AUTHOR’S NOTE: I decided to apply my new “Shots-on-Goal” spread to the upcoming US Presidential election. The first reading shows Donald Trump’s chances of winning while the second displays the same scenario for Kamala Harris. For the “Conscious Intention” row, using the Thoth deck I chose the Star as “High Hopes;” Lust as “Playing to Strength;” Fortune as the “Critical Moment;” the Chariot as “Closing in on Goal;” and the Universe as “Satisfaction Guaranteed.”

At first glance it would appear that Trump doesn’t have lot going for him. The 9 of Swords reversed in the “High Hopes” position suggests that he will continue to be nettled by questions about his honesty, but it is elementally friendly to the Star so some deflection of the adverse impact may be possible. The Ace of Wands in the “Playing to Strength” position indicates a confident, full-throttle attack that “takes no prisoners.” The Priestess in the “Critical Moment” position is elementally hostile to Fortune but it is upright, showing that, while the situation may not seem to be trending in his favor, there could still be a last-minute “surprise” in store that is veiled in ambiguity (I’m thinking that it could come down to the Electoral College vote). This is also suggested by the Moon in the “Closing in on Goal” position since it is elementally favorable to the Chariot and could reflect a “shadow constituency” that comes out of “left field” in his support (if it doesn’t just mean that his dubious past will catch up with him). The 8 of Swords reversed in the “Satisfaction Guaranteed” position is both elementally unfriendly to the Universe and reversed, making me think his legal woes may yet derail his bid and the “old white male” Establishment symbolized by Saturn (esoterically embodied in the Universe) will be powerless to prevent it.

The outlook for Harris is a mixed bag. The two upright but dismal Swords (Defeat and Sorrow) in the “High Hopes” and “Playing to Strength” positions strongly suggest that that her flaws will be laid bare in glaringly obvious ways; this is a “bad-card-in a-good-position” situation that may garner her some sympathy in some quarters of the electorate, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. The 4 of Cups in the “Critical Moment” position is elementally hostile to Fortune, implying a complacent (and unwarranted) optimism that could leave her becalmed and “swimming in illusion” at a key point. The Knight of Wands in the “Closing in on Goal” position is elementally discordant with the Chariot and looks to be out-of-control, which could mean one of two things (or both): her running mate could ultimately turn out to be a liability and a drag on her chances, or it’s possible that Trump will mount a relentless last-minute surge that overcomes her tenuous advantage. Lust in the “Satisfaction Guaranteed” position is elementally neutral to the Universe, giving the impression that she can’t count on her assumed strengths to “carry the day” for her. She may be flying in the face of long-established Saturnian tradition such that it will take more than a brave front to capture the win. However, she is in better shape than Trump here.

Overall, neither candidate is on solid ground. If Trump can shake off his problems, the Electoral College may well give him the prize. If he can’t, Harris will edge him out.