In the Tarot Deck, the card representing Libra is Justice. Justice is ruled by the Element of Air and is a mental card...one that symbolizes the intelllectualsim of Air mingled with the emotionalism of Water. Thus, the association of Libra with this card is a reminder that individuals should use diplomacy to resolve issues rather than allow those issues to fester as a result of inaction. It suggests the need to see both sides of a situation before making a decision. In this way, personal choices will not cause more unnecessary strife. Justice is essentially a human concept which inspires in mankind the hope of attaining a better life. Justice involves fairness and the utilization of intellect as a arbiter. However, life is rarely fair...neither is nature. Nevertheless, human beings at their best strive toward fairness and Justice symbolizes those attempts to establish equilibrium as a guiding principle in the world and its society. Although the achievement of this ideal is ultimately impossible because reality and nature cannot be "tamed" by mankind, the constant striving for justice is considered to be one of the most noble manifestations of the human spirit. The numerological correspondent of Justice is eight...a number that represents strength, willpower and effort. It confers the ability to channel energy in order to effectuate change.
Justice is a member of the Second Third of the Tarot's Major Arcana, representative of the notion that justice will be done and that balance is required in all things. The balanced personality demands the abolishment of preconceptions and prejudices, coupled with a desire for education that will lead to a well-balanced mind as its objective. It symbolizes the beginning of a new cycle in the seeker's life, one that comes complete with a good balance between business and home. This card was renamed "Adjustment" by Aleister Crowley, who determined that "Justice" implied a human condition, not one of Nature. Since Nature was never perceived as fair and just, but rather "exact," Crowley deemed "Adjustment" to be more appropriate...an adjustment to the natural world that surrounds humankind.
The crown depicted in this card is fashioned from ostrich plumes...an association with Maat, the Egyptian Goddess of Justice. The scales which descend from this deity's crown signify the delicacy of the nature of balance. Alpha and Omega are pictured within the scales, representative of the ability to see both sides. The spheres are indicative of opposites and the need to maintain balance. The sword...Tarot symbol for the Element of Air...indicates the ability to discriminate between opposing factions. It also represents the pointed price of true balance. The tip of the sword is downward, symbolic of Karma and the immutable universal laws by which all humankind will eventually be judged. The green and blue colors which dominate this card represent creativity and wisdom.
In a Tarot reading, Justice can be indicative of a number of things. It could be associated with a past victory related to a lawsuit or suggest that a matter has recently been handled with balanced judgment...perhaps at home or perhaps in business. It can also represent a good outcome for the future in terms of litigation or possibly one where both parties will be satisfied with the final outcome of such a suit. Reversed, this card may mean past injustices of some nature or the possibility of a disastrous lawsuit. It may also also indicate a prejudiced mind...maybe that of the seeker or maybe that of another person close to the seeker.
In the Kabbalah, this card is associated with the Eleventh Path...the Path of Balance and the Way of Justice. It joins Severity and Beauty, focusing on balance, justice, law, peace and relationships. Thus, it is the path of lawyers, courts, contracts, compromises and negotiation. It advises individuals to pay extra attention to partners and significant others. This path advocates that humans judge wisely, with balance and the avoidance of swings to any extreme. It also rules beauty...both inner and outer...and promotes creative and/or artistic pursuits. In short, it carries the message to find beauty in harmony and the avoidance of being influenced by external appearances. It challenges humankind to overcome superficiality, hypocrisy and indecisiveness, as well as the avoidance of blindness to problems or difficulties. The Hebrew letter is Lamed, which means "Ox," an animal characterized by practicality. It also means both to teach and to learn. Hebrew offers no distinction between learning and teaching...a true instructor always learns what he or she teaches. It stands for the proposition that "give and take" epitomizes the same balance required to build functioning relationships. Lamed is found precisely in the middle of the Hebrew alphabet, which further stresses the mandate for equilibrium.
The associated Rune is Naudiz...Rune of Necessity. "Naudiz" means "Need" and is associated with the truthful adage that humankind reaps what it sows. It is indicative of the fact that there must be a release of attachment to the idea that life treats an individual unfairly. Pain and joy...health and sickness...birth and death....are all part of reality on this plane and all are necessary. The justice of the universe is impartial, neither moral nor immoral. What a person experiences is as a result of his or her own actions and decisions. This Rune teaches that however difficult an individual's path might be, it is necessary for long term benefit and spiritual growth. It also carries a warning that emotions should be controlled and to avoid succumbing to cravings. It indicates that love may be misplaced if the individual is not careful and to beware of extraordinary demands on time or generosity. Although it often represents hardship and/or adversity, Naudiz includes the perseverance to endure and possesses reserves of inner strength. Essentially, this Rune counsels patience in all things and a message that no matter how unpleasant the hardship, it will be a learning experience that ultimately brings benefit. Sometimes, it cautions against taking a risky path but does tend to have a somewhat delaying influence. Naudiz encourages acceptance of the past, a mind fixed upon goals and the need to learn from present situations. In short, it conveys that the past is only a memory and the future nothing but a dream. Thus, the present is where the action lies...the only place where an individual truly has influence. The Runic Number of Naudiz is 10. Its color is bright black, its element is fire and its polarity is female.
Hardship lies heavy on the heart
Yet oft to the children of men
It becomes nonetheless a help and a healing,
If they heed it in time.
The associated stone is the Banded Agate, a variety of chalcedony formed from layers of quartz. The Banded Agate may be found in many colors, all of which are representative of balance, stability, security and good judgment. When associated with the Justice card, this stone is a reminder that humankind needs to use balance when dealing with matters of injustice, without being clouded by strong emotion or the desire for revenge. It promises that peace can sometimes be best attained through compromise. This stone is believed to have the ability to discern the truth and accept circumstances, as well as being a powerful emotional healer. According to legend, it improves memory and concentration, increases stamina and encourages honesty. It is also credited with strengthening sight, diminishing thirst and promoting marital fidelity. Some of this stone's other qualities are thought to be prevention of insomnia and the assurance of pleasant dreams. In addition, it is said to enhance personal courage and offer protection from danger. Its calming influence is believed to improve perception and act as an aid to development of an individual's analytical talents. It is particularly associated with the balancing of yin-yang energy and equilibrium of the the physical, emotional, and intellectual bodies with etheric energies. It is believed to possess the ability to stabilize the aura, providing a cleansing effect which acts to smooth dysfunctional energies and to both transform and eliminate negativity.
In an anatomical sense, this card is said to rule the right upper back and sides of the body and the right lung. Other associated items include coltsfoot, the dahlia, palm trees and elephants, while the associated magical symbols are the scales and the equal cross. The colors of this card are blue, pale green, emerald green and deep blue-green. Some of the names by which this card is also known include Adjustment, Daughter of the Lords of Truth, Ruler of the Balance, Law of Balance, The Sexually United and Spirit of Inner Truth. In tales of classical mythology and lore, this card is associated with Skuld, Maat, Anubis, Harlequin and Nymphs. The credo of Justice is "Balanced Judgment."
"I am just...I am fair...I am honest...I am reasonable. I do not wear a blindfold when I make decisions and I see clearly that which I analyze. I handle legal matters responsibly. I am merciful...I am severe. I know when to be merciful and when to be severe. I can see and decide...I weigh and measure. I strive for balance between mercy and severity."
In the Tarot Deck, the card representing Venus (the ruling planet of Libra and one which it shares with Taurus) is the Empress, governed by the Element of Water which defines this card as the essence of female energy...accepting, giving and nurturing. The Empress is the embodiment of the archetypal Mother as the life-giver, much like water itself nurtures and gives life to all creature. This card symbolizes Venus in its highest expression, seeking to bring beauty, elegance, balance and harmony into whatever environment it might appear. The throne of The Empress is built of endurance, tenacity, loyalty and sheer determination. This card stands for the mother and for the daughter...who will, in turn, become a mother. The numerological value of The Empress is three, representative of growth through imagination and a number which is seen to represent the Christian Trinity as well as the Wiccan Trinity of Light, Life and Love.
The Empress is a member of the First Third of the Tarot's Major Arcana. It is indicative of the highest of spiritual qualities and the lowest of the material. It is symbolic of the deepest form of unconditional and nurturing love...illustrated in the card by the mother swan feeding her young with her own blood. The Empress is the ultimate expression of all that is feminine, mysterious, receptive and magnetic. She holds the power to steadily and determinedly rebuild and renew, blessed with an unquenchable and generous courage, responding instantly when there is a need to defend. The realm of The Empress is built of love, fertility and warmth, representative of unconditional love which makes no demands and sets no conditions. It is to the arms of The Empress that all of humankind yearns to return in its search for safety, security, love and comfort.
The blue flames depicted on this card are symbolic of The Empress' birth from Water while the lotus represents feminine and passive power. The revolving Moons indicate the need for opposition in order to maintain balance and the pink hue within the design denotes the perfection of love. The swan mother and her young are indicative of the nurturing qualities of the female and the green gown worn by The Empress represents the ability to make ideas manifest. The shield symbolizes protection afforded to all those who fall under the sphere of The Empress' love and the Moon throne indicates that she is intuitive and emotionally involved with all. The double eagle is a symbol of transformation and the Maltese Cross indicates the union of the spiritual with the material. The pictured dove is a bird of the future, while the pictured sparrow is a bird of the past.
In a Tarot reading, this card denotes marriage, fertility to would-be parents, balance and stability. It also signifies openess of character and fair dealing, as well as wealth, contentment, fruitful harvest for the farmer and realization of creative projects for those in the creative arts. Reversed, it indicates infidelity, a possible mother-child conflict and/or a chance that poverty could disrupt the home...it may also be indicative of approaching war and destruction.
In the Kabbalah, this card is associated with the Third Path...the Path of the Womb of Life, also known as the Way of Mother Nature. It is the path which joins wisdom with understanding...the undifferential right hemisphere of the brain with the logical left hemisphere. Venus rules this path which is representative of fertility and Mother Nature who provides for all sentient beings. This path also unites the feminine and masculine mind, tying the Father of the Right Pillar to the Mother of the Left Pillar under the eye of Venus, Goddess of Marriage and Love. Often defined as a doorway or gate to life, this path is associated with the third eye, intuition and beauty. Those who are creative and artistic are linked to this road, but are urged to remember that creativity must be achieved via a union of imagination and logic...the balance of left and right. The Hebrew letter is Daleth (also known as Dalet), which means Door and is also often referred to as the Gate of Heaven. The door to life is considered to be the womb and is recognized as the energy connecting the supreme Father and Mother. In short, Daleth functions as the vortex through which the potential becomes the material. It also symbolizes the contradictions of existence.
The associated Rune is Berkanan...Rune of Growth. "Berkanan" means "birch twig," a reference to new life, fertility, birth and rebirth. It is also associated with beauty, stature and abundance, encompassing female energy in its earthiest sense. This Rune is representative of the power of nature, wealth, sensuality, sexuality, family and home. It also symbolizes renewal, purification and regeneration, as well as health and healing. Berkanan has links to increased business affairs, investment and/or profit as well as suggesting that lost causes may be redeemed with new beginnings likely to flourish. This Rune indicates an exciting time for new beginnings and fresh adventures. It is symbolic of activity and energy. However, since the harvest of sown seeds has yet to come, it would be unwise to expect immediate reward for expended effort. The past should be put in its place and lessons should be learned from experience. Berkanan suggests a good time for spiritual renewal...to clear away misconceptions and accept new ideas. The Runic Number of Berkanan is 18. Its color is dark green, its element is earth and its polarity is female.
The Birch is fruitless, nonetheless it bears
Shoots without seed; it is beauteous in boughs
High of helm, fairly adorned
Laden with leaves, close to the sky.
The associated stone is Jade, often referred to as the Stone of Heaven by the Chinese who also treasure it as the royal gemstone known as "Yu." Indeed, this stone has been an important part of Chinese arts and crafts for more than 6000 years. It is often used for jewelry and/or ceremonial pieces with one of the most popular symbols carved from Jade being the sacred image of Buddha. Other common objects crafted from this stone include phoenixes and dragons...usually carved for the nobility. Dragons are believed to represent rain, fertility and male vigor. Jade is also called the Stone of Fidelity and the Dream Stone, given its ability to improve the recalling of dreams and assist in dream solving by releasing supressed emotions via the dream state. It is said that this may be achieved by placing a piece of Jade under the pillow prior to sleep. Considered by the Ancients as a sacred stone, it was believed to assist in gaining access to the spiritual worlds and to have brought the user a long and fruitful life, culminating in a gentle transition from the physical body into the realm of the spirit. Jade symbolizes life force, rain, health, prosperity and longevity, as well as being linked to fertility and abundance. This stone suggests the healing power of love and kindness, coupled with the notion that love needs to be accompanied by acceptance and non-judgment. When love is so freely bestowed in this manner, then contribution is made toward personal evolution of the soul. Jade is thought to offer protection for the kidneys, heart, liver, larynx and spleen, as well as generally strengthening the body. It is also recognized as a symbol of love and virtue.
In an anatomical sense, this card is said to rule the nose and the mouth. It is also associated with vibrational recognition and enchantment. Other associated items include love potions, bluebells, sweet chestnut and bees, while the associated magical symbols are the girdle, the shield and the lotus. The colors of this card are emerald green, spring green, sky blue and rose/cerise. Some of the names by which this card is also known include Daughter of the Mighty Ones, Great Mother of Ideas, The Wife and Law of Imagination. In tales of classical mythology and lore, this card is associated with the Harpies, Eve (after her banishment from Eden), all the Great Mother Goddesses found in the world's cultures (Gaia, Rhea, Demeter, Ceres, etc.) and, of course, Venus. It is also associated with the Deities Nerthus and Holda. The credo of The Empress is "Material Abundance And Fertility."
"I am fruitful..I am abundant...I am creative. I am nurturing and caring and loving. I am attuned to nature. I am fertile...I am generous...I am secure. I make myself and others comfortable. I am intuitive and passionate. I have a healthy passion...I am feminine."
As an Air Sign, Libra is also associated with the Tarot's Suit of Swords
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Much of the tarot information found on this page is taken from
"The Royal Road," a manual authored by Lady Shyra and used with
permission provided such credit is givenAll featured tarot card designs are from "The Book of Thoth" deck
designed by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda Harris
