Meaning and interpretation The Justice

When the tarot was adopted by French card makers, the perception of justice evolved, incorporating details that radically change our understanding of this card. In the Tarot of Marseille, the Justice card presents distinctive features that reflect this new interpretation.

Firstly, we notice that the scales held by Justice are not perfectly balanced. While this detail appears only anecdotally on the Cary sheet in Italian productions, in France, all Type I tarots include this choice: The elbow of the hand holding the scales presses on the beam, tilting the balance. This detail suggests that justice is no longer completely impartial; it is influenced by human interests, thus becoming partial justice. This marks a clear transition from divine justice to human justice.

Another notable element is the necklace worn by Justice. This necklace, which seems to be an extension of her hair, can resemble a rope wrapped around her neck. The rope-like necklace can symbolize the weight of judicial decisions and the responsibility that comes with administering justice. This representation reinforces the idea that justice is a complex domain often burdened with heavy consequences for those who bear the charge. However, this ambiguous image can also portray Justice as a victim of her own decisions and judgments, highlighting the complexities and contradictions inherent in the judicial system.

The crown of Justice, adorned with a diadem, symbolizes her intellectual function and remarkable cognitive abilities. This suggests that justice requires great intelligence and deep reflection to be applied correctly.

Finally, the veils or drapes behind the figure of Justice in the Type I Tarot of Marseille seem to form wings. However, it is important to note that in the Tarot of Marseille, there are only four angels (The Lover, Temperance, The Devil, Judgment) and Justice is not one of them. These veils can also remind us of the veil of the High Priestess, signifying that Justice, like the High Priestess, reveals the truth and unveils what is hidden. The parallel with the High Priestess and her veil indicates that justice involves the revelation of truth, requiring a methodical and enlightened approach.

In the Type II Tarot of Marseille, the representation of Justice evolves again. The scales become balanced again, and the veil behind her takes the form of a throne or a high-backed chair, indicating stability and regained impartiality.

The master artisans of the Tarot of Marseille were influenced by the artistic traditions of their time. The classic motifs of justice, as seen in sculptures and paintings, provided a clear model for the card's iconography. The use of the scales, the sword, and the seated figure are direct borrowings from these artistic traditions, ensuring that the card's symbolism would be immediately recognizable and resonate with notions of fairness and moral rectitude.

Abroad, it should be noted that the veil or drapes behind Justice have inspired Italian or Belgian master cardmakers to the point that they transformed these drapes into wings. Justice was thus transformed into an angel as can be seen in the Carlo Della Rocca tarot of 1835 or the Strambo tarot of the late 19th century.

The Justice card in the Judges Tarot features a young woman balancing on a tightrope, attempting to cross the sky. On this card, one scale holds a heart, while the other carries an ostrich feather, a symbol directly inspired by the goddess Ma'at, representing truth and justice. This image immediately evokes the judgment of the soul, reminiscent of the heart-weighing scene in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, where the deceased's heart is weighed against Ma'at's feather to determine the purity of the soul. Here, the card emphasizes that Justice may not only involve making a decision but also evaluating the sins, errors, and faults committed.

The difficulty of this evaluation is highlighted by the fact that the young woman does not hold the scales in her hands but literally in her mouth. This suggests the complexity of maintaining a just and balanced position. Her hands remain spread out on either side of her body, as if trying to balance her position with them.

Another intriguing element is the blindfold she wears, which only covers one eye, like a pirate. This might indicate a particular clarity in her judgment, with the one open eye allowing her to see and move forward. This could be interpreted as an allusion to the imperfect nature of human justice, contrasting with the ideal of divine justice, which is perfect and infallible.

This open eye also raises the question of whether Justice necessarily has a destination or if it must simply move forward. Justice, in this context, seems to be a precarious balance where the slightest error could lead to a fatal fall, symbolized by the tightrope walker advancing in the middle of the sky.

The image of the young woman balancing suggests that Justice is a delicate matter requiring extreme precision. This metaphor can be enriched by adding that Justice must constantly adjust its balance in the face of new information and changing circumstances, making it a dynamic process rather than a static one.

In the Wizards Tarot, the Justice card presents an interesting variation. Instead of the image of a tightrope walker, we see a young woman sitting at a table. This representation evokes less the idea of a figure of justice and more that of an accountant or moneylender. Additionally, next to the scales, there are scrolls and a quill, suggesting contracts to be read or signed. The portrayal of Justice as an accountant or moneylender in the Wizards Tarot could be seen as a critique or reflection on the nature of modern justice. This idea can be enriched by discussing how justice, in some societies, may be influenced by economic and financial considerations.

The presence of scrolls and quills suggesting contracts can be interpreted as a metaphor for the commitments and responsibilities in justice. This idea can be enriched by talking about the importance of honesty and integrity in legal and financial matters.

A notable addition on this card is the presence of an owl. The symbolism of the owl, much like that of the owl, is associated with wisdom, mystery, intelligence, and protection. In the context of this card, the owl likely symbolizes intuition, knowledge, and clairvoyance. This suggests that justice has clairvoyant abilities, allowing it to see beyond appearances and anticipate problems. This symbolism can be deepened by exploring how intuition and clairvoyance play a role in fair and balanced decisions, and how they complement logic and rationality.

The windows behind the young woman remind me of those from the Renaissance, evoking the bourgeoisie of that era. This reinforces the idea that this figure represents more a young bourgeoisie keeping her business accounts than a magician or an allegory of justice. The Renaissance-style windows and the evocation of the bourgeoisie add a historical layer to the card, allowing for a discussion on the evolution of justice through different eras and how historical and cultural contexts influence our perception of justice. However, it is important to note that my perception of this card is probably far from matching the original intention of the tarot creator! ^_^

In the Witches' Wisdom Tarot, the Justice card features a young woman wearing a white blindfold that only covers one eye, leaving the other open. This peculiarity symbolizes partial vision, but this time, the open eye is not used to advance on a tightrope, as in the Judges Tarot, but to focus on the book of law she holds on her lap. This suggests that justice watches over the laws it must apply.

The idea that justice has one eye open on the book of law reinforces the importance of applying laws in the justice process. This notion can be enriched by discussing the importance of balancing the knowledge of laws and their practical application. Justice should not only be a rigid interpretation of laws but also an application that takes into account the unique circumstances of each situation.

The emphasis on the book of law highlights the importance of legality and structure in justice systems. However, this focus can also be seen as a potential critique of rigid justice that leaves no room for flexibility and empathy. This point can be enriched by discussing the importance of humanity in the application of the law and how overly rigid justice can sometimes lack compassion.

The scales here are occupied by a white cat and a black cat. This representation refers to the original sense of the scales, weighing the pros and cons, and balancing opposing forces to judge a situation fairly. The cats, perhaps symbolizing the opposing forces of good and evil or positive and negative aspects, seem ready to confront each other, illustrating the tensions and oppositions inherent in any justice decision.

The cats can be seen as symbols of the dualities present in any situation: good versus evil, positive versus negative. This interpretation can be deepened by exploring how justice must constantly balance these opposing forces to reach a fair decision. The importance of duality and complementarity in judicial decisions can also be discussed.

In the True Heart Tarot, the Justice card offers a unique depiction of the balance scales, which contain the sun and the moon. This symbolism evokes not opposing and irreconcilable forces, but complementary elements. For the sun and the moon follow each other in their course across the sky, illustrating perfect harmony and balance. It is an interesting approach to consider for resolving conflicts and moral dilemmas. This idea could be further explored by examining how this perspective could be applied in restorative or community justice contexts. The image of the perfectly balanced scales, with the sun and the moon, can also symbolize the need for balance and empathy in justice. Balanced justice considers not only the facts but also the specific contexts and circumstances of each situation.

This interpretation moves us away from a black-and-white view of justice, where it is about weighing good against evil. Instead, it invites us to see the forces at play as complementary, coexisting in balance, rather than as irreconcilable antagonists. This offers a more nuanced and enriching perspective for addressing problems or deadlock situations. By recognizing the forces as compatible and likely to harmonize, one can find balanced and constructive solutions.

The fact that the young woman’s feet are placed on a sword brings to mind the phrase "walking a tightrope," and evokes the difficult and perilous nature of rendering justice. This image reinforces the idea that justice is a delicate exercise, requiring great precision and constant balance. One could discuss the importance of caution and reflection in judicial decisions, as well as the inherent risks of applying laws too rigidly or too leniently.

The Justice card in the Light Seer's Tarot may seem quite conventional at first glance, with a woman holding a sword or saber that serves as the scale's balance beam, from which two cups hang. However, this card stands out for its perfect vertical symmetry, symbolizing balance, an essential principle of justice.

On closer inspection, one also observes horizontal symmetry. Below the woman’s face, which has closed eyes, is her inverted reflection with open eyes, but in a darker atmosphere. This duality shows a bright side where the woman may refuse to see certain truths and a dark side where she accepts seeing the negative aspects and the darkness of things.

The woman with closed eyes in the light and open eyes in the darkness highlights a profound idea: justice is not just about seeing what is obvious but also about recognizing what is hidden or uncomfortable. This notion is essential in divination and personal development, where self-understanding involves acknowledging one’s own shadows and lights.

The symmetry in the Justice card of the Light Seer's Tarot, with its bright and dark aspects, recalls the concept of duality inherent in justice. Justice must not only be impartial but also able to recognize and balance opposing forces. This ties into the esoteric tradition where Justice is seen as a principle of universal balance, harmonizing good and evil, day and night.

The position of the sword is also notable: the woman holds it just below her chin, as if she were ready to be beheaded. This recalls the hair rope around the neck of Justice in the Marseille Tarot, once again highlighting the perilous nature of justice. This symbol shows that one can easily be hurt by the justice of others or in seeking to deliver justice oneself.

Indeed, the card prompts me to question whether one should seek justice for oneself or let justice be administered by established institutions. This raises reflections on the legitimacy of personal justice versus institutional justice. One could explore the limits and dangers of personal justice, as well as the importance of balanced and just judicial systems to maintain social order.

The Justice card is not limited to balance and judgment. This idea may seem provocative, but it must be understood in the context of the Fool’s journey. Justice should be considered when placed in the context of the Fool's journey, between the Lovers, the Chariot, and the Hermit cards. To fully understand the function of Justice, one must examine the cards that precede it (the Lovers and the Chariot) and the one that follows it (the Hermit).

Recontextualization in the Fool's Journey

• The Lovers (VI): This card represents an important choice, often dictated by interest rather than by the heart.
• The Chariot (VII): After making a choice of interest, the character tries to conquer what he desires, often by seizing what is the object of his desires.
• Justice (VIII): When the character reaches Justice, he reaps what he has sown. It is not a matter of external judgment, but a natural consequence of his actions. Justice here means facing the consequences of his choices, especially those dictated by self-interest.
• The Hermit (IX): After Justice, the Hermit represents introspection and a search for inner truth, often after having suffered the consequences of his actions. Because often one is disappointed and has not obtained what one desired.

The role of Justice in this context

Justice in the Fool's journey speaks to us of the law of cause and effect, rather than an impartial judgment rendered by an external authority. It symbolizes the karmic principle that we reap what we sow. It is not an arbitrary decision made by a person or an administration, but a natural result of our actions.

Reap what you sow

Saying that Justice means reaping what one has sown may seem similar to the idea of judgment, but there is an important nuance. The consequences of our actions are not determined by an external force, but by the very nature of our choices and actions. Justice reminds us that decisions made by interest, rather than by the heart, often lead to disappointments and disillusions.

Symbolism of the drapes and the veil

In the older versions of the Marseille Tarot, such as those of Jean Noblet and Jean Dodal, Justice is often depicted with drapes or a veil behind her, similar to those of the High Priestess. This veil symbolizes the revelation of truth, showing that Justice exposes the truth of human nature.