As a Libra rising, I have strove to treat all my nephews equally, no doubt with varying degrees of success. If this desire of fair or equal treatment can not be assigned to astrology, then I suspect that the origins of fairness can be found in my youth, where I was, or it seems that I was, the “go to” scapegoat. If have I fallen short of my lofty goal of treating the nephews equally, I can state that in good conscious I have made a real and sustained effort. However, as the nephews are quickly approaching adulthood, they are making decisions that will not only affect their respective futures, but, ultimately, how I will regard their behavior.
Many adults that have I met either share the higher values that I esteem, or they don't. I do not attempt to treat adults equally, and in fact, I'm certain that I make an effort to disparage those individuals who lack values and whose lives are guided only by hedonism and not reason. Even without recourse to the Tarot, I can foresee the time when I avoid certain nephews while longing to see others, remaining silent when some are mentioned, yet acknowledging other nephews for their accomplishments. I don't expect that one future morning will be accompanied by a profound epiphany regarding the pros and cons of individuals, rather, I suspect that my behavior will glacially change over the course of time.
“Pragmatic Nepotism” is a term that can only be coined by a Capricorn: we want to benefit others who we are familiar with and they must posses higher values, even if these benefits, monetary or otherwise, are thought or perceived by third parties to show preferential treatment. Frankly, the aloof sea goat is not concerned with the uninformed opinions of others. Similar, but not identical, to Mr. Buffet, we don't support, encourage, or benefit individuals exclusivity because of their lineage, but due to their values which, by necessity of being human, will be reflected in the sum of their behavior.
One of the fundamental precepts of Salic Law is that the elder son inherits property to the detriment of younger brothers. This tradition is not unlike the implied inheritance laws of the Old Testament. However, the endless genealogies and commentary of scripture testify that whereas the elder son should benefit, this standard is the exception rather that than rule and among the reasons found in the Old Testament for the denial of the expected order of inheritance are fratricide, the machinations of Jehovah and the selling of one's birthright.
| “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” | |