Based on my experience from the first attempt at predicting NHL playoff results with Tarot readings, here are my predictions for the four semi-final series in the second round of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. All of these readings will have the outcome card that worked well in the first round, and we’ll see if my accuracy improves accordingly. I’ll draw two cards for each team, placed to either side of the outcome card. Here we go!
Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
On the Washington side, once again I get the impression of a skilled young player making an impact, and for whatever reason the stance and expression of the Page of Cups makes me think of Alex Ovechkin. Combined with the Eight of Wands I would say that Washington will use speed to its advantage, pressing hard to score early. However, these two cards oppose each other, and though the outcome card favors the Page, it further weakens the Eight. Neither of Tampa Bay’s cards are so affected. Pentacles have stood for solid goaltending in the first round and this card is no exception; look for Roloson to make key saves. In the last series, the Moon card appeared for Tampa Bay and they did well in their away games; I think this trend will continue. Tampa Bay will win at least one of their first two games in Washington and will do better on the road. A Tampa Bay victory in game 6 will be sure to please the home town crowd.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins
Once again my first impression is a victory for the Flyers; both The Fool and the Knight of Swords are very strong Air cards that strengthen each other. The image is of a powerful rush, of daring offense that more often than not achieves its aims. Rattled by a long series with Buffalo that was perhaps a bit too close for comfort, expect the gloves to come off against Boston. Boston’s Nine of Pentacles, a moderate Earth card that often represents comfort and confidence, is gravely weakened by the strong Air cards on Philadelphia’s
side. I’m not exactly sure what to make of Boston’s other card, Temperance, but the visual similarity to the Moon, the series outcome card, is striking. Both feature a pool with a winding road that heads towards mountains into the distance, but while Temperance appears in daylight, The Moon is at night, and these two cards are also elementally opposite. Philadelphia wins it on the road, so most likely in 6 games.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators
This is a tough one to call. Starting over on the Nashville side, the combination of the two Kings is quite interesting; their suit elements oppose each other, but all of the Kings have some Fire in them, so there is not as much of a weakening as one might expect. There is also a strong kinship between the King of Wands and the series outcome card, the Emperor. On the Vancouver side, the Seven implies a struggle against adversity while the Nine of Cups, normally a positive card of wishes fulfilled, is weakened by the Fire cards to either side. So on this alone I’d go with Nashville… but I wonder. The King of Wands is looking to his left, as is the King of Cups, and so is the Emperor. The man on the Seven of Wands looks to the right. The visual center of this reading is the Nine of Cups, sitting confidently and staring straight ahead. I’m going to go out on a bit of a limb and say Vancouver in 7 after giving up an early lead to Nashville.
San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings
There is both a symbolic and elemental synergy between San Jose’s cards, the Four of Wands and Strength. The former is a card of celebration (though with the implication of more work to come), while Strength speaks of perseverance and overcoming adversity not through overwhelming force but concerted effort. The King of Cups appears again for Detroit, this time paired with the Knight of Wands, which is a slightly different match
than the King of Wands from the previous reading. I can’t help but see a conflict here between experience and youth, defense and aggression. Not a strong one, but I can’t ignore it either. The outcome card does not really favor either team – the Three of Swords, a picture of loss and disappointment, does not seem like a great outcome at all, frankly. And with which side does this poor outcome have the greatest affinity? With Detroit’s Knight of Wands. A reckless move might cost them the series; I’m saying San Jose in 7.
And there we are. Regardless of how this all shakes out, I am really interested to see what works as the best predictor – card meanings (as in the Tampa Bay reading), elemental dignity (as in Boston’s reading), visual cues (like the eyes in Vancouver’s reading) or some combination thereof. Check back in a couple of weeks and see the results!
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