Welcome to Cast Iron! A weekly newsletter about fitness, tarot and current events that hits inboxes every Monday. Each issue features a workout based on a tarot card, a tarot pull related to current events and, sometimes, a blog post or journal prompt. You’ll also find a list of my current favs at the end of each email, so be sure to check those out if you’re low on inspiration or energy. If you like my work, connect with me on Instagram and Twitter @byAlissaSmith or visit my website.
The Chariot represents drive, determination and direction.
The deck shows the driver of the Chariot holding the Ace of Wands aloft as two sphinxes pull the vehicle through the night sky. The charioteer holds no reins and the horses (sphinxes) have no bridles because willpower and self-discipline are what control the chariot. The Ace of Wands implies that the charioteer’s drive and determination stem from their passion, which can take many forms. The black and white sphinxes remind me of the black and white columns that flank the RWS’ High Priestess. The columns are sometimes interpreted as having Judeo-Christian meanings but I don’t read the cards from that perspective, so I instead believe the columns (and sphinxes!) represent the complex dualities within us and the world.
In the RWS deck, the armored charioteer faces the viewer directly, making us feel like we need to get out of their way before we get run over. Just as the above card shows the Chariot surrounded by the night sky, the RWS Chariot includes a four-column structure adorned with starry fabric. The same stars that adorn the fabric sit atop the charioteer’s crown, an obvious symbol of divine connection and victory. This card corresponds to the astrological sign of Cancer, which relates to the moon, intuition and the concept of home.
The Chariot is the moment when you know exactly what you want to do and exactly how you need to do it. The only thing that will stop you is losing sight of your long-term goals. It is the ability to control all the unwieldy obstacles and opposing forces in your life through sheer will alone, so you must know what you’re moving toward. If you lose sight of your destination, you’ll start feeling like you’re spinning your wheels and making no progress. Can’t make a right or wrong turn when you have nowhere to be.
The Chariot says, “Get the fuck in. You have somewhere you need to be.” It’s not about being cruel and succeeding at the cost of everything or everyone you hold near and dear. But the Chariot does say you will need to fight, run, scream and stand up for yourself on the road ahead. Don’t be swayed easily.
With all that in mind (and with one of my fav’s of this week at the top of my brain), I’ve made a Tabata workout that can be used for a running or cycling session. I’ve based it on RPE, which is how I like to measure my workout intensity when not competing or aiming for a certain lift or run time.
RPE stands for your rating of perceived exertion, which essentially is how hard you feel you are working out. It runs from 1 to 10. At 1, you're on a leisurely walk. At 2 to 3, you're lightly exercising and can hold an in-depth, complicated conversation. You start to get out of breath around 4 to 6. At 7 to 9, you can maybe bark out a few words. At 10, you can't speak.
As always, please keep any injuries or health issues in mind when attempting this workout. Sharp pain means stop, dizziness means stop, feeling lightheaded means stop. And, when in doubt, check with your doctor before starting any new workout program.
Fit tip: To intensify the workout, end the eight rounds of Tabata with 2 to 3 minutes of 2 to 3 RPE cycling or running, then repeat that entire cycle three more times!
Reading (the) Room
And we’re still talking about the election. Well, we’re talking about what comes next. First, here are some snapshots of what went down in Atlanta on Saturday after Biden and Harris were announced the victors of the 2020 presidential election.
So, I pulled a card about how to best get through the last few weeks of Trump’s presidency:
This reversed Page of Pentacles wants you to take joy in little things, allow yourself to get distracted and pick up a hobby you forgot you wanted to indulge in. My therapist recently told me that I need to step away from the horrors of reality a bit more because I spend a lot of my free time reading, watching and listening to current events and stories about people’s personal experiences with the horrors these events have caused or empowered (Like, my current read: Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy). So, I’m taking this card as a freebie to step out of the constant flow of information now and then.
Also, I’d like to take a moment to point out and appreciate that this Page’s outfit resembles ATLA air nomad gear.
And what should we keep in mind as we shift into this next presidency?
The reversed Seven of Wands warns that we may be too quick to concede ground in order to keep the peace or prevent conflict. It asks that we remember why we fought so hard in the first place. I’m reminded of this tweet:
Do not yield your ground to someone who will salt your earth. Share your land with someone who will help you build something better.
What I’m loving this week:
I can’t get enough of Nadja. I love her. I’ve named one of my snake plants after her. She’s wonderful, and this show is a great way to decompress and laugh at something other than the absurdity of current events.
I’ve talked about this before but I just redownloaded the game and am playing through it again. I absolutely love the game’s world, which includes people known as “conduits” who can control different elements, like neon gas or ash. Also, that reminds me of another game I should finish up soon so I can tell you guys about it.
OK. Look. We all celebrate in different ways, and, on Saturday, I celebrated by buying myself a v expensive indoor bike. I have anxiety and having to run outside with the maskless is ruining my cardio programming, so I’m going to try this instead. I’ve linked to a Schwinn version of the C6 because I’ve heard they’re the exact same model (like, seriously, look at photos of each to compare) and this version is about $100 cheaper. I should get this delivered in a few weeks, so I hope I don’t have to retract this love.
This has been on my wish list forever, and I just found out that the artist has expanded their offerings to include special bundles and even a reading cloth. I love the marigold flower and its meaning, and I love the art style and inspiration in these gorgeous black and gold cards. Feel free to buy this for me. Or for yourself. If you do the latter, please tag me in photos of the deck in action on Insta!
Yes, constant retellings of the most basic Greek myths are a dime a dozen. But this show has a new take and storyline. I heard it described as another “Castlevania,” so I was immediately onboard and wasn’t disappointed. It is gory, so keep that in mind.
Ethereal Visions Illuminated Tarot Deck
This week’s deck is gorgeous and comes with two additional cards, making it an 80-card deck. It lacks any sort of diversity, which the artist has said will be corrected in an upcoming re-release of the deck. The initial comment in the below image is talking about the artist’s oracle deck, which comes out this month and doesn’t suffer from the same issue.
How can you support Cast Iron?
Share this newsletter and leave a comment below! Tell me what you liked, didn’t like, want to see, etc. I want to know how to make this newsletter the best thing about Mondays. If you have a story or topic idea, drop me a line at Hello@AlissaSmith.red.
How can you support me?
Hire me for freelance writing gigs. You can find some of my clips here.
Schedule remote tarot readings and/or personal training sessions with me.
Buy a copy of COVENTRY, a secular witchcraft zine run by me and my friend, Megan Castro, an Atlanta-based artist. Our newest issue covers spellcrafting and casting. It’s available now as part of a collab with Folk Care, an Atlanta-based herbal company.
Note: Some of the links I’ve included are affiliate links, which means I may get a cent or two if you decide to purchase whatever was linked.