The Tarot, Terrorism And Global Warming: What The Tarot Has To Say About The Modern World

I wanted to write this article to demonstrate how thethe week after the 9/11 attack Wall Street remained
ancient philosophy behind the Tarot is still relevant to usclosed for several days, and nobody knew what was
today, and to show how these ideas can be used togoing to happen. It was clear the markets were going
illuminate our modern world. Whether or not the Tarotto slump but would they go into free fall? Were the
has any mystical power I believe a lot can be learnedUS and world economies to be dragged into a
from the view that it gives of the universe, which goesdownward spiral of recession? Our modern lives
back to antiquity. As someone who teaches anddepend on financial markets and world economies.
practices Tarot I also wanted to create a guide to helpThe card is a reminder not to be
people understand the meanings behind each card, bycomplacent.INTERNATIONAL LAW - JusticeThe
reframing tarot in a modern context which can bemeaning is simple: that is the need for justice,
related to more easily.When someone receives ajudgement and good decision making. The card
Tarot reading the cards offer meanings that areperfectly illustrates the need for international
universal but also personal to the questioner. If onecooperation over rules and legal matters.WORLD
was to carry out a reading for the state of the world,POVERTY - Hanged ManThe Hanged man
how then could the reader interpret the cards? Whatrepresents sacrifice, giving up and letting go. His
are the pressing issues for us all at this time? I askedmessage is that the way to get your needs met is to
myself this question and, whilst thumbing through thegive up trying and let go - a philosophy that fits with
pack, the meanings became quite obvious and stark tomany religions. This idea doesn't square with the way
me. Below I have listed these meanings for the 21many of us behave in the west, as our sacrifice might
Major arcarna or trump cards.FREEDOM - The Foolentail giving up some of our material comforts that
TECHNOLOGY - The Magiciancould help alleviate world poverty. The way the G8
RELIGION - High Priestesscountries behave regarding poverty in Africa it seems
HUMAN RIGHTS - The Empressthis may be too much to ask. If, however, we were to
STATE POWER AND SECURITY - The Emperorlisten to the message of this card, we might realize
TRADITIONALISTS VS MODERNIZERS - Thethat sacrifice is the way forward and that maybe with
Hierophanta prosperous third world we might actually gain in the
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - The Loverslong run.GLOBAL WARMING - DeathThe image of
WAR AND CONFLICT - The Chariotthe reaper is a reminder that life exists in cycles and
WORLD POLITICS - Strengththat all things come to an end. It speaks more of
INNER WORLD - The Hermitchange than actual death, and how this change can be
INTERNATIONAL LAW - Justicepainful. There seems little doubt that the world climate
WORLD POVERTY - Hanged Manis moving into a new phase. These climate cycles
GLOBAL WARMING - Deathhave always existed - such as the various ice ages -
THE MISSING ELEMENT - Temperancebut never has the change been so rapid or man made.
TERRORISM - The DevilThis change will inevitably result in the deaths of
GENETIC ENGINEERING - The Towerindividuals and of species. Global warming may be one
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION - The Starof the biggest challenges we have faced in our
THE INTERNET AND THE INFORMATION AGE -history.THE MISSING ELEMENT - TemperanceOne of
The Sunthe most interesting cards in this exercise is
POWER AND CORRUPTION - The MoonTemperance, as it is difficult to fit its meaning into a
POPULATION - Judgementmodern context. The card signifies moderation or
THE ENVIRONMENT - The WorldIncidentally if youself-restraint, but the word temperance itself is rarely
wish to read the complete article alongside images ofused today. We have even changed the word
the cards there is an illustrated version on my website'temper' to mean its opposite, thus losing its traditional
at - The FoolAs card number zero in the pack themeaning. It is difficult to find many examples of
Fool represents all that is new, free and innovative. Inmoderation in the modern world. Perhaps this is a flaw
medieval times the court jester was someone whoof the world's media, choosing to report so many
was not expected to follow the same rules andheadline hitting stories rather than stories of a more
conventions as everyone else and so was free to begentle nature. This is especially the case with stories
spontaneous and creative. The Major Arcana is oftenregarding acts in the name of religion: so much of what
described as a journey through life starting at thewe hear is in relation to radicals and fundamentalists
childlike simplicity and freedom of the Fool and endingthat we miss the numerous incidents of kindness, love
with card number 21 - The World. However, for manyand care in the world. We are therefore left with an
in the world, freedom or lack of it, is a big political goalunbalanced view of the state of our
which they need to achieve before they can start theirworld.TERRORISM - The DevilThis is perhaps one of
journey.TECHNOLOGY - The MagicianTechnology isthe most straightforward interpretations. The Devil has
now the backdrop to all our lives and to those whoalways been a figure of fear, a corrupting influence
don't understand it or haven't witnessed it before itthat has no compassion or feeling for others.
seems like magic. When people first saw inventionsUnfortuneately we live in a world where a few
such as moving images or photography some believedindividuals wish to induce this level of fear in others,
it to be witchcraft or some kind of trickery. On themotivated by self-interest or warped philosophies.
card the Magician shows a powerful figure performingSadly they can become trapped by world-views
his tricks with us as his audience. He is about to makewhich can convince them their philosophies are right.
things happen before our eyes that we never thoughtThis perhaps is the definition of evil; and strangely
possible. The message of this card is that if you knowoften done in the name of God.GENETIC
what you are doing and you have the energy ofENGINEERING - The TowerWhen creating this list
commitment behind you, you can achieve incrediblethere was such a temptation to make this card about
things. This is a valuable lesson for the modernthe 9/11 attacks. I have heard that some people have
world.RELIGION - High PriestessThe High Priestess is amade this connection but I think this is taking the card
woman of God who sits in silence and contemplation.at face value rather than trying to understand its full
She seeks understanding and looks for the greatermeaning. The card in the modern deck actually makes
meaning behind everything. She is an antidote to thereference to the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel.
dangers of materialism that can stem from theThe card does stand for upheaval and disruption but it
technological ability and energy of the Magician.HUMANalso warns of the dangers of over-stretching oneself
RIGHTS - The EmpressThe Empress is a ruler thatand getting involved in things beyond one's
respects her subjects. She is a motherly figure whounderstanding. In Genesis the tower is struck down;
believes in nurturing and caring rather than controllingand the punishment for challenging God's authority is
and dictating. It is perhaps an unusual card consideringthat the people are cast out and made to speak in
its historical origins. We tend to see this regard fordifferent languages. If for ancient people the tower
individual human rights as quite a modern enlightenedrepresents diversity, then for us in the modern world
view. The Tarot's values however are timeless anddiversity is represented by the human gene. Genetic
not subject to fashion.STATE POWER ANDengineering now gives us the power to do what may
SECURITY - The EmperorThe Emperor has abe thought of as challenging the authority of God. We
different approach than that of the Empress. He is ancould do worse than look at this card for advice on
old-fashioned ruler who believes in running his empirethis matter.GLOBAL COOPERATION - The StarThe
efficiently and systematically. He believes in lookingStar in the Tarot refers to a way forward and to
after the many and not compromising for the needs ofhope for a better future. When I was growing up, hope
individuals. One of the big debates at this time is howfor the future seemed to centre around the space
much power should the state have? Many argue thatprogram. It was the only area over which the then two
with the greater need for security at home andsuper-powers would cooperate. Maybe this was
abroad we need a government that is strong andbecause the expense became too much for one
which from time to time is willing to lessen the humannation, or maybe as I like to believe because when one
rights of a few in order to safeguard the majority.looks to the stars it makes our differences down here
Others disagree, arguing the state has too muchon Earth seem less important. It certainly does seem
power and should behave more like the Empress. Thisthat if human beings are to progress then we must
argument will probably never be resolved and soembrace collaboration. The card reminds us to hold the
these two cards sit side-by-side in the deck remindingstar as a symbol for hope, and whether it is a star of
us of this dilemma.TRADITIONALISTS VSDavid or a star of Islam shouldn't matter.THE
MODERNIZERS - The HierophantThe essence of thisINTERNET AND THE INFORMATION AGE - The
card is about doing things in a conventional way andSunThis card represents knowledge and
following traditional wisdom. The Heirophant asks 'Theunderstanding. When we understand something we
conventional way has been tried and tested and itare enlightened and that's what the sun does to the
works, so why try to reinvent the wheel?' In this ageearth: it shines light on dark corners and illuminates the
of individualism where people want to do things theirglobe. One of the most significant inventions of the last
own way the message of the Hierophant is notforty years which brings knowledge and illumination to
always a popular one. However, he is still worththe world is the internet. It is interesting to note that the
listening to because there are times when it is better tointernet has been made possible by lasers transmitting
fit in and go along with the crowd; and sometimesinformation through high-speed fiber optics. Thus, the
being different is ill-advised.WORLD PEACE - Theinternet, in effect, is made of pure light. The card also
LoversTraditionally this card shows a man making adepicts a happy couple who could be lovers: the
choice between two women and its message is that,inference being that understanding between people is
like love, most things in life come down to a matter ofthe key to harmony. Never before has so much
choice. If we are in a relationship with someone it isknowledge been available to so many. The couple on
because we chose to be with them and we arethe card reminds us however, that unless this
choosing to stay with them. The same is true for allknowledge is used to build closer links between people,
the relationships we have with people. Also, whetherit is a waste of time.POWER AND CORRUPTION -
we find ourselves fighting, loving or being distant fromThe MoonThe word 'lunatic'' derives from the belief
others is down to our choosing. If we are to apply thisthat the moon's rays had the power to intoxicate and
idea to the modern world it seems clear that peacesend people mad. In the modern world one of the
and harmony are not things which just happen but thatmost dangerous forms of intoxication is that of people
many active choices need to be made in pursuit ofbecoming drunk on power. We see this throughout the
them.WAR AND CONFLICT - The ChariotThis cardworld where leaders are corrupted by their power and
needs little explanation. There have always been warsbecome self-aggrandizing tyrants. We also see it in the
and probably always will be. There is therefore noboard-rooms of multinational companies where
need to put this ancient card into a modernindividuals can be seduced by the love of money and
context.WORLD POLITICS - StrengthAlthough thisthe power it brings. The card itself refers to corruption
card often depicts a man wrestling a lion, the strengthand confusion and to all the dark dealings that happen
referred to here is strength of will and courage ratherhidden from the light of day. It has the opposite
than physical strength: the ability to endure andmeaning to the Sun; thus the antidote is to shed light
overcome difficulties. In fact it could be seen as thewherever possible.POPULATION - JudgementWith
strength of will and character to resist the temptationshrinking resources and rising birth rates, population
to use physical force to solve a problem. For today'scontrol must be one of the most pressing world issues
modern world many problems could be solved by afor this time. This card speaks of a judgement day
stronger political will and greater courage. Perhaps onewhen things come to a head and decisions have to be
day more world leaders will realize that there ismade: when the result of our actions good or bad
something stronger and more enduring than militarymust be accounted for. In the judgement day myth all
might.THE INNER WORLD - The HermitIn trying tothe people that have ever lived are risen back to life.
write this article about how each of the Tarot cardsBest estimates would put this at about 107 billion
says something about the state of the world and howsouls!THE ENVIRONMENT - The WorldThe World
we are as a gloabal society, there is one card thatcard simply represents fulfillment and completeness.
seems to shout out against this idea. That is the cardHaving the World at one's fingertips means having
of the hermit. The hermit advocates withdrawal fromeverything one could possibly want. The problem with
the world, suggesting that the inner world is morehaving everything we want however, is that this is
instructive for us and within our scope to change.usually at the expense of the planet. The card's
Therefore the hermit stands here to remind us of themeaning of completeness and self-containment is a
limitations of analysing the world as a whole.WORLDreminder that we must get what we want in a way
TRADE AND FINANCE - Wheel of FortuneThis cardthat is sustainable. This is the final card of the Major
reminds us that life can be a bit of a lottery andArcana and the end point for our journey. This is our
fortunes can go up as well as down. It often depictshome and we cannot get away from it until death; so
someone partying whilst someone else (or is it thewe should look after it.Fred Street is the creator of a
same person later in time?) plummets to his doom. It isfree Tarot reading site which offers a wide range of
a stark reminder and warning of the fragility of life. Inreadings online and by email.