Wait no longer anon, you’ve got a front row seat for the explanation of the route that it takes for a MAGE of HEART to go grimdark!
Now I would like to begin this with a bit of concern for you anon! I pray that this is for like, an OC and that you’re not dealing with an unhealthy Mage of Heart in your life. Trust me, been there, done that. Having someone that plays mind games with you based around your emotions is really rough. I do not mean to make this one a bit personal, but it hits pretty close to home for me.
The Mage of Heart is a very powerful and interesting classpect to begin with. The Mage is one of two knowledge classes, the other being the Seer. Their job is to guide their parties with and through their aspect. They are meant to understand their aspect inside and out, becoming specialists on that specific subject. Their counterpart is the Heir. Heart is the aspect of emotion, soul, and extrospection. It is the emotional side of decision making (i.e “listen to your heart”) and holds a counterpart with Mind.
Since this is just an unhealthy analysis, I will not get into the specifics of what a Mage of Heart is truly like when they are healthy.
Mages are known to suffer through their aspects when things are going wrong. Sollux (Mage of Doom) suffered with his fate and it ended up costing him his eyesight. Meulin (Mage of Heart) suffered through her emotions and ended up becoming deafened by Kurloz. A Mage of Heart that is suffering can take it a step further.
When a classpect is acting unhealthy, they may begin to reject their aspect and start going something called “Grimdark”. The only example we have is of Rose (Seer of Light) going grimdark due to her meddling with Horrorterrors. Horrorterrors have a link to the Void Aspect and she may have become this way because she is Light player (Light-Void are opposites). This has led me to believe that acting against your own aspects may cause you to go Grimdark, which is the opposite of your true class and aspect.
The opposite of a Mage of Heart is an Heir of Mind. An unhealthy Mage of Heart may not have a hold on their own emotions and are currently suffering through them. They may become closed off and begin to over process and over think their problems. This will cause them to spiral down and over-analyze their situations, whatever it may be. Their emotions become too much to handle for themselves and for others.
Unfortunately, I have to bring up my own experiences to clarify. My ex-matesprit is a Mage of Heart. Any problem was met with defensiveness and arguments. They would ignore me for weeks then make me apologize for something I did not know what wrong. They never communicated, they only stewed in their own problems, letting it swirl around in their head. They played mind games with me and expected me to come crawling back to them. And I did for some time. They were abusive to me and my kismesis (who they were also dating) at the time. They hurt us a lot.
An unhealthy Mage of Heart will become manipulative and condescending. They are not the reason for their suffering; you are. They will think this way. This is not their own fault, it is your fault for not being a better friend, matesprit, moirail, etc.. You have to fix their problems. You have to do everything for them. They will likely become incapable of taking care of themselves at some point. This rejection of their emotional responsibility will wear out everyone around them and bring everyone down. They will give off a nasty aura that seems to just, tire everyone out.
Once someone goes this far off the handle, it is incredibly hard to get them back. I wish I could have helped my ex from doing this to me and to others, but unfortunately it is not that easy. I ended up breaking off all connections with them. Blocked them on everything and just let them go. I am glad to be away from them, but I have sympathy for those who are with them next.
Anon, if you are concerned that one of your friends/quadmates/family members is becoming this; talk to them. Communication is always key to any problem. Express your concerns and let them know that they are hurting you. They may not be aware of it. They could be going through their own shit and are scared and their spiraling. I am a firm believer that just about anything can be solved with a few conversations. If not, then it may be time to reevaluate and do what I did. Sometimes people just are not willing to listen :o(
And to the Mage of Heart that may be worried that this is what they are becoming; take a step back and look at your friends, your loved ones, all those people in your life that your heart has guided you too. Depression, anxiety, pain, and loss can be incredibly hard to go through. Anything can send anyone down an unhealthy path. Seek help. Talk to your loved ones. Recognizing that something is wrong is the first step to recovery. See a therapist, take your meds, do yoga, exercise or whatever it is that helps you, do it. Take care of you. And listen to your friends that may be concerned for you.
And to all the others out there; love yourself. Take care of yourself! This analysis got a little personal and emotional, but hey; I wouldn’t be a Rage player if I didn’t get a little worked up every now and then :o)
That about covers it for my analysis of the unhealthy Mage of Heart! If you would like a full analysis of a Mage of Heart, please direct yourself to my ask!