Today seems like a good day to begin our series on the Tarot. I drew a card, asking what the readers of this blog needed to know, and here it is: Justice.
This is from the Mystic Faerie Tarot by Barbara Moore and Linda Ravenscroft. It’s a fabulous deck.
If you, like me, were on the losing side of the U.S. election last week, the notion of Justice being served might still smart a bit. Let’s take a closer look at what it might offer us for wisdom.
Looking at the big picture, which the Major Arcana cards certainly ask us to do, we see that Justice is most firmly connected to balance and the notion of karma.
In the imagery on the card (see above photo), we see the Fae of Justice. She “represents an incredibly powerful magic that is tied deeply to the core of the universe” (p.56, Guide to Mystic Faerie Tarot). As in many Tarot images of Justice, she is blindfolded. This shows her neutrality – Justice doesn’t care about the particular results, only that the decision is balanced and fair.
This fairness relates to the Law of Reciprocity, of cosmic justice. This law says that “energy begets energy, lethargy begets lethargy, negativity begets negativity, kindness begets kindness” (p. 178, Tarot Celebrations). When faced with this card, we must look to the situation and see our part in how it came about. Look to your own past choices, understanding your power and responsibility. The essence of this card is that “what you put out returns to you.”
Looking at our current political situation, this doesn’t mean that you are personally responsible for what has happened. It does mean that what is going on is a result of past choices and actions on the part of many people. Whether it appears that way or not, what is currently happening is a way of “setting things right.” We are human, and often have trouble seeing that bigger picture. But cosmic justice is always in operation.
The Justice card can help you to evaluate the current situation more clearly. Look at what is right in front of you, setting aside your emotions or attachment. Now examine how your own reactions will affect the future.
The reactions you have now, the actions you take, will help to create your future experiences. The Law of Reciprocity works for us, not against us, when we learn to use it correctly. If you understand that what you put out into the universe returns to you, then you’ll be more aware when making choices.
This card is also about decision-making. Careful deliberation is encouraged. How can you stay in harmony with universal order? Are you being true to your inner wisdom? What type of action would help to balance the situation? Making choices from a place of knowing that negativity will only beget more negativity puts the power back in your hands.
Astrologically, Justice dwells in the realm of Libra, which is all about peace, harmony, social justice, and balance. Libra is ruled by Venus, who teaches us the value of love and beauty. Forgiveness is an essential part of the process of deciding what to do in a crisis. You’ve seen what is in front of you, and whether or not you like it, you can choose to forgive and move on. You can have faith that karmic Justice will prevail. Things will set themselves right once again. You don’t have to take it all on yourself.
What you can do is to look at the deeper issues that underlie the challenge in front of you. Justice brings the ability to see multiple sides of a given situation. You are then more able to move forward in a way that honors the universal order. We are all interconnected; the Wheel of Karma emphasizes the connections between everything that exists. Universal order can seem mysterious, from our limited point of view. We are often given what we need, rather than what we want, and it is our work to accept where we are now, then take inspired action.
So, now that you are fully present with what is, what will you choose next?
What is your place in the cosmic order? What values do you bring to the table? What do you want to offer to the world? Are you willing to accept the energy you put out, when it returns to you? If you’re meeting your situation with anger and resistance, are you okay with creating more of the same?
No matter what you choose, can you forgive yourself for it? Can you forgive others whose choices you don’t agree with?
Returning to the imagery of the card, the Fae of Justice holds both a sword and a set of scales. She uses the scales to weigh what has occurred and determine how to balance the situation. The sword delivers the appropriate reward or punishment. When you stay connected with the awareness that what you put out returns to you, you won’t be so afraid of the consequences. Align yourself with cosmic justice, and act from a place of honoring your inner truths.
Affirm to yourself: “I am willing to be true to myself in all my decisions” (p. 211, Tarot for Your Self). No matter the decision or situation that presents itself, you can stay grounded in universal order by being true to your deepest knowing. Having faith that Justice will ultimately prevail can help you to face what is in front of you, forgive it, and move forward.
Resources:
Amaral, Geraldine and Cunningham, Nancy Brady, Tarot Celebrations: Honoring the Inner Voice (Samuel Weiser, York Beach, ME; 1997)
Greer, Mary K., Tarot for Your Self: A Workbook for Personal Transformation (Newcastle Publishing, North Hollywood, CA; 1984)
Moore, Barbara, A Guide to Mystic Faerie Tarot (Llewellyn, St. Paul, MN; 2007)
Noble, Vicki, Motherpeace: A Way to the Goddess Through Myth, Art, and Tarot (HarperCollins, New York, NY; 1983)
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