Judgement

awaken to your true calling

From the historical depictions of the Judgement card to the more modern Waite Smith, we see the day of liberation as souls are trumpeted from the physical plane to unite with a higher consciousness. This the awakening for Last Judgement, where we are judged for our actions (how Christian!), atone for our sins, and are called to ascend. It is the archetype of callings, of summons to a new life. We’re called to account first, though; and while atonement may carry religious overtones, this is not about guilt. Taking stock in an honest personal inventory and making amends for our misjudgments can foster a sense of renewal — especially in the wake of The Sun’s illumination. Leave the past behind. Here, we awaken to a new awareness of our sense of purpose in this life, our higher calling, our raison d’etre; finding where we need to be in the larger community and making the shifts necessary to move toward that.

(-) In resistance, we deny the call, perhaps always wondering about the road not taken. Passive, we may be waiting to be rescued.

(+) In excess, we judge others, even trying to convert or “save” them in what may be shades of a savior complex. If we can surrender our judgements and look into the mirror, we may realize that what we had judged a problem in an ‘other’ is really ours to own (or vice versa); but the shadow of Judgement is so caught up in its judgements that we’re not even aware that there’s something to be reckoned.

Questions we may be prompted to ask when this card comes up include

• Are you able to do an honest self-evaluation?
• Are there amends you would like to make for past actions?
• What do you judge most in others?
• How are you feeling called? Are you refusing that call?

What else? The archetypes of the majors are complex and you may have other insights. How has this card come up for you? What are some examples of this card’s energies?