HBP - spoilers - Is it on the cards?

[Talisman]

--- In the_old_crowd at yahoogroups.com, Barry Arrowsmith 
<arrowsmithbt at b...>
> Kneasy wrote:
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<snipping Kneasy's lovely post about the cards>

Talisman, thanking Kneasy for the heads-up:

Ah, that's what I was on about in message #2176, when I said:

"Speaking of Lightning-Struck towers, Trelawney seems to have been
having a good tarot reading this time."

Because, of course, Trelawney pulls the Lightning-Struck Tower while 
Harry is talking to her on page 543 (US)--The Chapter: The Seer 
Overheard.  

"Her Bony hand closed suddenly  around Harry's wrist. "Again and 
again, no matter how I lay them out--" And she pulled a card 
dramatically from underneath her shawls.  "--the lightning-struck 
tower," she whispered.  "Calamity. Disaster. Coming nearer all the 
time..." 

It would seem Rowling doesn't want us to worry about which 
particular spreads may have been involved, as no matter how SPT lays 
them out, the tower emerges.  Moreover, in this passage, we could 
say she is using the "one card" spread.  Simple enough.

In Chapter 10 we see Trelawney pull several cards--apparently doing 
a sort of spread on the run.  

"... Professor Trelawney appeared around a corner, muttering to 
herself as she shuffled a pack of dirty-looking playing cards, 
reading them as she walked.

"Two of spades: conflict," she murmured, as she passed the place 
where Harry crouched, hidden.  Seven of spades: an ill omen. Ten of 
spades: violence.  Knave of spades: a dark young man, possibly 
troubled, one who dislikes the questioner--" (195)

It seems clear to me that Harry is the Knave of spades (Page of 
Swords).  The meaning of that card may not be relevant, as it seems 
from her commentary that in her spread that card is helping her 
identify a person, here a dark-haired young person who doesn't like 
her.

Nontheless (from the Golden Tarot):

Page of Swords 
A young man holds a sword aloft with the other hand defiantly on his 
hip.

Meaning:
A challenging youth. A passionate young person with deep insight, 
although difficult at times.  Resolution of an outstanding concern. 
Vigilance may be necessary against a current threat.  Use whatever 
intelligence is available.

The other cards she pulls are:

Two of Swords (two of spades):
A balancing act. Sometimes hard choices must be made, and indecision 
will only aggravate the situation. Choose the lesser of two evils, 
and work to minimize the damage that may be done. You have the 
ability to make the best of a bad situation.  This card can also 
mean meeting a worthy adversary who will challenge you.  Friendship 
may result once initial conflicts have been resolved. (Snape<g>)


Seven of Swords (seven of spades): 
Distrust and dishonesty.  Suspicion may be justified. Unreliability, 
theft, and dishonorable actions may be afoot.  Be careful whom you 
trust--although there are also those (Snape <g>) who would be more 
supportive and loyal than you expect. 


Ten of Swords (ten of spades):
Tragedy and loss. Pain and misfortune may strike. Our hopes and 
dreams may fail. Mortality is inescapable...an ending.

http://www.crystalinks.com/tarot.html gives these interpretations:
    
Regarding Swords, generally:

"The Suit of Swords - Spades - Air - Intellect
The realm of astral - represents the action. The focused intent to 
bring forth manifestation. Often times the swords indicate struggles 
as it is difficult to bring an idea into reality. When we see the 
suit of swords in a reading, they point to action and struggle 
before the final outcome." 

And, one of my favorite interpretations of the Hanged Man:

"The Hanged Man represents reversal of view. The significance of 
this card is that everything isn't as it appears to be on the 
surface. The man appears to be hanging but in fact he is in perfect 
control and balanced and centered within himself. He sees all of the 
others with their problems and the error in their ways.  They look 
at him as though he is upside down, when in fact, he has perfect 
vision." 
 (Oh, Snape <veg>)

Yes, Snape is our Hanged Man in OoP.  The ideas of sacrifice, 
control, hidden truth, and willingness to have others think bad of 
you, etc. all fit.

Talisman, Queen of Coins by sign, Empress by number, Snape-ophile in 
every respect, saying: maybe the cooking sherry improves Trelawney's 
vision. : P 

PS: Re: the interview:  She SO does NOT say that Snape is evil. 
(Unlike the response of yore regarding Percy)

PPS
Lightning-Struck Tower, lightning-struck boy.  Nice set.