The Hit List - Penmanship Pals

Once upon a time, in a classroom long ago, I managed to get an A on penmanship. In fact, this was a regular occurrence for me. I took pride in my handwriting back then. But over the years, after way too many hours spent on a computer, my cursive is cursed.

Instead of the perfectly straight lines and gorgeous curls that once adorned my letters, now it’s chicken scratch, legible and perhaps better than most, but still not what it once was. I’m faster on the computer too which makes me less likely to want to write in longhand like fellow authors Rachel Pollack and Briana Saussy (how do they do it?). This is how I write all my stuff because frankly, it would take too long and be too hard to read the other way. Weirdly, I also make spelling mistakes when I write longhand. What’s up with that?

They say you lose a skill if you don’t use it. Have we gotten so dependent on texting and typing that we are all doomed to ugly penmanship? Is the art of the signature lost forever?

I’ve been thinking about that a lot. I also wonder what graphologists, those who study handwriting, have to think about this. If we all have shitty penmanship, does that mean we’re all getting some sort of depressing diagnosis?

Years ago, I visited a graphologist at a fair with my children. As she analyzed their handwriting, she talked about insecurity and things that were typical of children. Meanwhile, I was getting busy – taking my time to deliver the most perfect script she was ever going to see. (I also knew enough about graphology to be dangerous!)

As she peered at my writing, she gasped. “I have never seen someone with such handwriting! You really have your act together. There is nothing wrong with you! WOW.” I grinned at my children and laughed as we walked out. My gorgeous penmanship coupled with the little bit I knew about handwriting analysis worked in my favor!

But those days are long gone. My arthritis and too much time on the computer sealed that fate.

So I’ve started writing more letters. Postcards, short notes, and the like. I even have an official pen pal! It’s a way to keep in touch but also to practice writing again. Because computers be damned, I still want to preserve (and improve) the art of cursive script. I’m not sure if I will ever be as fancy (or graphology-awesome) as I was back in the day. But hey as the say goes: if you don’t use it, you lose it.

The view outside.

Other stuff:

In one of my fave conversations ever, I chat with Queer Cosmos author (and fellow Gemini) Colin Bedell about astrology for the LBGTQ+ community.

This is the most messed-up story: The Stolen Kids of Sarah Lawrence What happened to the group of bright college students who fell under the sway of a classmate’s father?

3 Tarot Cards That Mean A Breakup Is Coming, So Watch Out.

Ya to this: The Guerrilla Feminists Papering Paris at Night.

Holy shit Tim Ferriss shares this: 11 Reasons Not to Become Famous (or “A Few Lessons Learned Since 2007”)

Another great post from Christiana Gaudet: Are They Cheating? Handling the Tarot Reader’s Dilemma.

I love anything from Mecca Woods: 13 Celebrity Couples With Compatible Zodiac Signs, According To An Astrologer.

Here’s Exactly What Needs To Happen So The ERA Doesn’t Become DOA.

Good to know: How Mercury Retrograde Winter 2020 Will Affect Your Valentine’s Day Weekend Plans.

Look at these dancing bear cubs!

True: these dog’s beauty routines are better than yours.

Saline High School Students Are Demanding Racial Justice After a Racist Incident on Snapchat.

Erin Aquarian joins me again to talk about Tarot for Initiation.

Book Riot goes cosmic with this geeky tarot art.

Sexy AF: The Best Sexy Lingerie, According to 5 Burlesque Artists.

I’ve started a Patreon account! Yay! This will be my online hub for extended Card of the Day posts, political astrology, and teaching/mentoring. Learn more and join up here.

Meanwhile over at Allure: Everything I Learned About Love When Astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo Read My Birth Chart.

Mars In Capricorn Wants You To Achieve Your Goals.

From Refinery29: Everything you need to know about the 2020 Election.

Mantis Tarot has a book coming out next month: Truly Easy Tarot: Simple Readings and Practical Teachings!

Check out Elemental Power Tarot from Melinda Lee Holm. It drops this fall!

At the top of my Wish List is this book from Sarah Faith Gottessdeiner: The Moon Book: Lunar Magic to Change Your Life.

I’ve been hearing a lot about this book: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.

I need this book: The Power of Agency: The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms.

Color your way through the tarot deck and learn to read those cards with The Tarot Coloring Book!

Tarot For Troubled Times is not just another tarot book. It’s a manual for self-care and social justice.

Get the cosmos know-how with Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious). It’s been helping everyday folks learn how to navigate their natal charts!

Events:

April 24-26, 2020: Readers Studio. I’m a main stage presenter at the annual Readers Studio Tarot Conference in New York, the biggest tarot conference in the world. Join me and other world-class instructors for a weekend of tarot goodness!

May 10-16, 2020: The Tuscany Tarot Intensive. Where: Italy! A full week of tarot immersion. Great food, killer lessons, awesome people – gorgeous location! One seat left! SALE! Use code LOVE300 and save $300! (Couples save $600.)

August 30, 2020: Brushes and Stars. Where: Oakland, California. A full-day of astrology and intuitive painting – and yummy food! Join me and Chris Zydel for a joyful, astrology-inspired intuitive painting experience.