The scene is idyllic - a golden reed bed rustles gently in the calm waters of the vlei. A small flock of sacred Ibises takes off against an immaculate sky rippling with heat. This looks like a good place to dip your feet in, however, though the water is calm, tread carefully lest you step on a crocodile.
Justice is said to be the card of truth, fairness and law, however in our modern human world, those concepts twist like worms in the hands of the powerful and we should be wary of this when deciding what is true, thus this is the card of honesty, integrity and balance. The law of nature favours balance in all things - that the hunter should eat, but that they only take what they need so that the hunted may also flourish. Cause and effect, give and take.
Be aware of what you might upset when you bash through the bullrushes, walking with gentleness and care will always stand you in good stead. Watch with your eyes, but also listen to your gut - logic should always be balanced with intuition, but if you have gone too far, be prepared for the snap of jaws.
Or maybe you are the crocodile. maybe you are waiting and watching for the right time to strike. the sudden flight of birds tells you that something is on it's way and you will eat today.
Sobek is a crocodile-headed Egyptian god who's command includes military prowess and protection - particularly protection from things that may lurk in the swampy waters of the Nile. He is a fierce and animalistic god who wards off evil and defends the innocent. Some scholars think that his name means "To Unite" since he was the one who reassembled the dismembered body of Osiris. And in healing his kin, he pays a debt that ripples through lives.
The Sacred Ibis is associated with the Egyptian god, Thoth - the god of wisdom, reason, truth and knowledge.
These two creatures are frequently found together and live harmoniously, as do their associated ordinances - wisdom, reason, truth and knowledge are in defence of the innocent and ward against evil and we should remember that sometimes the crocodile is our guardian who is ready to fight the danger hiding in the reeds behind him.