Introduction

What’s this? Are you up before the Judge? You’re not quite ready for Judgment Day yet, so what does this card mean? The Sun has kept you happy, replete and fulfilled for a while, but now you have some work to do.

The Judge in question is not sitting on a carved bench or glaring down at you from his heavenly throne. This judge is you. It’s time for self-assessment and self-evaluation; you have to deal with your accounts. Only you can do this. It’s not up to some external auditor to weigh up your good deeds and your bad karma. This accounting is down to you.

Stories

Accounts of Judgment Day abound in religions and legends. Ancient Egyptians believed that in death, your heart would be weighed and judged against the weight of the feather of Ma’at. If it were heavy with bad deeds, then it would be devoured by the demon Ammut.

In ancient Greece, the dead entered Hades and were judged by King Minos and two cohorts. They would then be dispatched to one of three places. It was either Elysium (heaven), the Asphodel Fields (a sort of boring neutral existence), or back to a place in the deepest depths of Hades, Tartarus, to suffer eternal torture.

In several Asian religions, it’s all about karma and reincarnation. A person will pay for his bad deeds in this life by suffering in the next. If you have been a good person and lived a dutiful and charitable life, then you will reap the rewards when are born to new parents in a new time.

General Meanings

Judgment is the card of self-awakening. You may be currently going through a transformation or rebirth, or discovering a deep and significant truth about yourself. It is also about weighing up your life so far, recognizing achievements, and seeing where you are failing to live up to your potential.

When Judgment appears in a reading, it should give pause for thought. This appearance is an alarm bell. Take it as a sign that you need to do some digging into your psyche, your behavior or attitudes. An important lesson may need to be assimilated or a new understanding gained. Judgment means it’s time for hard questions to be answered.

Often, this card represents a call to do the right thing. To take an opportunity. To follow your inner guidance. It could mean a complete change of lifestyle or career. It’s time to make an impact on the world.

Imagery

Waite’s Judgment is depicted as the Angel Gabriel, blowing a golden trumpet, calling to the dead who rise naked from their coffins. The coffins float on a lake. There are mountains in the background. Gabriel floats in the clouds. His wings are red, and the trumpet carries the flag of St. George.

Interpretations in Various Areas of Life

Work

It could be time for a big change. Ask yourself how happy you are in your work. Are you glad to get to work? Do you love what you do? If it is not as satisfying as you would like, it’s time to explore some alternatives. Is it possible for you to have a complete career change? Could you make your current job more fulfilling? Perhaps you are overdue for promotion – just ask; you may be thrilled with the answer.

Love

It’s all or nothing on the love front. Either make it work or get out of the relationship. This is no time to dither around. If you are having problems, get some counseling. If you are completely wrapped up in love, then stand back and do a little evaluation. Are you becoming dependent? Does your partner feel the same way as you? Is it all as rosy as you believe it to be?

If you are not in a relationship but have the opportunity to make a connection with someone, then don’t hesitate. This could be the one you’ve been waiting for.

Finances

Revamp your finances. Rework your budget. Think about clearing that debt. You could find you are owed money or can glean some savings on outgoings that you no longer need to spend. If money is due to you, it will arrive. If you are moving into financial problems, do something about it. Now. Cut up your credit cards, seek help and make a plan to get back on track.

Health

You need to release the negative energy that is preventing you from healing. Once you do this, your health will transform. Try yoga or meditation. You may be experiencing disturbing dreams – they are messages. Write them down and try to make sense of them. Once you understand what they are telling you, your sleep will improve, and you will begin to feel better.

If you are well, know that you will continue to be well. Focus on your fitness and diet. If they are lacking, then it’s the right time to do something about it.

Spirituality

When Judgment appears in a spiritual reading, you know something is up. You are being called to greater spiritual achievements. You are about to tread a new path and wake up to your higher purpose (which is always love).

This is a great time to make new connections, both with others and with your spiritual guidance. It’s possible that angels will suddenly become very important in your life. Rather than dismiss these subtle messages, take them, grab them and work with them.

You have passed this way before on this spiral of being, and you will pass this way again. Each time you will be at a new place, a higher level of spiritual achievement. Honor the call of Judgment.