Is life fair and will I get my ‘just desserts’?
…..is a question posed by the Justice card in a tarot reading. On Monday morning I pulled Justice as a reflection card on ‘how to approach’ the week?
Justice speaks of balancing truth and integrity with kindness and fairness, and is an interesting lens through which to consider decisions to be made, truths delivered, due diligence actioned, will it be alongside fairness, compassion and kindness?
My first reaction was slightly uh oh….as Justice often appears in a reading when the question is ‘will I get justice? ’, ‘will I get my just desserts?’ ‘Will I get fairness’. And as we know the world isn’t always ‘fair’.
Justice says Yes if you are on the side of justice, No if not. It depends on whether you are on the right side of the Law of the land.
My best example, was many years ago when Trumpet was pet napped. I received Justice as the answer to the question ‘will I get him back’. Yes, it it’s the just thing was the answer. While it wasn’t a yes he would come back to me, it also meant where and with whom Trumpet lived would be right for him. And so my mind was put to rest. He did come back to me on new year’s day four months later.
Often in a tarot reading Justice reflects legal matters, and has the imagery of a Judge giving his verdict. I am indeed awaiting a verdict.
Justice holds the sword of truth in one hand and the scales of compassion and fairness in the other.
The Justice card calls for inner-sovereignty to find within ourselves the balance between delivering TRUTH (being in integrity) with Compassion and Fairness. The depiction on the card is of a figure of authority dressed in red, with a gold cape and gold crown, holding the sword of truth in her right hand and the scales of justice and fairness in her left.
Portia speaks of this defending the merchant of Venice and Shylock’s demand for his due pound of flesh.
The quality of mercy is not strain'd.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The thronèd monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptered sway.
It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute to God Himself;
— Portia, in William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice.
As I prepare for the week, I am conscious that I may face a truth that will be challenging but am encouraged by the idea of it also being delivered with balance and kindness.
I am also conscious that the Justice card may also be referring to me getting down to things that have to be done by law, like my accounts for taxes!
Either way, truth with kindness is a nice combo to consider for the week.