Judgement
Model: Melissa Reardon.
Setting: Stonehenge, and a cemetery
Figures under the archangel: from 1970s Playboy illustrations, and other dark erotica courtesy of James Ford.
Card design: based on the Spiral Tarot.
By tradition, the Judgement card always shows a number of naked people rising up from their graves, arms outspread and responding to the trumpet call of the archangel, Gabriel, hovering above. The people are appealing to the angel, ready to be judged by the power of the Universe.
“The card calls for a period of reflection and self-evaluation. Through meditation or quiet reflection, you may come to a point of deep understanding about the common themes throughout your life and what you can do or change to avoid these situations in the future. Judgement tells you that you are close to reaching a significant stage in your own journey.
“The Judgement card suggests that you have had a recent epiphany or an ‘awakening’ where you have come to a realisation that you need to live your life in a different way and you need to be true to yourself and your needs. You feel as though you have had a ‘calling’ in life, and you are getting much closer to the point where you need to take action. Something that was lying dormant within you, some unconscious knowledge or truth is finally being awakened and brought into the light.
“As with everything in life, the beginning is woven irrevocably into the end and the end eventually leads to a new beginning. The planetary ruler of this card is Pluto, the ruler of the underworld.”
My personal interpretation deals with the feeling that I am being judged. I painted it at a time when I was having issues with censorship. HOWEVER, there is no direct reference to anyone’s private life in this painting. It was more about putting as much filth in as possible, and then see what the Facebook censors have to say. I will not back down. I will not allow myself to be repressed, controlled, censored or made to feel ashamed of my work. (Very difficult to achieve as I come from a pretty repressive Catholic background).
Also, I often include the reverse in my card. Here it is also relevant:
Reversed, the Judgement card suggests that you may be indulging yourself in doubt and self-judgement. Your deliberation is causing you to miss the new opportunities that await. A certain amount of momentum has accumulated behind what you have achieved, which could propel you further. If actions are taken now, such momentum will not be lost. Therefore now is not the time for being cautious or introverted, rather it is time to move onwards with confidence and pride.
So now is the time to stop self-censoring this card. Enjoy.