January 15, 2001

With the Moon being so squarely in Libra, today is the day to look at Libra's card: Justice, or as it is known in some decks, (mine included) Prudence. The numbering of this card can be 8, in the continental decks, or 11 in many of the modern and post-modern decks. Again, we need to understand that the prototypical cards were not numbered and it is beyond the reach of currently understood tarot history to give the cards a "proper order". However, for our purposes the numbers and the ordering make it easier for these monologues to take place.

For simplicities sake I have gone again to The Golden Dawn Tarot for the card. A pale blue sky countered with stratocumulus displays meets a checkerboard marble floor of alternating grey and royal purple upon which sits Justice in a throne of red and gold.

In her left hand she holds the balancing scale, in her right a short Grecian-style sword with an exaggerated cross piece that forms a distinct Calvary Cross. Her gown and cloak is of green, her headdress Egyptian in design and flavor. Her bare feet rest upon a jackal, but neither the white nor black of the Moon card in the Egyptian Tarot: here it is merle.

As with many modern decks Justices throne sits between the pillars of J & B, one of dark marble, one of light: Boaz is translated as Strength and Joachin as Wisdom.

The Pillar of Strength is a symbol for the Apprentice Freemason and alludes to the fact apprentices were basically beasts of burden in the building of temples and especially the Temple of King Solomon. The Pillar of Wisdom is a symbol for the Fellowcraft Mason and alludes to the fact only the wise apprentices were advanced to the degree of Fellow who fit the stones into their proper places. In some lodges this pillar is called the Pillar of Establishment because Fellows are "established." The Joachin Pillar is also called the Pillar of Fire in some orders. Some refer to it as the Left Hand of God. (Interestingly, to my knowledge the Pillar of Boaz is not referred to as the Right Hand of God.)

According to Waite and the Holy Order of the Golden Dawn, the seated Justice (as does the High Priestess) herself represents the Middle Pillar which forms a balance point between the other two pillars which he also calls the Pillars of Strength and Wisdom presumably after his own Masonic initiations.

In Esoteric Freemasonry the Middle Pillar is called the Pillar of Jehovah or 'Yod Heh Vau Heh' though it is also referred to as the Pillar of Balance.

R-W-S and other modern decks indicate that the pillars form a gate through which the adept passes to enter the sanctuary of the High Priestess.

From my personal tarot table I present the following information on card 11-8 Justice/ Prudence:

PRUDENCE indicates that the time is ripe for making decisions based on past experience and future expectations. The FOOL has re-aligned lifestyle to create equilibrium with the Earth and Nature and created new and vibrant ways to express creativity with unparalleled originality and expressiveness.

The principles of balance require that whatever is begun, initiated or instituted, the Aleph or Alpha, must be completed at some time, the Tau or Omega. The pillars of justice lead to different realms than do the pillars oft times associated with The CONSULTANT and The HIEROPHANT. Clarity, balance, and simplicity denote this stage of life. The journey remains a struggle, but the struggle is balanced by what is gleaned. Much energy and effort is requires to 'see' the sunrise each day. More energy is required to maintain a joyful attitude.

Integrating the stages of the journey, balanced by clarifying mental activity, combined in synergy with the physicality of travel, is oft expressed through writing, research, or design. Simplifying life takes on 'urgency' not previously encountered.

PRUDENCE represents the inspired, creative mind, lofty ideals, and creative ideas expressed in tangible ways. Justice is co-joined with the Hebrew letter Heth, indicative of a field: a field where the idea of anything needing effort arises. Life requires an effort, through PRUDENCE and the balance of the scales, we can learn to appreciate each moment, each breath; every sunrise, every sunset. Life as celebration is possible at this juncture, achieved through negotiation and simplification.

It behooves The FOOL to check for outmoded, superfluous, or unnecessary baggage in the bag-of-tricks tied to the staff. Do not expand more energy than is absolutely necessary; conserve personal power, personal energy. It further behooves The FOOL to maintain a full awareness that negotiation, prioritized and seemingly without end, is the key to life. The journey has only begun!

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