Judgement

Judgement is the 20th card in the Major Arcana in most traditional Tarot decks.

Depictions of Judgement from various Tarot decks

Rider-Waite Depiction

In the Rider-Waite Tarot, artist Pamela Colman Smith depicted Judgement as a great angel surrounded by clouds blowing a bannered trumpet. Below, the dead are rising from their tombs—a woman on the right, a man on the left, and between them their child, whose back is turned. But in this card there are more than three who are restored. It should be noted that all the figures look upward in the wonder, adoration and ecstasy expressed.

This scene is modeled after Christian imagery of the Resurrection and Last Judgement. An angel, possibly Metatron, probably Israfil has a trumpet, from which hangs the flag of St. George, which references the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians.

Symbolism

This card registers the accomplishment of the great work of transformation in answer to the summons of the Supernal—which summons is heard and answered from within.

Judgement may stand for ideals, religious, social or any other and for the elevating effect they have on man; for ideas and leading motives, aspirations. Consequently for generalization, illumination, dispersion, elevation, for all that is honorable on one hand, but also for illusions or vain aspirations on the other hand. It is the sign of deliverance from narrow thought and hampering conditions in the soul as well as in the body and in life.

Divinatory meaning

In divination, this card usually indicates a change of position or renewal of current circumstances. Illumination or vain aspirations. Ideals.

In reversed position, it means: Weakness and simplicity. Decisions.