I first discovered Kahlil Gibran’s book The Prophet, the summer of my seventeenth year. I felt totally blown away at the time. I Still do by Gibran’s simple verse. In case anyone who may be reading this, has never read The Prophet, here is a link to the text http://leb.net/~mira/works/prophet/prophet.html. Gibran’s story tells of a man, who is considered a sage by the people on the island where he has resided for years. Now a ship has come to return him to his home,. The villagers gather around him and one by one they ask him to speak on any of a number of topics. He speaks to them of love and marriage, of children, of work, of justice among many other things.

When I first read The Prophet I thought that everyone had their own version of that book written somewhere on their soul. It almost feels like these readings are evoking my own answers .

1-What is outer Justice?	The Hierophant
2-What is the wisdom of pursuing it?	A of Swords
3-What Action is Best?	X of Pentacles
4-What is Inner Justice?	VI of Swords
5-What Part do I play?	III of Swords (Rev)
6-How will Justice come about?	V of Swords(rev)
7-What is the link between inner and outer Justice?	A of Cups (rev)

Layout for reading is in the shape of scales:

			7
	1				4
2		3		5		6

Interpretation

What is outer justice? The Hierophant

Hmmm I’m going to wing this one. The Hierophant seems to be saying that outer justice is whatever the social system that we are in says it is , strictly speaking it is the justice that governs from outside ourselves. This could either be secular law or the moral laws that govern whatever religious tradition one adheres to.

What is the wisdom of pursuing it? Ace of Swords

“separate your new ideas from past mistakes. You have no control of the past but. Put your energy into future expression.” “clear thought” “singleness of mind and purpose. We may be called on to act or speak with justice”

Ok, so a sword is used to separate and is often seen as being part of the idea of Justice. In this case it seems to be saying that outer justice helps to leave the past in the past. Once something is turned over to the courts, the people pursuing it no longer have reason to argue or continue whatever the dispute is, it is usually in the hands of lawyers, the judge and/or jury. There are exceptions to this rule. Thus the people pursuing justice are free to continue their lives and pursue new thoughts and ideas.

What action is best? X of Pentacles

“A feeling of security. Now you have a solid base. To reach the point of destiny you must go through the portal of satisfaction” “Don’y wait for something to happen. Continue with plans” “The enjoyment of wealth comfort and security”

So having a solid base and not letting the outcome of outer justice determine one’s stability. In other words, don’t spend a fortune on lawsuits or pursue justice to the point where one’s own stability is at risk.

What is Inner Justice? VI of Swords

“You are running away on the bridge of swords, you are healing with the effort” “A difficult cycle is now on its last phase” “Holding different beliefs at the same time” “Keeping silent rather than expressing something” “You may feel devastated but its almost as if you knew”

Inner Justice (Karma) is a healing of the soul from wounds self-inflicted in the past.  Inner Justice is also a holding to what one knows is right (ethics) above and beyond the outer social or religious moral codes. It’s the inner voice that guides us that tells us whether what we are doing is a true expression of who I wish to be.

What part do I play? III of Swords (rev)

“You should make the first move especially if you want to remain in the picture” “no rash decisions at this time””It is so important to understand that someone needs this from you” “A slip of the tongue maybe a lash of truth. Someone is sorry. Someone hurts. Feel remorse repair it, Caused pain, heal it” “Now time to make some new decisions” “Feel confident” “Attempt to bring back harmony in a group of people”

Ar my best, I am a decent mediator and reconciler among people. I do need to watch what I say and how I say it however. I also need to find my own balance and redress things I have done in the past and have been working on that steadily. perhaps it is time to speed things up in that regard.

How will Justice come about?  V of Swords (Rev)

“Pride is the wrong weapon. Use your own individuality. This is your true sword of protection” “Get beyond your feelings. You will lose if you don’t make the first move” “If you don’t understand, you must ask, otherwise trouble” “Beginning to move past some disturbing loss or defeat”

My own individuality is my sword of protection. i will lose if i don’t make the first move?  Hmmmm so it almost sounds like I will need to become more active at expressing myself especially when it comes to Justice being done. I am not understanding this quite, i will meditate on it. maybe that is what it means by ask. Part of me feels I am being deliberately obtuse but I am not quite getting this.

What is the link between inner and outer Justice? Ace of Cups (rev)

“Unable to see the true situation, wrapped up in egotistical nonsense.” “Find your spiritual path. Spend some time alone” “You can’t find what you need from others. Look within” “We don’t recognize love when it is offered to us.” “In a stressful situation you may nee to remember to nourish yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually”

Ok, this makes sense, when one can’t see clearly enough to realize what is the right thing to do ethically, when one can’t move beyond one’s ego then that is when outer law comes in to give one some kind of moral framework or answer. The best justice and rule to follow is that of the inner self but there are times when that is not possible, Part of wisdom comes with making that distinction.

Other thoughts on Ace of Cups reversed being the fulcrum between outer and inner Justice. One interpretation I have always thought for Ace of Cups Rev is false starts of happiness and it seems that that describes Justice very accurately. We think that resolving situations will make us happy, that seeing wrongs righted, and right winning feels so good but if we put all of our energy into that, when the outcome happens where does that leave us? The situation is resolved but are we?

Especially on those last few cards, i feel i may be too close to the situation to get fully what the cards may be saying. Thoughts, feelings, insights  anyone?

..And what do you do when you get to the end of your dream?

Yay, finished the write-ups for the major arcana cards at SR. Now eventually on to the minors.

Fairly quiet week on youtube this week Could be everyone’s thoughts  are on vacation, or they are going out in the sun and having a great time.

Cleaning out the garage has left me with this weird poison-ivyish rash down my right arm and on the right side of my torso. It feels very itchy and somewhat uncomfortable. Ian gave me another dose of remedy with undetermined results as of yet. The pharmacist recommended Benadryl pills for the itching (at the least they put me to sleep and that helped. For the past few hours, my body has come awake and the itching continues. Have just taken another Benadryl.

My thoughts seem neither profound nor humourous at them moment. Tho, if has occurred to me that each time we laugh we come that much closer to enlightenment. I have heard (and believed) many worst thoughts. 😉

Where did the laughter go?
It was just here a while ago
Did you take it off to some strange land?
Did you sell it so you could understand?
Was it worth it all, that mystic trade?
Are you happy with the price you paid?
You plucked the fruit from off the tree
You choked it back so hungrily
Now you’ve returned saddened dour
Your smile lost with new-found power?
So you say. So it may be
Yet without humour can you be free?
For in the end, there’s nothing lost
innocence is experience’s cost.

Again–The idea of 1 (or 2) spreads for each major arcana card is taken (as are the spreads) from Rachel Pollack’s excellent book Tarot Wisdom. As often as possible I am using the textual definitions from Ms Pollack’s book as otherwise I could probably skew the meanings to serve my own ends rather than get any insight into what the cards are showing me. Recently I have also been taking (for the minor arcana) cards some of the textual definitions from Eileen Connolly’s Tarot: The First Handbook for the Master. Way back when I started working with the cards Ms. Connolly’s Tarot for the Apprentice was one of the first books I used.

Wheel of Fortune Reading

1-What turns the wheel?	VIII of Cups (rev)
2-What outer change will come	II of Cups
3-What inner change is possible?	Page of Pentacles (rev)
4-What new situation will I face?	III of Wands
5-What rises?	King of Cups
6-What falls?	Strength(rev)
7-What is at the center?	Queen of Swords

Interpretation

What turns the wheel? VIII of Cups (rev) “Involved in material pursuit Difficult to find what you really want. This energy is diminishing. Rest is needed”
“Karmic circumstances can make a positive change in your life. Expect someone very special”
“Take control. Be honest with yourself. Stop the negativity. You are blocking opportunity, Avoid further commitment”
“A lack of connection between heart and head. Look at relationships in new ways”

So that’s what’s turning the wheel!? Lately I’ve come up with a whole bunch of new ideals that I have been programming into my reality. The MERLIN, Morning has Broken, & Elwood P Dowd but am still bouncing back into old familiar patterns (tho less and less. Plus there has been a drift lately, a strong desire in me to shift more from head to heart consciousness so can totally get where a disconnect could be possible. So this needing to put the two together, tho judging by one of the commentaries in Connely’s Master guide good things are happening karmically which all in all is not a bad thing to have at the helm so to speak.

What outer changes will come? II of Cups

“Perfect match, Sensitivity levels in total harmony. Much to offer each other, strong karmic ties continue to bind in love, friendship and business”
“Remember that you are also two separate people — respect that”
“You have created the right impression, follow through”
“Someone from the past is thinking about you. Your paths will cross again”
“Your present cycle attracts the unusual. Surprise is in the offering, be responsive”
“A relationship especially a new one that becomes meaningful, a flow of energy, the possibility to heal old wounds from past relationships”

For outer changes that’s quite intriguing– good things in relationship–and new things happening—deepening of relationships–OK,

What inner changes are possible? Page of Pentacles (rev)

“relaxation after intense study or work”
“All his dedication and insight fail to reach the proper audience. unable to inspire others or communicate his knowledge, filled with frustration or full of doubt”
“may slide into fanaticism”
“it might help to find a different situation or a different group of people”

Hmmm I keep thinking this has more to do with finding a balance; not caring so much about what people may think about my thoughts or ideas; it could also mean spreading out and working with different groups of people. This is referring to inner change where the outer changes seem to be more people not less. My focus lately has been about shining out who I am more than it has been about caring who sees / hears it. It is the story itself that matters not the writer or the reader.


What new situations will I face? III of Wands

“Remove karmic block. There is help available It will work You have so much to offer”
“You have been down this road before. This time you can remove block. Negotiate”
“Think and discuss another way to achieve what you need. You are being noticed”
“You are giving a good impression. Surprise interest from an unexpected source.”
“older person can save the day-has unique point of view-can be of great help”
“Energy manifested coming to an understanding of what creative energy has meant in your life”
“exciting group actions”


Looks like the beginning of a new cycle of learning–echoes of what’s come before.
Plus finding the right avenue of expression sounds necessary–not so much where can i fit in (seems that there are many places) but what part expresses the emerging me the best. So also sounds a lot like the last two months–so what i’ve been going through but newer and more exciting.

What rises? King of Cups

“very creative sensitive person like the knight who has channeled all the sensitivity into business or professional life–say a poet who has become a professional lawyer”
“teacher and storyteller”
“Fire of water-suggests alchemical power to transform or channel emotional energy” “a card of achievement in the arts”

So a tendency towards over-indulgence and talented artistic expression–this whole reading seems to be telling me that my creative mojo is starting to flow–where will it take me? not sure. Is this card me? or does it refer to someone coming in? Stay tuned. I choose this to represent an aspect of myself coming to the fore.

What falls? Strength (rev)

“weakness of a person who doubts his/her own strength”

Wow that’s what’s (finally) passing away. So mote it be” 😉 !!!!!!

What is at the center? Queen of Swords

ah my Libra card

“Butterflies form her crown in the Smith drawing. They can symbolize the transformation of the soul from matter to spirit, through the purity of mind”
“She does not tilt the sword as if to fight but holds it straight up, like the swords on Justice and the Ace”
“associated with Athena Goddess of Wisdom”
“befriended and protected heroes”
“Commitment to truth both in thought and speech”
“someone who has faced sorrow and learned wisdom”
“remote yet brave and extremely loyal to friends”
“Some people see her as the image of the intellectual or writer”

The Queen of Swords has seemed to be a large part of my psyche. Again ideas of transformation that keep coming up in this reading. A lot about creativity and now writing. Lately I feel like the character of Richard Murdoc from the issue of Sandman with the muse Calliope. At the end of the story, Morpheus punishes him by making ideas flow faster in his head than he could possibly get them out on keyboard or paper. Ideas are flowing through me lately so fast. I don’t know where its going but the ride is sure fantastic