Adjustment Tarot Card Meaning: Thoth Deck

What does the Adjustment tarot card mean in the Thoth deck?

In Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot, the traditional Justice card becomes Adjustment. Crowley shifted it from Trump XI to Trump VIII, aligning it with the Hebrew letter Lamed (ל)—the ox-goad that guides correction—and the astrological sign of Libra (♎︎). This path connects Geburah (Severity) to Tiphareth (Beauty) on the Tree of Life, symbolizing the integration of discipline with the radiant harmony of the soul.

Upright, it represents balance, truth, and inner alignment. Reversed, it warns of distortion, denial, or spiritual misalignment.

At its core, Adjustment asks: are you living in resonance with your True Will—or veering off center into illusion?

Thelemic context & why the change

Crowley’s reinterpretation redefined this archetype:

• In traditional decks, Justice is portrayed as static judgment—a weighing of law and morality.
• In the Thoth deck, Adjustment is dynamic and alive: a moment-to-moment calibration to keep the self aligned with divine truth.

Here, Maat, Egyptian goddess of truth, does not pass verdicts. Instead, she measures the soul against her feather of truth, ensuring vibrational harmony.

Crowley emphasized that Adjustment is not morality, but cosmic precision—the exact dance of every choice and correction that keeps the soul in resonance with its True Will.

What is the symbolism of the Adjustment card in the Thoth Tarot?

Lady Frieda Harris’s artwork embodies Crowley’s vision of divine balance:

• Maat Within the Vesica Piscis – The sacred womb shape symbolizes creation, harmony, and the sacred feminine.
• Scales and Sword – Tools of discernment and balance, showing the clarity of truth and the cutting away of illusion.
• Dynamic Poise – Unlike static Justice, the figure shifts delicately, embodying balance as an active dance.
• Canopy of Swords and Sexual Glyphs – Signify the Aeon of Horus, integrating intellect, body, and spirit into divine order.
• Background of Symmetry and Precision – Suggests that every movement, thought, and choice must align with truth.

This card is not about external laws—it measures your alignment with inner truth and cosmic order.

What does the Adjustment card mean upright?

When upright, Adjustment is a call to clarity, honesty, and alignment.

Upright Meanings

• Spiritual Equilibrium: Bring body, heart, and soul into resonance with one another.
• Karmic Awareness: Cause and effect are immediate—your actions shape destiny now.
• Conscious Choice: Each decision must be measured against your highest integrity.
• Inner Calibration: Correct course where needed—refinement is sacred.
• Alignment with True Will: When you act in resonance with your soul’s truth, balance naturally follows.

The message: every moment is an opportunity for adjustment—each choice a step closer to or farther from your soul’s center.

What does the upright Adjustment card mean in love?

In love readings, the upright Adjustment card emphasizes balance and authenticity.

• Singles: Seek connections that resonate with your authentic self, not with illusion or desire alone.
• Couples: Relationships thrive when honesty, fairness, and equal energy are present.

The lesson: love is sustained when both partners continually recalibrate toward harmony and truth.

What does the upright Adjustment card mean in career?

In career readings, the upright Adjustment card represents accountability and precision.

• Success through fairness, transparency, and clear ethics
• Professional decisions requiring balance and discernment
• Aligning career choices with authentic purpose

The guidance: align ambition with integrity—real success flows from equilibrium.

What does the upright Adjustment card mean in finances?

Financially, the upright Adjustment card suggests balance and accountability.

• Clear, fair management of resources
• Financial decisions rooted in responsibility and truth
• Equilibrium between saving, spending, and generosity

The advice: make choices that bring long-term stability, not fleeting gain.

What does the upright Adjustment card mean in health?

In health readings, the upright Adjustment card points to harmony and balance.

• Healing supported by lifestyle alignment—diet, exercise, and rest in balance
• Correction of imbalances leading to renewal
• Health restored through mindful choices

The message: well-being is the art of daily adjustments—every action counts.

What does the upright Adjustment card mean spiritually?

Spiritually, the upright Adjustment card reflects the soul’s dance with truth.

• Walking the path of True Will with precision
• Honest self-reflection revealing alignment or misalignment
• Integration of intellect, body, and spirit into wholeness

This card reminds you that spiritual mastery is lived in every small choice of alignment.

What does the Adjustment card mean reversed?

Reversed, the Adjustment card warns of dissonance, distortion, or denial.

Reversed Meanings

• Avoidance of Truth: Refusing to face where you are out of alignment.
• Distorted Judgment: Choices made from ego, fear, or dishonesty.
• Loss of Balance: Inner and outer disharmony causing instability.
• Resistance to Correction: Fighting necessary adjustments and prolonging struggle.
• Spiritual Misalignment: Disconnect from True Will or higher self.

The reminder: imbalance is not punishment—it is the signal that recalibration is needed.

What does the reversed Adjustment card mean in love?

In love readings, the reversed Adjustment card points to imbalance or dishonesty.

• Singles: Avoiding truth about what you really need in relationships.
• Couples: Disharmony, imbalance of effort, or dishonesty undermining the bond.

The message: love requires honesty and correction—imbalances must be addressed before growth.

What does the reversed Adjustment card mean in career?

In career readings, the reversed Adjustment card highlights misalignment or distortion.

• Unfair dealings or dishonesty in the workplace
• Imbalance between work and personal life
• Avoiding responsibility for past mistakes

The guidance: realign with truth—shortcuts or dishonesty lead to collapse.

What does the reversed Adjustment card mean in finances?

Financially, the reversed Adjustment card suggests imbalance or misjudgment.

• Poor financial planning or dishonesty
• Spending driven by impulse instead of balance
• Avoiding accountability with money matters

The advice: return to center—honest evaluation restores financial order.

What does the reversed Adjustment card mean in health?

In health readings, the reversed Adjustment card reflects imbalance or neglect.

• Lifestyle habits out of sync with well-being
• Stress or inner conflict manifesting physically
• Resistance to necessary changes

The message: healing requires recalibration—bring body, mind, and spirit back into balance.

What does the reversed Adjustment card mean spiritually?

Spiritually, the reversed Adjustment card warns of distortion or denial.

• Ignoring inner truths or spiritual responsibility
• Misalignment with your True Will
• Living by external standards instead of soul’s resonance

The lesson: spiritual integrity requires constant self-correction—dishonesty delays awakening.

Astrology and Numerology of the Adjustment card

• Element: Air – clarity, truth, and balance
• Astrology: Libra ♎︎ – harmony, justice, and precise balance
• Hebrew Letter: Lamed (ל) – the ox-goad, symbol of correction and guidance
• Numerology: The number 8 (in Thoth) symbolizes karmic cycles, balance, and the need for constant refinement

Card combinations with the Adjustment card

• Adjustment + Aeon: Spiritual awakening through deep alignment
• Adjustment + Devil: Facing distortions or dishonesty head-on
• Adjustment + Star: Hope and renewal through honest recalibration
• Adjustment + Tower: Sudden collapse forcing necessary realignment

Shadow side of the Adjustment card

The shadow side of this card includes:

• Denial of responsibility
• Distortion of truth to avoid discomfort
• Dishonesty toward self or others
• Rigidity or imbalance leading to collapse

The Adjustment card’s shadow warns: truth always reveals itself—disharmony cannot endure without correction.

Story example: A real-life tarot reading

A querent asks about their spiritual path. The Adjustment card appears upright, showing they are being called to examine their life honestly and make deliberate refinements. With balance and alignment, they can move forward authentically.

If reversed, it would suggest they are avoiding truths or resisting self-correction, warning that disharmony will continue until honesty restores balance.

Is the Adjustment card a yes or no card?

• Upright: Yes – truth, balance, and alignment support progress.
• Reversed: No – dishonesty, imbalance, or distortion block success.

Frequently asked questions about the Adjustment card

1. Is Adjustment the same as Justice? It replaces Justice in the Thoth deck, but with deeper meaning—Adjustment is not static judgment but the living dance of balance and self-correction.

2. Can the Adjustment card represent a person? Yes. Upright, it may represent someone fair, honest, and aligned. Reversed, it may describe someone dishonest, imbalanced, or in denial.

3. What element is associated with the Adjustment card? Air—symbolizing clarity, discernment, and balance.

4. What zodiac influence is tied to this card? Libra, emphasizing harmony, equilibrium, and karmic refinement.

5. How should I interpret this card in a reading? Upright reflects balance, clarity, and inner truth. Reversed signals dishonesty, misalignment, or refusal to self-correct.

Final thoughts on the Adjustment tarot card

The Adjustment card in the Thoth Tarot represents equilibrium, alignment, and karmic precision. Upright, it reflects conscious correction and the sacred balance of truth. Reversed, it warns of denial, distortion, or imbalance.

Ultimately, Adjustment teaches that truth is not an external verdict but an inner dance—each choice is an act of alignment that either brings you closer to or further from your True Will.