Justice
Justice is one of two Major Arcana cards whose number changes depending on the tradition — XI in the Rider-Waite version, VIII in the Marseille Tarot. It represents truth, balance, and the direct relationship between cause and effect.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-18
Historical fact
In the traditional Marseille Tarot, Justice is card number VIII, and Strength is number XI. Arthur Edward Waite reversed that numbering in his 1909 version — Justice became XI and Strength became VIII — to align the sequence with the astrological correspondences used by the Golden Dawn. This is a real, documented swap, not a printing error. In Aleister Crowley's Thoth deck, the card was renamed 'Adjustment'.
Interpretation — Rider-Waite-Smith / Golden Dawn
In the 1909 version, a seated figure between two pillars holds an upright sword in one hand and a scale in the other. It represents truth, impartiality, the relationship between cause and effect, accountability for one's own actions, and matters tied to fair decisions and agreements.
Interpretation — Thoth (Aleister Crowley)
In the Thoth deck, the card is called 'Adjustment' and is tied to Libra and the Hebrew letter Lamed. It represents karmic balance, the precise calibration between cause and effect — less a moral judgment and more a natural adjustment that restores proportion.
This section presents one tradition's interpretation, not a verifiable fact.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Justice card VIII or XI of the Tarot?
- It depends on the tradition. In the Marseille Tarot, Justice is VIII and Strength is XI. Arthur Edward Waite swapped that order in 1909 to align the cards with the Golden Dawn's astrological correspondences, making Justice XI and Strength VIII.
- Why is Justice called 'Adjustment' in the Thoth deck?
- Aleister Crowley renamed several cards in the Thoth deck to reflect his own magical philosophy. 'Adjustment' emphasizes the idea of cosmic balance and karmic correction, more than a moral verdict in the conventional sense.
Sources
- Michael Dummett. The Game of Tarot: From Ferrara to Salt Lake City (1980).
- Arthur Edward Waite. The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910).
- Aleister Crowley. The Book of Thoth (1944).
- Stuart R. Kaplan. The Encyclopedia of Tarot (1978).