Next on the journey of diving deep into the tarot, we arrive at Justice. If you are brand new, welcome! I am walking the sacred path of opening the narrative into each tarot card for an in-depth understanding.
I recommend you also look at the cards, and posts, that have come before. This way you can see how the tarot builds on each other. I will share the Justice cards, and all cards in previous and future posts, so we can look at the symbolism and build an intuitive understanding. The blog and the Wolf Child Magick podcast go hand-in-hand, so if audio is more your thing, there is that option as well!
Before looking at the card itself, it’s important to note that Justice in this deck has the numerology of Eight, but in other decks will sit at position Eleven. Strength and Justice are the only two cards that interchange their position in the Major Arcana. I believe that Justice makes the most sense at position Eleven.
The numerology of 11/2 creates energies of harmony, empathy, connection, balance between internal and external life (or any spectrum of polarity), moral, intuitive, connected to a higher purpose, and more. For more information on the numerology of Eleven, click here.
Moving into the Natural Order with Justice
The first thing to note in the way that I read this card is that it doesn’t speak to a legal system of any kind. It doesn’t speak to the law in a legal sense, or court rooms or judges. Take one look at the legal system here in America and you will see how it is a two-tiered legal systems. The injustices and colonialism against black man, MMIW, gay and trans, and marginalized groups were the building blocks and inception of this country, a sad truth that persists today.
Even if we were to take the history and present-day realities out of this argument, I don’t think it’s helpful to read about a legal system that I know so little on. I am not a lawyer or affiliated with that system in any way, so I don’t want to read on it. Of course, there are morals, beliefs, rights/wrongs, and philosophies that can fall under this card and are appropriate to read on. That is a universal experience, and one that we all contribute to through the method of reflecting on our inner truth and seeing how it applies to the external at large, reflecting the energies discussed above with the numerology.
The first way that I read this card is: Awareness that decisions, actions, and choices lead to each present state of being within or out of alignment with the universal order. Simply put, that existing in this world is not done in a vacuum. Each of us are a part of the natural order. The definition of Natural Order is, “the physical universe considered as an orderly system subject to natural (not human or supernatural) laws.” Click here to read the article on Natural Order.
There is a way to things, and we are part of the web of life, which means that our choices and actions naturally will create the space where we are more integrated and aware, or we are out of alignment. Natural order and natural law are not the same thing, both both apply here. Natural order is the physical makeup of the world. The seasons, life and death, moon phases, and migrations are all examples of natural order.
An article on Natural Law says:
Natural Law is a philosophical theory that states that human beings have certain universally accepted rights, moral values, and responsibilities that are inherent in human nature.
Natural Law Theory is based on the idea that these laws are a universal moral code and are not based on any culture or customs. It is a fundamental principle that defines the way society acts naturally and governs behavior and reasoning.
Click here to read the article
I believe that both apply here in how to read the Justice card. As physical beings, we move in the natural order. We are aging, awaken to a new day, breathe the air, and are here because of evolution. The Sun and Moon and Earth are in orbit, and the seasons (whether felt or obvious) are in flux. Change is constant. As humans, we are also part of the natural law. No matter where we are from there are things that right or wrong. We have a right to live a beautiful life, free from harm. Our choices and actions should reflect this inherent nature.
Main invitations with Justice:
1. Awareness that decisions, actions, and choices leads to being within or out of alignment with the universal order
2. Truth and justice are needed for higher awakening and for creating a life that is meant to thrive
3. Our actions, choices, and behaviors guide our spiritual migration, create cause and effect, and show our connection to the World.
I know that was a lot of information all at once. Again, in simple terms Justice speaks to the physical and energetic way we are a part of this world. It speaks to how we are interconnected to the highest and lowest aspect of the energies that contribute to this existence, as we know it.
Before I move on to the second way that I read the Justice card, I want to highlight how this card is connected to the previous card, the Wheel of Fortune. The Wheel of Fortune highlights the spiritual migration, interconnection, and intuitive forces that guide our spirits. The Wheel of Fortune has much of the natural order within it as well, and after this card Justice comes in and says how we gain awareness, make choices, and live our lives FROM this place of understanding that the Wheel of Fortune gives us.
Justice asks us to consider how we are directed, aligned, and do what is right (or needed) for this higher interconnection and wild sovereignty to bloom. Lamed is the Hebrew letter that is associated with Justice. It translates to ox-goad, meaning the thing that prods the ox to move with force in a certain direction. The Fool’s Hebrew word, Aleph, also has connections to the ox, so Lamed shows how the force of the ox-goad is what moves the Fool along his path.
The second way that I read the Justice card is: Truth and justice are needed for higher awakening and for creating a life that is meant to thrive. If we aren’t living in a space of truth, or doing what is right for our highest selves, our lives are going to be much harder. Justice peels away the facade, the ego, and the preconceived as asks us to look directly at what is true, honest, and right in our lives. The things that are out of alignment may be made right, but what choices and actions do we need to take to right the wrong, to straighten the turns, to illuminate the darkness? With this card, we literally cannot bullshit our way out of a situation, because even if we do, we stay out of alignment with the energies, situations, and realities that we face.
The final way that I read this card is: Our actions, choices, and behaviors guide our spiritual migration, create cause and effect, and show our connection to the World. When we confront the Justice card, we are tasked with understanding how we contribute to the harmony or hindrance of our lives, the lives of our community, the World, Nature, and the Universe. Justice is, in many ways, the ripple effect and physical connection to the idea of As Above, So Below.
To put it another way, Justice asks us to reflect within on how our external lives align to our internal truths, and how that contributes to a broader understanding. Cause and effect applies here. Something happens because something else happened first. The ball comes down because someone threw it up. With Justice, the cause and effect help us move mindfully from our spirit towards what we need, and keeps us in alignment with the rest of our lives. Justice is very much the card of Karma, that what you do in this world returns to you. Also, we could consider the 12 Universal Laws. Click here to read about them.
This card is a conceptual AF card, and there is so much more I could write, but what I want to say, and end with, before we move to the symbolism is that Justice, at its most stripped, speaks to how we live in an interconnected world and how our actions and decisions change and shape our world.
Justice in Symbolism and Imagery
Let’s look now at the images and symbolism from across my decks. The first, at the very top of the blog is Justice from the Wild Unknown, showing a black and white cat, and the binary. This image shows that all things should be considered and that right and wrong may look and feel differently to each person.
From the Tarot of Dragons, a stern dragon holds the scales of predator and prey. Large and small, the owl the mouse show the natural order of life, but also show how on the path of action, making the right choices are based in truth, but may still be hard to make. From the Shadowscapes Tarot, we see the butterflies (natural order again in the theme of the life cycle from caterpillar to butterfly) while the divine being shows the balance scales against the feather of self- which speaks to assuming responsibility for one’s life.
From the Ostara Tarot, we see Maat weighing the heart of a human against the weight of an ostrich feather before they can move into the afterlife. The heart, or consciousness, if heavier than the ostrich feather (balance and justice), it showed the human had not lived with the code of honor and justice in life. They could not gain eternal life if this was the case.
Justice, or Maat again, here, from the Mystical Dream Tarot shows the goddess or personified idea of justice, honor, morality, and ethics. The guidebook says, ” To the ancient one, Maat represented the highest standard of Universal action, the supreme standard which regulated not only the behaviors of humans but of all deities, the heavens, and the manifest upon the earth. It is the highest virtue which set into motion the harmony of the Universe.”
The Hush Tarot never disappoints, and here, we Lady Justice walking tall on her search for truth, with the arrow pointing the way, The insects show the stings and bites of harsh truths in the past, but I believe also show we all are connected to the smallest of insects. These living things shape our world, whether we are paying attention or not.
Next up, we have Cannabis from the Herbcrafter’s Tarot. This plant shows the implication of perception, and how power often corrupts. The guidebook talks about how the plant provides benefit in so many ways, but targeted political acts against people of color shifted the perception of this plant to a dangerous drug, with implications still felt today, especially in communities of color.
From the Guardian of the Night Tarot, we see a bat holding the scales and the sword of justice. The Bat who uses echolocation and can see the dark asks you to delve beneath the surface and to use your intuition so your actions and choices may be clear, controlled, and intentional.
The Grimalkin’s Curious Cat Tarot shows a beautiful feline holding the scales with two birds, while the upright sword pierces the heart of a dove. Life and death. Predator and prey. This card shows the natural order discussed, but also how we must make the decisions in the present and trust that the consequences will be beneficial to us.
Justice from the Dark Wood Tarot shows justice holding the scales and sword (most common symbols of law and order) while two blindfolded woman rest at her feet. They have been brought to her for a reason, and now they can only free themselves through accountability, ownership, and honesty about their lives.
More Depictions from My Collection
Looking at our last three, the Crow Tarot shows much of the same symbolism that we have come to expect now with the Justice card. The blindfold show impartiality. The scales show balance, justice, fairness, and consideration of all things before making or passing judgement. The sword shows authority, and the ability to punish or protect.
The Bird King Tarot shows a beautiful scene and a beautiful deer, but danger lurks. Again, such is the way of life. Finally, from the Spirit Animal Tarot, we have Elephant, the Bearer of Justice. Elephant will remove the obstacles that keep us from seeing our higher and true selves, but we must accept this reality with trust in the inner knowing (cultivated from the Wheel of Fortune), of how we are a part of the bigger world and our decisions and actions create ripple effects towards the biger picture.
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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