Hello Friends:

I'm having an existential crisis about social media (among other things). I want to let people know about our Myth as Medicine event at the end of this month, and feel like I still need to post on Facebook and Instagram for folks to be aware of it. Despite posting on various local calendars and asking friends to share, I drag myself into these portals of promotion.

Less on Instagram, but definitely in FB, I am bombarded by political posts--albeit many from friends who share my concerns. There is an incredible amount of things to be concerned about. Some are inspirational, some are commentary, some are terribly sad stories from people affected by acts of force, some are reposts, and calls for action. Most stories are extremely heartbreaking. They render me paralyzed with sadness for the rest of the day if I'm not careful.

We're asked to call our elected officials 6 times a day, attend town halls, and to refrain from buying anything (except from a local businesses) on February 28th. It's not that I am not engaged in civic discourse or reading the news. I curate my sources and time limits within Politico, The Economist, NPR, and The New Yorker. Mostly I am spending my time regulating my nervous system and maintaining my mental health. Author Liz Gilbert says her only job is to safeguard her sanity. No amount of money can keep us from losing our mental faculties.

I'm curious how you're getting the word about about what you do when you're not in these social platforms. This newsletter and Substack are my preferred methods of connecting...so here I am. But I don't want to inundate your already-full inbox. So I make sure to provide some value here. Hopefully you receive it.

After the weekly astro weather, I have some things that have helped me that might be useful.

The Astrological Weather

The action planet of Mars has been retrograde in Cancer, the sign of its detriment rending it ineffective. If you can imagine David Goggins doing water aerobics in a 13 ft. deep pool in the dark--he's going nowhere slowly. But at least he's working out? Mars stations direct (but "stays still") on Sunday, February 23rd until April 18th, which should feel less restrictive. Mercury trines Mars on the same day, so perhaps you have processed or understood something completely. Keep learning, planning, testing, and resting...until the spring. Like nature. Start your thing after mid-April, if you can.

From February 18 - March 20, the Sun brings us into Pisces season, more watery characteristics, which invite us into flow and faith, unboundedness in our emotions. Mercury is also in its detriment in Pisces from February 14 - March 3rd, which means some difficulty discerning emotions from logic. An ideal time to learn some emotional intelligence from Feel-Wise (Hi, Tina!).

The Moon in watery Scorpio adds to the emotional soup, making a grand watery trine with Mars in Cancer and the Sun & Mercury in Pisces. Feel your feelings if you can. They might point you to a better direction. Wait until Thursday when Mercury squares Jupiter (both in detriment, but in mutual reception, which means they're each in the sign the other rules over) and perhaps ideas will become more clear and better communicated.

Venus is about to retrograde in the sign of her detriment in Aries. Careful about over-spending or launching a new business or project that seems emotionally, competitively exciting. The timing and your efforts may feel a bit frustrating.

Things To Maybe Do (Or Not):

1. Drink water, add lemon and a bit of Himalayan salt to replenish the minerals we filter out.
2. Prioritize rest, even if it's to stare out the window for a while.
3. If you have a meditation or mindfulness practice, schedule it in.
4. Listen for curiosity and see where it takes you. Don't ignore it or put it off. Your muse is waiting.
5. Learn a new skill. This includes whistling, watercolors, face yoga, pluralist economics, how to understand stories, or knitting.
6. Meet with friends and talk about the hard stuff. Or sit in silence. Resist lightening the mood or trying to make people feel better when they just want to be seen in their experience. That's more about your own discomfort in seeing someone sad. In these times it can feel like gaslighting or being "tone deaf," even if you don't mean to. (Gabe was my best teacher here.)
7. Stretch, dance to your favorite music, go for a walk--move. When anxiety builds up, move it out.
8. Meet with your mentor, coach, teacher, guide, counselor, therapist, or guru. shift your perspective and add some tools to your toolbox.
9. Tell others about a friend's project, mission, creation, and form networks of support for one another's works or businesses. (Thanks, Wendy Colonna and your Mojo Tracks.)
10. Invest in what you want to see more of in the world. 80/20: 80% educating others, making things, helping out, buying local, and 20% ranting and sharing scary news with the intention of awareness.

Let me know what you are doing when you don't know what to do.

The Medicine in Our Narratives

One thing I have committed to doing is planning a gathering to ease our hearts on sacred land under a benefic sky. It is my activism through art and expression, a way for us to connect with the virtues, values, and wisdom in myths as a salve for these times. I have chosen to focus on the myths of the first four asteroid goddesses found in the early 1800s: Ceres, Pallas Athene, Juno, and Vesta. In these archetypal figures, we find the enduring stories of Persephone, Medusa, Flora and Io, and the Vestal Virgins. For centuries, astrology's only feminine "planets" were the Moon (mother) and Venus (maiden). But with the discovery of these asteroids, the roles and capabilities of women expanded. Men were greatly changed, too.

Please join Joi Chevalier of The Cook's Nook and me on Friday, February 28th from 5 - 9 p.m. to view the night sky through an electronically-assisted telescope and Joi's in-depth knowledge of astronomy. We'll get oriented and learn the science of celestial navigation, history, and identification. Inside, we'll gather for a nourishing dinner and discuss the layers of myths and the wisdom we can integrate into our own lives. We hope to provide comfort and hope, creativity and inspiration within community. It is held at Ruby Retreats on a 100-acre private ranch in Wimberley, TX with an expansive view of the heavens.

What to Expect

• Expert guidance from both astronomical and astrological perspectives
• Electronically-assisted telescope viewing sessions
• Traditional storytelling and myth exploration
• Community connection over shared meals
• Optional overnight intensive including morning yoga and deeper program exploration

Nervous System Reset

We have such a beautiful group of friends who come to the Kripalu Gentle Yoga & Sound Bath classes I lead on Sunday evenings from 6-7 p.m. at the gorgeous Yoga Common. Please join us in breathing, moving, and resting in the resonance of healing instruments. You'll be treated to some of the most stunning sunsets just before savasana.

On My Nightstand

My teacher John Vervaeke, PhD's new book is out: "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis: Book One Origins." If you're not familiar with his YouTube series (50 episodes) on the Awakening from the Meaning Crisis, it is quite the opus that got me through the global shutdown. Dr. Vervaeke is an award-winning professor at the University of Toronto in the departments of psychology, cognitive science, and Buddhist psychology. You can practice with him at Awaken to Meaning, which he calls the "dojo" for a cultivation of wisdom.

Nothing has so changed my perspective on markets and the economy like Yanis Varoufakis and his book, "Talking to My Daughter About the Economy or, How Capitalism Works--and How It Fails." Yanis is an economist, the former Greek Minister of Finance, and the Secretary-General of Democracy in Europe Movement 2025. In the attempt to seek truth in this environment, I am looking at all facets of economics. This small book uses story and myth to explain the complex topics to his daughter.

And I am pondering the quote: "Truth is less about evidence, but more about relevance." So let's define it as "orientation."

Spread for the Week

21. Tiny Triumphs - The belief and power of persistence. This card urges us to believe in ourselves. Inner size is what matters. Don't give up now, you'll triumph in the end. So even though Mars isn't in its fullest expression, those of us doing the inner work, the learning, and preparing will see the fruits of our efforts. The second half of the year looks markedly different from the first half. Take heart.

50. The Observer - Patience and awareness. We don't know how long this woman has been waiting for the perfect shot, but she's focused until the decisive moment presents itself. There is commitment to the craft as well as calmness. Living in the present she isn't easily distracted. Watch and listen.

Day & Night - Uncertainty, fear, and worries. Many of us struggle with making decisions, but where there is shadow, there is light. After a dark night, there is the morning sunrise warming the path in front of us. We have the answers in our hands. Trusting our inner judgment allows us to handle any situation. I have been doing small tests of trust, including being accidentally given things for free, and returning to the store or cafe and paying for the items when I realized it. I'm building trust within myself.

Schedule a session if you'd like some guidance through astrology, Human Design, Tarot, or sacred strategy.

Thank you for reading this far and for your continued support of my work.

Take care,

Monica

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