Judgement in tarot:
look back clearly, then start again

The trumpet sounds and people rise from their coffins. Judgement is often read as a turning point, but before you rise, it asks you to look back once.

Look at the picture first

An angel blows a trumpet from the clouds, with a flag bearing a cross hanging from it. Below, people rise from their coffins, arms open towards the sound, with mountains and sea in the distance.

The people in the picture look as if they've been woken. The card often speaks of answering: something has been on your mind all along, and now it's time to face it properly.

Upright

Often about looking back, reflecting and starting again. It can also be a turning point, a second chance, or finally deciding to answer an idea you've carried for a long time.

Reversed

Often about being too hard on yourself, dwelling on past mistakes, or hearing your inner voice and putting off answering it.

In questions about getting back together

When Judgement comes up in a question about reconciliation, many people read it as "it will start again". You can understand its reminder this way: to start again, you first need to see clearly why it ended last time. Whether those reasons have changed is worth thinking about before whether the other person will come back.

For more on asking about reconciliation, see How to ask tarot about love.

In work questions

Judgement often comes up when you're thinking of changing jobs, picking up an interest you'd dropped, or going back to a field. You can ask: why did I leave back then? What am I ready for now?

What to check when you draw it

• Is there something I've wanted to do but never answered?
• What from my past experience is worth taking forward?
• Which criticism of myself can I put down for now?

For the other Major Arcana, read the Fool's Journey, or look them up in all 78 card meanings.

Common questions