Deck: Dark Goddess Tarot
Spread: One Card
Date: Thu Sep 12 19:27:10 EDT 2019


Your Card
Ace of Air ~ Nemesis (Upright)

Greek Goddess of Judgment

The first step in discernment: perceive what exists.

Nemesis is the Greek goddess of indignation, retribution, and judgment. A daughter of Nyx, goddess of the night, her name means Dispenser of Dues. The sword is her tool and her emblem. While her sister Tyche, the goddess of fortune, bestows favors indiscriminately and extravagantly, Nemesis is more discerning and perceptive. She witnesses the unjust act. She sees through the attempt to hide it. She sees past the pretty face. She points out who truly deserves reward and who does not.

The goddess grants the knowledge of what is right and good. She can advise on what is appropriate in any situation. Yet because she is a check upon fortune, she is more often seen as the punishing power of fate. Nemesis meddles in human affairs in order to restore the correct proportions according to natural and divine law. She is a fulcrum, she senses when the equilibrium has been disrupted. She sees the result, she understands the cause. She brings loss to those who are blessed with fortune but are not humble, and suffering to those who are blessed with gifts but disdain them. In some stories of the Trojan War, Nemesis appears as the mother of Helen. She points an accusing finger at the couple during the young wife’s seduction by the visiting Paris. She knows no good will come of this disrespect to the human law of marriage and the divine law of hospitality.

She is nicknamed Inescapable, she is called the Executioner of Braggarts. She is invoked out of people’s righteous indignation. She is called upon for divine vengeance. Even the gods can grow envious of excessive human happiness, as well as angry at humanity’s thoughtlessness and inordinate pride.

Nemesis enforces the limits beyond which one should not proceed, lest one offend a power in this world or abase another human being as a result. She represents a fine and sharp morality. She is honor. She is conscience.

When Nemesis appears:

Paraphrase an old Greek proverb and state, “May Nemesis walk at my feet.” Then, as long as your plan is a fair one, proceed boldly on your path, knowing the goddess will deal swiftly and justly with those who cross you with malicious intent.

Something about your situation needs to be seen through. Apply objectivity to achieve clarity. Whatever comes up in your mind as a “But...” is exactly what needs examining with a dispassionate eye.

Mediate your ego. Much of what people believe they deserve, they do not. Some things are not a matter of deserving but of privilege and possibility. Stay humble.

Moderate your sacrifice. Nemesis is no more fond of martyrs than she is of narcissists.

Keep your promises. Let your word be more than just words. Let it be what you are known for.



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