Short meaning: You are subject to internal and external judgement. You face the things you have done well and the mistakes you have made. The past cannot be changed but it should inform your future. Take the lessons you have learned forward with you.
In-depth meaning: The Subject is judged internally, by themselves, or externally, by others, in regard to something they’ve been involved in. This card can relate to outcomes of all kinds in relationships, work life or material or creative pursuits. People are generally enthused and want to highlight and celebrate their success, and rightly so. People who have worked long and hard, and who have not waivered from their ethical principles in order to achieve their goal, will receive their longed-for recognition.
If, however, Judgement means the Subject is to face up to some negative consequence of their actions, the lesson is to learn something about how they go about achieving their goals in life. When the Subject looks back over events they’ll remember what they had to do to get there and the extent to which it was right and moral. The Subject is asked to consider if they are happy with all of their actions, input and work to get to this point or, with hindsight, would they choose to do anything differently? These lessons need to be held on to and used for future reference.
Notes on the image: A young woman kneels before three hooded figures sitting behind a table. They have a large book in front of them and three large ornate pillars behind them. Are they judging her and she is pleading for mercy? Or are they listening to her explanation of why and how she did things, so they can write it in the book? Is she exalted that she has done things in the best possible way? Or is she pleading for another go because she got it wrong? It doesn’t really matter – this image is to depict external and internal judgement – something we all have to face at some point.