Tarot Card Meanings
To see this card can also indicate that you are in a period of awakening, brought on by the act of self-reflection.
Judgement depicts what one might imagine the final judgment to be, in the various forms that many mythologies take. The Judgement card depicts women, men, and children rising from the grave in response to Gabriel’s trumpet call. Their outstretched arms represent their readiness to be judged by the universe. They are about to meet their creator, have their actions evaluated, and learn whether they will spend the rest of eternity in heaven or hell. The massive tidal wave in the background represents the impending judgment, which will be final.
Pluto, the ruler of the underworld, governs over judgment. This card has echoes in Death, as they both remind us that everything comes to an end and that a new beginning is on the way.
NOTE: The Tarot card meaning description is based on the Rider Waite cards.
Upright Keywords:
Reversed Keywords:
The Judgement card is advising you to rise to a higher level of consciousness in order to serve your highest good. You’re having a spiritual awakening and realizing that you’re meant for so much more. This is your cosmic advancement! You’ve heard the call and are prepared to respond. Switch to a higher frequency. Let go of your old self and step into the most recent version of yourself.
The Judgement card frequently indicates that you must make a life-changing decision, but unlike those associated with the logical Justice card, this decision necessitates a combination of intuition and intellect. You may be at a crossroads, aware that any decision you make will have far-reaching consequences. Listen to your Higher Self, trust your instincts, and know you’re on the right track. If you still don’t understand the situation, look to your past and life lessons for guidance.
Judgement appears in a Tarot reading when you are nearing a turning point in your journey. You’ve gone over and evaluated your previous experiences, and you’ve learned from them. All of the puzzle pieces of your life are finally coming together to form one complete picture of your life story. This integration has healed deep wounds, and you can now move on from the past. You’ve found your absolution, having cleared any wrongdoings or regrets and letting go of any guilt or sadness from the past. This purging process will leave you feeling revitalized and ready to face new challenges.
The Judgement card suggests that you may find solace in sharing your difficulties with others in a group setting. There will be others who have gone through something similar and can show you the way out of your problems. Allow them to guide and assist you as you rise together.
Judgement Reversed encourages introspection and self-evaluation. You may gain a deep understanding of the universal themes that run through your life through meditation or quiet contemplation, as well as what you can do or change to avoid these situations. You may have kept them secret or hidden because you are concerned about how others will perceive you. Work on your self-forgiveness, self-acceptance, self-love, and release and freedom to clear these past mistakes and regrets, as well as any associated guilt or shame.
The Judgment Reversed appears when the Universe is trying to send you a message and invite you to something bigger, but you’re not listening. Perhaps you are afraid of the sacrifice required to answer the call, or you are concerned that you are not prepared to take on a more prominent role and prefer to play it safe. You do your best to pretend you didn’t receive it and go about your business, hoping it will go away. But, let’s face it, the ‘call’ never goes away; it simply becomes louder and louder until you pay attention. It’s time to overcome your inner fears and self-doubt and believe that the Universe has your back. This is happening for a reason.
Finally, Judgement Reversed can indicate that your inner critic is speaking up loud and clear. You may have doubts or send yourself negative messages. This is preventing you from reaching your full potential and being your best self. To overcome your inner critic, treat it as a separate part of yourself (name it), listen to it and acknowledge its fear, and assure it that everything will be fine. You can break the cycle of self-criticism with focused discipline and replace it with more positive messages about what is possible.