This reading was drawn using the 22 Major Arcana from the original Tarot de Marseille, as it was restored by Alejandro Jodorowsky. The method of reading is an approach called Tarology, which is different than divination. The tarologist (me) draws the cards in a trance state after contemplating the query, or in this case, prompt, in order to read them. The spread here was initially intended for only 4 cards, but was increased to 7, as others caught the attention of the Tarologist (me) during their ‘trance state’ (BAC .09).
The significance of the 7 card positions are as follows:
1 - The Questioner
2 - The Question
3 - The Collective Experience
4 - The Individual Experience
5, 6, 7 - Atmosphere, Theme, Astral Influence
Arcanum 9 uses the archetype of The Hermit; a cave-dwelling old man, who has removed himself from the world, in order to better understand it. His voluminous robes could be for warmth, concealment or simply garments found in a free box. While this is likely a representation of Exotic’s inscrutable Editor, who notified me of this issue’s theme, it may also represent you, the reader, who has taken a moment to consider the upcoming year between vicious masturbation sessions, conducted to one of the many enticing photographs of this month’s centerfold.
My understanding is that the theme of this month’s issue, New Year’s Evolution, is, for the most part, concerned with personal resolutions as well as predictions of what 2017 will be like. So, for the purposes of clarity, we will say that the question is, "What is going to happen in 2017?" Or, more specifically, "Will 2017 suck as much as 2016 or are things gonna get better?"
An alternative interpretation may be that I am going to end up homeless by the end of next year, after driving myself insane with this Tarot shit.
Generally considered to represent the Guardian Angel archetype, Temperance here suggests that our culture is going to be in the midst of repairing itself. It is easy to give into despair when reading the news—but, it is not chaos, nor meaningless destruction. Our culture is passing through the gauntlet, so that it may become stronger, more even-tempered.
Amongst the more popular interpretations, The Tower is seen as entirely negative; poor health, death, failed relationships and natural disasters are common themes. In the original Tarot de Marseille, these themes are suggested—but not entirely as bad things. The Tower indicates a prison break of sorts. A sudden annihilation of the ego’s holdings. Amidst the continued theme of death, divorce, struggle and injustice, a peeling away of erroneous beliefs will occur. The awareness of ourselves in the other will deepen, which will result in a moving away from using labels in how we perceive others. The combination of this card and Temperance promises Good Medicine for the individual. It is also worth pointing out that the cards of the Major Arcanum are also referred to as "trump cards." You know, like Donald Trump...who lives in Trump Tower. Like many, you are reminded on a daily basis about the reality of President-Elect Donald Trump. And, like many, you can’t fucking believe this is really happening.
OR this card simply means that you, esteem-able reader, will momentarily achieve orgasm, because you continued to masturbate after turning to this page.
As these three cards were drawn simultaneously, they will be read as one card, or rather, as a single phrase. You could also think of it as that time when you invited that one person to the thing and then they brought three other people, who you didn’t know, without asking and didn’t think to apologize.
First, we have Justice, which represents the presence of the infinite in the present, which manifests in our awareness as cause and effect See also: Karmic Law, which, among other things, punishes baristas who write "karma" on their tip jars.
Second is The Star, which follows the Tower. The Star is an expression of that brush with cosmic awareness that one attains after experiencing intense and sudden change, like a car accident, death in the family, loss of fortune or cancer diagnosis. Where once you were lost in the wasteland, you have now discovered a way forward. Visit www.AA.org for more information.
Last of the three, is The World. The World card is an expression of everything that the Tarot is about; the mature self. The figures in the corners of the card represent the four aspects of the individual: Physical (Pentacles), Sexual & Creative (Wands), Intellect (Swords) and Emotion (Cups). A person who is imbalanced in these four aspects lacks awareness and is thus not connected to reality. Most of us, myself included, are in one way or another out of touch with reality. The female figure in the center of the card appears to be dancing forward while looking to the past—expressing an even flow of active and receptive energy. She could even be an exotic dancer who is surrounded by weirdos, but doesn’t give a fuck as long as they tip.
Taken together, the appearance of these cards suggests that while this country is in the process of tasting all of the bad karma it has generated over the past few decades, this is a good thing in the long run. Like a junkie, our society needs to hit rock bottom, before it can begin to get its shit together and start playing basketball again. That was a reference to The Basketball Diaries.
Yes, 2016 was full of crazy shit and this trend will continue into 2017. However, thanks to the unavoidable disasters to follow in the wake of every decision made by President Trump, the value system of the American status quo will naturally drift away, from individualism and demonstrable signs of success to, compassion and responsibility. You and everyone you know will be quietly inspired to be more kind, honest and patient. Climate change is going to get worse, the Trump administration will attempt enforce caveman ethics and you will probably get priced out of the place you are living at right now. If one adopts a growth-oriented narrative of their life, then these supposed calamities are good things.
Or, it could simply mean that you, the reader, have just been arrested for masturbating in the parking lot outside one of Portland’s many fine and reputable strip clubs.
