The Judgment

What Does The Judgment Tarot Card Mean?

The Judgment card symbolizes the time for self-reflection and evaluating one’s actions. It’s a symbol of a symbol of awakening, evaluation, and rebirth. Most tarot reading professionals on Nebula agree that if you draw Judgment, it means that you’ve entered or will soon enter a pivotal moment in your life where you will have to assess past actions, thoughts, and decisions. Hopefully, a transformative realization will ensue.

The Judgment tarot card typically depicts an angel blowing a trumpet, as you can see in the picture above. The angel represents the big judgment (be it of internal or external nature) that’s coming your way. The figures below are us, humans, waiting for our actions to be assessed and for conclusions to be drawn.

The Judgment Upright Tarot Card Meaning

Judgment in an upright position is by no means a bad omen. It indicates a period of self-reflection and evaluation and suggests that you’re currently in the middle of a significant inner transformation that will have serious consequences for you going forward.

It’s a critical moment in your life, and the upright Judgment card recommends you listen to your inner calling and make decisions that are true to your genuine self. The awakening you are about to experience might be difficult to fully comprehend, but once you do, you’ll be able to move forward with a clearer vision.

The Judgment Tarot Card Meaning: Love & Relationships

When it comes to a love tarot reading, the upright Judgment card may suggest that you and your partner are not fully appreciating one another, even if you both value your relationship. However, if you realize that your bond requires more time and effort, you can overcome this threat by being fully open to each other.

If you aren’t in a committed relationship at the moment, the deck might be trying to tell you that you need to reevaluate a certain relationship that is already in your life but that you tend to take for granted. Perhaps you see the person who has been by your side for a long time in a new light, and this will lead to a beautiful love story.

Judgment Meaning: Money & Career

Suppose you draw upright Judgment when asking the cards about your career or finances. In that case, it might mean that the deck suggests you take some time to reflect on your professional path and make significant decisions about your future direction. The conclusions you will reach will likely determine the entire course of your career.

Upright Meaning: Past

In response to a question about your past, the Judgment card in an upright position symbolizes a period of critical life evaluation and learning from past experiences. Think of a moment in your past when you had to reflect on your life journey and learn some valuable lessons as a result. You will soon have to go through a similar process again, and it would be better if you faced it fully ready.

The Judgment Reversed Tarot Card Meaning

If you get the Judgment card in a reversed position, it suggests that you are avoiding the necessary self-reflection and trying not to see the things that are actually calling for your attention. If that’s indeed the case, you should definitely reconsider your approach. Failing to notice what needs to be noticed might lead to unfortunate consequences.

Reversed Judgment is a persistent invitation to finally confront what you have been avoiding for a while. We recommend you take it, or else you will regret it in the future. To achieve the necessary transformation for growth, you need to listen to reversed Judgment.

The Judgment Tarot Card Meaning: Love & Relationships

The reversed Judgment card might tell you that you or your partner are in the middle of a big change. You should take action and not cling to the status quo if you want to prevent your relationship from falling apart. Sure, it’s always scary to confront the unspoken problem, but it’s the only way to grow.

From a more pessimistic standpoint, reversed Judgment may also point toward the inability to move past old grievances, for example, a betrayal that happened at some point in the past. If there is anything that comes to mind, you need to reflect on it and decide whether to forgive your partner or move on from them.

Judgment Meaning: Money & Career

In the context of career and finances, the Judgment card in a reversed position might represent reluctance to make necessary changes or fear of embracing a new path. If this applies to you, it’s time to face the future, no matter how scary. It’s never a good idea to cling to the well-familiar and comfortable past when it no longer serves you. Dare to step out of your comfort zone.

Reversed Meaning: Past

When reversed Judgment describes your past, the deck likely wants you to think of the times when you ignored crucial life lessons or avoided making important decisions. You eventually regretted your fear of taking a step forward, didn’t you? Well, you will soon have a chance to put your courage to the test once again.

Is Judgment a Yes or No Card?

Upright Judgment Meaning: Yes or No

If you draw the upright Judgment card when asking the deck a yes or no question, the answer leans toward a yes. The choice you will soon have to make will lead to a positive transformation or awakening.

Reversed Judgment Meaning: Yes or No

In turn, reversed Judgment in response to a yes or no question is a no. At the moment, your resistance to change or some unresolved issues stand between you and the outcome you hope for. Address those, or else you won’t be able to move forward.

Reading Judgment in a Spread

Now, let’s see how the cards you draw next to Judgment in a spread affect its meaning.

The Tower. The combination of Judgment and The Tower predicts a significant life change, often sudden and dramatic. You will soon experience a massive upheaval, but it’s necessary to have a chance at a fresh start.

The Hermit. If you draw Judgment together with The Hermit, a pause filled with serious introspection and self-discovery is due. You need to spend some time in solitude to contemplate your life. Most likely, it will lead to important revelations.

The High Priestess. Judgment and The High Priestess duo represent a deep spiritual awakening. This pairing suggests that your intuition and inner wisdom will be critical for the transformative process you will soon go through.

The Six of Swords. Judgment drawn next to The Six of Swords in a spread is the ultimate representation of moving on. You will soon transition into a new phase of your life. Don’t neglect to use the lessons you learned in the past—they will come in handy.

The Sun. The combination of Judgment and The Sun is an exceptionally positive one. It’s a message of hope and renewal. Whatever it is you are hoping for, you will get it. All you need to do is realize exactly what you want.