XI. Justice
Truth, fairness, accountability, cause and effect
“I act with fairness and integrity,
the truth will guide me.”
Justice can't be rushed, it waits until the time is ripe and truth will be out. This card is not about quick verdicts. It’s about slowing down to look beyond appearances, to weigh the facts and to have a look at what actually is going on.
On the card, scales are held in perfect balance by a sword. On one side rests a white feather, practically weightless and pure. On the other side a human heart filled with feelings, memory and desire. The weighing of the heart against a feather is an ancient symbol of truth and morality. In Ancient Egypt the soul was judged after death. A heart heavy with wrongdoing would outweigh the feather of Ma’at, goddess of truth and balance.
The feather speaks to objective truth, unclouded and precise. The heart reminds us that we are human and that fairness without empathy is empty.
Behind the scales stands an oak tree. Its roots sink deep into the earth; its branches reach toward the sky. In Celtic tradition, the oak tree was more than just a tree, it was a living symbol of truth, endurance and sacred law. The Druids often gathered beneath oaks to hold councils and make decisions. The oak’s deep roots symbolized the stability and fairness they sought in their rulings.
In a reading, Justice often arrives when you are at a moment when you must choose not only what works, but also what’s right. It may ask you to speak the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. It may call on you to examine your own role in a situation, to take responsibility for harm caused or to acknowledge where you have been fair and where you have not. It invites you to question not only others and their actions, but also yourself.
Justice can also remind you that truth and fairness aren't always immediate. Like a slow-growing oak tree, truth can take time to surface and fairness can require patience. The presence of the oak says: "Trust the process." What is strong will stay, even when storms come and go.
Keep in mind that this card is not about winning or losing. Its goal is bringing situations, relationships and our own selves back into harmony. Sometimes it means saying sorry. Sometimes it means letting go of things that aren’t your responsibility. Sometimes it means speaking up when others want you to stay quiet.
So walk up to the scales. Feel the weight of your choices. Look to the oak for strength. Let the feather keep you honest. Let the heart keep you kind.
Reflections
- Where in my life am I being called to take full responsibility for my choices? Think about ownership, not blame.
- Am I being fully honest with myself about a situation, or am I avoiding the truth? Howcome?
- What decision am I weighing? What facts or perspectives will help me make it wisely?