On to Peter Mandelson's status report. Please believe me when I say I am a Tory supporter at heart. I am not making these readings up, it was actually because political readings started showing some interesting developments that I started this blog.

Same spread as for George Osborne's spread from earlier. Mandelson has always intrigued me as an operator and I used to use him as a principal character in my cartoon diary because, together with Michael Howard, he was just about the most obvious walking cartoon character in the House of Commons (now the House of Lords, of course). The temptation to go back to drawing him got to me the other night and hopefully I will upload part of the strip once I can get it inked and coloured properly.

1. Situation in question - II WANDS - "Good advice being given and received - in the card we see two figures talking closely together, as if secrets were being shared or important guidance asked for. In one hand we see a crystal ball, which we take as having been used for scrying purposes." [Scrying is the act of reading fortunes or divination in general. It usually refers to visual techniques such as crystal gazing rather than symbolic oracles such as tarot.]

This is Mandelson sharing rather too much with Deripaska, and there is an air of secrecy about the whole thing that suggests that issues discussed are bargains, deals or agreements not for public consumption. A conspiratorial air about the whole thing.

2. Nature of Difficulties - VII SWORDS (ill-dignified) - "The need for vigilance. Also, an important but worthwhile sacrifice being made. A rather shadowy figure creeps into our encampment and makes off with five swords, leaving behind two that he cannot carry."

Mandelson is faced with the people willing to disclose what he had done for their own purposes (the Tories embarking too fast on attempts to discredit him) but carrying off something of value in the process. Mandelson had two weapons left (the ability to disclose what Osborne had been doing there too, and therefore damaging him more in the process), but it still remains that there was something of value in allegations of misconduct.

3. Past Form - VI PENTACLES - "Rewarding on the basis of merit. Sharing is the theme here. But how do we go about rewarding fairly? This card would also look at how we choose to share our time and energy with others, between ourselves as individuals and our family and so on."

Mandelson was the recipient of recent good fortune and the benefactor of Brown, and thus is able to stabilise Labour somewhat. His assistance has been timely and therefore naturally he was the (legitimate) target of scrutiny to make sure things balanced out.

4. Future developments in general - VII PENTACLES - "Hard work, but approaching the harvest time. Notice how in this card we are only approaching our harvest time, i.e. a point when we can witness all of our efforts paying off and materializing. The figure in the card shows someone working with a hoe, not a scythe or other cutting instrument. The hoe is used for making water channels through which the plants can receive water. As he stares at the ripening crop, we become aware that it is still not yet ready to be plucked. As you can see, some of the Pentacles are still very small on the plants."

Mandelson unfortunately will be remaining in post to prepare Labour to fight the next election, as de facto minister for propaganda or otherwise. There is a serious attempt to get down to business and a need for Mandelson to concentrate on his current job and his role as an election co-ordinator or assistant in that department. A serious attempt to make sure he stays out of trouble in order to protect himself within the government and party.

5. Impact on the Party - THE STAR - "The Star in a spread normally shows that powers that have been hidden until now will begin to show themselves. Thus, vital new energies begin to enter in on the equation. New encouragement, new motivation. Help from above.

Mandelson has reinvigorated his Party despite the problems over Deripaska and although he has been questioned he has largely survived any problems. He can now turn back towards the roles he has been assigned under Brown. This card speaks of hopes rather than their actual fulfilment, but the impact on Labour has been negligible given Mandelson's ability to turn the tables on Osborne while still facing scrutiny himself.

6. Impact on Self Image - THE HERMIT - "The Hermit shows us one possible way towards liberation of the human soul, rather than necessarily the only way in which that is achieved. Thus he could well lead us out of the rocky pass we find ourselves in. But we shouldn't be too quick to avail ourselves of what he offers us in its place. Caution is advised here, even if we do choose to follow his lead and take the path of renunciation which he suggests. Essentially we shouldn't rush at this point. Let us look instead at what other options there might be."

Mandelson is alone in this crisis and has insulated his actions from damaging the rest of the government. Although he must take good care to make sure he avoids compromising situations, this will probably help to make certain that he does not make a similar mistake. By being circumspect and keeping aloof he will find it easier to walk his own path than have others like Deripaska cross it too often.

7. Impact on Career - PAGE OF PENTACLES - "A young sergeant-at-arms stands looking out onto the horizon. Represents looking at one's own economic horizon for something new to get into. An alternative meaning is the preparedness to take on new responsibilities, as the young sergeant gets ready to become an officer."

Mandelson's career is renewed and focussing on new horizons. The Page normally represents the seeds of new ideas and growth; for Mandelson it probably indicates he is learning how he needs to be seen now and learning from mistakes he has made. Seeing a veteran of political life as a page is interesting. But it does mean that lessons are being learned all the time and Mandelson treats his role as one where he is starting again from the bottom and working back upwards.

8. Direction of trend - IX WANDS - "Allow other people to support you in your undertakings; you don't have to be defensive."

There is no need for Mandelson to worry - Labour is rebounding thanks to his assistance and their strategists can be thankful that this has damaged Osborne more than Mandelson in the long run, if only because we expect more from someone like Osborne who has seen where Mandelson has gone wrong in the past.

9. Outcome over time - PAGE OF WANDS - "Learning and/or travel is shown here, as the Page prepares himself for a journey which will take him through foreign lands, suggested by the mountains shown in the distance."

Mandelson has got to start from scratch again and work his way back into the heart of the political arena. He needs to sharpen Labour's game - which he is already doing - and also needs to steer himself round trouble which hers caused him problems in the past. Doing this in the manner of a Page he appears to humble himself and learn rather than teach, an approach which will strengthen him in the long run.