Libra in the Druidcraft’s Major Arcana

Let’s start our exploration of Libra in the Druidcraft tarot with the Major Arcana.  In my previous post, I mentioned the idea of balance in various traditions – Egyptian and Greek mythology, Christianity – all of which use scales to symbolize the weighing up of whatever’s ‘in the balance’.  That, and the use of the blindfold in some of the imagery, leads us to the Justice card.  

The Druidcraft’s image of Justice shows Brigh, a judge and Druid in pre-Christian Ireland.  In her left hand we see the sword of truth; it points upwards, connecting it to the power of both Air and Spirit.  The element of Air is associated with reason and intelligence, both required when faced with a decision – and the fact that the sword is double-edged represents that need to ‘cut’ one way or another. 

Justice - Druidcraft Tarot (detail)

 

In her right hand she holds a set of scales, representing the need to weigh our choices carefully, using our powers of discrimination.  They also symbolize the present – the ‘here and now’ – perfectly balanced between past and future – just as the card itself is perfectly balanced, falling at the centre of the Fool’s Journey.  

I like the inclusion of the owl – the symbol of wisdom; a bird that can see in the dark, representing the ability to discern what’s hidden.  And down in the bottom right-hand corner, there’s a spider in a web – a reminder that everything is connected and that nothing exists, or is decided, without considering other causes and effects.  Equality, balance, fairness – so yes, the Druidcraft’s Justice does fit in with Libran qualities!

Druidcraft Tarot created by Philip Carr-Gomm and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections