We are nearing the end of the Major Arcana, with only two cards left in our deep dive. This journey of moving through each card exposes the undertaking of self-discovery, the forging and losing of identity, and the ultimate end of evolution and rising into something bigger.
Judgment trumpets us into the Divine, pulls us out of our old skins, and awakens us to our wild reclamation. With this card, we find purpose and absolution. We find freedom to grow past who we were and become who we desire to be.
The entire third line of the Majors is connected to themes of evolution. The evolution has been occurring with each card that we have discussed, from the Devil to Judgment. Now, the evolution is coming to a close, and the chapter opens to something bigger with the World card. Judgment marks the point in our evolution where there is no turning back, and this part of our journey is ending.
Looking at the numerology of 20, Google says, “In numerology, the number 20 signifies a highly sensitive, intuitive, and cooperative energy, often acting as “the power behind the throne” due to its supportive nature. Representing a blend of 2 (harmony, balance) and 0 (limitless potential), 20 is associated with emotional depth, diplomacy, and a need for close relationships.”
Judgment invites us to awaken, to move with our purpose, and to be of service to the Divine.
Awakening and Being of Service with Judgment
Coming after the Sun highlights this shift in the spirit and the raising of energy. The Sun as a predecessor highlights that shift. Once we fiercely take up space and radiate our spirit into the external world, Judgment raises this energy within us towards long-term change. After the Sun, we are invited to take all the life force within, the suns of our inner fires, and radiate towards the world in a collective perspective. It is no longer a perspective of the self, but one that honors the interconnection of forces, energies, people, and moments that helped you get here, where you can radiate and rise towards something bigger and more beautiful than before.
The first way that I read Judgment is that this card speaks to: Awakening to your life’s purpose- sacred service to the Divine in all things. When you live out your purpose (and to be clear, this does NOT mean that your job fulfills your life’s purpose), you awaken the wild part in your spirit that is connected to the beauty and majesty of this world. Your purpose, whatever it is, is an act of sacred service to the Divine, because you are putting the love language of yourself out into the world.
Main invitations with Judgment:
1. Awakening to your life’s purpose- sacred service to the divine in all things
2. Tapping into divine roots and bringing divine messages into consciousness for interpretation and action
3. Movement and flow towards new spaces- a willingness to go past what feels comfortable or known
The next way that I read Judgment is: tapping into divine roots and bringing divine messages into consciousness for interpretation and action. When this card comes forward, there is an invitation to listen closely to the whispers of spirit. There is an invitation to let the messages of ancestors, nature, dreams, or guides speak to you in a way that moves you into understanding from a bigger perspective.
For good or bad, some shifts and riptides pull us away from the known, the comfortable, or the conforming. We have seen this with other cards. Here, with Judgment, we finally see there is no reason to fear change. In fact, when we embrace the flow of life and rise to meet it with our wild spirit, we elevate ourselves towards a form of connection or awareness that could not come from anywhere else.
If we look at the layout of the tarot, the two other cards in the column with Judgment are the Lovers and Death. We fall in love with the beauty in this world. We learn that the things we love and the things that are beautiful in this world do not last. In Judgment, we resurrect this love by recognizing the eternal nature of love. Here, we appreciate the blessings and moments. We give gratitude to the cycles of life and death, seeing them play out in grand and small ways.
The last way that I read Judgment is: Movement and flow towards new spaces- a willingness to go past what feels comfortable or known. Once we see how the forces of the macrocosm can be found within the microcosm, we have trust and faith that we can face hardship, adversities, and unknown situations, and be okay. We trust that situations will eventually give, allow, or hold space for us to see the bigger picture. We may not hold on to fear like we used to because we recognize how far we have come. Even with fear, we recognize that we don’t walk alone. We are armed with love, allies, wisdom, experience, lessons, and comrades who will help us whenever we need.
Speaking of connections, Judgment helps us hold space for others who have not experienced this yet. We now know of the power within ourselves to face a situation or choice, and to move into action, even if we don’t fully feel ready or prepared. Similar to the Fool, we embark towards deeper alignment and embodiment, even if we don’t have detail or boxed or question answered. We know the situation will reveal itself, and, like the Fool, we can manifest something new.
For now, we are rising into such a space that the old self has evolved and cannot stay in the old. We bring the best part of ourselves into Judgment, but we also recognize that we are transforming.
Symbolism and Imagery of Judgment
Looking at the symbolism, we have so much to work with. The imagery will usually show an ascension of some kind.
- Guardian of the Night Tarot: The snake is transforming, and the past self is being shed. This turning point cannot be undone. Like the snake, we have literally grown too big for the skin we are in.
- Tarot of the Woodland Wardens: Transformation comes through trials of life. Much like the trials of the chrysalis, or the dormancy in soil for the cicada, we cannot rush the process, yet we need to trust and heed the actions when it is time.
- Dark Wood Tarot: This depiction is so wildly different, yet I love it. The Shadow Witch gives her neck to the vampire, accepting this change and the pain that comes with it because it is ultimately what she seeks. The guidebook says, “Our instincts will lead us to what we require. We learn who we are. We surprise ourselves.”
- Hush Tarot: The architecture of old needs is decaying, and no longer a fit to house you. This image shows this young girl amidst old ruins that are crumbling. Old ways need to fall so new actions can create new changes and alignment.
- The Wild Unknown: This card shows ascension and the need to relinquish fears, doubts, or guilt from the past. Forgive yourself and others. Rise and find the personal freedom that comes when we let go of pettiness or past wounds.
- Herbcrafter’s Tarot: Tulsi, known as Holy Basil, is an ancient herb with many uses, one of them being an herb that supports the immune system. When we take care of ourselves, we can take care of the world. When we return to simple medicines, we return to the glorious inspiration of divinity in unassuming sources.
- Grimalkin’s Curious Cat Tarot: The cats live in the cemetery, away from pesky humans who will not venture here out of fear. Live in alignment with your truth, even when it seems weird to others.
- Nightmare Before Christmas Tarot: I like the reference here to consequences. Have your decisions put you on the naughty or the nice list? We all must move on from our past, but we can only do that by being accountable for the decisions we made and actions we took.
- Tarot of Dragons: A depiction similar to the Rider-Waite, we can only heed the call if we are willing to rise up and do the work. We must be a part of our own transformation.
- Bird King Tarot: The portal is bright, but it illuminates so brightly that we do not know what is on the other side. The shift has happened. Take the step towards the other side.
- Spirit Animal Tarot: Crocodile is the animal guide to help us embrace our wild and primal self, including our raw emotions. In our transformation, we need to accept the last of our lingering shadowy emotions and dark secrets. The Butterfly encourages grace, liberation, and renewal.
- Crow Tarot: The crow calls out and awakens the spirit of the crow. The symbol of Pluto in the top right shows the power of regeneration and the ability to transcend material attachments.
- Ostara tarot: A Valkyrie selects which soldiers on the field of battle will go to Valhalla. Very reminiscent of the quote “What we do in life echoes in eternity.”
- Hocus Pocus Tarot: The hallowed ground is a place the Sanderson sisters cannot go because of their evil ways. Align yourself to be able to have havens, safety nets, and support systems that will be there when you need.
- Shadowscapes Tarot: The angel trumpets, the spirits and animals, even the poppies, have risen to this musical absolution.
Thank you for reading. The poem of Judgment comes from my book, which you can purchase in my store!
Judgment
I am the size of a sparrow carrying my small thunder
across this formidable realm. The wind calls me
by a name I never took, yet I turned
in acknowledgment. I start to become prairie mad,
recall myself as creature, full but always hungry.
I awoke with her name in my mouth,
thick on my tongue like honey.
Now, we are both wailing goddesses,
keeping to the fringe, choosing desert over oasis.
We use fire to claim this night, sometimes forgetting
the drink of water. I hung her in my heart like a bell,
blessing the cathedral of my body. It was divine
all along, but now I choose to light a small candle
at the altar of the belly, like how a dragon must feel.
I take the name of witch so that death always leaves
the boat tethered for new life to find. We are all waifs,
but in my right of passage through this holy tempest,
I finally see the glory of getting swept away.
Ashlie McDiarmid
Hello there! I hope you liked this blog post. As a tarot and oracle reader, my goal with my blogs is to offer you content, resources, and access to the tools that have transformed my life.
I believe that your own intuition is the deepest form of knowing, but here in my little corner of the internet, I share insights based in intuition and instinct. I share my love for nature, witchcraft, and the wild spirit.
- If your spirit is at home in wild places
- If you feel the need to claim your autonomy as ritual
- If you want to more deeply trust your own intuition
- If you want resources or connections to tarot, oracle, witchcraft, and wild sovereignty, then welcome!
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