Shapes of Things

Here we are again, standing in the doorway of another calendar year, peering through the mist on the other side to discover what awaits us. As in previous years some of us, most of us, maybe even all of us - manage to get it wrong. Whatever method of peering through future's mist is used, all that can truly be discerned are vague shadows and shapes.

Shapes of things before my eyes
Just teach me to despise
Will time make man more wise
Here within my lonely frame
My eyes just hurt my brain
But will it seem the same

From an old song sung by the Yardbirds, long ago in 1965

Examples of some failed and forgotten 2013 psychic predictions - where "shapes" must've been interpreted wrongly, are listed at a website called Relatively Interesting

Some of the best predictions in any year have come from science fiction or speculative fiction writers, though these focus their sights much further into the future than the next 12 months. For instance, in 1964 Isaac Asimov offered his guess at what might be found if one set foot inside a mythical 2014 World’s Fair. Bringing his talent for envisioning future technology into play, Asimov’s predictions from 50 years ago are weirdly accurate. See HERE for detail of what he got right or almost right.

Mundane astrology can give indication of "atmospheres" prevailing in any given time span, but not of actual events. During the late spring of 2014, there's an astro-indication of some kind of increased and ongoing tension. Around late April, four planets (Mars, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto) in cardinal signs (Aries/Cancer/Libra/Capricorn) all at around 13 degrees will form what's known as a Grand Cross. This is is made up of planets forming four square (90 degree) aspects to one another, and two 180 degree oppositions. It is thought to indicate, in mundane astrology, times of long-term tension, occasional confrontations, general feelings of discomfort, anger and the facing of challenges. Business as usual then? For more detail, I recommend astrologer Bill Herbst's articles on this. He offers down to earth and all encompassing information on mundane implications of the upcoming Grand Cross for the USA, and general astro-indications for the 2010 decade as a whole in his pdf essays listed and linked on his website. The two articles from 2013 and the first in the 2012 list are most relevant.

At the end of December 2012 a post of mine, "The future Isn't What it Used to Be" may (or may not) have carried some insights for 2013, including my own effort, arrived at via my Tarot deck. The 3 cards I drew in December 2012, in order were:
10 of Swords/5 of Coins/The Moon.
In a nutshell: bottoming out/hard times/anxiety, confusion, misapprehension.
Very vague, though not far off the mark, a similar prediction could apply to just about any year during the last decade.

For 2014 I've drawn 3 Tarot cards, in order they are:
The Devil, The Hierophant and 6 of Cups. First two cards are of the Major Arcana so carry most weight. I've tried to work out the right interpretation for this particular contextof a year's prediction for the nation or for the world at large. Other interpretations, for different contexts, are listed HERE .

The Devil: accepting an unpleasant and unwanted situation, choosing to stay in the dark, in ignorance while over-indulging the senses and focusing on the material. Thinking negatively about the future.

The Hierophant: Seeking some kind of belief system, conforming to its rules. Adapting and fitting in as part of the Establishment and/or some institutionalised organisation.

6 of cups is a strange card to find here, bearing in mind the first two! It usually indicates something child-like with feelings of nostalgia for the past.

So... I'd guess that things will remain much as as they are at present for most of the coming year. People will prefer to remain "in the dark" about much that is wrong, even though they are aware of it on some level. The majority will fit in, go along to get along, even while experiencing feelings of nostalgia for better times in the past.

On another level, The Hierophant card might represent the Pope, who has been quite outspoken recently - perhaps he'll continue this, or be even more outspoken about some crucial issue during 2014?

Any alternative thoughts or predictions, on these cards, or generally will be very welcome.

No matter how the 2014 cookie crumbles.....