The Tarot Room

While thinking about the upcoming US Presidential election, I decided to pull a single card asking, ‘what’s a positive trait to look for in someone running for President?’

It’s like the cards were mocking me, I pulled the 6 of Wands, key word – Victory.

An important trait to look for in someone running for President is that they are victorious. Ha – well, of course!

But all joking aside, the card has a little more to say than that. It shows not only the victor carrying his wreath of glory, but other people also walking alongside him, wands raised in support.

All the sixes are connected with the grand six in the deck, the Lovers, which speaks of relationships, commitments, and the connections between disparate elements.

This 6 of Wands identifies that energy played out on a spirit level.

This card suggests that a positive Presidential trait is an ability to raise the passion of the people in unity and connectedness.

As well, it points to the importance of those very people as they walk beside their champion. He got to his place on the horse with the help of them all.

In fact, no one get to this 6 of Wands position alone and a good leader knows that.

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Last week, we heard news of a new species of monkey discovered by scientists in the remote forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The scientific name they’ve been given is Cercopithecus Lomamiensis, but the monkeys are known locally as the Lesula.

While looking at this wise-eyed little creature, I wondered if now that she had the world’s attention, she had a message for us all.

Since I don’t know her personally, I of course turned to the cards to get her reply. I asked, “What message does the Lesula have for the world right now?”

Though I tried to pull just one card, two came out in the draw. They were the 2 of Pentacles and the Ace of Cups.

I get the sense that she’s a monkey of few words and as such, her message is short, but very sweet.

Simply put, the Lesula says: keep busy and love with an open flowing heart.

Or at least, that’s how I’m reading it.

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For almost a month now, thousands of people have been involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Protests have been spreading rapidly, with many more rallies planned for tomorrow.

It’s an important story that seems to be growing, and I thought it would be a good topic for Tarot Views the News.

This is not meant to be a predictive reading, but rather a quick look at the energies surrounding the situation.

Using the Rider Waite Smith deck, the card I pulled was #15, the Devil.

A winged beast with horns and the feet of a bird sits on something solid looking. Chained to it are a man and a woman.

It’s the chains around the necks of the naked couple that drew my attention first.

In this context they might represent being chained to a desk, kept down by ‘the man’, or bound to the vicious circle of materialism with its spending highs and austerity lows.

People are feeling stripped bare and tied up. They’re calling for change to the financial structures, and freedom from oppression and economic bondage.

Looking at the picture though, it seems that the chains aren’t very tight. Have they maybe become comfortable, or is the couple just too afraid to try to make a run for it?

It’s also interesting to note that the couple have horns, and each has a tail. They’re not all that different from the beast, though they’re much smaller, and apparently dependent on his good will.

The card speaks of obsessions, intensity, and roadblocks. It focuses on the physical, and in its more challenging aspect, can represent materiality gone mad, greed, and addictive-like imbalance.

There are pit falls here for everyone involved.

For the protestors, the Devil might be reminding them to be careful not to get so caught up in the fight that they lose sight of the spirit in which they first began.

It’s important that everyone recognize the Devil in themselves, as well as the humanity in their adversaries.

With respect to law enforcement, the Devil could be pointing to the danger of heavy handedness or the imposition of unjust sanctions and/or arrests. Hopefully, they’ll avoid this trap.

And for those being protested against, Wall Street and the corporate decision makers, the card might be asking them to examine their own shadows.

Where might the Devil be managing more of their affairs than they intended or were even aware of?

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In today’s Tarot Views the News, I’ve pulled a card for Steve Jobs, who passed away last Wednesday.

This is not meant to be a predictive or mediumistic reading, but just a one-card look at Jobs’ legacy.

The card I pulled was #16, The Tower. It’s one of the most shocking cards in the deck, typically describing just that, a shocking event, something unexpected, and often dramatic.

When the Tower’s around, you can’t look at the world the way you used to.

And doesn’t that describe the legacy of Steve Jobs?

Because we knew of his illness, it wasn’t so surprising that he passed, but his passing still sent shock-waves through the world of technology and way beyond.

As the lightening topples the Tower’s crown, the king was struck down.

But his time with us was at least as shocking. It was with Tower-like energy that Jobs hit the scene with the first Macintosh. You might say he electrified the computer industry.

Looking at the windows of the Tower in the card’s image, don’t they kind of remind you the front of this first computer?

The Mac was completely different from all the others. It changed everything, making it possible for people who knew nothing about computers to jump in and discover a brand new world.

They were fun, powerful, and most important, easy to use for average people. They still are. I’m working on one right now, and have been since 1997.

And then of course there’s the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. I can hardly imagine organizing my pictures without iPhoto. And iTunes has revolutionized music.

Even Apple’s packaging, ad campaigns, and stores changed how technology is viewed by the general population. It became both accessible and highly desirable.

As everyone does, Jobs faced his own personal Tower situations. He was publicly fired from the company he founded, and was forced to start fresh.

In true Tower style, he built up Pixar, another ground-breaking company, before returning to Apple to shake things up there some more.

When teaching people about the Tower card, it can sometimes be challenging to come up with positive examples of this energy. I think Steve Jobs is one of those examples.

He was a Tower we’ll all miss. He made us think different, and I thank him for it.

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Jack Layton

Today’s Tarot Views the News focuses on the passing of Jack Layton, leader of Canada’s Opposition, and the New Democratic Party.

I’m only pulling one card for this segment, but as usual, this is not a predictive reading, nor is it an attempt at mediumship.

It’s simply one Tarot card looking at the phrase – Jack Layton’s Legacy.

The card I got was #19 – the Sun, and it couldn’t be more perfect.

The Sun is inspiring, creative, and enthusiastic, all words that could easily describe Layton.

His passion, energy, and optimism were infectious, and he was personally responsible for many Canadians, young and old, caring about, and even entering politics.

The Sun card is also about exposure, and bringing the truth to light, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Exposing injustice was one of Layton’s political hallmarks. He stood for government transparency, and regularly shone light on issues and people many politicians ignore.

And he didn’t shy away from the spotlight himself, seeming to enjoy the opportunity to be in the public eye. And like the child in the card, he wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable, or have fun.

Finally, the Sun represents victory, and Layton had many. The biggest perhaps being this past May, when he become Leader of the Opposition, bringing his party the biggest win in its history.

Jack Layton had an incredible life. His impact, like the Sun, was positive and powerful.

In a final message to Canadians, he closed with the following words:

Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

The child in the Sun card couldn’t have said it better. We’ll miss you Jack, keep shining.

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A giant phone hacking scandal led Rupert Murdoch to close down his flagship paper News of the World this past Sunday.

It’s a big story that looks like it’s getting bigger, and seems like an interesting topic for Tarot Views the News.

This is not a predictive reading, but rather a quick look at the following ideas, using the Tarot.

•what is hacking?
•what is privacy?
•what is journalism?
•what is the free press?

5 of Cups

The first card I pulled answered the question, ‘what is hacking? Consciously, I would have chosen the 7 of Swords, but the card I pulled was the 5 of Cups.

Rather than describing the action of hacking, the card seems to be describing the consequences. Hacking breaks trust, public and personal. It causes a lot of sadness and a desire to turn inwards.

The card might also represent the type of information that hacking usually gathers – personal sadnesses, tragedies, insecurities, and failings, all the disappointments in our lives, our spilt cups.

Queen of Wands

I pulled the Queen of Wands when I asked, ‘what is privacy?’ There she sits, with her little black cat, the keeper of secrets.

Privacy is power, your own personal power. This Queen is independent and strong, concerned more with being able to do what she wants, then to make others do anything.

In other words, she might be outgoing, but typically this Queen doesn’t try to get in your business.

And like her element fire, the desire for privacy expands and recedes. Sometimes we reach out and share, and sometimes we keep to ourselves. Privacy is the right to decide which we want to do when.

8 of Cups

For ‘what is journalism?,’ I pulled the 8 of Cups.

This card shows a willingness to leave what seems easy or comfortable in order to find deeper meaning. Or in this context, to follow the story.

Journalism is a passion. It’s not enough to just stay where everyone else is, you have to venture out to get the scoop. Depending on how you do that, it could be good or bad.

And maybe this card is also pointing to how journalism has been changing, that it might seem like the old structures are still stable, but really, they’re no longer serving their purpose.

Like the man in the card walking away from the upright cups, whether they’re being forced out through layoffs, or making the choice themselves, journalists are leaving traditional news organizations in droves.

#16 The Tarot

And finally, for ‘what is the free press?” I got the Tower – the shattering of empires, prisons, towers we’ve created for ourselves.

A free press isn’t afraid to speak to power, and sometimes that’s all it takes to brings things down. Revealing the truth can change the world.

And maybe the free press itself is facing a Tower of its own. This News Corp situation could really shake things up.

It’s a lightening strike that might tumble more than one fortress.

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On May 2nd, there will be a federal election here in Canada. So I thought that Tarot Views the News should take a look.

This is not a predictive reading, but rather a quick look at the following terms, in the Canadian context, using the Tarot.

•Federal Election
•Leadership
•Citizenry
•Democracy

2 of Wands

I pulled the 2 of wands when I asked for a card to describe the Canadian federal election.

The card shows a man between two poles. He’s gazing over land and water, holding one pole in his left hand, and a globe in his right.

It looks like he’s trying to make a decision, each pole a distinct option, though very similar in style.

Could the decision be between the Left and the Right, with a whole world between the two philosophies?

This federal election is a choice between opposites. The future of the Canadian world is at hand.

The 2 of Wands is labeled ‘dominion’ in the Thoth deck. Interestingly enough, that’s an important word for Canada.

The constitution of 1867 proclaimed the Canadian federation to be ‘one Dominion under the name of Canada.’ And the phrase ‘Dominion of Canada’ was common until the 1970s.

3 of Swords

When I asked about leadership, I got the 3 of Swords.

Hmmmm, this is kind of tough. There seems to be serious disappointment with the three major choices Canadians are being offered.

Canada has five parties really, but two of the five aren’t likely to provide our next prime minister.

The other three all have a chance, but from the looks of this card, there’s no happy choice.

The leaders in this election seem en par as far the race goes, but they might all be concerned that they’ll be faced with another minority government. Something that none of them want, but all might expect.

Lack of communication and embedded, historic animosities have led to a situation where it’s difficult for any of them to get along.

The leadership situation is causing sorrow for all.

#20 Judgment

The card I got when I asked about ‘citizenry’ was #20, Judgment.

This is an interesting card to describe citizenry – people rising from the grave to the rousing call of an angel.

The figures are gray and naked. Their arms are upraised, welcoming or praising the angel above.

I don’t like to say it, but it looks like this group needs some new life breathed into them. The Canadian citizenry might need some uplifting.

Citizens are people, families trying to crawl out of a hole. They’re looking for and welcoming of a strong leader.

It’s almost like they’re looking for some sort of miracle to lead them onto the next stage.

6 of Wands

But maybe there’s reason for hope.  I pulled the 6 of wands when I asked about ‘democracy.’

Looks like someone’s a winner, and everyone around him is cheering.

I’m reminded that the major 6, the Lovers card, often describes networking, opposites coming together, or choices that need to be made.

With the 6 of Wands, it’s the victory of this process. Everyone involved has made a decision and there’s general jubilation all around.

Democracy is the spirit of a people united.

I hope this is how I feel by the end of the election.

If you’re Canadian get out there and vote May 2nd. It really matters.

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Today, Tarot Views the News looks at themes surrounding the situation in Japan.

This is not meant to be a predictive reading, but rather a quick Tarot glimpse at the following:

•describe the Earthquake
•describe the Tsunami
•what is Nuclear Energy
•what is Fortitude

King of Cups

The first card I pulled asked the cards to describe the Earthquake. The card I got was the King of Cups.

A king sits alone on a slab of concrete that appears to be floating in the sea. A fish jumps out of the water on the king’s left, a boat floats by on his right.

This card typically is not about earthquakes. But last Friday’s earthquake caused a tsunami that wiped out whole villages along the coastline.

Like this king, people were washed to sea. Water was and is everywhere.

#6 The Lovers

When I asked the cards to describe the Tsunami, I got the Lovers card.

Two naked figures stand under an angel, a tree behind the man is on fire, while a snake encircles the apple tree behind the woman.

There’s a mountain in the background that reminds me of the volcano Shinmoedake. The earth seems split between the couple and there’s a disturbing cloud floating above.

Though everything has been stripped bare, the Japanese people continue to be unified, hopefully blessed by the Angel above them.

These first two cards are interesting. If I were to consciously place them, I’d probably choose the King of Cups for the Tsunami and the Lovers for the Earthquake.

But in fact, they’re working together. As has been said in the press, these are ‘twin disasters.’ Like the Lovers themselves, the Earthquake and Tsunami are one.

#3 The Empress

The question, ‘what is nuclear energy’ was answered with the Empress.

Stars sparkle bright on her crown as she sits on her own slab of concrete surrounded by water and a field of wheat and flowers.

The Empress provides the world with abundance and joy, but also sadness. She is Mother Nature, and not to be taken lightly.

In the context of this question, nuclear energy might be the sparkling power she wears on her crown. It’s the brilliance of nuclear fission that can comfort or kill.

It’s always tempting to see this card as only positive, filled with love, support and nurturance. And in many ways that’s how we’ve been looking at nuclear power.

But as beautiful as the Empress is, she rules over one of the most painful cards in the Tarot. The Three of Swords, sorrow.

Nuclear energy is similar. It’s incredibly wonderful when everything is good, but when it’s bad, it’s absolutely devastating.

3 of Wands

The final question was, ‘what is Fortitude?’ The card I got was the 3 of Wands.

A person stands watching boats on the water while the sun seems to be setting.

Fortitude is waiting with patience and virtue. But it’s not without action. The astrological correspondence for this card is the Sun in Aries.

There’s so much to do, and so little that can be done. It’s like the person in the card has to wait patiently, while being ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.

This card is a three, ruled by the Empress already drawn. Everything is now in motion. Fortitude is the courage and resilience to stand firm and face what’s to come.

Love, healing and courage to the Japanese people.

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Flag of Wisconsin

In the last segment of Tarot Views the News, we looked at some themes surrounding the situation in Egypt.

This time round, we’ll bring it back to North America and explore a few concepts highlighted by the ongoing protests in the state of Wisconsin.

This is not a predictive reading, but rather a look at the following terms from a Tarot perspective:

What is a Labor Union?
What is Compromise?
What is Leadership?
What is Social Justice?

When I asked, ‘what is a Labor Union?” the card I got was the 2 of Swords.

2 of Swords

This card reflects two distinct viewpoints, the resolution of which comes through intelligent, serious communication.

Emotional issues are to be kept at bay, while carefully considering all sides of a situation.

At it’s best, a Labor Union is a balance of sorts, an attempt to make the parties in a labor for wage transaction equal and fair.

Labor unions are meant to discourage power imbalances.

2 of Cups

I pulled the 2 of Cups for ‘what is Compromise?

This card is typically interpreted romantically, but in this context I think it’s pointing to the sacrifices we’re willing to make when we’re coming from a place of mutual respect.

Compromise is the understanding that other people matter too.

The caduceus above the two figures seems especially significant to our question.

It’s an ancient symbol of commerce and negotiation. Compromise is evenhanded exchange and reciprocity between two parties.

#20 Judgement

The card I pulled for ‘what is Leadership?’ was #20, Judgment.

Families rise from grey coffins, heeding the call of the Archangel Gabriel.

Leadership is clear vision and a call to action. Like the flaming angel in the card, a leader inspires and uplifts.

Leadership sees past the confines of what is now, and takes us beyond, to a better place.

#3 The Empress

And finally, when I asked, ‘what is Social Justice?’ I got #3, the Empress.

Social Justice is love, like that of a mother for her children. It is nurturing, creative, and compassionate.

The Empress is concerned with what is real, that which is experienced by our five senses.

She wants these experiences to be shared by all of her children. And if they suffer, she does too.

Social Justice is bountiful and abundant. There is enough for everyone.
It is love and respect for all creatures of the world.

There’s an interesting progression in these cards. If we look at the 20 as being 2 + 0, equaling 2, we have three 2s followed by a 3.

Could that mean that Labour Union/Compromise/Leadership progresses into Social Justice?

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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.

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.

King of Pentacles

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.

#17 The Star

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.

4 of Pentacles

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.

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