Using A.E. Waite’s version of the Celtic Cross we begin this week’s meditation with the Four of Pentacles representing the current state of affairs; the energies and influences that are affecting matters generally. It is the atmosphere in which the energies represented by the other cards in the spread are working.
The Four of Pentacles could represent greed, but it can also represent fears about individual’s financial futures or the economy generally. It can stand for a desire for frugality in order to protect and preserve material assets so as to be able to weather any financial storm. The coin over the figure’s head can be seen as symbolizing thoughts weighed down by financial and material concerns, while the coin clutched tightly to the breast can be seen as symbolizing feelings of insecurity and a need to protect that which one has.
As this is the week of major elections throughout the United States, and as the economy and inflation seems to be one of the largest concerns expressed by voters, if not the largest, throughout the country; in looking at the Four of Pentacles specifically and the spread generally, I see this week’s meditation firmly centered on the election.
The Four of Pentacles is crossed by the Queen of Cups representing obstacles or challenges that need to be overcome or reinforcing factors resulting in difficulties.
As the Four of Pentacles is dealing with this week’s elections in the United States, the Queen of Cups, and all of the other cards in the spread, need to be read within that context in order to properly understand the symbolism.
The Queen of Cups, just like voters, can and does sometimes make decisions based on feelings or emotions alone, even to the point of defying rationality. She holds good intentions, is idealistic, and dreams of an even better future, as do the vast majority of Americans.
As the Queen of Cups is crossing the Four of Pentacles it indicates that while Americans generally hold the very best of intentions, we sometimes become overly emotional when it comes to voting and would be well served if we were to exercise more logic and reason when making our electoral decisions. Reading more and trusting soundbites less.
The fact that the spread contains three Queens will be addressed later.
These cards are crowned by the Nine of Cups, representing goals, aspirations or other higher issues that need to be considered. It is the ideal or the best that we believe can be achieved.
The Nine of Cups represents voters aspirations for a largely content nation in which all are able to get their fill with an assured future of peace and plenty. Lives of comfort and success for all. It also shows a desire for positive change, a desire reflected in other cards within the spread as well.
The Nine of Swords stands beneath our center cards, representing the foundation or roots that anchor and hold down the present. It is what has already passed.
In the context of this reading it can clearly be seen to symbolize voter’s disappointment and despair at the current course of our country, and the lack of civility within our civic institutions. It also points out widespread feelings that our nation’s current leaders are deceptive and that justice is often delayed, occasionally denied. People are widely troubled, and the Nine of Swords clearly points that out.
It is important to see that the Nine of Cups representing voters aspirations, and the Nine of Swords representing the discontent felt by voters stand directly opposite in the spread, and directly opposite in meaning. Both cards indicate that positive change is coming, and that change will lead from current feelings of disappointment to a glimmer of hope in a brighter future. This is an opportunity for our society to start to heal the divisions which plague it, but like any opportunity, it must be seized and acted upon or it will come to nothing.
This cards influence, disappointment over our nation’s recent past, and despair over its future will continue to haunt the people of the United States in the times to come unless the opportunity for positive change the election will bring about is embraced. Honest leaders with good intentions will have to work hard in order to overcome the energies symbolized by the Nine of Swords.
To the right of our center cards stands The Tower, the first Major Arcana card in our spread. It is representing that which is just now passing away.
The Tower can represent destruction, but it is also representative of very sudden change. An unexpected upheaval, a powerful event that enters the scene and shakes things to their foundations. Strong forces that impact what was thought to be stable. The old order must be destroyed so that new might be built.
The square tower had been topped with a circular crown until the lightning shook it from its place. The shattering of this union symbolizes those political leaders who have pursued policies contrary to the wishes and needs of their constituents. The Tower reminds us that those things which are made not to match, especially because of ego or hubris cannot forever stand.
To the left lies The Devil, representing the influences and energies that are coming into action and will operate in the near future.
The Devil depicts two human figures, chained. It is widely reported that in many cases voters feel chained to the two party system, unable to break out of it despite the apparent popularity of occasional leaders offering an alternative. Likewise it is often the case that voters feel compelled to vote by party instead of for the best individual. We have created information silos in which our preconceived notions are pandered to, and in which we are never effectively challenged. Voters widely recognize all of these problems, yet still feel chained, not understanding that the chains which hold them are loose and could be slipped right out of without effort.
The Devil in the context of this reading also symbolizes the incivility that has overtaken our politics. It is no longer seen as permissible, in far too many contexts, to ‘disagree without being disagreeable.’ We have come instead, much too often, to see those with whom we disagree as enemies. We can know however that we must escape from this devil, or dark influences, for no civil society can long stand when we distrust and see each other as enemies.
These dark energies surrounding political discourse limit our nation’s capabilities and potential. The Devil points out in this reading that if we are to avoid despotism we must break free of the media silos and political chains that are holding fast to our society. We must all come to see each other as holding pure motives unless and until proven otherwise. We must once again learn to live together in a civil manner.
The Devil also symbolizes a thirst for power. Power that is gained by those seeking it when they create, foster, an inflame the divisions within our society. It also symbolizes seething rage and blinding jealousy, traits seemingly whipped up around any and every political issue in our time.
To the right of our cross, Death begins our vertical ascent, representing current energies and attitudes.
Death represents change. While we clearly see the great and the small falling to the rider, we must also see that Death carries a banner symbolizing life, and that the sun is rising once again in the background. Death is not an end, rather a transformation. It is the closure of one phase and the start of a new one.
It also represents power. The declining power of one individual or side, and the growing power of another. It is a symbol of revolution and regeneration.
Just above Death, the Queen of Pentacles, the second Queen in our spread, stands to represent external, non-personal influences impacting the matter at hand.
Traditionally the Queen of Pentacles has been said to represent generosity, magnificence, security, and liberty. All qualities long associated with the United States and the people who compose it. She is filled with pride and a strong sense of duty, just like most Americans. Her appearance in this spread indicates that voters will support those who they believe will work to effectively protect the most vulnerable in our society; preserve our material and physical security; and guard our freedoms.
Above the Queen of Pentacles we see the Ace of Cups. Representing hopes and fears, which, when both are held in relation to any specific matter can lead to internal conflict.
The Ace of Cups symbolizes contentment, joy, home, and abundance. Rejuvenation, new beginnings, power, and success. A new and prosperous start with positive emotions. A breakthrough resulting in peace and harmony.
In this spread the Ace of Cups represents new opportunities to fix that which we see ailing our nation. In any election there are winners and there are losers, those supporting the eventual winners will feel hope, those on the other side may experience fear. Those elected, if they want to serve our nation well, will work to bridge this divide between people. Will strive to maximize hope and minimize fear.
Finally, a third Queen, The Queen of Wands crowns our vertical pillar. Representing the final outcome of the present situation, combining the energies, forces, and influences of the other cards contained within the spread. What will come.
As the Queen of Wands is a court card we can conclude that the results of the elections are primarily in the hands of those participating in them, the voters themselves. Not on external forces, money, advertising, the media, or interference. As this Queen represents the element of Fire, we can see that the results of the election will come down to those candidates and that side that is most energetic and enthusiastic.
The Queen of Wands is self assured, confident in her exceptionalism. She is creative, dynamic, enthusiastic, and full of vital energy. Seeking peace, she will not shy from conflict and will be ferocious when needed.
Again, in this spread the Queen of Wands indicates that elections will be won by the side that is most energetic and excited. By the candidates and side that inspires voters to get out and actually vote, delivering defeat to those who can not inspire their supporters to act.
Following major elections analysts and media groups often study how groups of people voted, in order to discover which of those groups may have had an outsized influence on the result. The presence of three Queens in our spread indicates that women’s votes and voices will have a decisive impact on this week’s electoral results.
Tarot card images used in this post are from the Tarot deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of RW Arthur Edward Waite, published in 1909, and are thus in the Public Domain. Card images pictured are from scans of that original 1909 deck, and are not sourced from images U.S. Games Systems claims copyright to. To view this public domain Tarot deck or learn more about it visit the Wikipedia page discussing it here.