The Fate of the Nation (According to Tarot)
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Now that the dust from the US election has settled and, as the bingo callers shout, “We have a winner!” (although many will say a “wiener”), I decided to do a year-ahead “fate of the nation” reading with my personal twist on the Celtic Cross spread. (I’m also test-driving the new spread cloth I was gifted, using the Lord of the Rings tarot since they seem to be made for one another.)
My first thought on seeing this pull was the title of the Daniel Craig movie Knives Out due to the emphasis on Swords and Air. What I think I have here, at least up to the Tower, is a psychological snapshot of the “mood” of much of the nation. Since tarot is the bastion of a predominantly younger, liberal demographic, this isn’t surprising. But I don’t indulge in ad hominem attacks, so I will focus mainly on the future projection.
The Heart of the Matter or Situation As It Stands — 5 of Cups
This is a dismal card in every deck I’ve seen, conveying an impression of loss and despair. It was the prevailing mood of many following the election, and it appears to be generating a lingering sense of morbid dread.
Major Motivators (Obstacles and Opportunities) — 6 of Wands reversed: The reversal suggests “defeat snatched out of the jaws of victory.” I’m reminded of John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost. It seems to be commenting more on the obstacle than the opportunity. I can hear Linda Blair moaning “It burns! It burns!”
Established Past (Unchanging) — 8 of Swords reversed:
The LWB (actually a tan fold-out) for this deck mentions that there are many kinds of prison, and this card when reversed implies being fixated on an unreachable ideal. In its menacing tone it is “of a piece” with the first two cards.
Recent Past — The Moon: The feeling of disillusionment this card depicts needs no explanation. Things are “out-of-sorts” for a significant segment of the population.
Present — The Tower: Again, no explanation is needed. “Expecting the worst” is the message in this card.
Near Future — The Star: Although many won’t want to acknowledge it, this card displays a powerful aspiration for sweeping improvements.
Self-Limiting Factors — 10 of Rings (Coins): As the saying goes, “It’s all about the money.” Whether these envisioned enhancements are affordable is still an open question.
Clarifying Factors (Environmental and Societal “Home Base”) — Page of Swords: There isn’t exactly a “new kid in town,” but the sentiment for “cutting-and-slashing” is strong. Here we have the fledgling “Department of Government Efficiency,” which may carve even more deeply into the 10 of Rings’ funding.
Motivating Factors — Justice: I can’t help but feel a vengeful quality in this card as the driving force behind the goals of the incoming administration, in whose estimation “making things right” heads the agenda.
End of the Matter — 6 of Swords: It’s tempting to go with the Waite-Smith narrative of “a voyage to an unknown shore,” but I prefer the Thoth definition of “Science.” A good deal of mental horsepower will be expended on the proposed changes. I was quite surprised to learn that — despite popular opinion — the “once-and-future” President’s IQ is second only to Rhodes scholar Bill Clinton among those mentioned; but as was amply demonstrated during his first term, intelligence doesn’t necessarily equate to political savvy. He still makes unhinged utterances, thinking he’s being clever, but in general he sounds like maybe he learned something. Time will tell. (Just don’t mess with my Social Security and Medicare, OK?)
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on December 27, 2024.
