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Description

(2015), graphite pencils on paper, 5.5"x10.5" backed with digital frame.

Judgment deals with karma, actions and reactions, retribution, being judged by one’s deeds, restoring balance, remorse and being confronted by the outcome of one’s words and deeds.

Traditionally Judgment showed an external event: the angel blowing the trumpet that reawakens the dead to rise and await god's judgment at the end of time. However, I think to defer judgment like that does not really help with the spiritual and modern significance of the card. Judgment usually means that you’re being called on your actions and behavior. This will happen not just after you've died, but pretty much on any given day.

Crowley renamed the card "The Aeon" and emphasized its aspect of transformation, renewal and the birth of something new. When we judge ourselves correctly or respond positively to a karmic situation, this can be a new beginning and a rebirth of ourselves to be closer to who we are meant to be. Judgment strips us of layers of self-righteousness and self-complimentary smugness we haven't earned.

If you can live with yourself and what you did, the card is nothing to fear. Perhaps it means you have a chance to justify yourself before others, or that there is a decision point in the future where you have to exercise good judgment. On the other hand, if you have behaved in ways that are contrary to who you are, or if you have hurt others through your actions, this card will show you retribution in some way – perhaps you are asked to redress past wrongs, or to deal with your remorse constructively. Perhaps your bad karma will catch up with you….

So for my card I opted for a more intimate and every-day scene of judgment. A man contemplates his own face in a broken mirror. His expression is ambivalent, thoughtful, impassive, perhaps even a little cynical as he regards himself. Does he perceive himself as broken? Is he proud of himself? Can he look at himself objectively with calm detachment? Did he break the mirror, because he cannot stand himself for who he is or what he did?

When you draw Judgment, you are not faced with an external judgment by others, which can be shallow and superficial and label you as arrogant or fat or stupid or lazy. Instead you are meant to face the truth about who you are and what you've done. Let go of old attitudes that no longer serve you. Face the facts instead of avoiding them, because they may be awkward or unpleasant. Work through feelings of guilt and shame that hold you back. Do you let other people judge you, label you and guilt-trip you?

In a blockage position you may have to let go of the judgment of others that's holding you back and become yourself. You may also have to examine if you're bending yourself out of shape, because you think you are responsible for the happiness or actions of others.

Description

(2015), graphite pencils on paper, 5.5"x10.5" backed with digital frame.

Judgment deals with karma, actions and reactions, retribution, being judged by one’s deeds, restoring balance, remorse and being confronted by the outcome of one’s words and deeds.

Traditionally Judgment showed an external event: the angel blowing the trumpet that reawakens the dead to rise and await god's judgment at the end of time. However, I think to defer judgment like that does not really help with the spiritual and modern significance of the card. Judgment usually means that you’re being called on your actions and behavior. This will happen not just after you've died, but pretty much on any given day.

Crowley renamed the card "The Aeon" and emphasized its aspect of transformation, renewal and the birth of something new. When we judge ourselves correctly or respond positively to a karmic situation, this can be a new beginning and a rebirth of ourselves to be closer to who we are meant to be. Judgment strips us of layers of self-righteousness and self-complimentary smugness we haven't earned.

If you can live with yourself and what you did, the card is nothing to fear. Perhaps it means you have a chance to justify yourself before others, or that there is a decision point in the future where you have to exercise good judgment. On the other hand, if you have behaved in ways that are contrary to who you are, or if you have hurt others through your actions, this card will show you retribution in some way – perhaps you are asked to redress past wrongs, or to deal with your remorse constructively. Perhaps your bad karma will catch up with you….

So for my card I opted for a more intimate and every-day scene of judgment. A man contemplates his own face in a broken mirror. His expression is ambivalent, thoughtful, impassive, perhaps even a little cynical as he regards himself. Does he perceive himself as broken? Is he proud of himself? Can he look at himself objectively with calm detachment? Did he break the mirror, because he cannot stand himself for who he is or what he did?

When you draw Judgment, you are not faced with an external judgment by others, which can be shallow and superficial and label you as arrogant or fat or stupid or lazy. Instead you are meant to face the truth about who you are and what you've done. Let go of old attitudes that no longer serve you. Face the facts instead of avoiding them, because they may be awkward or unpleasant. Work through feelings of guilt and shame that hold you back. Do you let other people judge you, label you and guilt-trip you?

In a blockage position you may have to let go of the judgment of others that's holding you back and become yourself. You may also have to examine if you're bending yourself out of shape, because you think you are responsible for the happiness or actions of others.