Understanding Justice Reversed
The reversed Justice indicates injustice, unfair treatment, or situations where accountability is lacking. You may be experiencing or witnessing unfair treatment, corruption, or the failure of systems meant to protect truth and balance. This card can also represent your own lack of integrity, avoiding responsibility for your actions, or making biased judgments. The reversed Justice may indicate legal troubles, conflicts that drag on without resolution, or feeling that life is fundamentally unfair. Sometimes this card suggests that harsh judgment - whether from others or yourself - is preventing healing and growth. When reversed, the The Judge energy turns inward or becomes blocked, often manifesting as the shadow side of this archetype.
Understanding Justice Reversed
The reversed Justice indicates injustice, unfair treatment, or situations where accountability is lacking. You may be experiencing or witnessing unfair treatment, corruption, or the failure of systems meant to protect truth and balance. This card can also represent your own lack of integrity, avoiding responsibility for your actions, or making biased judgments. The reversed Justice may indicate legal troubles, conflicts that drag on without resolution, or feeling that life is fundamentally unfair. Sometimes this card suggests that harsh judgment - whether from others or yourself - is preventing healing and growth. When reversed, the card's symbols take on different meanings: The scales of justice, which normally represents balance, fairness, and weighing all sides equally, now suggests this energy is blocked, hidden, or working against you. The sword pointing upward, which normally represents clear thinking, truth, and decisive action, now suggests this energy is blocked, hidden, or working against you. The crown, which normally represents divine authority and spiritual wisdom in judgment, now suggests this energy is blocked, hidden, or working against you.
Shadow Aspects
The shadow side of The Judge emerges when Justice appears reversed. Instead of trust the card's message, you may find yourself blocked, resistant, or expressing this energy in unhealthy ways. Key shadow themes include: injustice, imbalance, lack of accountability, unfair treatment. Thoughts become obsessive, communication breaks down, analysis leads to paralysis.
Working With This Energy
Justice reversed is not a "bad" card - it's an invitation to look inward and address what's blocked. Ask yourself: Where in my life do I need to restore balance? Consider what aspects of balance you may be resisting or avoiding. The card's guidance, when reversed, suggests examining where you're not following this wisdom: Seek balance in all areas of life and take responsibility for your actions and their consequences.
Life Areas Affected
In love: Unfair relationships, lack of balance in love, or avoiding relationship responsibility. In career: Workplace injustice, unethical business practices, or professional dishonesty. In finances: Financial dishonesty, money disputes, or avoiding financial responsibility. In health: Health imbalances, unfair health treatment, or avoiding health responsibility. In spirituality: Spiritual imbalance, avoiding karmic lessons, or religious dogmatism.
Reversed Meanings by Life Area
Love Reversed
In love, reversed Justice warns of unfair relationship dynamics, one-sided partnerships, or lack of accountability in romantic matters. You may be in a relationship where you give much more than you receive, or conversely, taking advantage of a partner's generosity without reciprocating. This card can indicate dishonesty in relationships, unfair treatment of partners, or avoiding responsibility for relationship problems. Reversed Justice may also represent harsh judgment in love - either being overly critical of partners or being unfairly judged yourself. The card calls for examining your relationship patterns and taking responsibility for creating more balanced connections.
Career Reversed
Professionally, reversed Justice indicates workplace injustice, discrimination, unethical business practices, or professional situations where merit isn't rewarded. You may be experiencing unfair treatment from supervisors, colleagues taking credit for your work, or systemic problems that prevent fair advancement. This card can also represent your own professional dishonesty, cutting corners, or avoiding responsibility for work mistakes. Reversed Justice may indicate legal problems related to your career, conflicts with authority figures, or feeling that your professional contributions aren't fairly recognized. The card calls for either seeking fair treatment or examining your own professional integrity.
Finances Reversed
The reversed Justice warns of financial dishonesty, unfair money dealings, or avoiding financial responsibilities. You may be involved in financial disputes, dealing with dishonest financial advisors, or experiencing monetary injustice. This card can indicate bankruptcy, legal troubles related to money, or the consequences of past financial dishonesty catching up with you. Reversed Justice may also represent your own financial irresponsibility, not paying debts, or taking advantage of others financially. The card warns that financial karma is imbalanced and calls for greater financial integrity and accountability.
Health Reversed
The reversed Justice in health matters indicates imbalances that resist correction, unfair treatment from healthcare providers, or avoiding responsibility for your own health. You may be experiencing health problems related to excess, lack of moderation, or lifestyle choices that are finally catching up with you. This card can suggest medical malpractice, insurance disputes, or feeling that your health concerns aren't being taken seriously. Reversed Justice may also indicate being overly harsh with yourself about health issues or neglecting your wellbeing while taking care of others. The card calls for greater balance and self-responsibility in health matters.
Esoteric Correspondences
Understanding Justice's deeper symbolism enriches your reversed interpretation.
Golden Dawn Title
La Justice
La Giustizia
Element
air
Planet
Venus
Zodiac Sign
Libra
Dates
September 23 - October 22
Hebrew Letter
ל (Lamed)
Ox-goad, teaching, guidance
Tree of Life
Path 22
Geburah to Tiphareth (Severity to Beauty)
Explore Justice in Other Contexts
Justice Reversed FAQs
Common questions answered
What does Justice reversed mean?
Is Justice reversed a bad card?
How should I interpret Justice reversed in love?
What does Justice reversed mean for career?
Still have questions? We're here to help!
Contact Support →Explore More Tarot Readings
Discover different ways to gain insight and guidance through our free tarot card readings