Lady Justice and the Tarot Justice Card: Blindfolds, Scales, and Swords

5 febbraio 2026

BY NICOLE LAU

She stands before the courthouse—Lady Justice, blindfolded, holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other. She is impartial, balanced, and decisive. She does not see race, wealth, or status—only truth and fairness. She weighs the evidence, and when the scales tip, her sword falls with precision and finality. This is justice—not revenge, not mercy, but balance.

In the Tarot, Justice (card XI or VIII, depending on the deck) sits on a throne, holding the same symbols—scales and sword. She is not blindfolded in most depictions, but her gaze is steady, penetrating, and impartial. She sees all, weighs all, and judges all. Justice is not emotional—it is cosmic law, karmic balance, and the inevitable consequence of action. Lady Justice and the Tarot Justice card are the same archetype—the embodiment of fairness, accountability, and the universal principle that actions have consequences. When you invoke Justice, you're not asking for what you want—you're asking for what is fair, what is balanced, and what is true.

The Legal Science: Lady Justice as Symbol

Lady Justice (also called Justitia in Roman tradition) is the personification of the moral force in judicial systems. She appears in courthouses, law schools, and legal documents worldwide.

The Three Symbols of Lady Justice:

1. The Blindfold:

Meaning: Impartiality and objectivity. Justice is blind—she does not see the identity, appearance, wealth, or status of those before her. She judges based on facts and law, not bias or prejudice.
History: The blindfold was added to Lady Justice in the 16th century. Before that, she was often depicted with open eyes (seeing all). The blindfold emphasizes that justice should be administered without favoritism.
Controversy: Some argue that justice should not be blind—that context, systemic inequality, and individual circumstances matter. "Blind justice" can perpetuate injustice if it ignores power imbalances.

2. The Scales:

Meaning: Balance and fairness. The scales weigh evidence, arguments, and claims. Justice is about equilibrium—neither too harsh nor too lenient, but proportionate and fair.
Function: In a trial, the scales represent the weighing of evidence. The prosecution and defense each present their case, and the judge or jury weighs the evidence to determine truth and guilt.
Symbolism: The scales are never perfectly balanced—one side always tips. This represents the decision, the judgment, the moment when balance is restored through accountability.

3. The Sword:

Meaning: Authority, power, and decisive action. The sword is the enforcement of justice—it cuts through lies, delivers punishment, and protects the innocent. It is swift, sharp, and final.
Function: The sword represents the power of the state to enforce laws, punish wrongdoing, and protect society. It is both a weapon (against injustice) and a tool (for order).
Symbolism: The sword is double-edged—it can be used for justice or for tyranny. Power must be wielded with wisdom and restraint.

Lady Justice in Legal Systems:

Lady Justice appears in courthouses worldwide—the Old Bailey in London, the Supreme Court in Washington D.C., and countless other legal institutions. She is a reminder of the ideals of justice: fairness, impartiality, and accountability.
However, the reality of legal systems often falls short of these ideals. Bias, corruption, inequality, and systemic injustice persist. Lady Justice is an aspiration, not always a reality.

The Mystical Parallel: The Tarot Justice Card

In the Tarot, Justice is one of the Major Arcana—the archetypal forces that shape human experience. Justice represents cosmic law, karmic balance, and the principle of cause and effect.

The Tarot Justice Card (XI or VIII):

Imagery:

Justice sits on a throne, often between two pillars (representing duality—mercy and severity, masculine and feminine, light and dark).
She holds scales in her left hand (the hand of intuition and the subconscious) and a sword in her right hand (the hand of action and the conscious mind).
She is not blindfolded—she sees all. Her gaze is direct, penetrating, and impartial. She sees the truth, even when it is hidden.
She wears a crown (authority) and a red robe (passion, action, and the material world). Her expression is calm, neutral, and resolute.

Upright Meaning:

Fairness and Balance: Justice upright indicates that fairness will prevail. If you've acted with integrity, you will be rewarded. If you've acted unjustly, you will face consequences.
Accountability: Justice is about taking responsibility for your actions. You cannot escape the consequences of your choices. What you sow, you reap.
Truth: Justice reveals the truth. Lies, deception, and manipulation are exposed. The truth may be uncomfortable, but it is necessary.
Legal Matters: Justice often appears in readings about legal issues—lawsuits, contracts, court cases. It suggests that the outcome will be fair, based on the facts and the law.
Karmic Balance: Justice is karmic—what goes around, comes around. If you've been wronged, Justice brings restitution. If you've wronged others, Justice brings reckoning.

Reversed Meaning:

Injustice: Justice reversed indicates unfairness, bias, or corruption. The system is broken, or the outcome is unjust.
Avoidance of Accountability: You or someone else is avoiding responsibility, denying wrongdoing, or escaping consequences.
Dishonesty: Lies, manipulation, or self-deception. The truth is being hidden or distorted.
Legal Trouble: Justice reversed can indicate legal problems, unfavorable outcomes in court, or being on the wrong side of the law.
Imbalance: The scales are tipped unfairly. There is inequality, bias, or a lack of fairness.

The Convergence: Justice as Universal Principle

Lady Justice and the Tarot Justice card represent the same principle: actions have consequences, and balance must be restored.

Cosmic Law vs. Human Law:

Human Law: Created by societies to maintain order, protect rights, and punish wrongdoing. Human law is imperfect—it can be biased, unjust, or corrupted by power.
Cosmic Law (Karma): The universal principle that every action has a reaction, every cause has an effect. Cosmic law is impartial, inevitable, and beyond human control. You cannot escape karma—only balance it.
Lady Justice represents the ideal of human law aligning with cosmic law. When the legal system is fair, impartial, and just, it reflects the cosmic principle of balance. When it is corrupt or biased, it violates cosmic law—and karma will eventually restore balance.

The Scales: Weighing Evidence and Karma:

In court, the scales weigh evidence—facts, testimony, and arguments. The side with the stronger case tips the scales.
In karma, the scales weigh actions—good deeds, harmful deeds, intentions, and consequences. The balance of your actions determines your karmic outcome.
Both systems seek the same thing: truth and fairness.

The Sword: Cutting Through Deception:

In court, the sword represents the power to enforce the law—to punish the guilty and protect the innocent.
In Tarot, the sword represents truth, clarity, and the cutting away of illusions. Justice's sword cuts through lies, excuses, and self-deception. It reveals what is real.
Both swords demand honesty and accountability.

The Blindfold (or Lack Thereof):

Lady Justice is blindfolded—she does not see who stands before her, only the facts.
Tarot Justice is not blindfolded—she sees everything, including what is hidden. She sees your intentions, your actions, and your heart.
This difference is significant: Human justice aims for impartiality by ignoring identity. Cosmic justice sees all and judges based on the totality of your being—not just your actions, but your intentions and your soul.

Justice in Spiritual Traditions

Karma (Hinduism, Buddhism):

Karma is the law of cause and effect. Every action (karma) has a consequence. Good actions lead to good outcomes (good karma). Harmful actions lead to suffering (bad karma).
Karma is not punishment—it is balance. It is the universe's way of restoring equilibrium. Justice, in this sense, is inevitable and impersonal.

Ma'at (Ancient Egypt):

Ma'at is the Egyptian goddess of truth, justice, and cosmic order. After death, the heart of the deceased is weighed against Ma'at's feather of truth. If the heart is lighter (free from sin), the soul passes to the afterlife. If heavier (burdened by wrongdoing), the soul is devoured.
This is the ultimate weighing of the scales—cosmic justice determining the fate of the soul.

The Golden Rule (Universal):

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This principle appears in nearly every religious and ethical tradition. It is the foundation of justice—treat others fairly, and you will be treated fairly.

Restorative Justice (Modern):

Restorative justice focuses on healing and balance rather than punishment. It seeks to repair harm, restore relationships, and reintegrate offenders into the community. This aligns with the karmic principle of balance—not revenge, but restoration. (More on this in Article 8: Restorative Justice and Karmic Balance.)

Practical Applications: Invoking Justice

When to Invoke Justice:

Legal Matters: If you're involved in a lawsuit, contract dispute, or court case, invoke Justice for a fair outcome.
Accountability: If you or someone else needs to take responsibility for actions, invoke Justice to bring truth and accountability.
Fairness: If you've been treated unfairly, invoke Justice to restore balance.
Truth: If lies or deception are clouding a situation, invoke Justice to reveal the truth.

Justice Ritual:

Create Sacred Space: Light a candle (white for truth, purple for justice, or black for protection).
State Your Intention: "I invoke Justice. I ask for fairness, truth, and balance. May the outcome be just, based on what is right and true."
Visualize the Scales: Imagine Lady Justice's scales. See your situation being weighed. Trust that the scales will tip toward truth and fairness.
Affirm Accountability: "I take responsibility for my actions. I accept the consequences, and I trust that justice will prevail."
Release: Let go of the outcome. Justice is not about getting what you want—it's about getting what is fair. Trust the process.

Justice Affirmations:

"I trust in the fairness of the universe."
"I take responsibility for my actions and accept the consequences."
"Truth and justice will prevail."
"I release the need for revenge. I trust in karmic balance."

The Philosophical Implication: You Cannot Escape Justice

Justice is inevitable. You cannot escape the consequences of your actions—not forever. Human law may be flawed, but cosmic law is perfect. What you do comes back to you. What you give, you receive. The scales always balance, even if it takes time.

Justice is not about punishment—it's about balance. It's about restoring equilibrium, revealing truth, and ensuring that actions have consequences. And when you align with Justice—when you act with integrity, honesty, and fairness—you align with cosmic law. You become an agent of balance, a seeker of truth, and a force for fairness in the world.

Lady Justice and the Tarot Justice card teach that fairness is not optional—it is cosmic law. The blindfold reminds us to be impartial. The scales remind us to seek balance. The sword reminds us to act with truth and decisiveness. And when you invoke Justice, you're not asking for what you want—you're asking for what is right, what is fair, and what is true. And that—that is the highest form of justice.

The scales are waiting. The sword is ready. And you—you are accountable. Your actions have consequences. Your choices create your karma. And Justice—Justice sees all, weighs all, and ensures that balance is restored. Act with integrity. Speak the truth. And trust that Justice, in the end, will prevail.

Next in series: The Courtroom as Ritual Space—robes, gavels, and sacred procedure.