Spirit Moves Through You

A letter for Jupiter’s ingress into Cancer, and the New Moon in Sagittarius.

Dear relatives, 

Several moon cycles have passed since I last wrote to you. How are you? I hope you are feeling held and safe, and resourced. 

Recently, I’ve been listening to the Sinners movie score and soundtrack, directed by Ryan Coogler. The music feels like a distinct character that weaves together multiple themes throughout the film. One of the opening instrumental pieces is my favorite track that introduces the film's two main characters, the Smokestack twins. 

I have a brief story to share about the night I went to see the film. Before we get there, a quick check-in: 

My break from writing to you stems from a period of deep reflection and grief—a process that I know many can relate to. In May, I participated in a month-long poetry reading and writing circle. As it turned out, the experience provided soft structure and support when I needed it most. It enabled me to connect with other artists, to share encouraging words, and to receive encouragement in return. It was good medicine. Reciprocal and rooted in care, and a love of poetry. 

This creative circle and community ushered me through one of the most challenging seasons in my life. When my mother was suddenly hospitalized, I still wrote and shared poems, and I knew my words would be held with grace. When my uncle passed away, not long after he was given a fatal diagnosis, I poured myself into a poem to honor his life and the memory of our ancestors. And, just this week, I learned of yet another death of an elder in my extended family. I’ve felt the presence of Saturn strongly these past weeks, ever aware of the thin veil between life and death. 

Still, the steadiness of daily poetry writing kept me in touch with everything as it unfolded. In their wake, these experiences led me toward reclaiming parts of myself that have been dormant for some time. The ritual of the poetic form required that I write what was most essential and honest. It proved to be a timely evocation—an invitation, really—to reignite my spiritual practice, which feels quite different after being away for so long. It’s as if I am a seed learning to unravel itself for the first time, reaching to remember the wisdom of how to become. 

Indeed, it is through poetry, as an embodied praxis, that I (re)connect with my ancestors and guides, the cosmos, and myself, again and again. 

In the last few days of the poetry writing circle, I committed to continuing the practice I had established; not just writing poetry, but sharing it. Today, I have a short astro-haiku to share in honor of Jupiter’s ingress into the sign of Cancer. First, I want to reflect on some of what we’ve experienced thus far, as well as what’s ahead, from the soil to the stars.

We are nearing the summer solstice—the halfway point of the year—and this moment feels distinct and different from the preceding months. Here on Earth, we’re doing our best to survive the rapid change that is marking a sort of grand restructuring of systems and relationships. In the sky, our planetary elders are creating new formations, in part initiated with Pluto’s entry into Aquarius in November 2024; a daunting storyline that we are now seeing unfold.

Since then, we’ve witnessed a bevy of major astrological shifts: Mars traversed between Cancer and Leo during its retrograde cycle; the lunar nodes shifted into the Pisces-Virgo axis, the transformation of Venus from an evening star to a morning star while retrograde through Aries and Pisces; the Spring eclipse cycle; and Neptune then Saturn’s entrance into Aries. 

This brings us back to the film. Interestingly, I went to see it in the theatre on the eve of Saturn’s ingress into Aries, which has activated my 1st, 4th, and 9th Houses of Self, Ancestry, and Philosophy, respectively. I won’t get into too much about the movie because it is far too nuanced and multidimensional to summarize. Let me just say that I did not anticipate crying during a vampire film. Yet, about an hour in, when the transit perfected, I was already sobbing. 

Most surprising is that I wasn’t prepared for how much the story would resonate. Being of mixed heritage—Black, Indigenous, and European—I could clearly sense the subtle (and sometimes obvious) cultural dynamics at play. This movie, and the significant timing of my viewing it, shifted something in me. It is likely that I will continue to think through, and write to you about it. And, I’d love to know if you’ve seen it. (Please do write back to me to share your thoughts.)

On the horizon, as mentioned, Jupiter is officially in Cancer starting the week of June 9th. This is a year-long transit that will provide an opportunity, both individually and collectively, to learn and embody the principles of the planet Jupiter in the sign of Cancer, and to work with the teachings that their relationship can offer.

Today, we honor the Full Moon in Sagittarius, which is squaring the Nodes. There is a thread here about being accountable to the past and the present, and to embody the wisdom of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. 

Down yonder, we also have retrograde cycles to move through, and the next eclipse season coming up in the Fall. Through it all, as ever, the planets will continue to relate to each other, moving with and through us. 

Haiku for Jupiter

Keeper of thunder,

imbue your expansive breath 

deep into spirit. 

As always, thank you for being here.

Until the next one,

Christian

p.s. Music is a storytelling technology that emerges from every culture. For as long as humans have been on this planet, we’ve found a way to carry on the resonance within and between Earth and Sky by making sounds through creative experimentation. Woven into the body of every newsletter, I share a song I’ve been listening to as an offering and ritual to express my gratitude. 

p.s.s. My grandmother, Vera Louise, would have turned 98 today. In the next letter, in honor of her solar return, I have a few new offerings to share. Until then, take good care!