Tarot Perspective of Conflict with Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka

For 25 long years, Sri Lanka has been locked in a long term, brutal battle with the rebel army, the Tamil Tigers. More than 60,000 people have died in the widespread conflict and suicide bombings in Colombo are commonplace. Talks of a ceasefire and peace are ongoing and I spread out thirteen Tarot cards to take a look at this situation and the outcome of the negotiations.

I see that the potential for peace will be accepted by both sides, but not without a great deal of fear and anxiety that the other side will not honour the ceasefire agreement. Both sides of the conflict that affects the entire region have suffered terrible losses and death, and both are eager to move forward in peace now. The grief of the people is fuel for the flames of peace in Sri Lanka.


Sri Lanka is represented in this Tarot reading by the Knight of Pentacles, and this reveals that the army has fought and defended the land with great loyalty and diligence. They have fought and won many battles, though not without terrible costs to the people and their way of life. Now the people long for quieter and more peaceful times, and the opportunity to enjoy domestic home life and rebuild their economy. The Sri Lanka government will successfully negotiate a peace treaty with the Tamil Tigers who have terrorized the people for years and years. The only problem is that fear continues to grip the general public in Sri Lanka following the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, and the government will have to take a defensive stance to protect the fragile peace that arises from it.

The 5 of Swords and Page of Pentacles are the influences on the Sri Lankan government now. These Tarot cards indicate that the government and army are victorious but their success comes at a terrible cost to the country and its citizens. It was a very long and extremely hard fought war, and now it's time for the nation to take a step forward and advance to the next level of modern development and industry. I see the government will focus on restoring public service and the country's infrastructure. Several social programs will be implemented but there will be quite a few blunders and mistakes on the part of the government.

Peace is an awkward step for the people of Sri Lanka and the mistakes of the government will also be mirrored in the mistakes of the people who are able to finally focus on developing their own businesses and manufacture exports and resources. The economy of Sri Lanka will grow very slowly at first, but in five or six years from now, the nation will be recovering quite well.

The Page of Wands comes up as the foundation of the situation between the Sri Lanka government and people, and the Tamil Tigers. This shows us that the people are quite eager to move forward and try something new and novel--living in peace for a change. This step forward generates powerful positive change and energies in Sri Lanka, but there will be several unexpected surprises and minor failures in the early years.

The Major Arcana card, The Devil XV, presents as the potential outcome of the ceasefire negotiations currently underway. Caution is highly recommended now, as the Tamil Tigers are not to be trusted. They will deceive and trick the Sri Lankan people at every opportunity. Their terrorist agenda is to control the region and enslave and rule the people using fear, intimidation and violence. They have a great deal of support among the people, despite the pain and suffering they have brought to the country.

Within the next two weeks, peace will touch Sri Lanka at last, as shown by the Major Arcana Tarot card, The Star XVII in the near future position of the reading. This tells us that the government, Tamil Tigers and their supporters, and the people of Sri Lanka will take a brave step forward, a leap of faith, and will embrace peace with open and hopeful arms.

The current situation is represented by the 7 of Wands in my reading, a message that the battle is no longer one of physical conflict, destruction and death. The new war is an intellectual battle and the weapons used are going to be logic, reason, and a clear vision of the highest good. The people must be defensive and careful as they move forward, but they must open their minds to compromise and acceptance. The influence on these peace talks is the 2 of Pentacles, which is an excellent sign because it shows us that intelligence and emotion are perfectly balanced in these negotiations. Both sides are being compassionate and discussing the needs of each side openly and respectfully.

Reaching a peace agreement at this time almost seems easy to the outside observer, as the 2 of Pentacles also tells us. I see that the painful grief and suffering--represented by the 10 of Swords--of the people is the primary reason that both sides are willing to accept peace now. As I said, it is not without caution, a little anxiety, and several mistakes as they progress, but I do indeed clearly see the people of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers moving forward in peace at last.

~*~Monica Who~*~