Parliament of Fowls

PART 2. THE CONSERVATIVES

Situation

The Hanged Man. You are at a life crossroads at which sacrifices and patience are needed if the right choices are to be made. Submit gracefully, and all will be well. Life needs to be viewed from a fresh angle, and what may seem a total distraction to your plans may just take you in a fresh, creative direction. You may feel you are wasting time hanging around, but it will prove to be well worth your while.

The Conservatives are non-plussed by this – brought up short by the fact that their own attack dog has turned on them, albeit not with as much force as on Labour (though that may change). They are surprised but perhaps prepared for this – it is ameliorated by the tip-off they received over the weekend – but nonetheless they did not expect this and see this as an unwelcome distraction keeping them from making electoral hay from the problems Labour are facing. It is perhaps for the rest of us disillusioned Conservatives who want some substance a change for the better – they are not given carte blanche just to walk into Downing Street and this may force their hand on policy. Regardless, they need to think about their next move, and this spread may open some doors on what they plan.

A very strong thought came to me over the weekend, where I was opening a door and a bomb went off, clearing my mind and clearing my vision of things going forward. Just as Cameron blew the lid off the conference in 2005 and changed the vision of the Conservatives’ future overnight, so this issue has rebounded on the Tories and could force them to “put up or shut up” as people have hoped they might at some point be forced to do. I hope so. Otherwise the consequences of this rethink might be more dramatic for those who have faced the future armed only with the sword of complacency and the shield of “not yet, wait a few more months, then we’ll have something for you”.

Appearance to the Public

King of Swords. In astrology the character of Saturn in his benign aspect closely resembles that of the King of Swords. He represents power, authority, and the law, splitting complex arguments with the edge of his sword. His judgements can at times seem lacking in tolerance of human frailty, but are never unfair. The card usually represents an authority figure that the querent can look to for justice.

The King is seen as a figure who is good with words – a lawyer – but has not got the substance or the legislative or executive power to follow through with them. Cameron is seen thus – he can still assert his authority on this to the public but this is still lacking in the potency to make the decisions that need to be taken to solve the problem. The impact is going to be significant only if the Tories do not hang together, and there is no suggestion that this alone will force Cameron’s hand. Nevertheless, they cannot go on like this for ever – the King of Swords needs to become the King of Pentacles if he is to do something about it. Brown and Cameron both have this problem – they are both talking when they should be doing.

Appearance to the Media

IX Wands. You enjoy well-earned success gained through honesty, hard work and intelligence. However, troubles are brewing on the horizon, and you are soon likely to be tested to the very limits of your patience and ability. Take the time now to cultivate key allies, and check too that your finances are robust enough to cope with unexpected demands.

Similarly to the card that came up here in Labour’s spread, the media is defending their honour by covering the Tories despite this card suggesting this may just be a fig-leaf, and the Guardian is saying that this article is pulling punches which should be equally ruinous to the parliamentary Conservative team. Fraser Nelson is weaselling out of condemning Tory misuse of flipping because he says it is not done for the same reasons, that is, to play the property market. What utter snide bollocks (excuse me). Flipping is flipping – if it’s wrong for one, it’s wrong for the other. This just exposes the media’s game; while it’s true that Vulpes Vulpes’ trust fund keeps him relatively safe from having to exploit expenses, there is no earthly reason why someone should flip like this for one reason and get away with it, and for another reason to be damned for it. Pure partisanship, and a poor defence of a  system which should be more even-handed than this for a proper democracy to function. And this is from someone who would be pro-Conservative given different leadership and direction.

Appearance within the Conservative Party

VII Swords. Hope appears after a long struggle, but keep your guard up. You face opposition to your plans and it would be wise to learn from its source, but you can achieve your aims if you persevere and be certain of your facts. Avoid direct confrontation, however; instead, let your ideas speak for themselves.

If the Tories had any ideas, then they would be speaking for themselves and the Tories would not have to manoeuvre in this underhand way – it is still in the position of overcoming obstacles, but by sly sleight-of-hand, not genuine honest hard work. There isn’t enough in this card to suggest the Tories can outrun their pursuers here for long; they need to come back with something solid and substantial to really consolidate these gains, and to make sure they and their cronies in the press can’t win the election by subterfuge as Labour did, in my opinion, last time.

Appearance to Cameron

Page of Wands. The Page of Wands is a messenger, usually of good fortune, heralding great events affecting your chosen career. He is energetic, loyal, idealistic, resourceful, and honest; the best kind of friend one could hope for. He can represent either the attitude you need in order to accomplish your aims – the part you must play toward someone of greater influence – or the person you should turn to for help to carry them out.

Cameron regards this as child’s play, a boy tilting at windmills, and does not take this seriously enough because he thinks he can use his tongue to escape once again from definite and thorough scrutiny. His Tweets enrage me – “Brown baiting over for the week”, for example – and make me think he is bullying his way to power in the nastiest possible way. We may have to endure 10 years of this cretin in charge of the country, who thinks the rules don’t apply to him or his friends – or he may find it is too late for these tactics once Labour get started on their manifesto. We shall see.

Roots of the issue

The Lovers. Generally this card represents love or friendship on the worldly plane, marking a kindling or re-kindling of affection after troubles have been overcome. A major commitment could seriously affect  the course of your life, and the climate is right for it to be a lasting and fruitful union. Complete honesty and trust are all that are needed to make the union work.

The tarot assesses the relationship between the Telegraph and the Tories as one of mutual dependency, and it has to be said that this upsets the balance of the issue and the ability to scrutinise the Tories properly and without prejudice of any kind, positive as it is in this case. This is too cosy a situation for investigative journalism to flourish, just as the Hutton report was eventually perceived as a whitewash for Blair, so this further undermines the possibility of a firm hand with both and all parties.

Seeds of the issue

The Emperor. The Emperor represents earthly power achieved through force of will, including war if necessary, though usually the card stands for stability, wealth, justice and the dominance of reason over emotion. It can represent an authority figure at work or in the family, or the attitude necessary to carry plans through to fruition. Sometimes it’s necessary to put aside reflection and sympathy and simply act.

The action in this card suggests to me that the Conservatives take some action to sort the situation out, but they are not renowned for using this active power for ends that would strengthen their base, only make them top heavy. Cameron’s attitude to politics suggests he believes himself too much to be the Emperor already, and does not understand the need for balance as well as naked power. This card may presage success, but it needs to be success wielded in a careful and understanding nature not in a blind, tyrannical, bullying fashion.

Action needed

Knight of Swords. The Knight of Swords is bold and enthusiastic, but also imaginative and clever like his Queen. He is a great champion of good causes and inspires others by his idealism and dedication to any cause he adopts. He is decisive and, while others dither over a course of action, he will just plunge headlong into it and generally win the day. He is a symbol of creative upheaval, usually leading to success.

Cameron and his party need to apply the same verve and vigour they apply to politics to policy, and then the party will be truly unassailable, even in the northern areas where the party’s vote has recently collapsed in favour of the BNP. The dynamism of this card is often perceived as recklessness; the party needs to be recklessly constructive to truly win my support and that of others who are still suspicious of the party’s motives. “Brown-baiting” won’t do; constructive policy might just tip my balance back into the Tories’ favour.

Action actually taken

Strength. This card signifies strength through meeting problems head-on and overcoming them by strength of will. Perseverance, courage and determination combined with intelligence and modesty make an irresistible combination not only for tackling adversity but for encouraging others to come to your assistance. The strength of this card inspires others because its triumph benefits all.

The Strength card – in controlling and containing challenges rather than rising to meet them – diverges from the Knight of Sword’s active creativity to a passive role. The Conservatives cannot however afford to just hold the media or the public at bay. They need to follow through with a lot of things that they have left hanging and stop baiting traps that they fall into too easily. People are cynical enough about politicians. Cameron just makes people more cynical, not less.

Solutions

IX Swords. Beware tempting, but false, invitations. Deception and even possible violence are warned by this card, but bear in mind that adversity is the best test of character, just as a sword requires fire and hammering to get a sharp edge. In the long run, know that all adversity can be turned to the good.

This is a less promising outcome than for Labour; solutions in this sense are what needs to happen and what possibly will happen to rectify the situation and bring things into their ordained pathway. The Tories have inflicted political damage on others –but those who live by the sword often die by the sword. The painful and cruel nature of Cameron’s tweets are symptomatic of the distorted and crippled political process, not part of their reshaping and remoulding. It is what was inflicted on us Tories at the last election, and should not be inflicted on others at this. But Cameron does not seem to heed this warning, and will pay through his own ordeal of fire during this forging process.

Direction

The Fool. A new beginning with fresh adventures ahead, although there is a very real danger of it all going horribly wrong. The bag on the Fool’s shoulder represents natural talents that he could employ usefully if he took the trouble to open the bag, but he generally doesn’t. For wild optimists this card is a warning to try to temper enthusiasms with a little common sense. For pessimists, it suggests lightening up a little.

The Tories cannot find stability to go with their new-found power, and they are running out of time to acquire some before Labour learn their lessons and come back with a vengeance. Cameron is dancing off into the sunset, spreading toxic tweets in his wake, while Gordon and Hazel and Harriet and Jack think more deeply and longingly about what they want to achieve and what they want to do. The people who win elections win them positively and happily. The “foxytories” as I call them condemned our last election campaign as “negative”. They should learn from this, then, rather than intensifying the blithely destructive poison they spew as they dance towards Downing Street, ignoring the chasm growing beneath their feet.

Short term outcome

King of Wands. The King of Wands is a charming leader who is energetic, honest, diplomatic and generous. His fatherliness can tend toward being too trusting. Being naturally loyal and conscientious, he is a great friend in times of trouble, being unafraid to take up arms in a good cause. In a spread he can represent either the attitude needed to address the situation, or the person you should turn to for help.

In this sense, the King is master of the present but not generator of the future. Blair was my original archetype of the King of Wands, mercurial, upbeat, merry and potent, but who lacked the foresight to maintain and work with his gifts and talents, and now reduced to a low-key post with a religious foundation rather than walking the world stage with the real giants of political power. The King of Wands lacks foresight, and although he has positive qualities as listed above, he is insubstantial and cannot hold and shape the real future with fundamental depth or clarity of purpose. He exists to win, but real Kings know that winning is only the beginning.

Long term outcome

The World. Upright, the World represents the favourable culmination of a long period of striving and hard work that meets at last with recognition and reward. It stands for completion, fulfilment and the dawn of a period during which you can relax and refresh yourself before the need for major exertion rises again. This is a good time to take stock and catch up on neglected areas of your life.

The World here represents a vague but positive future for the party, so the coming difficulties in the Nine, although necessary, represent a period in which the party grows up. Cameron cannot currently achieve what he wants to achieve merely by Brown-baiting. But he can show that the Conservatives can restore faith in government and faith in the political process; how this will be managed on current form remains a mystery, but the World does forecast some kind of definite promise in this situation – if only his Brown-baiting is kept to a minimum, he might avoid it being turned in on himself. It isn’t too late. Yet.

All the major parties are in the firing line over their expense accounts and their use and misuse. Although most of what is being done is legal and within the rules, the rules themselves seem to be more generous than some people believe necessary. Even Vulpes Vulpes’ sly admission that he apologises for his team misusing bad rules suggests that if senior Tories had been able to avoid the same scrutiny as fell upon Labour at the end of last week, then they might well have felt it was all right to keep using the same methods as Labour.

The Guardian discusses the insinuations that the Telegraph is soft-pedalling their scrutiny of senior Conservatives’ accounts and that they gave Cameron a longer warning than they did Brown. Cameron should either pledge to change the rules and say what he would do otherwise, or pay back the money, or stop weaselling out of it if he doesn’t want to fall into the same hole that Brown is in electorally. Loki did kill Heimdall – but died of his wounds during the battle. Cameron needs to think harder about his response if he wants to avoid the same fate.

Focussing back on the Prime Minister, where does this leave Labour (apart from lagging in the polls) and where will it take them within the short and long term? How effective will it actually be for the Conservatives to push their rather silly and immature line that although they dislike the rules, they still exploit them?

PART 1. LABOUR.

Situation

Queen of Wands. The Queen of Wands is a mature, practical person with a great down-to-earth wisdom. Charming, sympathetic, and graceful, she is less outgoing than her bold King but has very strong character and self-possession. She gets things done by talking to individuals rather than groups, and thus getting below the surface of events. Often she is the real leader of a group without being noticed.

What springs to mind instantly, independent of the card description, is “damage limitation”. The Queen cannot dictate or directly control events, so the emphasis here for Labour is channelling them into productive use and development of a response rather than mere denial or bluff. Publicly they are still trying to wrestle with the press and co-ordinate a response, and the card suggests they cannot, even as a government, do this pro-actively – they must bend to the will of the press. However the response can be grappled with and used to defuse and deflect the issue, and this shows that kind of development rather than any devastating annihilation of their agenda and authority.

Appearance to the Public

V Cups. Unhappiness and dissatisfaction cast a shadow over your relationships. Dwelling too much upon the past will only make the situation worse. What you need is a renewal of vision and it will come if you are patient, but in the mean-time, resist laying the blame for this situation on those around you. The problem lies within you.

The public is obviously disgruntled and disappointed in its representatives; it doesn’t take a tarot reader to prove that. However the Five of Cups contains within it some unspent force, some new direction and new promise that is hidden to the viewer: the public has not revolted over this, all parties are equally culpable, there is a possibility that real change can be effected through this widening of the issue from one or two wayward incidences (such as Derek Conway and the Wintertons last year) to the wider ministerial and backbench cadres being found to be wanting if not actually corrupt. The seeds of change to the system are seen by the public, and with the Five of Cups here they have to see it changing to be mollified.

Appearance to the Media

II Wands. A possible partnership offers a way of furthering your ambitions. Unnecessary self-doubt is blocking your way, however, so you need to be decisive and trust in your instincts. Or, if this is not possible, ally yourself to someone who has that confidence. The prospects are good – just have faith.

This is a political card and perhaps in this context a rather exploitative one to have in this instance. The media have opportunities to persecute and bestow their blessings or curses on one side or the other, and the fact that Labour have been hauled over the coals far more strictly than the Conservatives have is possibly a sign of naked partisanship rather than a legitimate effort to expose general corruption or develop a more genuine investigation into the issue. Just as essays and investigations on electoral fraud confine their questioning to narrow areas (partisan manipulation of postal votes) and ignore wider issues (the security of the system when postal votes have reached the local authorities responsible for their administration), so the media is preoccupied with attacking one side and letting the other off the hook with a few tendentious promises and obvious absurdities. Jolly bad show, chaps.

Appearance within Labour

The Hierophant. Providing comfort, security, the wisdom of the ages, and generosity in others’ time of need are among the many virtues of the Hierophant that make him someone to turn to in troubled times. But inflexibility – a lack of openness to change – can often negate these virtues. Too great a reverence for the past can become hostility toward all change, and then the Hierophant symbolises an obstacle to growth. He can also indicate marriage or other lasting union.

Labour are balancing themselves with some inner knowledge that they are still based on something more solid than it appears in the press. They are shown as guarding their territory jealously; it might well be that they have closed ranks somewhat since the activity of the last week and are trying to staunch the wounds. They feel that this is the best response; there is no warmth between them, no sense they can relax, but there is no chaos, no open warfare, and no destructive influences. They are licking their wounds and building their future behind closed doors and giving nothing away.

Appearance to Brown

King of Swords. In astrology the character of Saturn in his benign aspect closely resembles that of the King of Swords. He represents power, authority, and the law, splitting complex arguments with the edge of his sword. His judgements can at times seem lacking in tolerance of human frailty, but are never unfair. The card usually represents an authority figure that the querent can look to for justice.

In other words, Brown is reduced somewhat from his usual role – the pro-active King of Pentacles – to someone who can only arbitrate and give judgement rather than do much to sort the problem out. This is consistent with his problems at getting his original plans for expenses through, and his need for an independent commissioner might help to ease the situation. (I was disappointed with the media – like Cameron’s U-turn on the post office, when it was first announced, it was met with welcome by the opposition parties on Newsnight – it was only when the media came out against the issue that people got upset with it.) So Brown can only referee in this situation, but he will be able to do so in a direct and forceful manner to restore his own fragile self-confidence.

Roots of the issue

III Swords. Argument and strife threaten your plans. Be patient. Separation, frustration, and disillusionment all threaten, but if you hold onto your long-term goals they can still be realised – you just have to work out who your real friends are. Break-ups are always painful, but totally necessary in the long run.

When I draw this card, I know I will be sick, and I know it will be difficult to avoid it, but I know I have to go through it, and I know it won’t be serious or damaging in the long-term. Here the situation is obviously hurtful – a trial by ordeal – but it is a learning experience for all concerned, and not a lasting wound; something that will actually in the long run let out bad blood and help the body politic renew and heal itself properly.

Seeds of the issue

Ace of Cups. The Ace of Cups represents the beginning of a period of joy, abundance, friendship, fertility, love, and just about every other good thing you can think of on the emotional plane. It stands for the promise of being able to act out your dreams in a period of happy creativity while enjoying yourself along the way and being appreciated by those around you. Nonetheless, it will call upon all your finest qualities.

Things can only get better. The only way is up. There is a chance for a solution, if there is no interference from outside, and interference in this way would only strengthen the resolve to solve the problem rather than let it fester. The media won’t let up with their destructive tendency towards Labour but this challenge is one which Labour can rise to and present a united and coherent front – because they know they have stiff competition from others.

Action needed

Knight of Wands. The Knight of Wands is a versatile warrior, armed and fearlessly ready for action. The card signifies departures, change, and adventures into the unknown. It’s a warning to keep your eyes and ears open, because you are surrounded by challenge. But if, like the Knight (or with his help), you face it with courage, flexibility and imagination, there’s every reason that you should triumph in the end.

Labour need to be responsive to this, to take charge of the situation, to reform, renew and re-establish. The Knight suggests they are no longer fully in control, but there is no doubt that they still have the capacity to change the situation simply by opening themselves up to action and going on a policy offensive, changing the system, changing their own habits, and being flexible enough to bend to the will of the public and carry out the necessary works to put this situation back under their control.

Action actually taken

Ace of Wands. The Ace of Wands represents the beginning of some great new practical venture or career. The time is right for putting your boldest ideas into action, pushing back the boundaries of possibility, and sharing your enthusiasm with the world. Now, when everything is flowing your way, is the time to exercise your talents, stake out your territory and show the world what you can do.

Labour are able to make a start, to make a killing blow on this, and plug the gap in the dyke. In the card image for this pack, a raging volcano is spewing forth lava and flame; although this often means that the querent has initiated something volatile and direct, this to me now with Owlperson’s guidance suggests that the draconic soldier in the card is wielding his rod to stop up the mountain and cease the lava flow. This is Labour at their responsive best; whether the rod holds is a matter for Fate, but at least they do take the necessary action to stop the brewing eruption successfully, probably through moving to fully stop the abuses before they get a distinctly illegal flavour.

Solutions

The Hanged Man. You are at a life crossroads at which sacrifices and patience are needed if the right choices are to be made. Submit gracefully, and all will be well. Life needs to be viewed from a fresh angle, and what may seem a total distraction to your plans may just take you in a fresh, creative direction. You may feel you are wasting time hanging around, but it will prove to be well worth your while.

Labour need to consider their next move carefully, as they have one chance above to stop this volcano before it completely destroys them. They are helped by an opposition who couldn’t lace its shoes up without consulting the tabloids first. They are helped by still having a working majority and they are helped by the opposition having to make up a deficit of 150 seats before they have an overall majority – this isn’t like the mid-1990s where one brush from a feather would have toppled Major’s government overnight. Labour have the time and patience to get out of this mess, but they have to know where and when to direct the forces inherent in both Aces above, and the solution is to consider their actions carefully rather than charge into battle indiscriminately and risk the opposition coming fully to their senses in the mean time.

Direction

IV Wands. It is now time for a well-deserved rest and the enjoyment of good company. Your plans were well-laid, so you can allow yourself to bask for a while as you see your ideas take shape in reality. This could also be a good time to consider moving house, or formalising a romantic attachment. Enjoy this time, but don’t allow complacency to creep in.

Order and structure returns to the situation, and Labour begin to rebuild a certain confidence in themselves. They can’t make firm plans yet, but they can go on adding to their internal structure to  solidify and strengthen their tentative unity in the face of an onslaught from their opponents who are now also caught in their own traps. It is not so much time to bask or relax as time to construct and build and turn the attention to something else through growing confidence in their own unity in culpability.

Short term outcome

Nine of Pentacles. You are likely to receive substantial reward for your accomplishments, and you will be able to afford to relax and enjoy your more contemplative inclinations. Don’t shut out your family and friends, however, because they have had to put up with your darker moods and have probably helped you through them much more than you know.

The party knows and understands its situation and is rewarded by a period in which they are able to rely more on its policy standing than on petty, short term politics. Perhaps it is because of problems with the opposition, or better than expected election results, or perhaps Brown begins to claw back a poll rating not redolent of an open sewer. It is also what Labour can rely on in policy substance – they are blessed with an opposition who are interested only in winning on one day rather than building afterwards, and believe they can capitalise on government unpopularity – as well as underlying figures which suggest Labour can still pull their vote back into the polling booths. Labour strategists have been so publicly pessimistic lately that they must know something we don’t.

Long term outcome

III Pentacles. A very promising outlook for new ventures is forecast, which calls for the exercise of all your best talents. Creativity flourishes in this situation, so bring out the artist or craftsman in you and do your best. You have a chance to prove your mastery to the world and reap the rewards. Integrity is everything.

Labour can reconstruct some sort of advantage and policy substance, and use it to their advantage, if they repair their shattered reputation here – but this is an optimistic note to end on, suggesting the need to keep building and keep designing and innovating to remain in the public’s political favour even if they are no longer able to wipe the floor with their opponents and sweep the board electorally. The day is fast approaching when policy becomes more important than politics, and Labour are best placed to win that battle even if they are losing this one.

Woot! 10 Downing Street and HM Treasury are following me on Twitter. No surprise - they follow everyone who follows them. I see Jacqui Smith and her cronies are still doing their job properly fulfilling their promises to monitor Twitter, at least.

Today's card is from the Susie Green "Animal Messages - Seek Inspiration From Your Animal Guides" cards. Animal cards can be quite dull to read from as they require you to do a bit of thinking about what the animal means to you in each position, but they are handy at least for giving advice rather than telling fortunes, and of course with oracle cards advice usually becomes fortune if it is not followed.

Lion.

Banish loneliness by reaching out to special friends.

Tawny monarch of the Savannah, LION does not waste her days in needless physical exertion but conserves energy by sleeping, resting and companionably lounging. Working long, exhausting hours for the money to purchase prestige goods leaves little time for the pleasures of friendship. Loneliness is spirit-diminishing - designer clothes make poor companions. Lion has padded in to your cards to remind you how vital friends and neighbours really are. Reach out to those around you and be open to others.

Confrontation is averted as those with the power and authority to do so are forced to seek compromise in order to stabilise themselves and balance their needs with the needs of the greater good. Lion counsels not that greatness is achieved through the exertion of power and authority, but that it is achieved by being holistic, solid and grounded about the issue, and arbitrating the situation before it gets out of control. Compromise is necessary here to avoid what was foretold in the Two of Swords yesterday, so this is a definite attempt to seek it as well as advice that it is more necessary than ever.