Judgment-
Tarot Card Meaning
Part of a full-series guide of all 78 Tarot Cards. See the full guide here.
Written by Made Musings
20. JUDGMENT
At a glance:
Judgment represents a significant point in your life where you are asked to reflect, evaluate, and understand those past actions and experiences.
Upright Keywords:
Reflection, awakening, moving forward
Reversed Keywords:
failure to learn, lack of awareness, self-loathing
Numerology:
20 - partnership, duality, and cooperation (2) and infinity, nothingness, and wholeness (0)
Judgment: Upright Meaning
The Judgement card is depicted with a powerful scene: a group of people rising from their caskets, rejoicing in their resurrection, while the archangel Gabriel blows his trumpet, signaling the beginning of Judgment. This vivid illustration embodies themes of rebirth, renewal, and a call to higher awareness. Up until now, your life has been a culmination of events. Judgment represents a significant point in your life where you are asked to reflect, evaluate, and understand those past actions and experiences. This encourages you to learn from your mistakes, embrace forgiveness, and ultimately let go of the past.
In The Fool's journey, when he encounters Judgment, he learns the art of absolution for himself and others. This experience allows him to be reborn, embracing his past mistakes and finding peace with them.
The Judgement card is associated with the number 20, which symbolizes a sense of wholeness and balance. The number 20 merges the energies of 2 and 0. The number 2 signifies partnership, duality, and cooperation, while the number 0 represents potential and the void from which all things emerge. Together, they suggest a powerful blend of unity and infinite possibilities.
Love/Relationships
The Judgment card love meaning urges you to look deeply at your connections. If there have been misunderstandings or conflicts, now is the time to acknowledge past mistakes and make peace with the past; this is necessary in letting go of any lingering resentment. This card encourages you to forgive and move forward with a clean slate. Focus on open dialogue and rebuilding trust to strengthen a relationship that needs repair.
Money/Career
You are at a pivotal point where you must assess your past actions and learn from them. Past mistakes are a natural part of the growth process and do not define your future. Instead, they offer valuable lessons that can help you improve and make better decisions moving forward. The Judgment card signifies a period of transformation and progress in your professional life. However, this can only be done through an honest reflection of your career path. Identify areas where you can improve and make a plan for moving forward. Acknowledge weaknesses and past mistakes. Lastly, be open to feedback and constructive criticism.
Spiritual/Self
On a personal level, the Judgment card is an awakening and a call to connect to your next stage in life. This next “stage” is often related to a higher calling, such as fulfilling your true purpose or honoring your true identity. However, the most important thing to remember about Judgment is the act of saying goodbye to an era. Take a moment to closely examine your journey and appreciate how you got here. This is a powerful reminder that you are on a path of continuous growth, but it’s time to let go of your past self as it no longer serves you. Take a moment to recognize and be grateful for the past opportunities, but don’t let your past experiences weigh you down. Make a conscious effort to let go and so you can thrive and carry on your next mission.
Astrology
Astrologically, the Judgement card is associated with Pluto, the planet of rebirth, transformation, and inner calling. Pluto’s energy is intense and transformative, encouraging deep introspection and significant changes. Just as Pluto governs the cycles of death and rebirth, the Judgement card signifies a time of profound transformation and renewal in your life. This connection emphasizes the card’s themes of awakening, personal growth, and the need to align with your true purpose. Embrace Pluto’s influence by being open to change and ready to let go of what no longer serves you, making way for new beginnings and a more authentic self.
In summary, the Judgement tarot card is a powerful symbol of reflection, transformation, and rebirth. It calls you to evaluate your past, learn from your experiences, and move forward with greater wisdom and self-awareness. Whether in love, career, or personal growth, Judgement encourages you to embrace change and strive towards becoming your best self.
Note: It's important to recognize that not everyone incorporates astrology into their Tarot readings. The extent to which astrological references are used can vary greatly among readers. Each reader has a unique approach; some may draw heavily on astrological archetypes, while others might not use them at all. This information is meant to offer an additional perspective that could be helpful in your interpretations by highlighting parallels between Tarot and Astrology.
Although some argue that astrology wasn't originally part of Tarot, more modern interpretations like the Rider Waite Smith and Thoth decks may have integrated astrological concepts to align with their modern time mystical beliefs. Many contemporary decks made in this current decade also feature astrological references. Ultimately, every individual develops their own unique relationship with both Tarot and Astrology.
Reversed Meaning
When Judgement appears reversed, it may indicate that you are repeating the same mistakes without learning their lessons. This can lead to feelings of stagnation and frustration. Alternatively, you might be judging yourself too harshly, which can trap you in a cycle of self-doubt and negative thinking. Break free from these patterns and to approach your life with greater compassion and understanding.
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Our compact 188-page guidebook, aptly named the Little Black Book, offers the meanings behind each Tarot allowing both beginners and experts to interpret effectively.
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The Cards:
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Note: Illustrations are from the classic 1909 - 1910 deck that was hand-illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith.
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-3 1/8" x 1 3/4" x 5" h
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CARD SUMMARY
The Judgment card signifies a period of transformation and progress in your life. However, this can only be done through an honest reflection of your path.
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