It is of the utmost importance to preserve balance in life. Any imbalance can last only for a period of time; then it is time to pay the price. Here we see the effects of karma: everything we experience today has its root in our actions of yesterday, and our actions today will shape our life tomorrow. Every unfair and negative thought or deed goes against us, hopefully balanced out by every good deed and positive thought. But this card is not about punishment; it is about the adjustment of our thoughts and actions. One must see the connection between our inner and outer worlds, between our actions and our fate. When the connection is clear, adjustment comes naturally, as we reject obsolete patterns that are no longer useful and, more often, even harmful to us. If we regard The Fool as the perspective of the unmanifested, and thus The Magician as the first card illustrating our known world, we can easily conclude that the Justice card is in the exact middle of the Major Arcana, apparently pointing to the perfect balance of ten cards on each side of Justice. Justice is also the first card of the next ten cards of the Major Arcana, a symbolic threshold from the physical world to the metaphysical world.
On the card
Justice bears a sword in her right hand and scales in her left. The sword is a symbol of the discerning mind and mental capacity, as indicated in the suit of Swords. The scales represent balance, a balance achieved between harmonious emotions and the mind, as indicated by the pans. Thus, through transcending emotional and mental prejudices, we can employ pure discernment to arrive at a fair decision and compromise. The sword is held high in the right hand to symbolize the action of correcting wrongs and holding the balance of justice. The sword also has a double edge: we do not always get what we want, but we get what we deserve. The hilt of the sword is shaped like the letter T, shorthand for the planet of structure and limitation, Saturn, underscoring the fact that universal law often stands above our individual desires and hopes. We saw in the Wheel of Fortune card that, from our perspective, fate is sometimes a very unpredictable variable. Justice extends her foot, showing readiness to act at any moment. Her robe is red, indicating desire, but beneath it she wears a green cape, indicating the precedence of love, symbolized by the colour green. Red and green combine to make grey, the colour of wisdom. On her left and right there are two grey pillars, and between them a curtain with a noticeably symmetrical form, emphasizing again the balance that is the main theme of this card. The Hebrew letter Lamed can be used as a verb meaning "to teach", pointing out that our actions and their fruits are here to educate us on our spiritual path.
Upright
This card stands for fairness, impartiality, balance and equity. True justice is possible through purity of spirit. Every action has its consequences, so think about your choices. A time comes when responsibilities must be accepted and accounts settled.
Reversed
This card can indicate bias, injustice, or playing the role of victim and perpetrator. That is an illusion: stop blaming other people when things go wrong, and take control of your own life. Keep an eye on your actions and make sure you do not do anything you may regret afterwards. An unexpected legal issue is possible.