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Justice and Strength Numbering Confusion
I had a visitor write in today stating that I had the numbering wrong for Justice and Strength. The assertion was that the numbering was reversed. It’s not the first time this has happened, and I doubt it will be the last.
In some tarot decks Justice is depicted as number eight or VIII while Strength is typically eleven or XI. However, the authoritative and influential Rider-Waite-Smith deck, which has become one of the most widely used tarot decks in the world, notably switched the positions of these two cards.
As an example, the “Arcanum Tarot” Strength (VIII) and Justice (XI) cards pictured above use the Rider-Waite-Smith numbering system. Whereas “The Lost Tarot of Nostradamus” Justice (VIII) and Fortitude/Strength (XI) cards do not.
If either deck looks interesting to you then simply click on the links and you will be able to find them on Amazon.
Why the Reversal?
This change was made to align the cards more closely with the astrological correspondences established by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a prominent esoteric society of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
According to their system, the eighth card is associated with the zodiac sign Leo, a symbol of courage and vitality, while the eleventh card corresponds to Libra, representing balance and fairness. The idea for this switch was originally proposed in the enigmatic Cipher Manuscripts, a set of documents that served as the foundation for the Golden Dawn’s teachings on tarot, astrology, and other mystical subjects.
By rearranging these cards, the Rider-Waite-Smith deck sought to create a more harmonious connection between the tarot and astrological symbolism. Today, this numbering system is widely adopted, particularly in English-speaking countries, and has influenced countless modern divinatory tarot decks, solidifying its place in the practice of tarot reading and interpretation.
Why Does Psychic Revelation Follow the Rider-Waite-Smith Numbering?
With two different numbering systems a choice had to be made. I opted for the Rider-Waite-Smith numbering because it or a deck based upon it is usually the deck that most people start with. I looked at the decks I had when I started Psychic Revelation back in 2002, and all were Rider-Waite-Smith based.
Since then, I have acquired many decks with the earlier numbering system (I am a collector) but the majority of my decks still follow Rider-Waite-Smith.
Does It Matter Which You have?
Quite honestly? No, it doesn’t! If the card you are meant to draw is Justice, then you will draw Justice irrespective of the card’s numbering. The same goes for Strength.
I have several hundred tarot decks that I have collected over the years and at a rough estimate I reckon those using the Rider-Waite-Smith system outnumber those that don’t by ten to one. That doesn’t mean that one system is inferior to the other it just means they are different.
“Justice and Strength Numbering” Article by Talisman
