The Justice card is about balance and fairness, karma, and legal decisions. It can often turn up in a reading when you’re in the middle of a legal debate of some sort and it assures you that the outcome will be a fair and just one.

Now, there ain’t nothing fair and just about Depression.

It hits people randomly, for no good reason and often without warning. 

Some people believe that there’s a karmic aspect to Depression: something we’ve done in a past life has come back to haunt us.

I call bullshit on that one. I firmly believe that some of us brave souls have some lessons to learn that only Depression can teach us and that we decide to take on Depression before we incarnate.

I don’t know about you, but my Depression has certainly taught me one or two things that I don’t think I would have learned any other way.

It’s best to work with the Justice card when you need to find the balance in your life. I don’t think it’s a card you should work with if you’re unwell and particularly if you believe in karma.

However, when you’re well, when the demon has left you alone for a while, the Justice card can help you to understand how to achieve a balance in your life. How to balance the scales so that when the demon does hit, you have some tools to fight it off. 

Here’s an exercise that will help you get the most from working with Justice.

Sit yourself down with a paper and pen, light a candle, burn some incense or oil, dim the lights, spend a few moments meditating if that helps you relax and access your inner voice (whatever you call it).

Place the Justice card in front of you while you do this, so that you’ll have some inspiration.

On one side of your piece of paper, I want you to write down all the things that are unfair about your Depression. Here’s a few to get you started:

• I often have to cancel plans I’ve made for social gatherings
• I can’t hold down a job
• I can’t maintain friendships

Once you think you’ve finished your list, ask yourself “What else?” and keep going for a few more minutes. Longer, if you feel the need.

Now, on the opposite side of the page, I want you to write the facts about your unfair list. But write them in an affirming way. Like this:

• I often have to cancel plans I’ve made for social gatherings  – I sometimes have to cancel plans I’ve made for social gatherings but sometimes I get to party.
• I can’t hold down a job – I haven’t kept a job longer than…but it’s certainly possible that I will in the future.
• I can’t maintain friendships – People come in and out of my life as they need to and I will develop long-term friendships when I’m able.

Your affirming list doesn’t have to be something you necessarily believe in, it just has to be based on the facts, Ma’am.  If you’re struggling to come up with your affirming list, send me an email and I’ll help you sort it.

Once you’ve finished your list I want you to take that piece of paper and place it beside your bed so that it’s in front of you when you need it. The next time the demon gets you and you find your thoughts are leaning towards the unfairness of it all, grab your list and read through the affirming side of your paper.

And you can read it as many times as you need to. That’s what it’s for.

Fiona Tate, AKA the Depression Muse, is a Lilithian Witch, Writer, and Mental Health Mentor. She’s on a mission to reduce the global suicide rate to zero through her Mental Health Membership Site: Black Orchid Alchemy. Follow this link to receive a free copy of her book Depression Sucks, and this link to receive new installments of her online vampire novel: The Childless Mother.