Judgement (Tarot card)

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The Judgment (XX).  Rider-Waite deck.
The Judgment (XX). Rider-Waite deck.

Judgement (XX), [1] and less commonly Judgment, is a Tarot card, part of the Major Arcana suit usually comprising of 22 cards.

Contents

[edit] Rider-Waite symbolism

Very clearly, it is modeled after the resurrection before the Last Judgment.

  • An angel, possibly Gabriel, is depicted blowing a great trumpet, from which hangs a white flag bearing a red cross, most likely the St George's Cross.
  • A group of humans of grayish complexion stand, arms spread, looking up at the angel in awe. The people are apparently emerging from crypts or graves.
  • There are huge mountains in the background, which almost seem like glaciers being they are so white and blue. They may signify insurmountable obstacles and the impossibility to get away from the inevitable Judgment.


[edit] Divination usage

A. E. Waite was a key figure in the development of modern Tarot interpretations (Wood, 1998). However, not all interpretations follow his practices. Please remember that all Tarot decks used for divination are interpreted up to personal experience and standards.

Some frequent keywords are:

  • Judgment ----- Rebirth ----- Inner Calling ----- Absolution
  • Restart ----- Accepting past mistakes/actions ----- Release
  • Forgiveness ----- End of repression ----- Reconciliation ----- Renewal
  • Decision ----- Salvation ----- New beginning ----- Hope ----- Redemption

When Judgment appears in a reading, it is usually interpreted as a signal of an impending judgment, such as of postponed decisions. As the card symbolizes resurrection, it can also be interpreted to herald the return of individuals from the past. The card also represents God's promise of life after death. In a reading, especially near the six of cups, it may represent a preoccupation with the past, while also suggesting a new beginning and clearing out of the past. Tarot scholar Tara Miller writes that "Judgment represents the House of Gabriel, the knowing that Judgment Day can come at any moment; live your life to the fullest, as the trumpet of Gabriel is at hand."[citation needed]

[edit] See also

[edit] Trivia

  • A boss character in The House of the Dead 2 is named after this Tarot card. He is an imp-like creature who flies and controls Kuarl, his axe-wielding puppet. He is the first boss of the game. He is one of the boss characters in the House of the Dead series that is capable of intelligent speech.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ see caption on the original Rider-Waite card - http://www.learntarot.com/bigjpgs/maj20.jpg