Hello all and welcome to Pisces season!

(And, sorry this one is so late, there’s a ton going on in March - if you haven’t heard, 2025 is an active year astrologically)

I was not paying attention and didn’t realize Pisces actually floated in on February 18th (how Pisces of me), and we’re in Pisces season until the Spring Equinox on March 20th (also the beginning of Aries season)

As it’s Pisces season, it’s time to get dreamy. Yes, the world (or, feels like it at least) is going to hell, so I’d like to suggest some Metta Meditation to undertake during Pisces season (and possibly the next several years). Pisces is associated with compassion and empathy, so I definitely recommend a Metta practice during this time when it feels like compassion is lacking in the world out there. I like the teachings of Sharon Salzberg, here's a link to a video outlining how to do it.

Pisces can be watery and represents that feeling of boundarylessness. I associate it with that particular religious feeling (or knowing) that we’re all inextricably connected.

. . . . but I’m also here to remind you that we live in a world in which we need our ego to function in society, so don’t go all boundaryless on me. And you wouldn’t want to, with all the changes coming our way (astrologically) in March.

We’ve got Venus Retrograde coming up March 1st, Mercury Retrograde March 14th, and Eclipse season begins on March 13th with a lunar eclipse in Virgo, and then the Spring Equinox on March 20th.

Astrology for creatives:

Venus Rx: March 1st - April 12th. Venus is going retrograde in Aries on March 1st. Aries is not a sign she’s considered “strong” in though I’ve been getting a warrior princess vibe from this transit. Venus will also move into Pisces towards the end of this transit (where she is in her exaltation). Personally, I’ve often had pretty tame Venus retrogrades, usually it’s just hearing from and reconnecting with old friends, maybe some lovers. However, Venus retrograde is not a time to mess with anything having to do with personal style - so it’s not a great time to get a haircut, plastic surgery, or drastically change your looks.

This would be a good time to work on protest art. And also if you’re a fantasy or adventure writer, this might be a good time to do some rewriting (more on this below).

Lunar eclipse in Virgo: March 13th, if you’re like me and you get all tired around the Full Moon, definitely plan to relax around this time. Also, just to note, this eclipse is happening in Virgo, which is a sign ruled by Mercury and associated with writing. A lunar eclipse is a good time to shed bad habits - do you have any (writing) habits that are no longer serving you? You could simply journal on this, or do a full on banishing ritual, or just do nothing because eclipse season makes everything wonky.

Mercury Rx: March 14th - April 7th, during this retrograde Mercury will be going from Aries into Pisces (similar to the trajectory of Venus Rx). Just a quick note to remind you that Mercury rules Virgo, where the eclipse is happening, so there might be a spotlight (and recombination) on Mercurial things: how we communicate, how we think, how we write.

Mars Rx: officially over since February 23rd, but moving ssslllllooooowwwwlllllyyyyy so, yeah, Mars ain’t exactly done with us yet. I got a real “clearing of the decks” from this transit, especially around money (Mars was transiting my 8th house of other people’s money) anyone else? As Mars has to do with war and such, I wonder about the wars going on . . .

All this is to say, that with all these retrogrades, March would be a good time to work on rewrites, reviews, re-edits. Look over past work and ideas, can something more be brought out that you missed before? With the retrogrades in Aries and Pisces, you might want to review how the hero’s journey (Aries) is reflected in your manuscript; or if you work in the fantasy genre (Pisces), you can review your world building. As Venus is retrograde, of course, this would be a good time to look at the romance, beauty, and poetry in your drafts. Zero in on your femme leaning or female heroines.

Pisces season book recommendation:

Piranesi - Susanna Clarke

Have you already read this? I honestly think I might be the last person on earth who hadn’t read this. Anyways, if you haven’t, Pisces season is the perfect time to delve in. And if you have, maybe re-read it? I avoided this one for awhile, just because I saw it everywhere, and while the cover was intriguing (gotta love a satyr) I kind of just avoided it.

. . . and now I’m recommending it, so, I’ll say, I’m a fan!

This is about a man who lives in a large house of various hallways, there are interesting statues and an ocean that comes into the hallways. There are some bones there, of previous occupants, and there is one other man called The Other, though the protagonist only sees this man every other week or so. Also, The Other is pretty rude and dismissive. The plot revolves around the main character, Piranesi, figuring out how he ended up in this strange house. This book fits solidly in the portal fantasy genre (I think), or you could maybe read this as a metaphor for mental health and the ways in which our brains jail us. Maybe.

Reading this book is like entering a dreamscape, or some other dimension for sure. It’s a short and quick read, so why not use it to escape for a bit?

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​Announcements:

• !!BIG NEWS:: My Website:I have a new website domain, and I am trying to update my website on the regular. You can find me here now: alchemyandwriting.com - Let me know what you think, I'm trying to make it more user friendly.
• I just joined BlueSky! Are you on there too? Join me if you like: @demelzach.bsky.social
• Office Hours is still going on. If you want to talk, find me here most Thursdays 3-5pm PST: office hours
• Erin’s AMA : ADHD AMA for writers and creatives, Erin answers your questions! I highly recommend this if you feel you need writing guidance, or want to talk about the creative process, even if you don’t identify as “neuro-spicy.” Erin’s incredibly kind and knowledgeable. Donation based! The next one is Friday, March 14th. Here’s the link to sign up or learn more.
• Writing Coven: don’t forget the writing coven meets Fridays 3-5pm PST/ 6-8pm EST. We're going most Fridays in March, but I'll likely cancel March 28th (spring break). If you’re interested in joining just email me and I’ll add you to the email list. Open to all writers and creatives searching for community and accountability! We meet on zoom, talk about life and what we’re working on, then get to work for at least an hour or so.

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And that's it for this month! Stay safe out there!

Best,

Demelza