Frate Indovino: December Divining

Caption: "The law is equal for all but more equal for some."

Well, that's a change from the sentimentality expected throughout this time of year in the U.S.

And a more honest appraisal than publicly acceptable here, at any time.

In any case, the theme is that justice has always been elusive:

As far back as the ancient Greeks, Plutarch complained that "the spiders' weavings blindside flies, but leave hornets alone," and the Latin poet Juvenal stigmatized the censors who "forgave the crows, but made havoc with doves." And many centuries later, things have not changed much, and people say it this way: "In jail he who steals wood, on the throne he who steals a kingdom"; "Many times money and friendship, break the legs of justice" etc., etc. ...

After more quotes and expressions highlighting the theme, there's a long passage about the the slow wheels of justice... Which I can't quite follow, but: it seems to be about an Italian incident [or more than one incident] involving a legal [and maybe political] conflict, that began in 1816 and ended in 2001 [? - the math doesn't quite seem to work, either].

The writer says the dispute ended only

... because the losing party did not contest the umpteenth ruling issued, just think: after 192 years!

The mini-essay concludes that

The justice of God is a bit different but equally "mysterious," as evidenced by the fact that the first to "steal" paradise was the good thief.

Perhaps an inspiring seasonal reference there, after all.

In other wisdom, the almanac says:

A Dicembre nevoso - segue anno fruttuoso
Snowy December - a fruitful year follows

In the skies:

A total lunar eclipse on the 21st, visible from Asia, Australia, the Pacific, America and Europe, and lasting 3 hours 29 minutes.

Also:

Magnetic storms will influence the weather, with the possibility of gales and storms at sea... in the first ten days: negative influences on mental activity.

"First ten days": quite early for holiday behavior, American-style.

Though with the opening of the shopping season having been pushed to the night of Thanksgiving and following dawn, this may fit here, after all.

Sadly, the year of visiting with Frate Indovino is coming to an end.

One last bit of wisdom, as we wave bye-bye to crazy, dear Italy:

Besides death, three things are certain for the Italians: the New Year's television horoscope, the size of the budget, and the soccer league.