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MAY 2010

Justice, KEY X1, Major Arcana

by Peggy Firth, Certified Tarot Master

The androgynous figure sitting between two columns holds a “sword of incisiveness” and the scales of justice. Justice in this case is an equal distribution or balance. When we act upon things or make decisions, are they well thought out or slanted in our favor? This card points towards creating an equilibrium and balance.The red gown of the Rider Wait (RW) deck pictured above, signifies action and the purple drape strung between the two gray columns represents a higher consciousness or qualities that have to be considered.

You will find columns depicted in the Major Arcana cards of Key II, the High Priestess, Key V, The Hierophant, and Key XI, Justice. Gray, a mixture of white and black, denotes a neutral state, neither black nor white, signifying our contrasting natures.

Above the purple drape is a yellow sky signifying joy, energy and light. The RW deck pictures a figure wearing a green cape that indicates growth or expansion. A white slipper shown in RW deck refers to purity of character or truth.

The RW crown speaks of a person of high authority. A square blue gem placed against the front of the gold crown represents intelligence. Another square jewel appears at the neck as the chakra of wisdom and truth.

The Robin Wood deck (pictured to the left) is similar but the figure wears the wreath on its head. The background between the gray columns is filled with mountains, hills and trees. The purple drape is now a cape. These differences may not change the meaning of the two cards.

UPRIGHT READING –
Any action or decision must be reconsidered, gathering all of the related facts.
This situation calls for forgiveness, irrational thinking or misperceptions.
Karma plays an important role in this card and should be considered as the over-all requisite.
It is time to consider other viewpoints and make things right before proceeding.

REVERSED READING –
What has to be restored to balance or harmony? What has to be done to make things right?
The card is asking for us to reconsider all sides to the issue.Other words to consider: Other words: Poise, accuracy, impartiality, and exactitude.

PREPARATIONS FOR A READING:

Part of the so-called magic of the Tarot is in the presentation and environment. No longer do we use the Tarot for fortune telling because we know that a change of mind may create future change, however, some of the mysticism left over from ancient times only adds to the flavor of a reading that clients expect.

There are many types of rituals based on your beliefs and traditions. Some readers have ways of storing and shuffling their cards, using certain decks and spreads and any number of other ritualistic modalities. Some readers incorporate astrology, numerology, spirituality and more psychic information. I am not a true psychic, however, I use my years of spiritual counseling and listening abilities, along with the interpreting the cards for satisfying and productive readings. Many of the Grand Tarot Masters do not always subscribe to arcane divination measures because they feel empowered to offer their innate wisdom.

Pull out all the stops but create a comfortable and quiet environment for a reading. Reverence and respect for a reading can be conveyed through honoring the space with candle(s), a natural cloth surface, privacy, and comfort. Visit metaphysical stores and other readers to find out what kind of reading rooms they have created. I have seen everything from a witch’s den, gypsy paraphernalia, spiritual spa-like atmospheres to a modern doctor’s office. As readers we know that readings can be effective in just about any situation providing a Tarot-safe environment is created.

People like to feel their concerns are important so I keep a log of all of my readings, issues and names of people involved for referral on my computer. Before a reading I may print out a specific spread(s) according to a brief conversation I have had with my querent.

I keep several types of spreads for each basic type of reading along with the name of querent, date, question, cards that appeared in the spread and a final affirmation for the querent to write. I may have to design a spread if my collection of spreads does not address their specific issue. (See a sample page/spread below). I want the querent to feel empowered and to have the information from the reading. A reading is also an opportunity to teach spiritual tenets that apply to the reading. This often leads to hidden or deeper issues.

Before a session I light a candle and speak in a more reverent tone of voice. I also call upon my higher self and guide to assist. I then shuffle the cards and allow the querent to break the cards into three piles, followed by placing them all into one pile.

When the candle is blown out it signifies the end of the reading. I tell the querent that the reading(s) are good for three months. Once in a while a querent calls back for more information so I refer back to their assignments and notations. Offering new information before the end of the allotted time period may create co-dependent behavior.