Tarot Card Meanings
If you have been wronged, this card’s appearance may bring you relief. On the other hand, if your actions caused pain to others, this card serves as a warning.
The figure of Justice sits in front of a loosely hung purple veil, symbolizing compassion, and between two pillars that represent balance, law, and structure, similar to those that frame The High Priestess and The Hierophant.
She holds a sword in her right hand, illustrating the logical, well-ordered mindset required to administer fair justice. The sword points upwards, indicating a firm and final decision, and the double-edged blade represents the fact that our actions always have consequences. The scales in her left (intuitive) hand represent intuition balancing logic and serve as a symbol of her impartiality. Justice is dressed in a red robe with a green mantle and a crown with a small square on it representing well-ordered thoughts. A small white shoe appears from beneath her clothing as a reminder of the spiritual ramifications of your actions.
NOTE: The Tarot card meaning description is based on the Rider Waite cards.
Justice, fairness, truth, and the rule of law are all represented by the Justice card. You are being held accountable for your actions and will be judged as such. You have nothing to be concerned about if you have acted in accordance with your Higher Self and for the greater good of others. If you haven’t, you will be called out and forced to take responsibility for your actions. If this makes you nervous, know that the Justice card isn’t as black and white as you might think. Justice is accompanied by compassion and understanding, and while you may have done something you regret, this card suggests that you will be treated fairly and without bias.
Prepare to accept responsibility for your actions and hold yourself accountable for the consequences.
If you seek justice, the Justice card indicates that justice will be served. You could be involved in a legal case or waiting for a final decision from the courts, a governing body, or an institution. A decision will be issued soon. Once a decision is made, you must accept it and move on; the upright Justice card does not allow for retrials or second chances.
The Justice card frequently appears when you must make a critical decision with long-term consequences. Be mindful of the impact your decisions will have on your own and others’ well-being. Connect with your inner guidance system (your intuition) and ask for the answer that is most aligned with the highest good for all. Prepare to defend your decisions because you will be held accountable for the decisions you make. “Do I stand by my decisions and accept the consequences of my actions?” you must ask yourself.
If you can’t, go deeper, into the shadows of what’s right and wrong, until you find a place where you can stand in integrity and strength.
Justice is fundamentally about the pursuit of truth. As you investigate your truth, you will discover that things are not as simple as you thought. Prepare to wade into murky waters and discover what truth means to you. Be mindful of what you believe to be true, as well as what you believe to be fair and ethical. It may not be as simple as you think, so be prepared to push yourself and explore new areas of your belief system.
Justice Reversed can imply that you are aware that you have done something morally wrong. Others may not have noticed it yet, so you have two options: hide it and hope no one notices, or own up to your mistakes and take focused action to resolve the situation. Whatever you choose, you will have to live with the consequences on your conscience, so go with your gut instinct.
Similarly, Justice Reversed suggests that you are unwilling to accept full responsibility for your actions and may try to ‘dodge the bullet’ by blaming others. You are deceiving yourself and others, and your refusal to look beyond your own fears and ego blinds you to the larger lesson. Examine your situation once more, this time with the goal of determining where you can accept responsibility. Once you’ve identified where you went wrong, do everything you can to make it right. This will relieve you of any guilt or shame and empower you to make better decisions.
When Justice is reversed, it can indicate that your inner critic is fully operational. You may be scrutinizing your every move and punishing yourself harshly when you make a mistake. If this resonates with you, begin with forgiveness and self-acceptance. Show yourself some compassion and kindness, knowing that we all make mistakes. Thank your inner critic for bringing this private judgment to your attention, and trust that you can now clear it away.
If you are making an important decision that will affect others, be aware of any prejudice or bias that may unfairly influence your decision. To make a balanced decision, you may need to gather more information or shine a light on your own personal judgments.
If you are involved in a legal matter, you may be concerned about an unfair outcome or contest the final judgment, calling the legal process into question. There could be legal complications or something else that prevents justice from being served.