Egypt has been the big news these last few weeks so I thought I’d pull a few cards about the situation.
This is not meant to be a predictive reading, but rather a brief exploration of some of the key themes.
Though Egypt is dealing with these issues right now, they’re not alone. Every nation faces them at one time or another.
•What is legitimate government?
•What is legitimate protest?
•What is revolution?
•What is democracy?
Using the Rider Waite Smith deck I started with the first question, ‘What is legitimate government?’ I got the 5 of Swords.
It’s pretty straight-forward according to my deck. Legitimacy in government is determined by who controls the arms.
I’m reminded of what my first year political science professor taught us in the very first class. Politics is about the control of power. If you defeat the other side, you’re in charge.
I pulled the King of Pentacles when I asked, ‘What is legitimate protest?’
This is a serious king not prone to wild histrionics or extremism. At his best, he’s concerned with stability, material prosperity and the general well being of his subjects.
I think this king is telling us that when a leader no longer provides access to these fundamentals, there is a legitimate right for his or her people to protest.
When I asked ‘What is revolution?’ I got #17, the Star.
Revolution is eternal hope and optimism. Anything is possible. There’s reason to dream, to have faith that it can be better than it is today.
This is a major card and suggests a certain inevitability. Revolution is something that once begun is determined to finish.
The Star card is preceded by the Devil and Tower and followed by the Moon, Sun and Judgment. Revolution takes place after tyranny and collapse, but comes before disillusion, revelation and ascension.
The final question was, ‘What is democracy?’ The card I got was the 4 of Pentacles.
In the Thoth deck, the key word for this card is ‘power’. Like a functioning democracy, it’s a receptive power, defensive and protected, but accessible.
Looking at the RWS version of the card it seems that the king is protecting his wealth, and that the city is literally behind him.
Democracy is the stewardship of a community’s wealth, with the support of its citizenry.
Interesting cards. Interesting times.