Sibyl of Suburbia - The Oracle of Droitwich

Inspired by "The Temple of Droitwich", or the spa town's unique saltwater lido (shown above), Janet and Rocco have decided to embark upon a new story whose working title is "The Sibyl of Suburbia".

The prophetess in question draws upon chthonic spirits inhabiting Droitwich's briny underworld and provides auguries linked to global consumer spending and the retail sector, having already established contacts in China where fortune-telling is more culturally acceptable.

Whilst Janet is the scribe of this new narrative, Rocco - the cat oracle - will provide expert advice on the arts of augury from ancient times to the present day, including economic forecasting which, as J K Galbraith once said, "exists to make astrology look respectable".

This Blog is Resuming with Tarot Advice from Rocco (TAROCCO) on The Tower Card

The Tarot card entitled "The Tower" is one which merits respect. This card typically depicts two figures (a man and woman) falling headlong from a tower which is being struck by lightning. Commentators on the Tarot usually associate this card with the inevitable breakdown of structures which have come to pose an obstacle to individual or collective development. Such structures can include relationships, whether personal or professional, financial constructions such as stock markets (note increasing reference this week to a "real economy", whatever that might be !), ideologies and institutions.

One depiction of The Tower also has the ancient god Poseidon emerging with his Trident from a stormy sea, with said structure in front of him. Aside from his identification with the sea, Poseidon was also identified with tectonic shifts, of the kind now required in the human psyche to tackle climate change, or the need for peace on earth : time for the government to re-consider planned investment in nuclear armaments perhaps. The Tower is also linked to the Tower of Babel in some interpretations.

The figure of Poseidon may too be a timely reminder of the former deputy prime minister (DPM), with his maritime connections, and who is still a member of parliament for Hull (scene of recent floods) ? The weekend press heralded a forthcoming autobiography, which will no doubt re-emphasise the former DPM's role in international negotiations on climate change, his use of the expression "tectonic shift", and throw light (if not strike lightning) onto the relationship between former prime minister Tony Blair and the present incumbent of that office. Indeed it is possible that these may be the two figures thrown from the Tower, depending upon Gordon Brown's timing of the next general election.

Scotland's Alex Salmond (generally pronounced "Salmon" - and therefore a "Big Fish" - on the BBC) may be another politician with the power of tectonic shift, taking over that Prescottism "shifting of the tectonic plates" when he announced a forthcoming referendum on Scottish
independence

TAROCCO : Tarot Advice from Rocco

From next month, Rocco, "The Cat Oracle" will be offering advice based on readings of the Tarot. He will introduce the new service with a reading for the New Labour Leadership, including a prediction concerning the identity of the Deputy Prime Minister's successor.
Early indications suggest that this is likely to be Alan Johnson, with Gordon "Stalin" Brown as PM (see "The Court of the Red Tar" in our "Satyre" section), but the cards may have another story to tell.