February 2025: Tarot spread for the new moon in Pisces

Plus an astro-tarot forecast, journal prompts, and herbal lore for the new moon in Pisces.

Tarot spread and astro-tarot forecast for the February 2025 new moon in Pisces

The February 2025 new moon falls in the sign of Pisces. The Pisces archetype is highly intuitive and very open to the flow of creative imagination. This is the sign of creative dreamers and mystics and visionaries, which makes this new moon an excellent time to flex your intuitive and creative muscles.

Spiritually, the Pisces archetype teaches the principle of unity, of recognizing the divinity within you. One way to understand this principle is by looking at creation – the creator {God, Universe, Source, however you wish to name it} created this earth, the rivers and seas, the trees, birds, insects, animals, man. Similarly, man has the ability to create – and to create consciously. It is this ability that points to the spiritual truth of Pisces, that we are spiritual beings having a human experience {with the emphasis on our humanness in all its frailty and beauty}. It is by accepting responsibility for consciously creating – which isn’t always easy – that you connect most deeply with the creator. Needless to say, empathy and compassion are the cornerstones of the Pisces archetype.

Continue reading→

February 2025 reading wrap-up

February has been brutal on the health front. The husband and I took turns with the viral, and just as we recovered, I came down with an allergic cough from hell.

All the momentum I had gained in January came to a crashing halt. All the projects I had lined up for this month went on the backburner. Looking at my project tracking database on Notion makes me want to weep.

But, I remind myself, there’s always next month. Once I have my allergies under control, I can pick up where I left off. It’s no wonder then that it’s been a slightly slower reading month, too. I did read a few interesting books, though, including two for the Book Bingo challenge.

Continue reading→

Book review: The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez

Woman reading a book The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez book review

Manhattan, 1870. Rua’s first memory is of being trapped in an underground cave. She can’t remember anything else about who she is or where she came from. So when the wealthy Harrington family mistakes her for their missing daughter, Emma, she goes along with the charade, hoping to find answers about who she really is. As Rua struggles to find her footing with the Harrington matriarch and blunders her way through America’s elite society, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Finn, the Lord of Donore, a newcomer to Manhattan society.

Continue reading→

February 2025: Tarot spread for the full moon in Leo

Plus an astro-tarot forecast, journaling prompts, and Womanrunes reading for the Leo full moon.

Tarot spread and astro-tarot forecast for the February 2025 full moon in Leo

The February 2025 full moon falls in the sign of Leo. The bold and dynamic Leo archetype infuses us with a passionate zest for living. It is the archetype of the fiery creative who is confident and unafraid to stand in the spotlight. But this infectious dynamic can also succumb to its shadow aspects of overbearing pride, drama and arrogance.

Spiritually, the Leo archetype teaches the principle of creative manifestation. Clarity of thought and focused energy, which points to the spiritual principle that your beliefs about life tend to shape your life. You can see this spiritual principle at play with a regular gratitude practice. When you cultivate an active gratitude practice, you tend to experience a shift in your life and circumstances. And while your life may not change dramatically, your outlook to life can certainly shift.

Continue reading→

Felled by a tree

They came on their bikes and they cut down my tree¹.

Its branches couldn’t withstand the determined set of their jaw, thudding heavily to the ground as they lost the battle against the teeth of their saws.

The neighbors gathered below sounded like the Queen of Hearts shouting “off with their heads”, as they pointed at one branch and then another and said “chop it all off”.

I stood on the terrace and watched in horror, as the house in front of mine came slowly into view with every felled branch.

Continue reading→

January 2025: Tarot spread for the new moon in Aquarius

Plus an astro-tarot forecast, journal prompts, and herbal lore for the new moon in Aquarius.

Tarot spread and astro-tarot forecast for the January 2025 new moon in Aquarius

The January 2025 new moon falls in the sign of Aquarius. The independent, free-thinking Aquarius archetype encourages us to examine our inner wild self and celebrate everything that makes us unique. It is the archetype of the reformer, the idealist who strives for tolerance, unity, and a better and brighter society. And despite these rather lofty ideals, the Aquarius archetype isn’t afraid to get in there and get its hands dirty.

Spiritually, the Aquarius archetype teaches us how to be true to our own voice, to listen to and follow the calling of our own heart and soul. By learning how to tune in rather than out, by being true to the things that make us unique, we undertake the journey to individuation.

This new moon also highlights our work life. If you’re currently working, especially in a job or providing a service of some kind, take a moment to reflect on how you are feeling with regards to your work. Are you overworked? Bored and de-motivated? Thriving and striving? Pay particular attention to any feelings associated with your work life and career goals during this Aquarius new moon.

Continue reading→

January 2025 reading wrap-up

It’s a brand new year, so let’s talk goals!

I usually set a reading goal on Goodreads — my goal for this year is 40 books. It’s been set at 40 books since a couple of years, actually, even though I usually end up reading a lot more than that.

This year, I thought I’d bump that number up to 50, but I immediately felt anxious about it, so back down to 40 it went. After all, there’s no point in stressing yourself out over something that you enjoy doing!

Continue reading→

Thinking in systems: How to create daily routines for a fulfilling retirement

How to structure your perfect day when you are retired or on a sabbatical.

They say that the euphoria after retirement lasts roughly 6 months to 1 year. Then, the boredom and depression set in. Or at least that’s what an acquaintance told me recently.

Well, six months in to early retirement, and I’m still ridiculously happy, not the least bit bored, and definitely nowhere near depressed.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, though.

I’ve spent some time beating myself up for not being “productive enough”, for not working on all my projects and interests; for still feeling like I still didn’t have the time to do the things that I want to do, which is bananas!

Continue reading→

January 2025: Tarot spread for the full moon in Cancer

Plus an astro-tarot forecast, journaling prompts, and Womanrunes reading for the Cancer full moon.

Tarot spread and astro-tarot forecast for the January 2025 full moon in Cancer

The January 2025 full moon falls in the sign of Cancer. The Cancer archetype is emotional, intuitive, nurturing and healing. It also symbolizes “home” and all the things that home represents – not just our physical home, but also our emotions, energy, body, and the spiritual hearth of our souls.

Spiritually, the Cancer archetype is one of compassion, of recognizing that people, in general, act to the best of their abilities, limited by their education, upbringing and current awareness. The Cancer archetype knows that love and forgiveness, where possible, are the best way to respond to destructive behavior – along with firm boundaries, of course.

This full moon in Cancer can also usher in a new cycle of change, encouraging us to release old patterns, blocks, and goals that may be going nowhere. This energy is further amplified by the astrology around this time.

Continue reading→

The Word: 2025

Plus a reflection on last year’s word of the year

Choosing a word of the year can be an intensely transformative journey — even when you lose sight of your word, it doesn’t lose sight of you. I should know. This is, after all, my 11th year choosing a word of the year. And while there have been years when I have forgotten all about my word (I’m looking at you, 2020), that word has still, somehow, worked its magic in my life.

After all, words are spells. They have an inherent magic and power that can work in ways you may never have anticipated to bring you the exact medicine you need at any point of time. Which is why I don’t take my word of the year practice too lightly. I need to be clear on at least some aspects of what I’m drawing towards me with the word that I choose.

Continue reading→