Upright Keywords:
Clarity, Calling, Decision, Rebirth, Release, Revelation, Healing, Self-forgiveness
Reversed Keywords:
Self-doubt, Uncertainty, Distrust, Indecision, Stagnation
When you receive an upright Judgement card, the message it carries is clear. The present moment, and everything you are experiencing in life right now, is significant. Receiving this card is a clear indication that you are on the right track for a big move in life, whether that’s opening up to life-changing decisions, or simply discovering a new depth to your spiritual awakening.
Upright Meaning
There are some cards in the tarot deck that give you a sense of support, others a sense of foreboding- the Judgement card is often the latter. But there’s no need to fear this card. Let’s see what messages the Judgement card is bringing us.
Firstly, we will kick it off with the obvious. The Judgement card is here to remind you not to stray from your path. You are most probably going through a time of intense spiritual learning, awakening, or simply just realizing that there’s more to life than base instincts. The Judgement card is reminding you to rise up to your destiny. Tune out of distractions and tune in to your higher self.
More often than not, the Judgement card arrives when we are on the precipice of a life-changing decision. But should you make these decisions with pure logic only? Certainly not. Tap into your innate intuition and merge it with your intellect.
This is the recipe for success if we want to make effective decisions that bring us closer to our highest good. There is another message this card brings, and that is to trust your judgement. Are the nudges in your gut trying to tell you something? The Judgement card is here to tell you the time to listen to your intuition is now. Use your past mistakes and failures to learn and grow from.
As I’ve already said, the Judgement card arrives when you are peering down the cliff about to make a significant life-changing decision. Perhaps you have spent time reviewing your past and this card has popped up to tell you to forgive yourself and learn from whatever transpired. Or perhaps you are evaluating your life, and things are starting to make sense. Whether the fog is clearing or you, or it’s time for forgiveness, the Judgement card is here to help us make sense of it all.
This could also come at a time in your life when you are looking for closure from the past. It’s time to evaluate and integrate your past experience so you can understand your life journey. This is so important for people wanting to heal deep wounds and let go of the past that weighs heavy in their hearts. The release is not easy, but the reward for letting go of pain and regret is immense. What’s more, it opens you up to new chapters within yourself and your life. Letting go shows us who we are, and what we are capable of.
There is another element to the Judgement card worth discussing, and that is the value we can find in opening up to others and sharing our burdens. You don’t have to work your way through your struggles alone.
Reversed Meaning
The Judgement card reversed and upright carry similar messages. When you receive a reversed Judgement card, the call for self-evaluation and reflection is strong. It’s time for a time out and whether that looks like meditation or self-contemplation, you need to evaluate yourself, and your choices.
More often than not, this will lead you to a deeper understanding of your life’s path. It may not be easy, but it is worth it. By understanding ourselves we have the opportunity to integrate life lessons and become a better version of ourselves. In a practical sense, this means we can break cycles of self-destruction and avoid recurring situations that cause pain.
The reversed Judgement card is also bringing things up to the surface- things that we have probably buried within our subconscious, or even things that we want to hide from others. What secrets are weighing on your soul?
We often keep things hidden for fear of reprisal and judgement. But our fiercest judges are ourselves. To face what you need to face, and cast it aside with gentleness and forgiveness. This reversed Judgement card is asking you to face the shame you hold within yourself so that you can walk forward with grace, forgiveness, and freedom. Accept yourself as you are- that includes all the mistakes you’ve made in the past.
If the Universe is trying to get your attention so that you can open yourself up to something bigger, then you will probably see the Judgement card coming up in your tarot readings. Often, a big opportunity asks for some sort of sacrifice. So, what are you unwilling to let go of?
Consider that these things you know you need to let go of, yet hold onto even tighter, could be preventing you from welcoming in something new. Playing it safe doesn’t usually yield big opportunities, remember that we often have to step outside our comfort zone to do this. If you’re feeling the pull, or the call, to let go and flow- remember that this call never really goes away. Trust yourself to do the right thing, and trust that life has your back- because it does.
If the Judgement card is reversed, it often means that you are in the throngs of self-criticism and self-judgement. This can be more detrimental than it’s worth, especially if you are finding a sense of security in being so harsh on yourself. From a personal perspective, I know that when I feel threatened I judge myself harshly.
This puts me in control because then I can see my faults before others, and know what they are thinking. This is an archaic remnant of trauma that I now try to release from my mind when it happens. So, do you relate? Are you being a fair and benevolent judge for yourself? Or are you leaning on the false sense of control that your harsh inner critic gives you?