The high ideals of Justice demand the wisdom to accept Truth. Essentially, Justice represents fair-mindedness but often self-righteousness and lust override prudence.
The illustration for this card was inspired by Pomera, a story from Stradbroke Dreamtime written by Oodgeroo Noonuccal ( Kath Walker). This short story barely fills a page but its poignancy echoes the philosophy of the everlasting Dreamtime. It arouses thought, as Justice should and offers insight into the poetical wisdom of Australian Indigenous Dreaming.
As a skillful hunter Pomera was well respected until he declared his love for a girl promised to another and his inappropriate intentions were met with surprise and outrage by tribal elders. Driven by a defiant passion, he plotted to have his way. With his nulla-nulla camouflaged with yellow feathers to resemble flowers he stealthily approached the unwary girl but his abduction plans go horribly wrong and she dies from a blow to her head. After finding the bloodstained club the elders learn of the girl’s fate.
Grief-stricken, they plea to Biami, their wise Guardian Spirit to bring the now remorseful Pomera to Justice and as punishment he is transformed into the Banksia. The tree and Pomera share parallel qualities; just as the handsome hunter provided well for his tribe, the nectar of the beautiful apetalous flowers supplies ample food for birds, possums, flying foxes, and insects. After the flowers fall the woody follicles containing winged seeds are revealed, looking remarkably like the nulla-nulla once covered with yellow feathers.
On the card Pomera is depicted as the Banksia; a captive spirit with no promise to journey; his shame eternal. The hot colours symbolise both passion and bloodshed.
Since Justice is about the acceptance of Truth, what of Pomera’s true feelings towards the elders? Any empathy towards Pomera doesn’t deny the tragic outcome of his brutal actions but perhaps, metaphorically speaking, his story of misguided passion serves to mirror mankind’s folly.