Uranus and Jupiter conjoin in Taurus
Embracing the Analog Renaissance: Rediscovering Joy in Offline Living
I adore the art of penning thoughts into notebooks. The satisfying click of a film camera, the ritual of processing film, and the joy of holding a stack of photographs that unfold memories one by one bring me immense delight. Thrifting is a passion of mine – discovering little treasures that were once loved, unloved, or deemed too precious to be loved. The act of cooking is another love of mine, whether it's for friends, acquaintances, or strangers. The sensation of a knife slicing through an onion, cheese, or butter, accompanied by the smooth and sharp feedback of culinary creation, is truly gratifying. I revel in the glide of my paintbrush against canvas, watching colors unfurl into vibrant representations of flowers, people, birds, and music. Nature beckons me outside, and I cherish the beauty that surrounds me.
Yet, my upbringing on AOL, MTV, MySpace, Facebook, and internet games has woven a strong connection to the online world throughout my childhood. Despite my love for tangible hobbies and the reality they offer, the allure of the digital portal has kept me captivated. Even now, as you read this, the product of my words exists online, requiring an online presence for our connection to unfold, bolstered by the para-social relationship embedded in it.
One of my cherished Substack subscriptions Offline Time which explores what it means “to find community and like-minded people who also want to live a life less online.” Recently, upon rejoining Instagram after a hiatus, I felt an immediate sense of unease – a realization that I shouldn't be here. The constant influx of moving pictures and trending songs created a vortex, distracting me from being present with my daughter and myself. I recognize the distraction posed by both my trauma-doused body and my social media addiction, and I aim to shift my focus back to the beauty of life.
My vision for this year includes spending more time immersed in my life. I plan to host in-person events like Venus Return, scheduled for late February or early March. Additionally, partnerships within a therapy and somatic healing practice will be announced in April or May, offering early access and discounts to Paid subscribers. However, this commitment also entails being more present in my life and reducing time spent online. My plan is to bid farewell to Instagram this year and invest more time in hobbies and skill-building. I aspire to learn from books rather than relying extensively on omnipresent Google.
Astrologically, a significant influence awaits as Uranus and Jupiter conjoin in Taurus in April. This rare conjunction, occurring once every fourteen years, is poised to bring about transformative changes. As we approach this cosmic event, a resolute call for liberation and freedom, encompassing sunny afternoons and lush adventures, emerges. Simultaneously, it seeks to alter the way we inhabit our bodies.
This Uranus and Jupiter conjunction happens every fourteen years; the last occurring in 2010 in Aries. There is a rupture concocting in this for us all. “It’s the kind of conjunction that says let’s rearrange all the furniture or better yet scrap it all!” says Fredrick Woodruff. In 2010 when this conjunction occurred in Aries it was explosive there were massive earthquakes, miners stuck underground (twice in two different countries), tsunamis, and let’s not forget the oh so regrettable global #1 hit Dynamite by Taio Cruiz 🫣
For me, this celestial alignment holds personal significance as it interacts with my natal Sun in Taurus residing in my 12th house – a realm representing the hidden, the occult, the taboo, and the elder in the cave. It is the least favorable position for a natal Sun to sit in. I anticipate that as these celestial freedom fighters exert their influence, dormant aspects, hidden truths, and lost fragments of myself will be rediscovered in unexpected and life-altering ways. As spring unfolds, increased presence in my daily life, coupled with an acute awareness of subtleties, will become a vital practice as my life undergoes a transformative journey.
10 offline activities in the last 30 days…
I want to know, too, about your offline life. What are you doing this week that brings to life or takes you more offline? Leave a comment with what you’re doing in your offline time.
1. Set up our second home as an Airbnb and retreat center
Cody and I spent the last week loading furniture, lamps, art, and kitchen supplies into a uhaul and arranging it in our second home to use as an Airbnb. We had fun and some stress. I broke a piece of art and we found a thrill in setting it all in place. We plan to host retreats at least three times from the house as well.
2. I got a disposable film camera
One of those yellow cameras that you wind up and send off. I’ve taken a few pictures of our baby playing in her first snow. I am trying to not make the photos I take too “precious” and end up not using it. I can’t wait to see these images later. But somehow slowing down and taking these pictures through a lens rather than my phone has made these few “images” more memorable than the thousands since she was born.
3. I made homemade pasta sauce with mushrooms, spinach, and olives
I much prefer to make my own tomato sauce as it is also a great tomato soup. It’s like a two-in-one of satisfaction on taste and texture. I like to add a tsp or two of balsamic vinegar (and a tbsp of sugar) to it to make it pop. I learned this trick from watching The Sopranos.
4. I shared snacks with my daughter
And we didn’t do anything else. She sat in my lap in a rocking chair. She had my full attention. I shared with her bits of trail mix which she then would share with me. We did this over and over until the whole bag was almost gone.
5. I signed up for an 11k in Tahoe, California
I’ve never run more than three miles and that accomplishment was only met two weeks ago. It took me sixty minutes. The race is in July. Cody is doing an extreme uphill challenge and I will be skirting through up and downs for just over six miles. Our races are on different days. I am both excited to prepare for the challenge and a bit wary of how the day will actually go. It feels a lot like preparing for birth. There’s both a responsibility to show up with everything I’ve got and a surrender to the process.
Also, this is going to be an amazing place to visit!!
6. I did not renew my Zoom account
I use Zoom for a lot of my professional calls but it was going to be $192.00 to renew for the year and frankly I just can’t spare the cost. And since I want to be serving people more in person it didn’t seem like a worthy use of my finances.
7. I got bangs!
And I look good! Looking at myself in the mirror makes me smile. I trimmed them up yesterday I love the satisfying feel of the scissors cutting off the cuticles.
8. Ferments! Ferments! Ferments!
Three months ago I made a batch of fire cider. I took a quart over to my aunt’s house after her 17th cold of the school year. We ended up hanging out with her and her children for a little while and it was a delightful little treat. My uncle later texted me to say how good it was and that he would be making a bucket of it later. I also made kimchi one batch of which I did not put in an airtight container and the top portion of it molded. 😅 Lesson learned for really good ferments: let it age in an airtight container. Do not stick your dirty fingers in it either. Always use a utensil and only use it once per stick in the jar.
9. I started reading Ender’s Game
oh! The introduction hit me like an arrow to the chest. I will be absolutely writing from some of the points Orson Scott Card makes in just the introduction. He makes points about the personhood of children, the offensive oppression of adults, and how we are afraid of losing our power (but power simply a profession of needless complexity). I’d quote it directly but as I type this baby is fast asleep on my chest and we are on the couch and I loathe to awaken her for a quote so we will compromise with a synopsis from my memory. I read three chapters last night. I am hooked. I keep resisting sci-fi stories as if it won’t be something I like or enjoy but then every time I give one a chance I am into it.
10. All my clients were not built from online relationships…
Oh? This is a new realization. Literally everyone I’ve ever worked with was because of relationships I built in real life. Yes, I was able to stay connected to people using IG and TikTok but it wasn’t those platforms that sold people on what I had to offer it was the rapport and the relationships in person, offline that propels these experiences forward. I have spent the last four years thinking I would be able to reach more people and build a better business by investing in my online presence but not a single bit of that investment has paid off. It is 100% my in person ventures what has made my business practice work.