the writer's week ahead 2.4.24-2.10.24

with some spicy housekeeping

There is some quite literal housekeeping here at the top — very fitting with us being in a waning lunar cycle leading up to the New Moon later this week. 

But these are some less pleasant boundaries that, unfortunately, need to be publicly addressed. 

First, I’ve unfortunately had to turn off folks’ ability to reply via email to the newsletter. Which is to say, if you reply to newsletters over email, I’m no longer receiving them and haven’t been for over a week or so. I am choosing to look at it as a win that I was able to keep that feature “on” for five whole years before it reached a tipping point. But this is one of those cases of the few ruining it for the many. 

I like being in conversation with folks. I like getting to talk to readers about more private matters they’d rather not share in comments. I even like getting to dialogue with folks who have constructive criticism and different interpretations than I do! But I have hit my limit in terms of the absolutely unnecessary fuckshit I can tolerate in my inbox every week. So unfortunately, that season of good faith dialoguing has come to a close. I appreciate everyone who has sent kind notes and corrections over the years. You can still send them to me at my regular email, jeannakadlecauthor [at] gmail [dot] com; I just will be a lot slower to respond.

Second. While paid subscribers are welcome to cancel your subscription at any time, obviously!, please note that the newsletter is not refundable for previous months for which you have enjoyed a paid subscription. If you bought an annual subscription, much like you would anywhere else, it is not refundable (and, broken down, was already at a significantly reduced monthly rate). At the risk of being flip, this policy is pretty standard. For the fine print folks, it’s also spelled out in the Housekeeping section of the About page. 

I’m also sorry to have to spend time clarifying these things which don’t apply to the vast majority of you. Thanks for bearing with me. Those of you who rock with me: thank you for rocking with me. 

In gratitude, I’m making this week ahead free for everyone. (Although if you’d like to subscribe, the annual sale is still on.)

all times are eastern

Monday, February 5th

12:10am: Mercury enters Aquarius

Ideas finally start coming faster. In innovative Aquarius, the planet of communication and the patron of writers likes to challenge us to think outside the box, to test what we think we know about our processes. Aquarius is sometimes thought of as a weirdo, but it’s still a Saturn-ruled sign: this is all about knowing the rules so we can better break them. Mercury would sincerely like to invite you to throw the rules from your creative writing classes out the window and experiment with what feels good to you. 

If you want to read writers who are/were Mercury in Aquarius natives during these next few weeks, pick up some Toni Morrison, Virginia Woolf, Amy Tan, or Judith Butler. 

7:57am: Mercury in Aquarius conjunct Pluto in Aquarius (0*)

What secrets are coming to light? What revelations — from your own psyche, or from those close to you — are newly rocking your world, pushing you to strip away the dross and pursue integrity? What depths are you confronting? 

Consider how intertwined these planets are, mythologically. Mercury/Hermes is the guide who ferries the dead to Pluto/Hades. What does it mean, then, for Mercury to bring us messages from the underworld of ourselves?

Souls on the Banks of the Acheron b. Adolf Hirémy-Hirschl, 1898

Throughout Pluto’s transit through Aquarius, psychopomp Mercury will descend to the depths again and again, bringing up the bones. Look at this, Mercury will ask all of us, on micro and macro, personal and collective levels, a few times a year. Examine this. What does this do to your conception of yourself, of your family, of society? 

How will this information change your actions and ideas, moving forward? 

Wednesday, February 7

4:25pm: Venus in Capricorn trine Uranus in Taurus (19*)

Today marks an opportunity for new aesthetic and artistic interventions. Venus is the artist, Uranus the rebel, put them together, and you get some new style. In earth signs, this looks like practical magic — eco-friendly material, perhaps? Or sustainable sourcing? Whatever the case, this is helpful energy for channeling some inspiration for the more stagnant parts of the work. 

7:19pm: Mars in Capricorn sextile Neptune in Pisces (25*)

Give in to the urge to unwind. Infuse that Martian ambition with some Neptunian dreaminess. Go for a walk on the beach, or for a swim. Work on experimental fiction that’s just for you.

Thursday, February 8

5:45am: Sun in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus (19*)

Today may yield an innovative moment — however small — that challenges your vision or sense of life purpose. Whether this relates to how you see yourself, your relationships, your work, or something else entirely, even an infinitesimal shift can set off a butterfly effect. 

Saturday, February 10

8:25am: Mercury in Aquarius square Jupiter in Taurus (8*)

We have big ideas, but are perhaps challenged in our execution of them. This morning, Jupiter wants to go big, but Mercury reminds us that the crossing off of bullet points over time leads to success. This is a temporary hiccup or disappointment in the overall plan — even if the setback is simply our own disappointment in our writing pace or attitude that is in sore need of adjustment. You have the whole weekend (and year!) ahead of you. Slow and steady wins the race. 

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