AUTHOR’S NOTE: After listening to part of Donald Trump’s inauguration speech (I dislike the man as much as ever but, as a Libertarian sympathizer, I’m not entirely opposed to his message), I decided to dig out my favorite sociopolitical deck, Brian Williams’ PostModern (aka “PoMo”) tarot to see what the next four years will spell for the United States and its numerous problems. I’m examining eight major policy areas from three different angles: the primary target in each case; the tactics that stand out as likely to be employed; and the extent to which the strategy will prove effective for the purpose.

In the case of Immigration, the 4 of Bills (Coins) suggests the well-heeled foreign operatives who are profiting from human trafficking and drug-running within the US; the 4 of Bottles (Cups) shows that Trump intends to turn off the spigot; the Dead (aka Death) card conveys that he has a decent chance of bringing the tragedy to a decisive end.

Regarding Health & Welfare, the 10 of Bills (Coins) looks like another attack on obscene profits, maybe this time “Big Pharma” drug kick-backs with a side of “vax profiteering” and “FDA collusion;” the Hermit card (“Out Of It” in this deck) could mean that the bad actors are out-of-luck with Trump’s HHS administration; the 7 of Bottles (Cups) depicts a “target-rich environment,” with many health-care institutions and shady practices to be put under the microscope.

As is obvious from the robust World card, Education has long been seen as untouchable, but no more; the 2 of Guns (Wands in my interpretation of this deck*) looks to be shaping up as a “showdown;” the 5 of Bottles (Cups) is going to leave some long faces when the “jig is up” and the flow of unstinting government support dwindles, assuming the social-engineering manipulation that is modern education’s calling-card is not cleaned up.

The Social Issues arena is more precisely societal since I’ve included in it ecology; gender identity; abortion rights; homelessness; and widespread crime among other flashpoints. Bottle Woman (Queen of Cups) and TV Boy (Page of Swords) appear to be the cultural standard-bearers for the the current progressive punch-list, and Trump’s conservative “gunslinger” (Gun Man) is on the case. I’m not sure a hard-nosed approach is going to accomplish anything dramatic, but it may correct the more glaring inequities of the “tail-wagging-the-dog” variety.

The economy seems to be poised for a dramatic turn-around. The Sun brings a healthy glow to the patient’s pale complexion, while Money Man (King of Coins) stands ready to capitalize on its healing rays; perhaps Mona Lisa’s cryptic smile will widen into a broad grin.

The Ace of Bottles (Cups) and the 5 of Bills (Coins) are emblematic of the big-spending free-for-all that has been the norm in US foreign policy, but it looks like the Devil (here named “Evil,” but I think it will be perceived as such only by the opportunists who once stood to gain by the unbridled largess) will begin enforcing accountability (aka “kicking ass and taking names,” which I think world leaders are expecting).

In the realm of Technology, Gun Boy (Page of Wands) implies the young entrepreneurial hotshots who are driving the technological boom, and the 5 of TVs (Swords) looks like they’re lining up to “get on board with” Trump’s apparent endorsement since the 3 of Bottles (Cups) could be read as “one hand washing the other” (and maybe a few choicer bits).

In the Energy field, the tower on the 10 of TVs (Swords) certainly reminds me of an oil-drilling derrick, and there may be a pipeline hidden in there somewhere. Increased energy independence should benefit all Americans (shown here by middle-class Mom and Dad, the corn-belt Empress and Emperor, who appear to be all for it).

*I should mention that in his re-imagining of the tarot suits, Brian Williams gave Fire to the suit of TVs and Air to Guns. This made absolutely no sense to me because TVs in the old days were energized via the “airwaves,” and the gunpowder used in firearms propels its bullets. I decided long ago to use these more defensible attributions with this deck, and I’ve never regretted it.