Happy 2024, bb!
The back to school vibes are undeniable this week, and yes, thereās an astrological reason why. Thereās a momentum this January that was decidedly missing the last two years. 2022 began with Venus deep in her retrograde era, and 2023 began at the tail end of a burnout-central Mars retrograde. This is the first year since 2021 (and do any of us count 2021 as a real year?) to begin with things moving forward. As the kids say, weāre so back.
I personally want to use this ~weāre so back~ energy to announce whatās coming for moon missives this year.Ā
2023 felt like an in-between year for moon missives. Those of you who have been along for the entire ride know how many nuanced forms this project has taken since its inception in 2016. Launched on a Gemini New Moon in the midst of a year-defining mutable grand cross, this newsletter was never going to be one thing. Like famous Gemini Walt Whitman, it contains multitudes, and like other famous Gemini Bob Dylan, it canāt be pinned down. One could say itās not there. Not fixed, but kaleidoscopic. In 2023, I admittedly went in without a plan and thank all of you for sticking around for the experiment. 2023 led to a weekly forecast pod, a series on Venus retrograde, and my continued struggle to make horoscopes work. We learned a lot in 2023. But now itās time to move on!!!
For 2024, weāre going in with a plan!
I think whatās always bothered me about horoscope-based astrology writing is that itās telling, not showing. Just like food writing can be about more than recipes1, I think astrology writing can be about more than horoscopes. Or at least, Iām more interested in astrology writing thatās about more than horoscopes. Iām interested in astrology thatās less about the individual and more about the collective. Through my practice, I want to help you notice symbols rather than seek answers. Iām interested in astrology writing thatās personal, cultural, political and relational. And yes, you can put all that stuff in a horoscope. But the form is limiting. moon missives in 2024 will be for astrology writing that doesnāt tell the future, but shows the way. It will be for astrology writing that speaks to living astrologically. I want to feel less like the stars have me on a deadline. Time and transits are going to be fluid here, ok?Ā It will be more fun. For me and for you.
So whatās the plan?
Every month, all will receive in their inbox:
for the new moon: guides to living life astrologically (i.e. living by the moonās phases, annual profections, and tracking Venus cycles.) New moons are reflective and these will have more utility.
for the full moon: an essay on pop culture through an astrological lens. Full moons are culminations and these will be more vibrant and loud.
paid subscribers will receive in their inbox:Ā
the monthly forecast: embodied vibe folder featuring a book of the month, a watch of the month, important transits, auspicious dates, tarot pulls, playlists, and cultural energies to channel
an essay about my personal astrology and divinationĀ practice (think of this as part essay/part memoir/part blogging/part eavesdropping)Ā
OR an essay on one of the yearās major transits through a cultural and historical lens (think of this as a vibe folder of compiled research and paths of continued inquiry)
The plan for January is:Ā
January Forecast (hitting inboxes tomorrow am for paid subscribers, and yes, in the future, you can expect this on the 1st ā Mercury was retrograde, ok?)
On Living By The Moon - a guide to living by the moonās phases (hitting inboxes around the New Moon in Capricorn)
On Pluto in Aquarius (hitting inboxes for paid subscribers around January 20th when Pluto ingresses)
An essay on the astrology of Sex and the City (with a focus on Season 4 when the girlies all turn 35 and each have a personal dark night of the soul) (because, well, Iām turning 35 this year) (hitting inboxes around the Full Moon in Leo)
In celebration of this not quite a relaunch, Iām putting paid subscriptions on sale for the month of January! Monthly subscriptions for $5 and Annual subscriptions for $50 (thatās, like, $4.16 per month. so way cheaper than the last thing you bought at a coffee shop.)
I look forward to going on a journey with you this year. Let me know what youāre excited for in 2024!
xo, Jaime
shoutout to Alicia Kennedyāwhose Substack is one of my favesāfor getting my brain turning about this recently!!!
When the architect here is having fun, I know I will too. Loved last year's moon missives. Love the podcast.