JUSTICE RESPONSIBILITY DECISION CAUSE AND EFFECT
Actions
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RESPECTING JUSTICE insisting on fairness acting on ethical principles being involved in legal concerns committing to honesty seeking equality being impartial trying to do what is right Reversed Early Phase: You're thinking of seeking justice. Questions of fairness may come up. Principles may become important. Someone may seek equal treatment. You may get involved with the law. Late Phase: The time for justice has passed. You're no longer concerned with a legal matter. The focus on equality is decreasing. Principles are being abandoned. Fair play is less of an issue now. |
ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY settling old accounts and debts being accountable acknowledging the truth admitting involvement handling the situation doing what has to be done Reversed Early Phase: You may start to assume responsibility. You're thinking of taking charge. Someone may admit involvement. People may become more reliable. You may need to answer for your deeds. Late Phase: The conscientious period is ending. People are less willing to meet obligations. You no longer have to bear the brunt. The finger-pointing is behind you. Someone is not as trustworthy now. |
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weighing all sides of an issue setting a course for the future balancing all factors determining right action choosing with full awareness Reversed Early Phase: You may be approaching a decision. A need for resolution may develop. You may start to explore options. Someone may need to weigh all sides. The verdict may be on the way. Late Phase: The period of deciding is past. A choice has been made, or the time for choosing is ending. A verdict was rendered. Someone is less decisive now. Resolution is no longer important. |
UNDERSTANDING CAUSE AND EFFECT accepting the results you created seeing how you chose your situation recognizing the action of karma knowing that what is makes sense making connections between events Reversed Early Phase: You may begin to see patterns. The impact of the past may become obvious. The situation may start to make sense. You may be causing future effects now. Late Phase: The cause and effect connections are less clear. You no longer understand why. A fateful result has occurred, and you don't recognize the cause. |
Description
On Card 11 we see the familiar figure of Justice. She has the scales of equality and impartial judgment in one hand, and the sword of decision in the other. In the tarot, Justice represents the understanding that life is ultimately fair and just. Even though the vagaries of day-to-day life can make us doubt this fact, Justice reminds us that there is divine balance. Notice the similarity between the Emperor and Justice. Both cards stand for universal order; the Emperor in its underlying structure, Justice in the action of karma—cause and effect.
There is a serious feel to Card 11—the tone of the courtroom. This card refers to legal matters of all kinds, but is not restricted to them. The courts are where judgments are made and decisions rendered. Our legal system is the official arena in which we explore the principles of Justice—fairness, impartiality, and the quest for truth.
In readings, Justice often appears when you are concerned with doing what is right or making sure you receive your due. This card can also appear when you are feeling the impact of a past mistake or good deed. The cause you set in motion is now returning to you as an effect.
Sometimes Justice is a signal to do what needs to be done. A time comes when responsibilities must be accepted and accounts settled. The past will continue to haunt you if you do not recognize your mistakes and make amends for them. You will need to weigh matters carefully and perhaps make important decisions about your future course.
Some Possible Opposing Cards
Two of Swords—avoiding the truth, disavowing your role
Five of Swords—lack of integrity, not doing what is right
Seven of Swords—shirking responsibility
Some Possible Reinforcing Cards
Emperor—justice, regulations, legal issues
Judgement—deciding, accepting past actions/mistakes
Ten of Wands—accepting responsibility, being accountable
Nine of Swords—guilt over the past, acknowledging mistakes
Seven of Pentacles—assessing where you are, deciding a future course
