Key Meanings

Upright

Awakening, rebirth, inner calling, absolution, self-evaluation, renewal, reckoning, clarity of purpose, second chances, transformation, rising up, honest reflection

Reversed

Self-doubt, refusing to learn, fearing change, being overly critical of yourself, getting stuck in a rut, avoiding problems, feeling guilty, being unable to forgive, not following your calling, repeating the same mistakes, being in denial, lacking self-awareness

General Interpretation

Upright

Judgement is a card of awakening. Something dormant is stirring. There is a moment of honest reckoning in relation to everything that has gone before. Judgement does not indicate punishment, it indicates taking stock of your past actions, choices and experiences and gaining clarity on them. A deep internal shift is taking place that will change the way you view your life so far. Old versions of yourself are discarded to make way for a new, truer version. There is also a strong sense of calling associated with this Major Arcana trump card.

Reversed

When Judgement shows up reversed, it can indicate that someone is stuck in a rut. The lessons we are meant to learn keep presenting themselves to us but we do not learn or absorb them. We may be holding onto guilt, judging ourselves too harshly or simply refusing to see reality for what it is when this card appears in our Tarot reading. Judgement reversed can also signify that we are avoiding making a decision because we fear what the consequences of that decision will be. We cannot move forward and evolve as a person if we are not willing to accept responsibility for our actions at some point. The alarm clock is still going off but for some reason, we just keep hitting the snooze button!

Love & Partnership

Upright

For those in a relationship, Judgement upright can be a turning point. It signifies a time when you and your partner are able to see the relationship for what it is, not putting a positive spin on it but not beating it up either. There may be past misgivings or old wounds brought up in the process but they are brought up in order to let them go, not to use them as a stick to beat each other with. Couples who make it through this process usually come out the other side with a renewed relationship a lot deeper than before. The relationship levels up because you have both committed to evolving.

For single people, self-reflection about love patterns is usually what this card indicates. What has worked? What has failed spectacularly? You may be realising that you are close to a point where you will understand yourself well enough to bring something real into your life. All the previous heartbreaks begin to make sense and the baggage is released. A new chapter in love can begin once this is complete.

Reversed

In a relationship, Judgement reversed can indicate blame games and unresolved resentment. You or your partner may be holding onto past mistakes and using them as ammunition rather than resolving them. You may be unwilling to forgive the other person or yourself. The relationship feels stuck in a rut as neither of you are willing to have the difficult conversation. Without judgement, the issues keep recurring.

For single people, Judgement reversed can indicate that you are repeating the same relationship mistakes over and over again without understanding why. You may be feeling guilty about how a past relationship ended or unable to let go of someone. There is a lot of self-doubt in relation to love. You may be feeling that you are undeserving of a healthy relationship or find yourself repeatedly picking partners that reflect your own issues. This cycle will continue until you resolve some of these issues within yourself.

Social Relationships

Upright

In the context of existing friendships and social circles, Judgement upright can signify a time when you realise who should really be in your life. Some relationships will strengthen as they are based on mutual respect. Others will fade out. There is no drama involved, it is just a natural consequence of growing as a person. You will find that during this time you are much more upfront in your communications and standards of treating people.

In terms of new social connections, Judgement can indicate that you will meet people who reflect who you are becoming, not who you used to be. You may find that you are drawn to people who have similar values to you or who are also seeking to better themselves. Any new friendships you form at this time should have substance to them. Flimsy surface-level connections are becoming less and less appealing to you.

Reversed

In existing social relationships, Judgement in a reversed position can indicate that grudges are being held or that there is unresolved tension in your relationships. Old arguments are not resolved as neither party is willing to confront the issue. It can also indicate that you may be judging others but not holding yourself up to the same scrutiny. Friendships that were once strong may become draining or one-sided if people are not held accountable for their actions.

For new social connections, this reversal can signify that you may be attracting the same type of people repeatedly. The same toxic dynamics may be showing up in different people's behaviours. Alternatively, you may be unwilling to let new people in due to fearing being judged or rejected. You may feel you cannot trust! In either case, the way to break the pattern is to examine your own behaviour and be honest about how you may be contributing to these recurring scenarios.

Work & Career

Upright

Judgement in a career context usually indicates a moment of professional reckoning. It can signify being rewarded for past hard work or getting a promotion or finding out what type of work is meaningful to you. For others, it indicates a complete career change and moving onto a path that is more meaningful to you. All of your past career experiences, even the bad ones, begin to fall into place and you can see how they have led you to this point. Judgement carries the connotation of someone who has done the work and is coming into what they deserve.

Reversed

Reversed, Judgement in work readings can indicate that your career has become stagnant as a result of fear or indecision. You may know that you are in the wrong job or field but you can't quite bring yourself to jump ship. Maybe there has been a falling out with a colleague or you blame external factors for your lack of success. Opportunities for growth come your way but you kick them into touch. You are so afraid of making the wrong decision that you've made no decision at all.

Money & Finance

Upright

Financially, Judgement upright is all about making an honest assessment. You will be looking at your spending, debts, savings and financial situation with clear eyes. You are evaluating past financial decisions and you feel compelled to make better choices in the future. This card can indicate that you are at a point where you are ready to take real responsibility for your financial situation. It can also signify a financial reboot or a long-standing financial matter being resolved.

Reversed

When reversed in a financial context, Judgement can indicate that you are avoiding money issues. Your bills could be accumulating while you bury your head in the sand. You may be feeling ashamed of debt or financial decisions you've made and this is stopping you from taking action. It can also signify that you are continuing to engage in the same spending behaviours while recognising that they are not effective. The financial information you need to make things better is easily accessible. It's not a lack of knowledge issue, it's a reality facing issue.

Spirituality

Upright

Spiritually, Judgement is one of the strongest trump cards in the deck. It signifies a real spiritual awakening, the kind of awakening that changes someone's whole perspective on the world. You feel a calling to something higher. Past spiritual experiences start to make sense in relation to each other like a puzzle. This card signifies the point at which you stop thinking of faith as a concept and actually begin to feel it.

Reversed

Reversed in a spiritual reading, Judgement can indicate spiritual stagnation or a sense of disconnection. Someone may have had a moment of insight into a deeper truth but retreated from it due to fear or uncertainty. There may be guilt relating to a religious upbringing or spiritual bypassing, where someone hides behind spiritual jargon in an attempt to escape dealing with their pain. Your inner voice is still there, still calling to you. However, doubt, distraction or denial are continuing to create a barrier between you. When you are willing to embrace those questions instead of avoiding them, you will be able to move forward.