A Message for Our Nation
At the request of Dr. Theodore Kneupper, Professor of Philosophy, I opened the following Tarot Card Reading as guidance for our nation through 2008. Please feel free to share this message with others.
(Celtic Cross Spread opened on November 11, 2004)
The Empress: Central to the guidance of this spread, The Empress signifies the door through which all life flows. It is important to understand that this is the essence of our nation in the form of our raw potential. In our perfection, we are the foundation of universal life manifested on the Earth plane. Moreover, our imagination, when fully conscious, is creative and rich in its ability to solve problems peacefully. Likewise, The Empress is the beloved Mother who loves ALL life unconditionally. She also shares her wealth and the bounty of her gifts with everyone regardless of their race, religion or belief. This energy is longing to be fully expressed and to become a bridge between all nations through which the sole purpose is world peace.
The Devil: Crossing the energy of The Empress is the card of The Devil. He is the great deceiver. Here is our nation's descent into matter and indicates that we have wandered away from our spiritual path. Instead, we have chosen the path of greed and personal gain. This energy forms a veil over the bright energy of The Empress and clouds the thinking of our leaders and our citizens. The darkness of The Devil is fully expressed in negativity as the country falls into the struggle between appearance and conscious awakening. The responsibility always rests within the seeker as the does the cause of the suffering we both create and endure. However, we must always keep in mind that the chains that bind the body to the material plane can be released at the instant of our united will. At each and every moment, we can choose our liberation.
Temperance: At the root of the spread, this energy represents the very core of our predicament. Temperance is a continuous weighing of knowledge and shifting of forces. The goal is to always seek balance. However, because the first two cards are so diametrically opposing one another, the conflict arises between them in a very powerful way. Also, notable is the fact that these first three cards are all Major Arcana - this gives them added potential to do great good as well as to create great harm. As the energy is shifted back and forth between the two powers, our personal and spiritual will becomes tested. The idea is to temper our faith and our belief in what is good and right. Once we despair, we enter the energy of The Devil and immediately become part of the problem. The goal is to always maintain our connection with the Earth energy through The Empress. This objective can only be manifested through complete focus, concentration of the mind and the unfaltering will of a strong and truthful heart.
Queen of Cups: (The Tower, The High Priestess, 9 of Swords) Interestingly, there are two queens in the spread - both of which represent our nation's consciousness at two different points in time. This first queen appears in the past position - this energy is very emotional in nature as the Queen of Cups uses the element of water in relating to the external world. Also note the three cards that clarify the energy of this queen. Central is The High Priestess, which indicates that our country is wise at its core. However, surrounding our wisdom and inner knowing are two cards that create great trepidation. The Tower is obviously the enduring horror caused by September 11th as it signifies great upheaval and change. The 9 of Swords is also a card of worry - the kind of fear that keeps you up at night with an irrational sense of uncertainty and dread. In other words, the decision of the past election was based on the emotional pulse of our nation. When the moment came to choose our next president, our citizens chose the energy of The Devil - it is that simple. The inner wisdom of The High Priestess and the perfection of The Empress were present, but the best of our humanity was overlooked as the electorate chose to be apprehensive instead. This is the great deceiver in play.
8 of Wands: As we move forward as a nation, many many changes will take place in the next four years. These changes will manifest within our nation and across the globe. It is important for those who are light workers and peacemakers to take good advantage of this energy. There is no time to rest or delay. Our work must continue immediately with great energy and enthusiasm. Our thinking needs to employ our creative imagination as we choose our next course of action. Travel is always indicated with this eight as we reach across our community and offer our hand to a wider circle of humanity.
8 of Pentacles: This second eight defines our future path. Here is the card of the student, the one who recognizes that there is still so much to learn and so much work to be done. This energy requires dedication, patience, perseverance and focus - often at a time when we think that everyone should already get IT. However, despair and discouragement remain our greatest enemies, so resist the temptation of The Devil - do not fall into the throws of complacency, apathy or retreat. Never lose sight of our essence as The Empress - she remains the core of our being. Use her energy to educate. In addition, we must motivate our populace with the promise of real change, the kind of change that will truly improve all our lives. Moreover, we must gently but clearly speak this truth over and over again - as often as it is required.
5 of Cups: Here is the voice of the ego, the little self. This is the space in which we falter and sit in mourning, licking our wounds and feeling sorry for ourselves. Nothing is accomplished, and no real change can take place. This is also an option for our nation in the next four years. Here we look backwards in regret, thinking only of what could have been or what should have been. This behavior is also an illusion simply because nothing is back there. Nothing exists in the past. All our power is in the moment and requires that we take action in the here and now. The message of this card is NO REGRETS!
2 of Wands: Alternatively, we have the option of this wonderful two. Now, we take action. We can formulate plans and a true goal with purpose. We can see our inner power, full of potential. Thus, we use the next four years to take our ideas for real change out across the country. We constantly and consistently expand our sphere of influence - ever guarding against apathy and indifference. Thus, the entire nation will see our unwavering commitment to creating a new world based on the principles of nonviolence and peace.
Queen of Swords: (3 of Pentacles, 7 of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles, 2 of Cups) The second queen illustrates the probable future pulse of our nation four years from now. The three-pentacle cards in union with the 2 of Cups show that the next election will most likely be based on two important issues - economics and world peace. Moreover, this queen signifies a more intelligent, informed nation as she is represented by the element of air. Unlike the emotional fear based choice of 2004, the electorate of 2008 will be smarter, clearer and more factual. We can use this knowledge to our advantage now as we open the way to the future by integrating all of the guidance of this reading.
2 of Pentacles: Outcome cards are always interesting. In this case, there are no miracles. Do not expect heaven to open its floodgates and provide mass enlightenment for our nation or our planet. Many people will refuse to put their personal fortunes at risk, and they will resist change. There is also a fickleness among our populace, and that can be problematic. This is not going away anytime soon. As such, the outcome of the next election can go either way. My advice: work hard - as though great progress can be made. Be the teachers and the light workers and the peacemakers. Continue with hope and purpose. And above all else, never despair.
Cathy Ginter
Safe Harbor Center for Spiritual Healing
448 Fisher Road
Cabot, PA 16023-2110 USA
(724) 352-4692
