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Adjustment
Key Words:
Libra; balance, centering, equilibrium; balancing of opposites; justice.
Drive
Will for knowlegde, harmony between reality and instinct, objectivity
Alchemical attributes
Symbology
The Adjustment is a symbol for the balance of contrasts, complementing one another and also building up room and time. She combines the High Priestess and the Magician. Both are connected – true, conscious action results from realization, wisdom is based on action. The principle of activity completes itself with the passivity of inner reflection, the adjustment being the balance in between. Another common name of this trump is ‘Justice’ – the card tells one to be righteous in all aspects of our life, to ignore, surpress or prefer none if need be. Only when we have an objective view of all and accept them, can we can find inner balance and silence.
This card portrays the sign of Libra. It is a fascinating picture of balance. A young woman (the feminine aspect to The Fool), holds the great magic sword between her legs and balances on her toes. Looking carefully, you will see that she is actually balancing only on the tip of the sword. Only absolute concentration and stillness, which come from finding one’s inner center, will allow this condition of equilibrium to take place. The slightest distracting thought will cause her to waver and destroy the balance she has found, the balance that is the nature of the Universe.
The predominant colors are blue and green. Blue is the color of spiritual and intellectual powers, such as thinking, ideas, wisdom; green is the color of creativity, the power to put ideas into action. The downward-pointing sword lends a similar meaning. The powers of thought are directed toward, and put into contact with, the earth, and serve her. (See also Ace of Swords.)
The woman’s shoulders are covered by the ostrich feathers associated with MAAR, the Egyptian god of Justice. Her face is masked, all her attention is turned inward. This makes her receptive to ideas and direction from the inner guide.
She bears on her head the crown of Thoth, the Egyptian god of Wisdom. Hanging from the crown are the large bowls of the cosmic scales, Alpha and Omega, with which the universe weighs all.
This card is a summons to avoid all extremes in your daily life. This may refer to emotional disturbances in relationships, or at work, in some creative activity, or in dealing with money. Total centeredness and inner balance are needed if the great new ideas arising now are to bear fruit. From a position of balance everything develops in a balanced way: in its place, given its appropriate value.
The storms of life throw us out of balance again and again. The constant change between being centered and uncentered is the process which teaches us to be more conscious from moment to moment in order to retain that inner peace and clarity when we find it.
Tarot Cards
The Major Arcana ( Trump )
- 0. Fool
- 1. Magus
- 2. High Priestess
- 3. Empress
- 4. Emperor
- 5. Hierophant
- 6. Lovers
- 7. Chariot
- 8. Adjustment
- 9. Hermit
- 10. Wheel of Fortune
- 11. Lust
- 12. Hanged Man
- 13. Death
- 14. Art
- 15. Devil
- 16. Tower
- 17. Star
- 18. Moon
- 19. Sun
- 20. Aeon
- 21. Universe