The Arcane Almanac Vol 1 Issue 5
Welcome Back to the Arcane Almanac
Sweet November!
It’s the eleventh month already. Didn’t we just turn the page from August into September?
“The month of November makes me feel that life is passing more quickly. In an effort to slow it down, I try to fill the hours more meaningfully.”
Henry Rollins
Singer, Writer, Spoken-Word Artist
I think Henry is on to something!
How are you settling into the Season?
Lunar Reflections
New Moon November 9, 2026, 2:02 a.m. ET
Our card for this New Moon in Scorpio is: The Queen of Swords
When the Queen of Swords shows up, it's time to sit up straight and listen.
This Scorpio New Moon arrives with several planets in retrograde. Rather than get caught up in how each of these planetary movements might influence us, let's focus on Mercury retrograde and what it brings to this particular lunation.
Mercury is the planet of communication, messages, and the exchange of ideas. And here we have the Queen of Communications stepping forward to remind us that, yes, while we may not particularly want to review, revisit, and take a deep reflective dive into our own thoughts and beliefs, it's time to do just that.
Indeed, this is what the Queens love to have us do. Queens represent the inward, reflective aspect of ourselves, and they often show up when we need to turn our attention inward and examine what is happening beneath the surface.
Couple that with Scorpio energy, which will not accept surface-surfing of any kind. Scorpio demands depth. It wants us to peel back the layers, look into the shadows, and uncover what has been hidden.
The Queen of Swords asks us to take the longer road, the more transformative road. She invites us to seek the truths residing in the shadows of this New Moon and to look honestly at our own shadow selves, just as Scorpio asks us to do.
She holds out her hand, inviting us to know through more than just our intellect. Know with your gut. Know fully. Understand why wounds can also become places of healing, and why honesty, even when it's brutal, is worth knowing.
Remember, Scorpio energy won't tolerate coasting along the surface, so take the hint!
This Queen showed up, not the Queen of Cups, Wands, or Pentacles. This Queen carries a weapon. She means business, and she demands respect.
Meet Your Inner Queen of Swords
Take a moment to connect with your own inner Queen of Swords.
Imagine meeting her in the field where she sits, above the clouds, her hand outstretched as you approach. Notice the bracelet on her wrist. It is a Victorian mourning bracelet, a symbol of all she has lost and the grief she has carried.
And yet, despite her losses, she is ready to invite you in.
She is willing to hear your losses, your worries, your deepest thoughts, and your secrets. She will be brutally honest in her assessment, but her judgment comes from a place of knowing, understanding, and having endured hardships of her own.
She won't use her sword haphazardly. She isn't harsh simply because she can be. She has suffered, and she understands that sometimes the greatest kindness is to help us confront the truths we would rather hide from.
She would much rather see you face those truths and find your way through them than continue carrying the weight of something that needs to be acknowledged.
The Scorpio New Moon and the Queen of Swords are compatible energies, supporting much of the same work. Let this Queen's message invite you to look into your own shadow, clear away old and worn-out stories, and uncover the truths that have been hiding beneath the surface.
New Moon Exercise: A Conversation with Your Queen of Swords
For this New Moon, we're going to work with the Queen of Swords as our significator.
The question for your reading is:
What does my Queen of Swords want me to understand about myself during this New Moon in Scorpio?
How to do the reading:
Take the Queen of Swords from your deck and place her face up on the table. She is your significator, representing the part of you that is ready to look honestly at yourself.
Shuffle the remaining deck while keeping the question in mind.
Draw one card and place it directly beneath the Queen of Swords.
Take a few moments to look at the relationship between the two cards. What does the Queen appear to be looking at? What might she be asking you to acknowledge, understand, or reconsider?
A few things to consider as you interpret your card:
What truth about yourself might this card be revealing?
Is there an old belief or story you need to reconsider?
What might you be avoiding because it is uncomfortable to acknowledge?
How can you use this understanding to move toward healing and transformation?
Remember, the Queen of Swords is not interested in telling you what you want to hear. She's interested in helping you understand what you need to know.
Let her wisdom guide you through the shadows. You may discover that the truth you've been avoiding is also the very thing that sets you free.
Around the Community
WitchCon Online
I'm excited to return to WitchCon Online, the world’s largest livestream magical conference, featuring over 100 presenters from across the globe! You can join all of the classes live or mix and match and grab the replay.
Join me for my class, The Crone's Voice: Telling Your Story Through Tarot & Divination.
This workshop explores how the archetype of the Crone—the elder, the witness, and the interpreter—uses divination as a tool for personal storytelling and meaning-making.
Scan the QR code below or click here: https://witchcon.com/q/rhonda-alin
Northern New Jersey Tarot
We're closing out the work of building our Harvest Talisman inspired by the symbols that have been speaking to us over the past several months.
Join us on Thursday, November 19th for the close-out of our Fall project and to discuss our plans for the work of the year ahead!
Join the Community → https://heylo.group/northern-new-jersey-tarot
Bring your cards, your voice and your love of the cards!
As we move through November, may we remember that slowing down isn't necessarily about doing less, but about being more present in what we choose to do. Take a little time to listen inward, welcome the truths that are ready to emerge, and give your attention to the moments that matter. Thank you for spending a little time with me and The Arcane Almanac. May the coming weeks bring you meaningful moments, deeper understanding, and the courage to embrace what you discover along the way.
With gratitude,
Rhonda AlinFounder, Northern New Jersey Tarot
Publisher, The Arcane Tarot Society on Substack
May your cards inspire insight and your intuition light the way.
— Manifest your Magick!
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