Justice isn’t Passive, it’s Active. A Movement of Balance and Truth

Justice, the law of soul and heart, the code of nature and universe.

Welcome to this edition of Walking the Liminal!

Today we return to the exploration of the major arcana of the tarot. Prior posts can be found in the Tarot Journeys section of my substack. In this post we are exploring the Archetype of Justice

JUSTICE

What is True Justice?

I find myself frequently asking this question. Hard not to when considering the condition of our world right now. On one side of the coin, this question feels impossible to answer, especially here in the US, where the political atmosphere seems hellbent on dismantling it. Yet on the other side of the coin, justice is needed now more than ever. Perhaps it’s precisely this stark contrast, this glaring injustice, that helps to illuminate what true justice really is.

As we begin our exploration on this topic, let’s start with what justice isn’t. It isn’t vengeance, punishment or retribution. It’s not a justification for harm or cruelty, nor is justice confined to societal laws and norms, or born from guilt or manipulation. No, these are rules laid down by rulers, the imposed ‘shoulds’ and ‘shouldn’ts’ shaped by systems of power.

Justice is the law of soul and heart, the code of nature and universe.

In our current world where we see an incredible amount of hypocrisy, it’s Justice who offers us a path towards a deeper embodiment of integrity, honesty and ethos.

We find Justice in the pause. Where we cease the racing, this reaching forward into life chasing the next best thing. Justice asks us to take a step backwards and energetically drop into our body, connecting with our heart and soul.

Justice is rooted in fairness, and the restoration of cooperation.

In a me-me world, we've lost touch with what it means to truly consider others in our actions. This is especially evident in the recent passage of the ‘not so beautiful bill’ here in the US. A measure that strips away essential support from society’s most vulnerable, all to further enrich the wealthy.

Justice ensures that the collective whole is part of the equation.

When I consider the Pledge of Allegiance that we recite here in the US, when we say, “Justice for all”, I question do we really mean that?

Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us…

The ethic of reciprocity was cleared away along with the forests, the beauty of justice traded away for more stuff.

If we want to grow good citizens, then let us teach reciprocity. If what we aspire to is justice for all, then let it be justice for all of Creation.

Diving Deeper - Teachings from the Tarot

Let us explore the archetype of Justice using the tarot. The main systems I use and will be exploring here, come from the RWS (Rider Waite Smith) Tarot and the Thoth Tarot. Both systems arose from the same tradition but deviate in several ways. Overall:

• RWS: Prioritizes a more narrative approach, using relatable pictorial scenes. Leaning towards intuition and Christian mysticism.

• THOTH: Prioritizes an abstract esoteric structure, using Kabbalistic, alchemical, and Egyptian symbolism, that’s meant to be meditated on.

When we look at the Justice card, its numerical order is different. The RWS decks places Strength (Leo) as VIII and Justice (Libra) as XI to align with the astrological order of the signs. Whereas the Thoth decks keep Lust (Strength/Leo) at XI and Adjustment (Justice/Libra) at VIII to preserve the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and the Hebrew letter associations.

RWS TAROT - The Mirror of the Soul as Self Reflection

In the RWS-based decks, we are invited to turn inward in self-reflection, recognizing that our choices ripple outward, weaving the tapestry of our lives. Eventually, the weave does return, not as punishment, but as reflection. An opportunity to receive and/or realign with what is true, whole, and just.

Common themes…

• SCALES: A reminder of the balance required, for every decision carries consequences. There are always two sides, for saying yes to one thing means saying no to something else. As we practice weighing our choices, let do this with compassion, an integrity of both intention and action.

• SWORD: Represents truth and discernment. In Tarot, swords belong to the element of air, for thought, ideas and communication. It’s double edged, capable of cutting two ways: clarity can pierce illusion, and ethos can reveal our true motivations.

• THRONE: Symbolizes a place of authority where decisions are made. It’s a gift and a power to make a choice. Honesty is our guide. Choose wisely.

Questions we might consider…

• Where are you out of sync with your own truth?

• What have you been avoiding that now asks to be faced?

• Do you see mistakes as failures or a means for deeper understanding?

Every so often we see a statue or picture of Justice with a mask around her eyes. But like our soul, she is not blind for there is no hiding from Truth. Our soul sees all our actions and intentions.

We might try and hide but this doesn’t serve us. This is a call to radical authenticity. Restoring sacred balance within, between head and heart, body and soul, inner and outer. Between truth and delusion.

THOTH TAROT - The Dance of Cosmic Balance as Karma

In the Thoth deck, Adjustment embodies the universal law of balance, where human justice is only a part. She’s not about retribution, but restoration, a continual recalibration as the underpinnings of existence.

Marked by Alpha and Omega, Adjustment signifies the ongoing dance between beginning and completion. Reminding us that all choices have repercussions, immediate or not. And that our actions ripple outward and return in ways both subtle and profound.

Her force is karma, not as reward or punishment, but as the neutral law of cause and effect. Like nature, every action has its equal and opposite reaction. The universe responds, it doesn’t moralize.

Life storms do arrive and will inevitably throw us off balance. Adjustment appears when we face difficult choices, inviting us to examine where we are out of alignment. Not as something to fix, but as a sacred dance of inner reckoning, forgiveness and an opportunity to open to love.

Adjustment also lets us know that our current suffering is not simply karma, nor can it be wrapped up in a pretty bow of “everything happens for a reason.” Suffering and karma are complex. Instead let this be an invitation to be with what’s here, with compassion and curiosity, not judgment or blame.

Questions we might consider…

• Where do you feel out of alignment? And do you judge this?

• What supports you in staying grounded, centered and in the body?

• Are you being fair with yourself, or are you shaming yourself?

THE GODDESS MAAT - The Temple of the Heart as Love

Maat (Ma’at) is the ancient Egyptian goddess of truth, justice, love, and divine balance. A harmony that sings existence into being and maintains peace universally, collectively, and individually. She is the mystic's compass, the priestess’s vow, the unseen balance that keeps the worlds from unraveling.

Maat is the very fabric of rightness, similar to Dharma in Eastern traditions. She is the sacred feather of truth, the holder of the scales. Her job is not here to reprimand but rather restore what is skewed, clarify what is murky, and return what has been forgotten to its rightful place.

In the Temple of the Heart, Maat silently waits. When you lie to yourself, you turn from her. When you speak your truth with trembling courage, she draws near with love.

In death, the heart of the deceased is weighed against the feather of Maat. Not to condemn, but to ask:

• Did you live from your essence, your soul calling?

• Did you honor your sacred agreements?

Only a heart light with love may pass through the Hall of Truth.

Justice isn’t Passive, it’s Active

True Justice is a deep and sacred calling, spiritually, socially, collectively and politically. It’s not an abstract ideal or lofty principle; it requires practice, presence and courage. In our world shaped by systemic inequalities and entrenched power structures, one might wonder…

Does justice truly exist? And if so, what does it mean in this context?

At times I find myself seething with anger with what is unfolding. Other times my heart breaks into a puddle of grief. All of this can feel extremely overwhelming. Yet getting lost in it only serves the injustice of it all. We are all being called to something more.

To explore what personal justice and collective justice are. Inviting us to examine our own self-interest, especially in our capitalistic culture that exalts individual gain over global responsibility.

Practicing justice today means educating ourselves about systemic oppression and inequity. It means acknowledging the complex web of life we are all a part of. A web that includes not only human lives, but the Earth and all her beings. It means expanding our understanding of justice beyond rules, laws, and retribution.

True justice is never static.

It’s an ongoing rootedness in truth and moral integrity, that’s grounded in compassion, interconnection and love.

It’s a living ethic, a commitment to restore balance where harm has occurred, within ourselves, our communities, and our world.

Ritual Reflections

Sit with the Justice card. Place your hand on your heart. Ask:

• What truth am I ready to see?

• Where am I being invited to reclaim my integrity?

• What can I let go of that no longer honors the sacred balance of my life?

Let Her sword cut through illusion.
Let Her scales guide you back to your center.
Let Her presence remind you:
You are responsible for your life.
And you are capable of
choosing and rechoosing
truth and love
again and again.

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I offer both tarot readings and personalized one-on-one sessions. Both designed to support and nurture your inner explorations, helping you gain deeper insight into the movements of your life. If you're interested, feel free to reach out to me via direct message or email. Love and Blessings to you!

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