In this article, I’ll be exploring judgement within a spiritual context, while also touching on themes of rejection and herd mentality.
Over the past few months, I’ve noticed a rising trend: groups of people targeting individuals with condemnation, judgment, and complete character assassination. While I firmly believe in accountability and the importance of bringing truth to light, I’ve always stood against group attacks and bullying—regardless of whether those involved believe the individual deserves it.
People often attack what they fear or do not understand. More often than not, they do this in groups, driven by herd mentality, echoing the words and beliefs of others just to feel relevant and included. The problem with this behaviour is that the individual at the centre of such public scrutiny can be so deeply impacted that the emotional toll becomes unbearable—sometimes to the point where they no longer wish to remain in this world.
My reason for writing this piece is to offer a conscious alternative to judgment: compassion.
Now, this isn’t about letting injustice or wrongdoing slide. Rather, it’s a call to be more mindful about how we, as individuals, choose to engage in moments of slander or collective takedowns. Why choose compassion when judgment is so much easier, you ask? Because the truth is, the same people doing the judging will turn on you just as quickly if the spotlight ever shifts. We are all only one misstep away from falling under society’s microscope.
This is about humility. It’s about choosing to understand our fellow human beings, especially when their actions or beliefs differ from our own. I’m not speaking here of heinous human atrocities or acts of cruelty. I’m referring to situations where people are judged for their religion, body size, hair colour, or even their career choices—particularly those that fall outside the norm and cause them to be socially ostracised by a collective.
So I ask you, dear reader: look inward. Deeply. What is it in your own life that you find yourself judging, despite your best intentions not to? Asking ourselves the harder questions is what leads us to a better understanding of who we are and how we see the world.
Think of your perception as a pair of glasses, shaped by your life experiences—or the lack thereof. These lenses can become scratched or smudged by others’ opinions and biases. Before we know it, we’re viewing the world through a distorted filter, often unknowingly absorbing beliefs that aren’t even ours.
Opinions, when rooted in judgment, often make for shallow conversation. They are reflections of limited experiences and sometimes misinformed perspectives. We think we’re playing it safe by following the herd, but have you ever stopped to consider that the path you’re following may lead to your own downfall?
History has shown us this time and time again. Take, for instance, the witch trials—countless women lost their lives, victims of fear-driven mobs and hate-fuelled accusations. What would our world look like today if, instead of judgment, those people had chosen compassion? Perhaps some of those women could have gone on to heal others or do incredible things with their lives.
So how do we, in the present day, stop another soul from being unfairly cast as the underdog?
When you witness a takedown—whether public or private—I invite you to look into the eyes of the instigator. Try to see beyond their words. Look into their soul. Ask yourself: What are they really saying? What part of themselves are they projecting onto this other person?
Projection is often a reflection of unacknowledged flaws within ourselves—ones we’re not ready to face, so we displace them onto others. This isn’t about flipping the script and judging the instigator. It’s about understanding their motives and asking what they stand to gain by tearing someone else down.
Often, the more powerful the individual being targeted, the more people are required to bring them down. It’s a group effort because one person alone doesn’t feel strong enough. Refusing to participate in this takedown is an active, conscious choice. It’s a decision not to be manipulated or used for someone else’s agenda. It’s how we begin to break the generational curse of group bullying and move toward a higher level of collective consciousness.
When we understand our interconnectedness, we begin to see that we rise by lifting others up—not tearing them down. I’ve seen this pattern repeatedly in my own life and spiritual practice. The very thing we judge in another often finds its way into our lives, forcing us to confront that judgment and, hopefully, transcend the hate it carries.
In Tarot, the Judgment card reminds us that judgment itself isn’t inherently wrong—it’s necessary. But like all powerful forces, it must be wielded wisely, with awareness, not blindly.
Hope this message resonates with you—especially if you’ve found yourself at the centre of a spiritual or social attack—please know this: this too shall pass. Take heart in knowing that if you’ve become a target, it’s likely because your light is so bright it threatened the shadows around you.
If you can continue to walk in alignment with who you are—rooted in integrity—you will rise above the negativity. As the dust settles, the voices of gossip will quiet, and the truth of who stands with you will be clear. Those who’ve shown themselves to be untrustworthy? Let them go. Don’t give them a second chance to hurt you. They’ve already shown you who they are.
If gossipers can’t seem to stop talking about you, consider placing a request to the Universe: “Each time someone speaks ill of me, may I be sent blessings and abundance in return.”
And remember—your value does not hinge on anyone else’s approval. A throne built on the validation of others is destined to fall. So return to yourself. Rely solely on yourself and your Creator for love and worthiness.
Live a life that you yourself are satisfied with consider compassion—so that when your final breath comes, you can look back knowing you lived with honour and can be in happiness.
