Barleywine
In looking for a new target for my "conflict and vulnerability" spread, I hit upon the upcoming French election, which is shaping up as a contest between Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron. I know very little about it beyond the impression that Le Pen is a conservative, anti-EU, nationalist candidate and Macron is on the other side of the fence (more amenable to the globalist agenda). Hopefully, some of our French members will correct me on anything I say here.
Given the state of immigration in Europe, I chose the World Spirit Tarot, which has a strong multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-national flavor to it. I used reversals, and picked the Judgement card as Significator, indicative of "seeking a mandate for the future."
The positions for each candidate are: Strengths; Weaknesses; "Edge" (as in something the other doesn't have, perhaps a "smoking gun"); Allies' Power; and Chances for Success (sub-quint cards). The Decision is shown by calculating a Grand Quintessence from the two "subs." Macron got the top line and Le Pen the bottom one (see attached photo).
Strengths: Macron's strength is . . . well, Strength. If the May election were held today, he would be favored to win, 58% to 42%, according to US news sources, but Le Pen is closing the gap fast. The WS Strength card shows the Lion cozying up to a brown-skinned woman, suggesting that Macron has a liberal stance on immigration that garners him a lot of support.
Le Pen's strength is shown by the Emperor, which suggests championing a strong, independent French state that can "go it alone." Score: null
Weaknesses: Macron's weakness is shown by Justice rx, implying that he is seen as weak in upholding the existing laws of the land. Le Pen's weakness is Ace of Cups rx, which indicates she may be seen as unsympathetic or unemotional. Score: Macron +1
The next two cards create a fascinating picture.
"Edge": Macron's "edge" is shown by the Empress rx. The Empress corresponds to the Hebrew letter Daleth, meaning "Door," and the reversal makes me think "the door is ajar." The implication is that Macron may support an "open door" immigration policy, which finds a sympathetic response among many French voters. Le Pen's "edge" is shown by the 5 of Pentacles, and it couldn't be clearer that she most likely wants to slam that door shut, mainly on economic grounds. Score: Macron +1
Allies' Power: Macron's allies are shown by the Ace of Swords rx, which looks like internal bickering and in-fighting, which could weaken his position. Le Pen's allies appear as the Ace of Wands, suggesting a strongly-unified sense of purpose and passion. Score: Le Pen +1
Chances of Success: The sub-quint for Macron was the Chariot rx, which carries the idea that "the wheels will fall off" his campaign, suggesting that he will stall in the late going. Le Pen's sub-quint is the Hermit, which looks like her isolationist stance will remain firm and effective. Score: Le Pen +1
Grand Quint: the High Priestess. Just on the face of it, it suggests feminine ascendancy and leadership. But I use additional factors to see which line is supported most by the Decision card.
Macron's line has four trumps in it, suggesting dominance and superiority, but three of them are weakened by reversal, implying that he is vulnerable to being outmaneuvered or undermined. He has one Fire card, two Air, one Earth and one Water. The High Priestess, as Water, is friendly to the Chariot sub-quint and the Empress, unfriendly to Strength, and neutral to Justice and the Ace of Swords.
Le Pen's line has two trump cards, both upright. Only the Ace of Cups is reversed, suggesting a certain "dryness." She has two Fire cards, two Earth, and one Water. The High Priestess is friendly with the Ace of Cups, the 5 of Pentacles and the Hermit, and unfriendly with the Emperor and the Ace of Wands. Score: Le Pen +2
It looks like neither candidate will be able to play effectively to their strengths in the final analysis. Both are Fire cards unfriendly to the High Priestess, the difference being that Strength corresponds to Leo, fixed Fire and therefore more middle-of-the-road, while the Emperor is Aries, cardinal Fire and more of a "firebrand." Macron may be seen as too accommodating and Le Pen as too volatile.
The scoring came out +4 for Le Pen mainly for a stronger showing in the quints, and +2 for Macron (I gave reversed trumps favor over the minor cards in all cases), with one "null" result (the Strength positions are essentially equal). The High Priestess seems more aligned to Le Pen, three friendly dignities to Macron's two, and Le Pen is less bedeviled by reversals. There is also the "feminine factor" imparted by the High Priestess. If I were a betting man, I might well bet that she pulls it off.
Given the state of immigration in Europe, I chose the World Spirit Tarot, which has a strong multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-national flavor to it. I used reversals, and picked the Judgement card as Significator, indicative of "seeking a mandate for the future."
The positions for each candidate are: Strengths; Weaknesses; "Edge" (as in something the other doesn't have, perhaps a "smoking gun"); Allies' Power; and Chances for Success (sub-quint cards). The Decision is shown by calculating a Grand Quintessence from the two "subs." Macron got the top line and Le Pen the bottom one (see attached photo).
Strengths: Macron's strength is . . . well, Strength. If the May election were held today, he would be favored to win, 58% to 42%, according to US news sources, but Le Pen is closing the gap fast. The WS Strength card shows the Lion cozying up to a brown-skinned woman, suggesting that Macron has a liberal stance on immigration that garners him a lot of support.
Le Pen's strength is shown by the Emperor, which suggests championing a strong, independent French state that can "go it alone." Score: null
Weaknesses: Macron's weakness is shown by Justice rx, implying that he is seen as weak in upholding the existing laws of the land. Le Pen's weakness is Ace of Cups rx, which indicates she may be seen as unsympathetic or unemotional. Score: Macron +1
The next two cards create a fascinating picture.
"Edge": Macron's "edge" is shown by the Empress rx. The Empress corresponds to the Hebrew letter Daleth, meaning "Door," and the reversal makes me think "the door is ajar." The implication is that Macron may support an "open door" immigration policy, which finds a sympathetic response among many French voters. Le Pen's "edge" is shown by the 5 of Pentacles, and it couldn't be clearer that she most likely wants to slam that door shut, mainly on economic grounds. Score: Macron +1
Allies' Power: Macron's allies are shown by the Ace of Swords rx, which looks like internal bickering and in-fighting, which could weaken his position. Le Pen's allies appear as the Ace of Wands, suggesting a strongly-unified sense of purpose and passion. Score: Le Pen +1
Chances of Success: The sub-quint for Macron was the Chariot rx, which carries the idea that "the wheels will fall off" his campaign, suggesting that he will stall in the late going. Le Pen's sub-quint is the Hermit, which looks like her isolationist stance will remain firm and effective. Score: Le Pen +1
Grand Quint: the High Priestess. Just on the face of it, it suggests feminine ascendancy and leadership. But I use additional factors to see which line is supported most by the Decision card.
Macron's line has four trumps in it, suggesting dominance and superiority, but three of them are weakened by reversal, implying that he is vulnerable to being outmaneuvered or undermined. He has one Fire card, two Air, one Earth and one Water. The High Priestess, as Water, is friendly to the Chariot sub-quint and the Empress, unfriendly to Strength, and neutral to Justice and the Ace of Swords.
Le Pen's line has two trump cards, both upright. Only the Ace of Cups is reversed, suggesting a certain "dryness." She has two Fire cards, two Earth, and one Water. The High Priestess is friendly with the Ace of Cups, the 5 of Pentacles and the Hermit, and unfriendly with the Emperor and the Ace of Wands. Score: Le Pen +2
It looks like neither candidate will be able to play effectively to their strengths in the final analysis. Both are Fire cards unfriendly to the High Priestess, the difference being that Strength corresponds to Leo, fixed Fire and therefore more middle-of-the-road, while the Emperor is Aries, cardinal Fire and more of a "firebrand." Macron may be seen as too accommodating and Le Pen as too volatile.
The scoring came out +4 for Le Pen mainly for a stronger showing in the quints, and +2 for Macron (I gave reversed trumps favor over the minor cards in all cases), with one "null" result (the Strength positions are essentially equal). The High Priestess seems more aligned to Le Pen, three friendly dignities to Macron's two, and Le Pen is less bedeviled by reversals. There is also the "feminine factor" imparted by the High Priestess. If I were a betting man, I might well bet that she pulls it off.
