Judgement card meaning

Symbols in the picture

Angel with a trumpet

An angel above the clouds blows a large trumpet. It signals that it's time to wake up and move.

Open coffins

People rise from their coffins, arms spread, looking to the sky. It's the moment buried possibilities come back to life.

Cross banner

A white banner with a red cross hangs from the trumpet. It stands for firm resolve and a new beginning.

Based on the Rider-Waite-Smith deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith in 1909.

When it comes up upright

It's time to look back on past experience and move on to the next stage. What you've built up feels like it's gathering into one answer, so it's best not to ignore the call you hear inside. Settle the past and make one new resolution.

Love

You're settling a past relationship and opening your heart again. You may end up talking again with someone you'd lost touch with. Just don't repeat old mistakes.

Work and study

A moment comes when you choose your direction again, like a job change or a new role. Looking back on what you've done shows the answer. Once you decide, move without lingering.

Money

It's a good time to look back on past spending habits. Skimming several months of records shows repeating patterns. Set a new standard that fits you and start again.

When it comes up reversed

You may feel the signs of change and still be putting off the decision. Chewing over past mistakes can make it hard to move forward, but you don't have to judge yourself so harshly. Make one small decision, and things start moving again.

Love

Memories of a past relationship may cast a shadow on the current one. Look at past and present separately. You don't have to blame yourself for what's in the past.

Work and study

A chance has come, but you may hesitate because you're not sure. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, move with what you've prepared. A small try can lead to the next chance.

Money

You may be repeating the same spending mistake. Find just one thing that repeats. A plan for next month is more useful than self-blame.

When it shows another person's feelings

Upright

They're seriously looking back over this relationship. They want to settle the past and approach you fresh. If they contact you, they may have made up their mind to do it.

Reversed

They're putting off a decision, afraid of being hurt again. They have feelings, but the past keeps coming to mind. Creating a comfortable atmosphere can move their heart.

If you ask a yes-or-no question

Closer to Yes. This card carries a signal to start anew. If your mind is made up, it's fine to move.

If it comes up as your card of the day

A good day to reconnect or start over.

One-line advice Settle the past and make one new resolution.

Good to know

In the Western astrology tradition (the Golden Dawn system), this card is linked to the element of Fire. It carries the number XX and is card 21 of the 22 Major Arcana.