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Tarot Talk: Judgment

By Katrina Rasbold

In the Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot deck, the Judgment card—number twenty in the Major Arcana—is among the most evocative and spiritually charged images. Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, this card heralds awakening, transformation, and the soul’s final reckoning before transcendence. Laden with Christian imagery and esoteric undertones, the Judgment card is not merely about divine judgment in a religious sense, but about the profound moment of self-assessment, karmic resolution, and resurrection into a new phase of consciousness.

Let us explore the symbolism in Smith’s artwork and the deeper meanings this card conveys in a tarot reading.


🕊️ Imagery and Symbolism

The Angel and the Trumpet

At the top of the image, an angel—often interpreted as Archangel Gabriel—blows a golden trumpet, calling the dead to rise. A white flag bearing a red cross unfurls from the instrument, reminiscent of the St. George’s Cross. This scene is directly inspired by Christian iconography of the Last Judgment, particularly from the Book of Revelation.

  • The trumpet symbolizes a call to awaken, to heed a higher calling, or to embrace an inevitable truth.
  • Gabriel, as the messenger of God, represents communication from the divine realm and signals that it is time to rise, literally or metaphorically.
  • The red cross—emblematic of sacrifice and salvation—conveys spiritual rebirth and the power of divine grace.

The Rising Dead

Below the angel, grey-skinned figures rise from their graves with outstretched arms. They are naked, symbolizing vulnerability, equality, and the shedding of worldly attachments. These figures are not bound by age or gender—they represent the collective soul of humanity.

  • Coffins floating in the water or emerging from the earth suggest emotional depths and the subconscious, tying the imagery to the element of Water—intuition, cleansing, and rebirth.
  • The upward gesture of the people speaks to receptivity, surrender, and aspiration toward higher truth.

The Mountains in the Background

Distant blue mountains loom behind the scene, symbolizing spiritual permanence, obstacles overcome, and the finality of earthly striving. Mountains, especially in Smith’s deck, often represent thresholds between earthly life and the spiritual realm.


🔮 Interpretations of the Judgment Card

Upright Meaning

When Judgment appears upright in a tarot reading, it signals a pivotal moment of reckoning and release. This is the card of resurrection, rebirth, and karmic accounting.

Keywords: Awakening, transformation, absolution, inner calling, life review, renewal.

  • Spiritual Awakening: The card often marks a time of profound realization. The querent may be called to re-evaluate their path and live more authentically.
  • Karmic Closure: Old patterns, relationships, or past mistakes come to the surface—not for punishment, but for understanding, forgiveness, and liberation.
  • Major Life Decisions: Judgment can herald life-changing decisions, often involving a leap of faith. It encourages action based on clarity and moral truth.
  • Rebirth After Trials: Just as the dead rise from the grave, the querent may be emerging from a long period of darkness, grief, or stagnation into a phase of renewal.

It is worth noting that Judgment follows The Sun (card XIX) and precedes The World (card XXI), suggesting that enlightenment (The Sun) naturally leads to reevaluation (Judgment), which in turn allows completion and wholeness (The World).

Reversed Meaning

When reversed, the card may indicate avoidance, self-doubt, or being stuck in the past.

Keywords: Self-judgment, denial, fear of change, stagnation, guilt, reluctance to forgive.

  • Fear of Accountability: The querent may be resisting necessary inner work, denying responsibility, or avoiding closure.
  • Stagnation: Rather than rising to meet the call, they may remain stuck in old patterns, haunted by unresolved guilt or regret.
  • Inner Criticism: Sometimes this card reversed reflects harsh self-judgment. The person may be their own harshest critic, unable to see how far they’ve come.

In these cases, the card encourages compassion, honesty, and courage to face the truth.


🌈 Esoteric and Psychological Layers

From a kabbalistic perspective, Judgment corresponds to the path between Hod (glory, intellect) and Malkuth (the physical world), suggesting the moment when inner awareness transforms the outer life. Astrologically, it is sometimes associated with Pluto, planet of death, transformation, and rebirth.

Psychologically, this card symbolizes integration of the self. The figures emerging from the grave represent the parts of the psyche that have been buried, repressed, or forgotten. When Judgment arises, we are called to accept all parts of ourselves, integrating the shadow and light, and thereby stepping into true wholeness.

In my readings, I think of Judgment as the fulfillment of Divine Law, which includes the underlying sense of right and wrong, of karma, and of one’s moral compass whereas the Justice card speaks more to human laws and cultural consensus on acceptable behavior versus inappropriate behavior.


🗝️ When Judgment Appears in a Reading

Here is what to consider when this card arises:

  • Are you answering a higher call? You may feel drawn to a vocation, spiritual path, or major life change that aligns with your deepest values.
  • Is it time to forgive or release the past? Letting go of guilt or resentment may be essential for moving forward.
  • Have you experienced an “aha” moment? Insights gained now can catalyze major transformation.
  • Are you willing to be vulnerable and accountable? True growth begins with honesty and surrender.

The Courage to Rise

Pamela Colman Smith’s Judgment card is a masterpiece of spiritual symbolism. It captures a universal truth—that transformation is always possible, but it requires us to face ourselves without flinching. It’s a card that asks: Are you ready to awaken? To rise from your personal tomb, leave behind the shadows of the past, and answer the call to your highest self?

To draw Judgment is to be offered the gift of renewal. All you must do is rise, clean and redeemed, from the darkness and and oppression that kept you buried.


Want to join the conversation about this blog post? Go to the Green Egg Forum and scroll for the forum post that relates to this article: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1069823176940972


Katrina Rasbold is a professional Witch, published author, priestess, and editor of Green Egg Magazine. She and her husband, Eric, are the creators of the CUSP spiritual path and owners of Crossroads Occult. You can reach her through www.katrinarasbold.com.

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Tarot Talk: The Two of Cups

By Katrina Rasbold

In Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic rendering of the Two of Cups for the Rider–Waite–Smith Tarot, we are presented with a deeply evocative image of emotional connection, mutual respect, and the merging of energies. This card, often associated with romance, unity, and partnership, carries both esoteric and emotional symbolism that reaches beyond the surface image of two lovers meeting. Let’s explore the depths of this card’s symbols, its upright and reversed meanings, and its place within the larger Tarot system.
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Tarot Talk: Justice

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s depiction of the Justice card in the Rider–Waite–Smith (RWS) tarot deck offers a rich and balanced portrayal of equilibrium, moral clarity, and karmic consequence. As the eleventh card in the Major Arcana (numbered VIII in some traditional decks), Justice sits at the midpoint of the Fool’s Journey, marking a moment of reckoning, truth, and ethical discernment.

This post explores the symbolism and interpretation of the Justice card, including visual details, esoteric meanings, numerological significance, and advice for when this card appears in a reading. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Justice

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Tarot Talk – The Ace of Swords

By Katrina Rasbold

The Ace of Swords, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite, is a card that gleams with intensity, clarity, and decisive power. It is the purest embodiment of the element of air within the Minor Arcana and signals new beginnings in thought, truth, and communication. With its striking imagery and subtle symbolism, this card heralds a mental breakthrough or the slicing away of confusion to reveal crystalline insight. Continue reading Tarot Talk – The Ace of Swords

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Tarot Talk: Eight of Swords

By Katrina Rasbold

The Tarot deck designed by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite is one of the most iconic and enduring images in esoteric symbolism. Each card is rich with layered meanings, psychological insight, and archetypal resonance. Among them, the Eight of Swords stands out as a visually striking and emotionally charged card. It is a card that immediately evokes feelings of entrapment and helplessness — yet, like all cards in Tarot, it holds a mirror to deeper truths, inviting us to look beyond surface-level suffering.

Let’s take a closer look at this powerful image, its symbolism, and the multiple ways it can be interpreted. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Eight of Swords

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Tarot Talk: Three of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s illustrations for the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck revolutionized tarot interpretation, embedding each card with rich visual symbolism that speaks to intuition as much as intellect. Among these, the Three of Wands stands out as a quietly powerful card—one that speaks of foresight, personal growth, and the broadening of horizons.

Let’s take a closer look at the card and unpack its layered meaning, symbolism, and spiritual resonance. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Three of Wands

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Tarot Talk: The Hanged Man

By Katrina Rasbold


The Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, is a cornerstone of modern tarot practice. Among its 78 cards, The Hanged Man stands out as one of the most enigmatic and paradoxical. Its unsettling image—a man suspended upside down by one foot—invites a pause. But in that pause lies the card’s true power: the invitation to surrender, shift perspective, and embrace transformation. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Hanged Man

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Tarot Talk: Four of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

Among the most visually celebratory cards in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, the Four of Wands radiates joy, accomplishment, and stability. Designed by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite, this card belongs to the Suit of Wands, which governs creativity, passion, and action. Its imagery suggests festivity and harmony, making it one of the most positive cards in the deck. But beneath its bright and cheerful surface lies a deeper symbolism that connects to numerology, esotericism, and human experience. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Four of Wands

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Tarot Talk: Seven of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

In the world of Tarot, few decks are as iconic as the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite. Among its striking imagery, the Seven of Wands stands out as a card of resilience, challenge, and personal fortitude. But beyond its surface meaning, the artwork carries deep symbolic layers that speak to themes of conflict, personal power, and perseverance. Continue reading Tarot Talk: Seven of Wands

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Tarot Talk: The Five of Swords

By Katrina Rasbold

For many people, the Five of Swords is one of the more visually striking and unsettling cards in the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck. It depicts a smug-looking figure in the foreground, holding three swords, while two defeated individuals walk away in the background. The sky is cloudy and gray, adding to the tension of the scene. This card often signals conflict, betrayal, hollow victories, and the consequences of dishonorable actions. What does the symbolism in Pamela Colman Smith’s depiction of the Five of Swords tell us and what are the subtle implications of the card in a reading? That’s our topic for this week’s “Tarot Talk” post. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Five of Swords

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Tarot Talk: The Page of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

In the realm of tarot, few images are as evocative as those found in the Rider-Waite deck, and the Page of Wands stands out as a vibrant emblem of youthful energy and creative possibility. Created by Pamela Colman Smith, whose artistry and intuitive symbolism have defined tarot for over a century, this card invites us to explore themes of inspiration, adventure, and the boundless potential inherent in new beginnings. Continue reading Tarot Talk: The Page of Wands

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Tarot Talk: 10 of Swords

By Katrina Rasbold

The 10 of Swords is one of the most visually dramatic and emotionally charged cards in Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic Smith-Waite Tarot deck. It evokes a sense of finality, defeat, and deep transformation. The card’s stark imagery, featuring a figure lying face-down with ten swords piercing their back, has made it one of the most recognizable and, for some, unsettling images in tarot. However, beyond its ominous first impression, the 10 of Swords holds profound symbolic meaning that speaks to themes of endings, resilience, and rebirth. Continue reading Tarot Talk: 10 of Swords

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Tarot Talk: The 2 of Pentacles

By Katrina Rasbold

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In this post, we’ll explore the symbolism and interpretation of the 2 of Pentacles, examining its deeper meanings and how it applies to different areas of life

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Tarot Talk: The Star

By Katrina Rasbold

The Star card, numbered XVII in the Major Arcana, is one of the most optimistic and inspiring cards in the Tarot deck. Illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite, the Star radiates themes of hope, renewal, and spiritual enlightenment. Its deep symbolism and artistic nuances make it a profound card to interpret in readings, offering insights into healing, guidance, and inner harmony.

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Tarot Talk: The Hermit

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s depiction of The Hermit in the Rider-Waite tarot deck is one of the most iconic images in tarot history. Designed in collaboration with A. E. Waite and first published in 1909, the card encapsulates profound themes of introspection, guidance, and spiritual enlightenment. To fully appreciate its layers of meaning, it’s essential to explore both its visual elements and the underlying symbolism.

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Tarot Talk: 5 of Wands

By Katrina Rasbold

The Five of Wands, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith for the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck, is a card rich with dynamic imagery and layered symbolism. Its chaotic yet vibrant scene invites diverse interpretations, making it a fascinating subject for study in tarot readings. Let’s delve into its visual elements, symbolic meanings, and potential interpretations. Continue reading Tarot Talk: 5 of Wands

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Tarot Talk: The Empress

By Katrina Rasbold

Pamela Colman Smith’s interpretation of the Empress card in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a visual masterpiece rich in symbolism, embodying themes of nurturing, creativity, and abundance. As the quintessential archetype of the divine feminine, the Empress evokes a sense of fertility, beauty, and connection to nature. Let’s delve into the intricate layers of this card and uncover its meanings.

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Tarot Talk: Seven of Swords

By Katrina Rasbold

The 7 of Swords from Pamela Colman Smith’s iconic Rider-Waite Tarot deck is a card that captures intrigue, strategy, and ethical ambiguity. Its vivid imagery and layered symbolism invite rich interpretation. In this blog post, we will delve into the meaning, symbolism, and potential messages of this enigmatic card.

Continue reading Tarot Talk: Seven of Swords

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Tarot Talk: King of Pentacles

By Katrina Rasbold

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Continue reading Tarot Talk: King of Pentacles