Some feel despondent but others are already looking ahead. The difference now, for many, is that the SNP is no longer ‘the only vehicle’ to independence. Hard as it is to see a clear way forward, it appears beyond doubt that the current Scottish government is doomed and the party itself faces electoral wipeout.
And yet support for independence remains at or around the 50% mark. Half of voters now face the prospect of having a pro-Union government in the Scottish parliament.
Sturgeonites who managed to transfer their undying devotion to Humza Yousaf will, of course, insist that the party can rise again under his inspirational leadership. Most are not so sure, as the embarrassing attendance at their Aberdeen conference testifies. Of the estimated 13,000 who attended the Glasgow SSE Hydro rally almost exactly 8 years ago, approximately 12,500 have gone missing. If the bullish SNP hierarchy is to be believed, those supporters haven’t gone anywhere, they’re just a bit deflated and will surely return to the fray.
Alba appears to be ticking along, cheerily harvesting the interest and potential votes of people who know what ‘a woman’ is. The constitutional case, as represented and constantly finessed by Sara Salyers/Liberation Scotland and the ISP, is educating Scots about where sovereignty lies and the recent by-election in Rutherglen & Hamilton West raised the contentious issue of ‘abstentionism’. We can never know the extent to which the appallingly low turnout (37%) represents a conscious protest, but attributing the whole 63% of no-shows to ‘voter apathy’ seems as naive as it is unfair. We are at a turning point in Scottish politics. It certainly isn’t a sharp left or right, more like the slow curve of a train track, but it is coming for all that.
We are not good at predictions. So we’re not even going to try and guess what lies ahead. But we do know that discontent with the UK government is not the preserve of independence supporters. Right now, with utter contempt for the clear wishes of the majority, the UK continues to excuse the collective punishment being meted out to the people of Gaza and the West Bank.
We’re not getting involved in the whataboutery which does little but obfuscate the core historical issues. But this is no time for fence-sitting. We side with the Palestinian people and all those pushing for an immediate ceasefire and urgent humanitarian assistance. We believe the people of Scotland are entitled to voice their own opinion on what’s happening and are appalled by the behaviour of the current PM and his likely replacement. How and why the UK govt has ended up supporting such barbarity is beyond our ken but suffice it to say that the majority of Scots are disgusted that this is being done ‘in our name’ whether we like it or not.
We already had more than enough reasons to demand independence and this latest atrocity exhibition adds yet another. Scots are not saints and our history is not blemish-free. This is 2023 - the concepts of 'human rights' and 'collective responsibility' are well known and generally accepted but mean nothing if not enforced. There isn't much that the people of Scotland can do to end the wars being conducted in our name but we can, at the very least, make it plain that we are not happy to be represented on the world stage by fanatical globalists, nazi-supporters and shameless war criminals.
A friend of OTS sent us the following and we present it with tongue not-quite in cheek. Asking the I Ching what independence-hungry Scots should do at this time of impasse and gloom, it responded with the following:
Hexagram 39, Obstacle, shows a time when you are facing a challenge or difficulty. You may feel stuck or blocked in your progress. This can be a frustrating experience, but it is important to remember that obstacles are a normal part of life. They are opportunities for us to learn and grow.
To overcome an obstacle, you need to first identify what is causing it. Once you understand the problem, you can start to develop a plan to address it. This may involve taking action, seeking help from others, or simply changing your perspective.
The hexagram involved ‘moving lines’, so…
Hexagram 60, Limitations, shows a time when you are facing restrictions or constraints. This could be due to external factors, such as a lack of resources or opportunities. Or it could be due to internal factors, such as your own self-doubt or fears.
Whatever the cause, limitations can be difficult to cope with. But it is important to remember that they are not permanent. They are simply challenges that we must overcome in order to achieve our goals.
The transition from Hexagram 39 to Hexagram 60 suggests that you are facing a significant obstacle. This obstacle may be preventing you from achieving your goals or living your life to the fullest.
The good news is that Hexagram 60 also offers guidance on how to overcome this obstacle. The key is to accept the limitations that you are facing. Once you accept your limitations, you can start to develop strategies for working within them.
Here are some specific tips for overcoming the obstacle that you are facing:
Remember, you are not alone in facing this obstacle. Millions of people face obstacles every day. But with perseverance and resilience, you can overcome this obstacle and achieve your goals.
Here is a more detailed analysis of the transition from Hexagram 39 to Hexagram 60:
Hexagram 39: Obstacle
Hexagram 39 is composed of the trigrams Water over Mountain. Water represents the gentle, flowing energy of creativity and intuition. Mountain represents the solid, unchanging energy of stability and strength.
Together, these trigrams represent a time when you are facing a challenge or difficulty. This obstacle may be preventing you from achieving your goals or living your life to the fullest.
The key to overcoming this obstacle is to be patient and persistent. Don't try to force your way through it. Instead, allow the obstacle to teach you something. Once you have learned what you need to learn, the obstacle will naturally dissolve.
Hexagram 60: Limitations
Hexagram 60 is composed of the trigrams Water over Fire. Water represents the gentle, flowing energy of creativity and intuition. Fire represents the passionate, transformative energy of action and change.
Together, these trigrams represent a time when you are facing restrictions or constraints. This could be due to external factors, such as a lack of resources or opportunities. Or it could be due to internal factors, such as your own self-doubt or fears.
Whatever the cause, limitations can be difficult to cope with. But it is important to remember that they are not permanent. They are simply challenges that we must overcome in order to achieve our goals.
For example, if you are limited by a lack of resources, you can find ways to be more creative with the resources that you do have. Or, you can find ways to collaborate with others who have the resources that you need.
If you are limited by your own self-doubt or fears, you can work to challenge these negative thoughts and beliefs. You can also seek out support from others who can help you to believe in yourself.
The transition from Hexagram 39 to Hexagram 60 suggests that you are facing a significant obstacle. This obstacle may be preventing you from achieving your goals or living your life to the fullest.
But the good news is that Hexagram 60 also offers guidance on how to overcome this obstacle. The key is to accept your limitations and develop strategies for working within them.
With perseverance and resilience, you can overcome this obstacle and achieve your goals.
The key to overcoming your limitations is to accept them. Once you accept your limitations, you can start to develop strategies for working within them.
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