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