The Card of the Call: Judgment in Tarot

However, this is not a call to judgment by any supernatural authority or some kind of cosmic force; instead, it's a call to hear the voice within and follow it.

The Transformation of the Judgment Card: From the Last Judgment to Personal Awakening

Judgment underwent a huge transformation in the past years. Initially created in 15th century Italy, this card was called "The Angel." The depiction of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo inspired this interpretation of the card — there were angels blowing the trumpets, resurrection of the dead, and divine decree.

However, starting from the 19th century, with the beginning of the Golden Dawn and the period of occult revival, this card started to symbolize personal enlightenment and transformation rather than the Last Judgment.

This idea reached its peak with the interpretation of Aleister Crowley in the Thoth Tarot, where the card received the title of "Aeon," which replaced the religious images with the imagery of Egyptian mythology (Hadit, Nuit, and Ra-Hoor-Khuit), as well as the image of the Aeon of Horus.

That shift from divine judgment to the call for self-discovery and awakening is a key element to understand the essence of this card.

The Symbols Used on the Judgment Card

Let's look at the symbolism found in the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

Gabriel's Trumpet

Here an angel is depicted to blow a trumpet; however, he is not announcing the end of the world but rather awakening you and calling to the next stage of your life journey.

The Rising Figures

Naked figures rising out of their coffins symbolize awakening and transformation; in this case, it means that people get rid of the old ideas and habits and are ready to transform.

Their nudity symbolizes innocence and vulnerability.

The Mountain Peaks

In the background of the picture are depicted peaks of mountains, symbolizing a distant but reachable goal of clarity and peace; you need to make efforts to reach this place.

The Cross in the Square

On the banner of the angel, there is a cross in a square shape; here, there is a connection of spiritual and physical elements of your life.

Judgment Card Upright and Reversed Interpretations

We will now move on to interpreting this card in different readings.

Judgment Upright – General Interpretation

The moment of judgment, but not punishment. You are able to see everything clearly and get rid of the obsolete things in your life. A call for transformation and awakening.

Judgment Reversed – General Interpretation

In this situation, you resist the call and try to stay where you are, despite the fact that the transformation is necessary; fear, self-doubts, and avoidance.

The Judgment Card and Love and Relationships

Judgment Card Upright

This is the card of second chances. The renewal of the relationships. In case you have a relationship, which is not going anywhere and where both partners have some issues to discuss, this card is the signal to make this conversation and move to a new level.

For singles, this is the card of the inner transformation; here, you need to understand that you have become the person whom someone should date. The card suggests a new relationship.

Judgment Card Reversed

If you receive this reversed card in case of love readings, it suggests that you are not ready to take the risk to start anew and prefer to stay where you are.

The work: You should not be afraid to have a talk and make some difficult decisions.

Judgment in Career and Finance Readings

Judgment Card Upright

There is a huge transformation in your life, which is connected with the change of your career or your relocation to somewhere else. Here you need to choose another way to work and live, to find another mission for yourself.

Financially, it is the card of the cutting of all unnecessary things and making decisions, which correspond to your values.

Judgment Card Reversed

You are staying at the job, which drains your energy. You do not see all the signs which say that you need to move somewhere else.

The work: You should follow the call of your heart.

Judgment in Health Readings

Judgment Card Upright

This card is associated with a turning point in your life, which can be expressed as the diagnosis, which finally explains something to you. Here you should start to take care of yourself.

Judgment Card Reversed

In case of the reversed judgment, it suggests that you try to avoid the signs that something wrong is happening with you. In this case, you need to see everything in a clear manner.

The work: Start to visit doctors and think about how you can improve your health.

Judgment Card in Spirituality Readings

Judgment Card Upright

This card usually appears during the period of the spiritual awakening; it can be also called the turning point in your life.

Here you are ready to let go of all your old beliefs and accept the new version of yourself and the surrounding world.

Judgment Card Reversed

In this case, the card says that you are trying to resist the process of transformation and prefer to stay the old way of thinking.

The work: Accept the changes in your worldview.

Judgment Card in Context: The Power of Combinations

Judgment + the Sun — joyful victory. The awakening leads to the bright future.

Judgment + the Tower — a more chaotic transformation. The call is delivered through the chaos.

Judgment + Death — transformation is going to happen in your life. Something is ending to give place to something new.

Judgment + the Hermit — the call is received through your own inner work.

Awakening to Your True Self Through Judgment

The meaning of the Judgment card is not about being judged. It is all about listening to the call and answering it.

The figures on the card are awakening from their coffins; they are naked and exposed. They are not in hiding anymore. They are being honest and truthful.

This is what the Judgment card requires from you. It requires to drop all your pretenses and lies, and wake up. This call might come as a crisis; as a revelation; as a disturbing dream; as a voice whispering: “Wake up, it is time.”

It is one of the most empowering cards in meditation and visualization. This practice is especially effective in times of self-doubt or tough decisions: Imagine yourself getting out of the “coffin” of your former limitations and dropping old habits as well as your old skin in order to reveal your true self. Calmly breathe and see yourself being reborn.

If you would like to know more about the Judgment card or the call that is addressed specifically to you, visit Advanced Tarot Online and pull some cards.