Photo by Viva Luna Studios on Unsplash

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Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post by Mortimer Glossian, former president of the Yoga Club and fairy fortuneteller.

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Hello again, students! No, you didn’t read that title wrong: tonight’s Weekly Insight will be my last. While it is the second week of classes for most of you reading, I, along with the rest of the senior staff here at The Arcane Citizen, graduated back in January. Worry not–I’ve chosen a worthy successor to continue giving you Insight. Read on to the end to find out who will carry the torch in my stead.

For now, let’s kick off 2022’s readings with one final hurrah.

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Our Cards This Week:

1. Eight of Swords (Straight)

This position of the spread represents the element air and deals with the realm of the mind.

Looks like we’re starting off strong with a Sword card in the first position. This is especially important as this suit aligns with the element air–meaning we have an air-aligned card in an air-charged position.

Another important note is the symbolism: a person without sight is traversing through dangerous terrain. They are chained to a rooster, an animal that represents positivity, responsibility, determination, honesty, and–interestingly enough–observance.

What’s the takeaway from this card? Well, it would appear as if many of you will know how it feels to be the individual pictured above. A person who cannot see ahead, but moves forward anyway with the guidance of an outward force–yup, if that doesn’t define a student at the beginning of the school year, then I don’t know what does!

You might feel a little lost this week, maybe even hopeless–but you cannot lose hope, reader. You cannot spend all your time worrying about the potential dangers around you, because you’ll never go anywhere. Let go of that apprehension, that fear, and take that step. Move forward. After all, those doubts are all in your mind; they aren’t true until you make them come true.

2. Seven of Swords (Straight)

This position of the spread represents the element fire and deals with the realm of creativity, projects, and willpower.

We may not have a fire-aligned card in its preferred position, but without air, fire cannot spark. With that in mind, it only makes sense that the powers that be have presented us with another air-aligned card this soon: after all, when it comes to concepts such as creativity and willpower, it all comes from our minds.

However, this card is no joke. Here we see a traitor about to pay for their transgressions–and yet, the traitor appears bored as if facing the consequences for their actions is just another part of life. While an execution may not be normalized in modern society, I think we can all agree that holding one another accountable is a fad that we’re trying to get to stick–and we can solidify this practice by holding ourselves accountable, too.

Whether you give in to your impulses, are dishonest with an upcoming assignment, or use your craft for less than honorable reasons, fret not. Sure, you messed up, but your mistakes won’t unleash the apocalypse or a plague upon the world. Just accept the consequences with grace and dignity, and don’t dwell on them. Move on to other matters.

3. Queen of Pentacles (Straight)

This position of the spread represents the element water and deals with the realm of emotions and relationships.

This may be an eye-opener, reader, so listen closely: we have an earth-aligned card in a water-charged position. While this does not seem noteworthy yet, we must look deeper still to understand the severity of the message.

Pictured is a regal figure perched on their throne, surrounded by lush greenery. Their connection to nature implies that they are a gifted healer in some capacity, and while they appear to be looking down on the viewer, it could be that we viewers are judging this figure in a negative light without cause. Maybe they’re vain, maybe we’re envious–it’s all about perspective.

This card is a reminder to all of you: temper yourselves. You might be tempted to lash out at someone this week; perhaps they gave you the impression that they believe they are superior, and they did this through silent gestures. Consider that you have misconstrued their intentions and simply walk away until you have all the variables. Yes, you’ll want to give in to anger and frustration off the bat, but don’t. You’ll accomplish nothing, and potentially make matters worse for yourself and everyone involved. There’s a reason this card about challenging one’s perception is in a position that deals with emotions and relationships, and that is that you must keep your emotions in check. One must be grounded in order to be empathic, and you’ll want to approach this potentially-sensitive situation with all the empathy you can muster.

4. Ace of Cups (Reversed)

This position of the spread represents the element earth and deals with the realm of practical matters, money, and health.

Here, we’re dealing with the reverse of the previous section: we have a water-aligned card in an earth-charged position. You might be thinking that that means you will need to approach health, financial, and/or practical matters with emotions–but hold your horses, reader! Don’t charge off just yet.

Above, we see a card depicting a chalice that runneth over with liquid, spilling droplets and streams onto the awaiting masses that reach up from the depths. The cup symbolizes the chalice of life, its water is knowledge, and the hands are those who seek said knowledge. It is the start of something new, the beginning of a shift in one’s emotional state that will aid one on the road to self-discovery.

However, you’ll notice that the Ace of Cups is in the reverse position, which changes things. Instead of signaling the start of a new emotionally-charged phase in one’s life, this actually warns of doubt in yourself and everything you know. Too much of your attention and focus is being placed on circumstances outside of your control, and you aren’t allowing yourself the time and energy for self-care. This is especially true when it comes to your financial wellbeing, your physical, mental, and emotional health, and your relationship with the world around you. Don’t let doubt consume you–challenge that pessimism. Challenge that lack of faith. Challenge yourself.

5. Ace of Pentacles (Straight)

This position of the spread represents the element spirit and deals with your spirit ally.

Looks like we not only have another ace on our hands, but an earth-aligned card where it’s not expected. Let’s see how your spirit guide intends to use the sturdiest element to help you.

We see hands reach up from the earth in an effort to seize the pentacle, a visual stand-in for that which rules the world: money. In doing so, those seeking riches may discover more about themselves, and ultimately create opportunities in both their domestic and professional environments. This card symbolizes enrichment, be it in regards to a healthy lifestyle choice or your elected career path.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, reader: “Morty, I get what the card means–but what the heck does that have to do with my spirit ally?”

Well, everyone has their own personal guidance, be it in the form of a familiar, spirit guide, totem, orisha, or some other entity. Whether you are aware of your ally or not, they will stand by you through thick and thin, navigating you through life to the best of their ability. Mind you, while they have the directions in hand, they’re not the ones at the wheel–you are. It’s up to you to decipher their directions and steer accordingly.

With that in mind, it would appear that your spirit ally will do their best to lead you toward better opportunities. You’ll have a choice to make at some point, be it out loud or to yourself, and your ally is encouraging you to take the path that offers the most enrichment for your future. Don’t choose the easy path, or the path that others want for you–make a decision for yourself, and be certain that it’s a choice you can live with.

6. Page of Pentacles (Straight)

This position of the spread represents the advice that you will need to pull everything off.

There’s been a lot of earth-aligned cards in this week’s spread, which means that you readers will have a lot of self-humbling to do. It seems fitting that we’re closing this reading off with the page in particular.

Pictured is a lone person traveling through a barren landscape. Aside from the clothes on their back and the few gold accessories that adorn them, all they have in their possession are a disk and three branches. Their left hand is hidden behind them or in a pocket, their right is holding a branch, and the moon is visible in the sky. They walk on in confidence, even with their eyes obscured from sight, implying that the map they follow is not of the physical plane.

It is worth noting that there is a significance to which hand is holding which object–however, that significance is wholly dependent on the recipient of this reading. There are some cultural depictions that contradict one another, preventing me from giving you a one-size fits all interpretation, so I’ll give you some context before we continue. While people in both the West and the East view hands as symbolic for masculine and feminine energies, Westerners tend to consider right hands as masculine and left as feminine, while it is opposite for Asian practitioners. In the Cabala, both hands have positive meanings that aren’t necessarily opposites. For more information on how different cultures symbolize hands, read this.

Bottom line: the left hand is more commonly seen as emotionally-charged, while the right is seen as driven by logic.

With that in mind, let’s break down this interpretation. The page may be holding on to their material possessions due to their emotional attachment. The branches hanging from their belt and in their hand are representative of the valuable traits they have to offer–skills, services, characteristics, and so on–and they are putting that value out there where it is most useful. They do this not out of desire, but out of moral obligation. Unlike the person on the eight of swords, the page can see the path ahead without outward guidance. They’re not following their heart, which can lead to risky decisions, but their head, which will yield the best, most logical results.

So, what does this all mean for you? It would seem as if the theme for this week is to keep going. Move on. There may be times when you need outward guidance, and there will be times when you’ll need to look within, but it is ultimately up to you to determine which is which. You’re going to stumble, make mistakes, maybe even hurt someone unintentionally–just make sure you own up to the bad, or you’ll never be able to fully enjoy the good. Life can be daunting, especially for you freshmen who recently joined AOA’s ranks, but don’t be discouraged. You can do whatever you put your mind to with a little help from your peers… And a lot of help from yourself. Go ahead, keep walking.

And choose the path that will enrich your life.

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I must have missed doing these because I wrote far more than I usually do. My apologies for not keeping it short and sweet, students. I’m sure my successor will be far more succinct.

Speaking of which, I think I’ve kept you in suspense for long enough. The guest poster who will be taking my spot is none other than AOA’s new resident fortune-teller: Aerwyna Marvin of the Merfyn Clan! I couldn’t have chosen a better person to keep Insight going. Wyn has assured me that she will perform these weekly tarot readings until her own graduation, and that she’ll be sure to find someone twice as worthy as her. What she doesn’t realize is that I chose her for that same reason: I believe her to be a better candidate for the role than myself. Your fortunes will be in good, capable hands.

Thank you for reading my final Insight. I, Mortimer Glossian, will hold you in my heart for the rest of my years. Stay safe, give Wyn a warm reception next week, and I bid you to blessed be.

Mortimer Glossian

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