This blog is intended to be a light-hearted look at British politics with some forays into friendly - and not-so-friendly - neighbouring territory.

I am broadly Conservative, though have had reservations about David Cameron since he took office. I also read tarot as a hobby, so part of this blog is to share my predictions based on oracles and divination, mostly with my tarot cards but also with other systems, the I Ching, oracle and angel cards, and the help of my spirit guide Owlperson :} who knows a thing or two about politics and is willing to share his insights. Owlperson will share his thoughts on animal totems - and is prepared to divulge here only that Cameron himself is a fox, with the emphasis on the kssss, and that previous Tory leaders have been snowy owl, squirrel, rabbit, mouse and two bears (brown and polar) - and yes, that is in the right order. Animal totems tell us both positive and negative things about ourselves and while it is always possible to adopt new totems, certain animals are with us throughout our life (or lives) and shape our basic personality. As a Fox Cameron is elegant, sophisticated, sharp and witty - but that comes at a rapacious, greedy, conniving price. Similarly his predecessor, Michael Howard, as a Snowy Owl, was deep, thoughtful and very cuddly (I should know, I've met him several times and he never fails to engage people who are otherwise put off by his public image) but also has a quick temper, can be very aggressive and moody and does not shrink back from a fight. Snowy Owls are the hard-men of the owl-world...

I also draw cartoons and comics of British politics based on Owlperson's observations. They are of a rather personal nature but I will upload any here which would be intelligible to a wider audience.

I am going to upload my first post tonight but will need to have a think on who to read for and how to go about showing the cards as a pictorial scan. I use a number of decks but mostly for this blog I will use the Angel Tarot by US Games as it is brightly coloured enough to be interesting to look at but does not include too much unnecessary detail or symbolism. I might use Aleister Crowley's Book of Thoth as well but my copy is huge and I am debating whether or not to sell it on eBay and buy a smaller version, as the Master himself is not to be ignored but my scanner is only of a certain size.

If anyone would like a private reading I will be pleased to assist - please email me at louise.stanley@live.co.uk. I don't believe in charging extortionate amounts of money for tarot (I have been desperate for readings at times and have become depressed at the expense involved) so this is a free three-card (past-present-future plus any clarifying cards) service.

First off I think I will read for David Cameron over the next week as it looks like our Tory friends are in a little bit of hot water over Yachtgate and their rather lacklustre response to the economic issues has contributed to a "Brown bounce" in the polls. I will also probably have a look at Brown himself but to me the Tories have always been - and probably always will be - the more interesting faction in British politics and, as a regular contributor (at the moment anyway) to Conservative Home, I can most closely follow the reactions of their membership.

As for my reading habits, I normally use all upright cards but will indicate where I feel a reversed or ill-dignified reading is necessary. I use Alfred Douglas' book "The Tarot" as a primer but both I and Owlperson will offer insights into what we think the direction is depending on how the situation can be interpreted.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I hope I will enjoy writing it.

Louise Stanley

P.S. My money is on Barack Obama to win the presidency of the US, but my vote would still go to McCain if I had one. Such is life. Though that Death card I pulled for Obama back in the spring has yet to show itself in reality, so anything could happen between now and inauguration day in January.