The Bright-Eyed Sinner's Sanctum

Candlemas, or to some Year’s Wheel-inclined folk Imbolc, is a festival celebrating the brightening sky and the peace of winter’s end. As the wheel turns ever towards spring, I stopped and performed a Tarot reading for this day of springing sparks, under the ever-present eye of the Watcher in the Flame.

This is what my cards told me.

1: The Three of Wands. A great vision, and idea of magnificent proportion.

2: The Sun; joy is with you, look no further.

3: Two of Swords, reversed. Behind you now lies the need to compromise and self-destroy.

4: Queen of Cups, reversed. Before you is a mother weeping, concerned, determined to fuss.

5: Nine of Wands. Below you are the steps up. You have crested these, for now, and come to a landing where you may rest.

6: Ten of Cups. Above you is the great web of fulfilment; you can see destiny laid out above you in scintillating patterns.

7: Ten of Coins. You bear riches beyond those worldly; all of the resources to maintain your bearings are available to you.

8: King of Coins. Those surrounding you recommend caution and self-control.

9: Six of Swords. You hope for rain but fear a storm.

10, 11, 12: Six of Wands Reversed, the Fool reversed, the Queen of Coins.
You have withdrawn into yourself to heal, but the force that heals you also initiates you; it will thrust you forth, blinking and bawling, and you will begin anew as a material matriarch, in total control of your being.

The Key: Five of Swords. Compete. Be bold. Fight like hell, assured of victory.

I revisit this reading as often as I may, when I feel unhappy with my affairs. It is one of the best I have ever gotten, to be frank with you, reader. I have laboured long and been subject to much hardship to be where I am today. But nobody holds my strings any longer. Wizardry is a twofold blessing and curse: I must be held responsible for every action I take; and I am in total control of every action I take.

We shall look back on all of this and laugh soon, Sinners. Happy wandering.