*Archetypal Magic*: Justice

It’s Libra season, a sign of balance, mediation, justice, and truth and I’m finding myself thinking a lot about Justice- the card in tarot which represents Libra. 

The Justice card depicts a judge-like figure holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other. The scales represent how we have to reassess a situation constantly to figure out the TRUTH. Truth is represented by the sword. The sword not only cuts through the bullshit and hits the truth, but it also provides us with a mirror. We can see ourselves in the blade of the sword. Alternatively, others can see themselves on the other side of the blade as it slices into the core of the truth. The clarity of truth allows us to see ourselves and each other.

This archetype insists that all sides are heard and deeply considered. And it acts when boundaries are crossed. When the anger of injustice bubbles up, this archetype acts swiftly and fairly in the name of truth. 

As I learn more about transformative justice-- you can find a brief history written by Mia Mingus here: https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com/2019/01/09/transformative-justice-a-brief-description/​

--and all of the pathways we have that move us towards dismantling, rebuilding, and liberation, some inquiries I'm sitting with are:

In this time when we are all painfully aware of the injustices around us, how can we embody this archetype sustainably? 

How can we tap into our righteous anger and use it to enforce boundaries that protect the bodies and rights of ourselves and those around us- extending out to communities we may feel we aren’t connected to but deserve our anger, action, and protection? 

We are all connected. Your actions during this time affect everything and everyone around you. Justice asks us to weigh this. To consider our actions. 

What future are we building? What are you dismantling AND what are you growing to replace what you are cutting down? 

How can we view justice as something that can be transformative rather than punitive and still maintain our boundaries and safety? 

Ways to embody this archetype: 

Sit with yourself and write about the complexity of one particular injustice. I encourage you to start small here- for instance perhaps revisiting an event from your childhood where you felt you were treated unfairly, or witnessed someone being treated unfairly. What did the adult in the room do? Did they respond fairly? What did that look like? If they didn’t, what would have been the just thing to do? Children have a deep sense of justice and what is fair and when I think about this archetype I find myself thinking about children and how they just KNOW when something isn’t equitable and are often silenced when they speak to it.

Find where the anger of injustice lives in your body. If it feels safe enough for you, think of a time your boundaries were crossed and where you felt that knowing grow inside of you. Again, start small. Maybe think about that time your roommate ate your leftovers without asking. (Save the big stuff for a container in which you can be supported and witnessed by a trauma aware friend or practitioner.)

This is not only personal boundary work, but the work of recognizing when something is collectively unacceptable. 

Outloud: growl, breath a lion’s breath, yell, or just say “no” or “that’s not fair” or whatever expression wants to be heard. Be sure to let the charge of this out of your body by using your voice and your body. The archetype of Justice teaches us to use that sword. To use your anger and assert your boundaries.

Slice into something. Jell-o is particularly satisfying for me. Maybe a piece of cake. Something that has some moisture to it so your slice can be clean and quick if that’s what you wish. 

Notice where you want to slice, why that’s the place to slice, what makes this cut the right one? Alternate between going slowly and going quickly. See how your body responds to these differences. Revel in the decisiveness of slicing.

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We take these embodied exercises out into the world at large by having conversations with those we love about white supremacy and late stage capitalism. We call our senators, we donate to causes we believe in, we protest on the street, we cast our vote for a better future. Even if it’s one we may not see for decades.

We bring justice into our interpersonal relationships by addressing conflict with those we love with care and courage and a consensual agreement on what we want to achieve from addressing that conflict.