Elliot Rodger and his Day of Retribution as seen through the eyes of the Tarot

↑　Elliot Rodger　 ↑

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There is little chance you’ve not heard of the recent murders that took place in Isla Vista, California this past week. Elliot Rodger, who was 22, killed 6 people and injured 13 before killing himself in what was coined by him as his “Day of Retribution”: the day he would have revenge on those he viewed as his enemies. It was obvious none of these people had done anything to deserve their fates, however, this wasn’t about to stop the massacre from happening.

A 140 page manifesto written by Rodger was released to the public. I can only assume this was with the intention of imploring the public to understand, maybe even empathize, with the motivating factors behind his actions (as an assumption take it with a grain of salt!). With the manifesto we learn that Elliot was the son of Peter Rodger (assistant director of The Hunger Games) and Chin Rodger. He also had a step mother by the name of Soumaya Akaaboune.

If the words of his manifesto are anything to go by, his parents were largely absent from his life, especially his father, in the ways required to produce a well-adjusted human being. Certainly his parents can’t be blamed for his heinous crimes but I feel it’s worth mentioning. Throughout the text much of the pain Elliot was struggling with becomes all too clear. Between that and his creepy-as-fuck YouTube videos, there’s no mistaking the fact that his grasp on reality was tenuous at best.

What does the Tarot have to say about all of this?

I thought it would be interesting to see so I grabbed my deck and cast a Celtic Cross as an overview of the events leading up to the infamous “Day of Retribution”.

Here’s what came up:

Significator: (X)Knight of Wands

This is a powerful spread as we can see in the placement of the 6 Major Arcana and the high volume of reversals. I’m seeing a lot of struggle and strong emotions. It’s a sad picture to gaze upon, there’s not doubt about that.

The month of February was very difficult for 
Elliot. I see in the reversed Wheel and reversed Lovers a decision, or realization perhaps, that he will never experience the emotions associated with love and sex. I don’t believe his sole pursuit was to get his dick wet, though that was top of his list of priorities. There is a yearning to share love with another person. Preferably blonde, I’m sure, because we all know anything less simply won’t do, amirite??When it comes to luck in love he sees himself at the bottom of a Wheel that refuses to rotate. I believe that much of our fortune comes from our resolve to be persistent. The Wheel is stuck, or more accurately, it’s being unwittingly held firmly in place by one who fulfills his own prophecy.

The Two of Cups is reversed in the position describing Elliot’s childhood years. But how does this contribute to the outcome? The relationship between Chin and Peter Rodger was not one of faithful monogamy. According to the manifesto, they divorced in 1999 and very shortly thereafter Peter brought another woman into the picture, Soumaya Akaaboune, who would ultimately become Elliot’s stepmother. The rapidity in which his life changed at this vulnerable time would have more of an impact on the outcome than one would expect, even Elliot.

Junior High was  a pivotal time in the life of Elliot Rodger. During his teens he felt he couldn’t be free to express himself fully. The steps required to begin the journey toward self-realization were not taken. There is a strong sense of fear and cowardice that I’m getting from the Fool. The number zero prominently stands out. Elliot had a lot of self-hate going on and zero accurately depicts this. It screams out to say just how low an opinion Elliot had of himself.

The dog in this card seems to nip at the Fool’s heels playfully. It wants to be free and without care, to enjoy all life has to offer. But the dog is being ignored. He’s not allowed to join in the reindeer games, it seems.

Another Major Arcana card. A reversed Magician reveals Elliot’s cowardice and lack of ability to manifest thought into action, into “solid form”. The last thing he wanted from all of this was to puss out, or fuck his meticulously laid plans. He ached to show the world he’s not some wimp who couldn't get it up and get shit done. Unquestionably, he didn't want everyone to realize he wasn't as magnificent as he so desperately attempted to portray himself.

Supreme Gentleman and Magnificent guy. Yes.

Was he able to see past the end-game? Perhaps he saw himself as a martyr who was without regret. The halo around the Hanged Man’s head mirrors Elliot’s thought that what he had planned was divinely inspired. This card unmistakably speaks to just how lopsided his perceptions of reality were. This card coupled with Temperance show just how at peace he was with the choices he’s made. As an aside.. I thought it was oddly amusing that the Hanged Man’s hair is blonde…

The Rodger Family (this includes Soumaya), whether they know it or not, had some real negative impact on Elliot’s mental state. It’s impossible to deny the absolute violent nature the Ten of Swords conveys. Taking it one step further the Ten of Swords, when viewed through the lens of the Wheel, shows just how severely damaged Elliot was as a result. I can’t say exactly what was said or done, although I have a sense that it was more about what wasn't done.

Ah, and the Three of Swords. Another card crying out for the pain Elliot was feeling. It sure doesn’t tell us anything we don’t know by now, though. Women, in general, caused him great amounts of pain, and stress. He was definitely depressed over this. He sees woman as intentionally malicious toward him. If the Three of Swords had merely one sword penetrating the heart, well sure, that might have been an accident, but 3? Now you’re just being an asshole.

The hunter has become the hunted in the Five of Wands. Immediately my eye was drawn to the boy furthest to the left. To me this is Elliot. His wand is held aloft, ready to strike. The boy wails a war-cry announcing his intention to attack.He’s taking his opportunity to engage in combat with those he’s been to cowardly to confront in the past. This, in Elliot’s mind, was a long-awaited opportunity to reciprocate the aggression he endured (whether real or perceived) while growing up. Fighting back against what he saw as bullies or aggressors.

The Four of Wands reversed explains how Elliot was feeling the day before the murders. There were misgivings regarding whether the plans would come to fruition. Worried he may not reach the “finish line”. This goes without saying, me thinks.. of course one is bound to be filled with a sense of trepidation and anxiety before carrying out such heinous crimes.

Elliot intended to murder his stepmother and younger brother, but fate had other ideas for the two of them on that day. He too had trouble gaining access to the women at the sorority he had targeted. Despite this, Temperance shows the precision of his focus on the task at hand. Considering this was a murderous rampage, it’s disturbing to see just how calm, how zen, his state of mind was. More than one might have expected.

I requested one more card from the deck. One to describe his state of mind before death. The response was the Queen of Wands reversed. Even until the end his hate seemed to seethe.

My conclusion

At the end of the day, this was a tragedy that could have been prevented by the police easily if they’d only paid more mind to the potential consequences of inaction. Especially given the undeniable evidence to his unstable state of mind all over his YouTube channel (which they were aware of) before the massacre. His parents could have done much more as well. Hindsight sure is something..

I’d like to leave you with a link to what I feel is as objective a commentary on this tragic event I’ve seen so far. Stephan Molyneux attempts to analyze the situation while using the manifesto as reference material. He presents a compelling argument and insight into Elliot Rodger’s frame of mind and what very likely contributed to the monster he ultimately became.

Thanks for reading.