Lunar Life

I originally wrote this on May 3rd, 2020. I was living in Flagstaff, Arizona – I was about to launch Co-creating with the Cosmos as an in-person class when the pandemic had other plans. 

At the end of August 2026, Jupiter and Saturn are having their opening trine since their conjunction on December 21, 2020 at 0 degrees Aquarius. I’m looking back – what seeds were planted in 2020 that may have relevance now? 

Over the last few days, I’ve been writing an article about my upcoming class, Co-Creating with the Cosmos. Writing the article has me looking at the influence of astrology in my life. Some of the clearest benefits for me have been in the embodiment and expression of emotions, understanding and compassion for myself and humanity, and affirmation that we are all connected.

In my twenties, I began researching moon cycles in particular. This dance with the moon has been personally empowering,  and a gateway to understanding myself, culture, and larger cosmic cycles.

The gift I have received from twenty-five-plus years of lunar focus is the depth in which I am able to be grounded in self-expression. I am still learning, still going deeper – through astrology, yoga, writing, art and music making, being in nature, relating and connecting with others, meditation, and teaching.

I’ve been aware of my propensity to dissociate since I was young. I knew I grew up in an abusive situation, and continued to relive abuse in my relationships as an adult. I was distrusting of my own feelings and vulnerability – and I still need space and time alone to check in with myself.

It wasn’t until the last couple of years that I came to terms with how severe the abuse was – partly through an astrological cycle called the Chiron return – and partly because I took a deep look at beliefs and behaviors that had been keeping me from the life and love I longed for. I took on the task of changing those beliefs and behaviors. So much healing has happened for me, and I know there is much more to go. I am trusting and enjoying the dance of not-knowing, possibility, and new experiences.

I had to imagine and step into the unknown to move into a happier, more creative, more embodied, sustainable life. I knew exactly what I wanted when I was a child, and I couldn’t wait to be an adult so I could “get away” and be all that I could be. Thing was, in the meantime, I came up with coping mechanisms that at once kept me safe, and also kept me small.

So here I am, growing and learning how to live, day by day, experiencing and allowing small miracles to shape my life. I am grateful for my experiences, and curious to see what this constant unfolding reveals.

I wrote the poem below when I was in my mid-twenties (mid-1990s). I had a very hard time expressing uncomfortable emotions. If I sensed any danger, I had the distinct feeling of hands closing over my throat, shutting off my ability to speak. In moments of overwhelm, anxiety, embarrassment or humiliation, I would just take off, leave my body, often watching the situation from above or behind.

Writing was a way to help me anchor back in to myself. This poem describes me observing myself having an out-of-body experience while walking down Avenue A in the East Village, New York City.

I am a far more grounded and down-to-earth person today.

Where Asteroids Come From

Today
as I walked
down
the street
I found myself
lifting off, floating in
space—
my body
dis-
membered
but
hanging by
twine.
A piece of ham, a tad of T-bone.
A heart-ache, a tooth-ache
glazed
and
clove-pricked.

Originally posted May 3rd, 2020
Flagstaff, AZ

re-posted: August 9th, 2026
Hudson Valley, NY

image: Snapshot of me as a very young woman – early on my metaphysical journey – sitting by a friend’s altar. San Francisco,  circa 1991, snapshot by Jason Keene.