Today I will discuss the Judgement card of the major arcana.
Judgement is one of those cards which is heavy on the Christian imagery; the traditional illustration is a depiction of "Judgement Day"- earth and sea give up their dead. Men, women, and children are rising up from their coffins at the sound of the archangel's trumpet blast. They look upwards at Gabriel, possibly apprehensive about the coming judgement which will decide their ultimate fate. Paradise? Or the Bad Place?
On a mundane level this card can indicate that the querent is being evaluated, judged, by another. An employer might be considering you for a promotion. A lover may be pondering whether to propose marriage. An investor might be considering investing in your company or even making an offer to buy it. A legal case may be close to resolution. If Judgement appears upright chances are that the decision, whatever it may be, will be favorable for the querent. In the reversed position the outcome is being delayed, or is unfavorable.
All of these involve someone else evaluating and reaching a decision regarding you.
There is of course another way to interpret this card.
In the DruidCraft version of Judgement, it is Rebirth which is signalled. A young child emerges from the darkness of the temple-tomb of Newgrange in answer to the call of the priest's ritual trumpet. The ideas of resurrection and rebirth existed for many thousands of years before Christianity, with the emphasis on growing and evolving, rather than on eternal reward or punishment. This version is in my opinion a better representation of the deeper meaning of the Judgement card.
In the upright position Judgement indicates that you're at a crossroads, a turning point in your life, and soon you must choose a direction going forward. It urges you towards a period of reflection and self-examination, reviewing the choices you've made so far and evaluating them honestly. If you've ever considered doing shadow work or talking to a therapist, now is the time. If you've ever wanted to go on a retreat, do so. If you've been longing for a more fulfilling life, it's within your grasp if you're willing to make the changes and put in the effort. Your proper path, your vocation, your life's mission, are calling to you. The rebirth of your life and the growth of your soul await you.
A long time ago I was told that, as in our dreams, every person we see in the major arcana represents ourselves. Some aspect- often hidden, denied, or ignored- of our own self. Viewed through that lens, the images of the Judgement card reveal our higher self, or soul- call it what you will- as the herald whose trumpet blast is awakening our earthly mortal self from it's long sleep. Calling us forth into the light. Calling us to evaluate, to choose. To make our own judgement.
This judgement, this choice is not for other people to make. It is neither reward nor punishment meted out by a deity. It is ours alone to choose and to pursue.
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Reversed, this card can indicate stagnation, fear of change, or simple laziness.
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Thank you for reading. This is an open thread, all topics are welcome.