What's In The Cards?
Posted by: Hot Toddy

Due to the fact that I've had a bit of success of late "calling" certain things that would be happening on Smallville - the fact that Roger Nixon would not only die but would in fact be killed by Lex, for instance - it was suggested to me recently that I ought to devote a column to my opinions on what this season would bring us. Then, at the end of the year, we could go back and take a look at my predictions, and you all could either think "gosh, he's smart" or "bwahaha just how did this moron luck into this writing gig, anyway?"

I ultimately decided against it - not because I'm afraid of being called a moron, as some of you Lana-lovers out there have taken the time to call me much more interesting names than that in email over the last couple of weeks, but because that's not the way I go about it. I don't sit down and think, "hrm, let me try to puzzle out all of these different plotlines." It's more a matter of something occurring to me out of the blue, and then when I stop to think about it I realize that it works on a lot of different levels. Now, if you're disappointed that you may be missing a potential chance to call me a moron, fear not. As of this week, I'll be adding an occasional "you heard it here first" sidebar to my weekly efforts whenever one of these thoughts does present itself to me. So keep those flamethrowers loaded.

However, even though the idea didn't appeal to me, it did provide me with the seed of another idea that ultimately became this week's topic. I got to thinking about things like psychic powers and Miss Cleo and tarot cards and astrology and carnival machines that have the unspeakable power to turn people into Tom Hanks. Before I go much further here, I feel obligated to explain that I put no stock in any mystical tree-hugging hippie mumbo-jumbo. For instance, psychic hotlines. Let me ask you this - if you were psychic, don't you think that you might be able to find some better way to live out your life than spending eight hours a day on the phone? Talking to trailer trash? I'm just not one to buy into higher powers and fate and instant karma and the like, and so my distrust of these sorts of things is closely related to my distrust of concepts such as God, Allah, Thor, and Tammy Faye Bakker.

But just because I don't believe doesn't mean that I don't think that some of these things have their uses. Take tarot cards. I don't believe in any mysticism associated with them, but I do think that they can still serve as valuable tools for insight. The meanings of the cards are all pretty all-purpose and open to interpretation, like fortune cookies. Nobody has ever opened a fortune cookie that said "You will die in four months due to untreated rectal polyps. Oh, and your wife is cheating on you, your son is gay, and your dog has been peeing in the coat closet for years." Like fortunes, the cards are vague. Any of them could apply to anyone. Where the insight comes in is when you start thinking about what the cards are "telling" you, when you start trying to apply their vaguenesses to your life. Your mind starts making connections, the gears start turning, you start to look at this or that in a new light. These are good and healthy things. The cards can't see the future, but they can help you to see yourself, you know?

So, I decided that our pal Clark could really benefit from a reading. He's confused. He's angsty. He doesn't know anything about where he came from (for all he knows, people from his planet have an eighteen year lifespan, or start to develop a second set of genitals on their foreheads at age twenty), isn't sure where he's going, has a couple of women lusting after him, has a best friend that he's not sure he can trust, has a second-best friend that might be a lot less inscrutable if he actually started getting some decent scripts thrown his way, and so on. He's got some things to sort through, yes indeedy.

I zipped over to tarot.com, signed up as Clark Kent, and used a birthday of October 16, 1989 (the show premiered on October 16, 2001, and the meteor shower was shown to be twelve years prior, so that's as close to an Earth birthday as I could reasonably come up with for him). After looking through the assortment of readings they offer, I went with the Timeline spread, which is supposed to "look at the flow of events in time" and "help you track unfolding issues and possible consequences." Just what he needs. When prompted to enter a few words about what was on my mind, I entered "Who am I? Where am I from? Where am I going?" After then choosing five cards, this is the reading "Clark" received.

History (the card in the History position points to influences from your personal history, your roots and background) - Eight of Cups.
The Eight of Cups in this position suggests that lack of protection or boundaries caused you to be wounded in the past. Leaving aside the question of who is guilty and how scores might be settled, ask yourself if you are still expecting the worst. Do you continue to be passive, waiting for the ax to fall, for another's actions to determine your fate? To the extent that your boundaries can still be violated, you continue to collude with victimizers, leaking power and self-esteem. Summon up your courage to graduate from a chronically defensive posture in order to stop attracting traumatic experiences.

In other words, STOP FEELING SO FREAKIN' GUILTY ABOUT THE METEOR SHOWER! IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT LANA'S PARENTS WERE TURNED INTO FLAPJACKS! AND SPEAKING OF BREAKFAST, HEAT-VISION ME UP SOME TOAST WHY DON'TCHA? WITH ONE OF MAMA KENT'S LOVELY ORGANIC JAMS! (Sorry, I'm just really hungry.)

Recent Events (the card in the Recent Events position refers to events that are just departing, recently influential but now diminishing in power) - Justice.
The Justice card in this position indicates you are recovering from an encounter with the immovable, implacable force called justice. Whether the issue involved human laws or natural ones, you have recently come up against its firm authority. The sword of truth that Justice holds cuts through hyperbole, rationalization and blame. We seldom emerge from such encounters unscathed, but the truth was revealed to you. Now you must align your desires with the greater good or your personal desires will be disregarded. Your future will be cleaner and saner if you learn the lesson Justice has compassionately taught you.

This leads to some interesting thoughts. I'd say that the most recent influential events in Clark's life (especially as concern the concept of "justice") have to do with the keeping of his secrets - the fiasco with Roger Nixon and Lana's constant season 2 "I deserve to know everything about you because I'm pretty" aggravations. So, to learn the lessons taught, should he a) look at his mistakes and try to be more aware of the need for secrecy before acting in the future, b) learn that he just can't do it alone and maybe needs to take a person or two into his confidence to help him watch his back, or c) accept that he will be noticed sooner or later and try to prepare himself for that? All three of these have weight in their own ways.

The Present (the card in the Present position reflects an aspect of who you are right now, as you present yourself to the Tarot experience) - Ten of Swords.
The Ten of Swords in this position signifies a sense of grim relief. At this point you are no longer obligated to exert any more effort because there is nothing more you can do. Under the circumstances, no one can rationally expect you to have any power to change the situation. In a sense, you are free. You may be in shock, flattened, but that is understandable and acceptable. It is best not to try to do anything about your condition at this time. This card gives you permission to surrender to the inevitable. Be assured that in time you will recover, you will again have some wind behind your sails. But for the present, you're just knocked out. Admit it and go with it -- what else can you do?

In conjunction with the last card, this seems to be saying that whatever Clark ultimately decides about these questions, for the present he should just go with the flow while continuing to think on them. Roger Nixon has been removed from the picture, and while Lana's being awfully nosy she doesn't really know anything. Also, this can be related to Clark's new power. Sure, Clark's worried about what he's becoming, and scared whenever something new and unexpected pops up, but he has no power to change the situation. He is what he is - unless he's Popeye, in which case he am what he am and the Kents need to plant some spinach. He needs to learn to roll with the punches and deal with these surprises as they arise, because he's covering uncharted territory.

Near Future (the card in the Near Future position indicates which way the wind is blowing with regard to your situation) - The Star.
When the Star appears in this position, you may believe that good things never happen to you. In some ways you stand in the way of your natural brightness, goodness and truth. Remember that the same love and service you extend to those around you is also being held for you. Try not to discount or resist your blessings.

That last sentence is what stands out to me, especially when you look at the direction the last two cards have taken. Basically, it screams "don't hide it under a bushel, Clark!" He needs to use his gifts - perhaps extra caution is advised, sure, but trying to run from who and what he is isn't advised. Even if he can run really really fast.

Far Future (the card in the Far Future position points to unknowns still taking shape. It is the "wild card" yet to be played) - Ten of Coins.
With the Ten of Coins in this position, the long term potential is that you have a real opportunity -- in some endeavor or relationship -- to achieve security and success great enough to be passed on to future generations. You and yours stand to be well taken care of. Ask yourself what you will do with the energy you no longer squander in fear, worry or stress? What new kind of power does it bring you to have a feeling of security? Share with others how you are doing it. Express your passion in an abundant way.

I'll let Clark figure this one out for himself. We've all got a pretty good idea of how this one will eventually be handled. :o)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go make some toast.

Note: The views of "Hot Toddy" don't necessarily represent the thoughts and feelings of the people behind KryptonSite. Therefore, send any hate mail to hottoddy@backstreet-boys.com.