There are some books that demand your attention. That ask to be read slowly, as you mull over the words, and in that slowing down, connections are made — to thoughts that have been hidden away in the dusty corners of your mind, to ideas gleaned from other books, other sources.
When books like these come along, you no longer care about meeting arbitrary reading goals or worry that you’ve fallen behind in your reading. You just immerse yourself in the words and ideas in front of you, and let everything else fall away.
Time flies when you’re having fun! And boy, am I having fun with my 100 day project — 100 days of art journaling — especially since it’s a low-pressure commitment to show up at the painty table for a minimum of 15 minutes every day. Many days, I end up spending a lot longer, as I fling paint around and make glorious messes…or rather paintings…in my art journal.
Plus an astro-tarot forecast, journaling prompts, and Womanrunes reading for the Virgo lunar eclipse + full moon.
The March 2025 lunar eclipse falls in the sign of Virgo. The Virgo archetype is logical and practical, with an eye for detail and the steadfastness to go after their goals. This is a sign that thrives on meticulous planning, on honing skills to perfection and gaining mastery over their chosen vocation.
Spiritually, the Virgo archetype teaches the principle of devotion. One way to understand this principle is by looking at it through the lens of one’s devotion to their craft. While all the buzz seems to point towards profiting from your passion, there are numerous examples of famous writers and artists who held down a day job for most of their lives. Franz Kafka was an insurance clerk, Harper Lee was an airline ticketing agent, Mark Rothko was an elementary school teacher and Paul Gauguin was a stockbroker. They could all have given in to the dull drudgery of making a living, but they didn’t — and the world is much richer for their devotion to their craft.
For the 100 Day Project 2025, my aim is to show up and work in my art journals for 100 days. I’m less concerned with creating 100 art journal spreads and more concerned with showing up to the painty table for a minimum of 15 minutes every day.
In years past, I’ve given myself the grace to take breaks. This year, I want to see if I can maintain a 100 day streak, though I won’t beat myself up if I do take a break. Life happens, and I am not interested in what I call the “girl-boss” version of creative practice.
In recent months, I’ve felt a bit disconnected from my art practice. The urgency I used to feel to create when I was still working my 9 to 5 job is missing. I have spent time at the painty table, of course, but it’s more sporadic than what it used to be.
One of the reasons for this lack of urgency to paint is, I think, the dramatic reduction in my stress levels. Art was my way of destressing after a crazily insane work day. Another reason is because I’m in a different creative season, with my writing currently in the driver’s seat.
Plus an astro-tarot forecast, journal prompts, and herbal lore for the 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.
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.
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.
Plus an astro-tarot forecast, journaling prompts, and Womanrunes reading for the Leo full moon.
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.
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.
