RESPONSIBILITY
DECISION
CAUSE AND EFFECT
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 tend to 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’s underlying structure, Justice, is 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 where 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 at one time 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.
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
assuming responsibility
settling old accounts and debts
being accountable
acknowledging the truth
admitting involvement
handling the situation
doing what has to be done
preparing for a decision
weighing all sides of an issue
setting a course for the future
balancing all factors
determining right action
choosing with full awareness
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
Some possibilities
- 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 possibilities
- Emperor – justice, regulations, legal issues
- Judgment – 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
There are no separate explanations for reversed cards. The meaning of a reversed card depends on what the card would mean if upright. A reversed card shows that a card’s energy is present but at a lower level. For some reason, the energy cannot be expressed freely, normally, or completely. It may be:
- still in its early stages
- losing force and power
- blocked or restricted
- incomplete
- inappropriate
- being denied
- only present in appearance
See Lesson 17 for more information on reversed cards.