justice Card in Love in Reverse

When the Justice card appears in a love reading in reverse, it can indicate the following:
  • Injustice and discrimination in relationships.
  • Unbalanced relationships. Partners do not allow each other to grow, or one partner suppresses the other.
  • Uncertainty and ambiguity in the relationship.
  • Wrong decisions: The Justice card in reverse can indicate making wrong decisions in relationships. One partner may act unfairly or disregard the other's feelings.
  • Unresolved conflicts. One partner may face an issue beyond their control, slowly destroying the relationship from within.
According to the tarot reader at zoomboola.com, the Justice card in a love reading in reverse speaks of injustice, discrimination, unbalanced relationships, and unresolved conflicts. The card may indicate wrong decisions and uncertainty in the relationship.
In reverse, the arcane speaks of an imbalance in the relationship
In reverse, the arcane speaks of an imbalance in the relationship
If the Justice card appears in reverse, it is important to address the problems and find ways to correct the situation.

Justice as the Card of the Day

If the "Card of the Day" is Justice, its meaning can be as follows:
  • Upright position. Today, pay special attention to your emotional state and analyze what is happening to avoid mistakes. The day may bring successful deals and profitable purchases.
  • Reversed position. If the card is reversed, avoid scheduling meetings for signing documents, as they may end unfavorably. A meeting with law enforcement is possible, and in a reversed position, it will likely be unfavorable for the inquirer.

What the Justice Card Warns About

The Justice card can warn about the need for an objective approach to a situation or person. You might be making decisions based on emotions rather than logic, and you need to reassess the situation.
The Arcane Calls for Being Objective
The Arcane Calls for Being Objective
The Justice card can also indicate that you are facing a problem that needs thorough analysis from all angles and resolution in the fairest way possible. You may need to look at the situation from different perspectives and consider all sides to find a solution that is fair to everyone.

Overall, the Justice card advises being impartial when making important decisions.