This is the 6th stage of spiritual unfoldment "in which the personal consciousness is on the verge of blending with the universal. At this stage, the adept realizes that his personal existence is nothing but the manifestation of the relationship between self-consciousness and subconsciousness [and that these are not ] personal, but are really modes of universal consciousness. [...] He knows that his personality has no separate existence, and this conviction is confirmed by fourth-dimensional experiences which finally blot out the delusion of separateness forever."2
Hebrew Name: Shin (tooth)
Shin means "tooth", "probably a serpent's fang, and
suggests sharpness, acidity, active manifestation. [This letter is a] symbol of
the power which tears down limitations of form, as teeth break up food. As
the serpent's fang, it represents the power which 'kills' the false personality
and its sense of separateness."3
As a Hebrew Mother letter, the element of Fire is attributed to Shin. "Fire is Superconsciousness, and when in conjunction with Shin, it is a distinct reference to the entrance and expression of Superconsciousness incarnate, the physical plane life."4
Qabalistic Intelligence: The Perpetual
Intelligence
"Perpetual Intelligence is the mode of consciousness. Its name is
derived from a Hebrew root meaning "to stretch." This implies
that the Perpetual Intelligence is an extension beyond the limits of the modes
of consciousness common to most human beings. The name also implies
everlastingness, eternity, and thus, conscious immortality."5
Astrological Correspondence: Pluto
"Pluto is the Mars vibration, but at a higher octave or rate of
oscillation. It is the Martian force of destruction breaking down the errors of
false knowledge, but at an even more intense level of manifestation. Mars
expresses its force in a personal manner, whereas Pluto is more expressive in
and of humanity as a whole. Thus, what Pluto accomplishes is felt,
eventually, throughout all of Mankind since it is the force of the Divine Will
to accomplish the realization of unity."6
Pluto is co-ruler of Scorpio (K13:Death). Transformation (and sex &
death, also attributed to Scorpio) is the process reflecting the One Divine
Will's drive towards Unity via the dissolution of form.
Number: 20
The power of 0 operating through the agency of 2. Realization is the
operation of Superconsciousness directly through subconsciousness. It is
the receptive state of truly knowing and realizing the eternal source and unity
of all things.
Color / Note: Red / C
Judgement implies a reasoned conclusion, completion, decision, and termination. In the state of awareness symbolized here, reasoning has come to an end and a new order of knowing is revealed. This key represents the final state of personal consciousness, the fourth dimension (The Astral Plane) and fourth dimensional consciousness. Judgement is the resurrection out of our coffins of separation and three dimensional existence, and into the realization of the source of all.
Symbolism:
(Summarized from "The Tarot", by P. F. Case)7
Scene: The Archangel Gabriel blows a trumpet as a woman, man, and child rise out of their coffins.
Angel: The Archangel Gabriel. He represents the Divine Breath, or cosmic fire. He blows a trumpet because sound is the instrument of final liberation. The seven tones coming from the trumpet are those which affect the seven interior stars (chakras) by sympathetic vibration. The use of sound (and words of power) to heal, to dissolve old patterns (coffins), and to awaken the chakras (Qabalistic Mantra -Vibratory Attunement).
Banner: The banner of the cross measures 5x5, and stands for complete adaptation.
Man: Self Consciousness. He is in a passive attitude since in the 4th dimension, everything is the reverse of physical conditions. Here, the self-conscious mind realizes that it is merely a channel; it does nothing whatever of itself. The color of all three persons is gray indicating that this scene is not located in the physical plane, and that at this stage of unfoldment all pairs of opposites have been neutralized.
Woman: Subconsciousness. She stretches out her arms to receive the influence of the angel. The Subconsciousness mode is actively receiving the influx of Superconscious knowing.
Child: The regenerated personality created by the forces expressed in Key 19. His back is to us indicating that the new personality will no longer be subject to the illusions of the world of appearances. Instead, the attention is clearly focused on the perpetual, everlasting reality behind all appearances.
Coffins: Represent the three dimensions of the physical plane. The three human figures stand at right angles to these coffins to indicate that they are stepping out of physical limitation and into the real fourth dimensional awareness of the true Self.
Ocean: "The coffins float upon a sea which is the final reservoir of those waters which begin in the robe of the High Priestess."8 The flow of the cosmic mind stuff has come to an end. Thus, the state of Samadhi depicted by the Hanged Man (suspended mind) of Tarot Key 12 ultimately leads to the state of Realization symbolized by this tarot key.
Mountains: "Snowy mountains in the background represent the heights of abstract thought."9 They also symbolize the "fixation of the volatile" (frozen water). Since the flow of conscious energy (water) is what gives rise to illusions, the fixation or stopping of this flow is what stops the illusion and brings about liberation.
The challenge is to consciously bring about the condition of Realization to our life:
 | Realization: The barriers to the Adytum, or Inner Temple, have been dissolved, and you can now see clearly the Inner World that is the sustenance and foundation of the Outer. Your journey almost over, you now behold the Grail. |
| Judgement: As a consequence of realizing the Oneness and Unity of all life, you are able to make proper judgments. You then base all your decisions, or judgments, upon the realization that the real cause of everything is the Divine Will. The more aware you are of that Will, the more you can attune your judgments and subsequent reactions to the most positive expression of the larger Desire for Good.10 |
In "Living the Tarot", Amber Jayanti provides some suggestions for integration and application of Judgement:
|
The Imagery of Judgement can be used as a reminder: [That true judgement and evaluation depends on the ability to be aware of the full picture.] [To be aware of the true reality behind the veil of appearances.] |
| Ask yourself the following questions:11 Where might my judgement of myself and others be detrimental? What is causing me to formulate more mature evaluations of people, places, or things? What religious or spiritual awakening am I having or fearing? How are others' judgments and evaluations exerting a positive or negative influence over me? What am I no longer 'boxed-in' by? What new realization have I opened to receiving? What would it be beneficial to atone for? What old dead way of thinking or behaving have I risen above? |
Illustrations from the Universal Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of
U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright ©1990 by U.S. Games
Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited.