These two cards seem similar on first examination, and indeed, they are, but Judgement comes later in the major arcana than Justice and and this is the first major consideration in appreciating the subtle differences between the two. Both cards deal with that all pervasive concept that governs life in the universe Karma. In fact, the 'Tarot of the Old Path' deck actually renames the Judgement card 'Karma'.
The Justice card first alerts us to the concept and bids us take note that how we act today has consequences tomorrow. It warns us to act with integrity in our dealings with others and take care not to become too personally involved in disputes. Justice, like Karma, is dispassionate in its dealings and will always have the last say on our behaviour. Judgement, occuring immediately before the world and nine steps later than Justice, draws our attention to the lessons we have learnt (or not) and the consequences we are now experiencing. Judgement declares (hence the trumpet) that you are where you are because you are what you are. Rather than the gentle nod of Justice, Judgement hits you with the evidence of your past and asks you to see your self-created reality and, more importantly, to accept it.
The Four and Five of Cups
These two cards appear similar at first glance and the difference would seem to be a subtle one. If you look at the fours in the other suits they all imply a rest of activity after the actions of the twos and threes have produced completion and the start of excess. However, only the Cup Four seems presented as an unpleasant experience. This is logical though as the Pentacles, the Wands and the Swords have been working previously while the Cups have been enjoying themselves; and, just as you can't go on working for ever, you also can't go on enjoying yourself forever. The Four of Cups then is the completion of pleasure card, the boredom card.
The Five of Cups is my least favourite card in the deck I think of it as the depression card, and as a life long sufferer of this condition I dread its appearance in a spread. When I first came to the tarot cards I thought the nine and ten of Swords were the depression cards but now the nine indicates worry and fear, while the ten means the end of worry as you have completely given up and submitted to your fate without further action. In actual fact, these two Swords are quite active compared with the Five of Cups. Depression is not worrying, depression is being unable to feel anything at all no pleasure, no interest, no worry, no compassion for yourself or anyone else. It's like your soul has died even though your body goes through the dull motions of basic existence. Depression is a total lack of feeling and feeling is what the Cups are all about. Like the other fives the energy is so dissipated and weakened that hardly anything remains to hold onto to but with the Wands, the Pentacles and the S this is merely uncomfortable, with the Cups it's Hell!
