Justice in brief
In the Rider-Waite tradition, Justice stands for fairness, truth and accountability, the law of cause and effect in which actions carry consequences. Modern readers often take it as a call to act with integrity and weigh a decision with care, while the reversed card points to unfairness, dishonesty or a reluctance to take responsibility.
In Waite’s deck, Justice is card XI, having swapped places with Strength, which older packs placed at XI. Justice is among the cardinal virtues in the Major Arcana, alongside Fortitude and Temperance.
The card’s picture
This card follows the traditional symbolism and carries its obvious meanings above all, so Waite said little about its design. The figure is seated between pillars, like the High Priestess, with a distinction between the two: the pillars of Justice open into one world and the pillars of the High Priestess into another. Justice is the moral principle that deals with each person based on their deeds, which differs from the spiritual justice of grace.
In older packs, the female figure represents Astraea, the classical goddess of justice, though the tarot is not of Roman or Greek mythology.
The sword in her right hand represents clear, logical thinking and the scales in her left hand represent intuition balancing logic, a sign of impartiality. The double-edged blade represents a reminder that actions always carry consequences, the purple veil behind her represents compassion, and the square on her crown represents well-ordered thought. The small white shoe peeking out from beneath her robe is a spiritual reminder that what she delivers is the outcome of people’s own actions.
Upright meaning
The upright card’s divinatory meanings are equity, rightness, probity and executive power, with triumph of the deserving side in law.
Upright Justice represents decisions that have long-term effects for oneself and others, and a time when past choices are weighed fairly. The card also represents truth based on facts rather than gossip, and a call to be fair in all one’s deeds.
Justice represents being called to account for one’s actions, with compassion and understanding also present. Justice also represents an important choice with long-term effects, and prompts the question of whether one can stand by a decision and its consequences. At its core the card is about the search for truth, which may turn out less clear-cut than expected.
Reversed meaning
Reversed Justice represents law in all its departments, legal complications, bigotry, bias and excessive severity.
The reversed card represents living in denial and refusing to accept the consequences of one’s own or others’ actions. The reversed card also represents a chance to make up for wrongs and stop judging oneself, by acting differently now.
Reversed Justice represents knowing inwardly that something was not right, and an unwillingness to take full accountability. Reversed Justice also represents a harsh inner critic, met best with forgiveness and self-acceptance, and a prompt to check for any bias before a decision that affects others.
Justice in love
In love, upright Justice represents karma in relationships, where kindness and support given come back in kind. The card also serves as a reminder to treat a partner fairly, with compromise, understanding and tact during conflict.
The reversed card represents love feeling unfair, and prompts a check of whether one’s expectations of a partner are fair and realistic. The reversed card also represents a difficult time for couples, when fairness and compromise matter more than ever and blame is best avoided.
Justice in career
For work, upright Justice serves as a reminder to act with integrity and take responsibility for one’s actions, even after a mistake. Upright Justice also represents fair and balanced dealings at work that build trust and respect.
The reversed card represents unfair situations at work, such as taking the blame for someone else. The reversed card is also a sign that one has not been fully honest about work, and a prompt to make amends and learn from mistakes.
Justice and money
Upright Justice in money questions serves as a reminder to keep dealings honest, just and fair, with what is taken balanced by what is given.
The reversed card represents some dishonesty around money matters, and a reason for care about whom to trust. The reversed card also represents avoiding accountability for a difficult situation.
Justice as feelings
As feelings, upright Justice represents level-headed, considered feelings that reflect how two people have treated each other. Upright Justice also represents one’s own reflection on fairness, balance and integrity.
Reversed Justice represents imbalance and confusion, with feelings clouded by past grievances or a sense of unfairness. The reversed card also represents one’s own self-doubt and questioning of whether one has acted justly.
Questions to reflect on
- Is there a decision ahead whose effects could reach beyond today?
- Where would honesty, with oneself or others, bring balance back?
- Is any judgment, inner or outer, harsher than it needs to be?
- What responsibility is ready to be owned?