Judgement (Tarot card)

Judgement (XX), [see caption on the original Rider-Waite card - http://www.learntarot.com/bigjpgs/maj20.jpg] or in some decks spelled Judgment, is a Tarot card, part of the Major Arcana suit usually comprising of 22 cards.

Rider-Waite symbolism

Very clearly, it is modeled after the Christian Resurrection before the Last Judgment.

* An angel, possibly Gabriel, is depicted blowing a great trumpet, from which hangs a white flag bearing a red cross, most likely the St George's Cross.
* A group of humans (man, woman, and child) of grayish complexion stand, arms spread, looking up at the angel in awe. The people are apparently emerging from crypts or graves.
* There are huge mountains in the background, which almost seem like glaciers as they are so white and blue. These may signify insurmountable obstacles and the impossibility of avoiding the Judgment.

Divination usage

A. E. Waite was a key figure in the development of modern Tarot interpretations. [Wood (1998).] However, not all interpretations follow his practices. Please remember that all Tarot decks used for divination are interpreted up to personal experience and standards.

Some frequent keywords are:
*"Judgment ----- Rebirth ----- Inner Calling ----- Absolution"

*"Restart ----- Accepting past mistakes/actions ----- Release"

*"Forgiveness ----- End of repression ----- Reconciliation ----- Renewal"

*"Decision ----- Salvation ----- New beginning ----- Hope ----- Redemption"

When Judgment appears in a reading, it is usually interpreted as a signal of an impending judgment, such as of postponed decisions. As the card symbolizes resurrection, it can also be interpreted to herald the return of individuals from the past. The card also represents God's promise of life after death. In a reading, especially near the Six of Cups, it may represent a preoccupation with the past, while also suggesting a new beginning and clearing out of the past. Tarot scholar Tara Miller writes that "Judgment represents the House of Gabriel, the knowing that Judgment Day can come at any moment; live your life to the fullest, as the trumpet of Gabriel is at hand."Fact|date=December 2007

Popular culture

* The first boss of "The House of the Dead 2", a light gun game by Sega, takes its name from the Judgment card. It consists of a large, heavily armored, headless undead knight and a purple, imp-like demon. Judgment is the name of the "duo", not the individual monsters; the knight is called Kuarl, while the imp is called Zeal. However, the two monsters appear to share their life-force. Zeal appears to control Kuarl, and regularly commands it to attack the players with its massive halberd as it flies around wildly to avoid being shot. Although Kuarl is much more resistant to damage than Zeal, it is the first to fall; once it loses its partner, Zeal attempts to headbutt the player, still zipping around to dodge counterattacks. (The only time that Zeal sits still is when it is about to attack, either by commanding Kuarl or by charging at the players.) It should also be noted that "all" of the bosses in the "House of the Dead" series derive their names from the Major Arcana.
*In the Persona video game series, the Judgment Arcana contains personae of the Abrahamic mythos, such as Lucifer, Messiah, Satan, etc.

See also

External links

* [http://trionfi.com/tarot/cards/20-judgment/ "Judgment" cards from many decks and articles to "Judgment" iconography]
* [http://www.learntarot.com/maj20.htm The Judgment from "Learning the Tarot: A Tarot Book for Beginners" - Joan Bunning]

References