Seeing the Reality: An Exploration of Justice
/“ —To love is to not lie”
What follows are reflections from this time last year about the Justice Archetype. Although our world is radically different in ways we could have never predicted, as I read the words the tone feels so applicable for where we are right now. Everyday we are confronted with the deep humanitarian and environmental injustices that are plaguing our country and the world. In Yoga, Tarot, Astro & Magic communities alike, we often hear the rhetoric “all we need is more love, more kindness, and to remember that we are “all one.” While this may be rooted in good intentions, it fails to address the systemic inequalities embedded within our society. Leading to Spiritual Bypassing and Gaslighting. Justice in the Major Arcana harkens a moment of Seeing, Embracing and Realizing that one way we can change, disrupt and rectify unfair and unjust circumstances is to acknowledge, whole heartedly the truth and reality. There is no room for false information, lack of critical thinking, or illusions about what our society is going through. And in a climate where false information is easier to come by than facts, it’s imperative we pull back the curtain in our own environments, ideologies, beliefs, teachers and spiritual practices. How are they useful, and how might they be harmful? Do they encourage mental well-being and prioritize communal safety? Honor sacred rage in the face of injustice? Justice corresponds to Libra, the sign of learning to relate to others by seeking harmonious, loving, balanced relations. This Libra Season, may we continue to embrace the harshest of truths and may we be activated and inspired to change the current landscape of our reality.
. . . Contemplating this Archetype lately, I found myself circling back around to a nugget of wisdom I heard recently. “To Love is to Not Lie.”
These words struck a deep and resonant chord within me.
Darnell Moore, a Social Activist, was speaking on sitting in discomfort, and having conversations that can evoke feelings of darkness and uncomfortability. I find this to be particularly relevant to where we are right now. Our planet and its inhabitants are experiencing deep injustices and have been for a very very long time. So how do we find Justice? How do we Right the Wrongs? How do we tip the Scales? How do reconcile and create Balance? We must give space for our rage and anger. Our sadness and heartache. Give voice to our fears and pain. And remember our capacity to keep loving. To love one another is to not lie, to not turn away from injustices that others face, but instead we must see the Reality of things. We learn to hold space for the discomfort that this seeing brings up. We do this because we must see what is really happening in order to start to work towards something better. In order to cultivate a world that is more Just. This takes commitment and vigilance. Bearing witness and Seeing the world for what it is, is absolutely, only the first step in this process. I think that’s why Justice sits on their thrown with a sword. Because after seeing things sharply and clearly, we have to then use that information and take action. Taking action from an informed place gives us the ability to use love against the injustices we face. Not as a way to come together under false pretenses, but as a way to reconcile and heal, by embracing the Truth.
May we continue to take action, to use our voices and bodies, and prayers, and money, and time and skills to fight Injustice.
You can find the article/podcast episode with writer and activist Darnell Moore that inspired this musing here https://onbeing.org/programs/darnell-moore-self-reflection-and-social-evolution/
The Modern Witch Tarot by Lisa Sterle