Regain a Sense of Balance

Take a lesson from the Tarot's Justice card

Like the Hierophant, Justice sits between twin pillars suggesting a well-balanced perspective. She holds a pair of scales in her left hand and the sword of discernment in her left. She weighs things out and calculates the possible results of her actions before acting upon them.

This card, which represents the law of cause and effect, reminds us that there are consequences to our actions. If you pull this card, there may be adjustments you need to make in your life physically, spiritually, emotionally or mentally to re-strike a balance.

Perhaps you've indulged in physical pleasures at the expense of your spirit.

Perhaps you've been too emotional forging logic?

One thing to remember about the Justice card is that it is not about punishment, good, bad, right or wrong. It really is about modification.

The message here is to do what's necessary to re-gain equilibrium no matter how uncomfortable it may initially seem.

Here are some things to think about if Justice appears in your spread:

The 11th card of the Major Arcana also represents morality and consciousness. This is a good time to look at your actions and ask yourself whether you are taking responsibility for them. Do you always find excuses, blaming others instead of identifying your role in things? And how might your present actions rectify a past injustice? This card invites you to make amends. It also challenges your values and honesty.

If you pull this card in the reverse, there may be something in your life that seems unfair to you or unbalanced, says Lynda Forbes, author of Tarot of Recovery. This is also called the Karma card. So keep in mind that although things don't seem fair, ultimately the universe is just. If you are experiencing a rough patch, perhaps it's a karmic debt from a past life. The best you can do for yourself is learn from the lessons being offered, as hard as it feels. Ask yourself how pain is compelling you to change your behavior. A physical pain, for instance, can make you more humble and empathetic or bitter and angry. It's up to you to decide.

This card can simply hint at an infraction or a legal matter of some sort, like a traffic ticket or a court case. This would be a good time to resolve such matters. Whatever it is, this is not a time to test the forces of nature. If the card is reversed, it can indicate bias, obstruction of the law, or legal complications.

This tarot card also refers to the sign of Libra, the scales. Upside down, Justice also points to a co-dependency of sorts. How is another person's lack of equilibrium affecting you and your surroundings? Perhaps you are putting too much attention on being fair and just. Bending over backward is not synonymous with poise. Perhaps you are obsessing about an unfairness or trying to hard to make a past wrong right.