The Final Quarter of Venus Rx
Art by Gage Lindsten
Last week was the first time I took a break from Literary Loud in over a year. Felt good to take a breather from racking my brain for new content, and just live life that week. Here we are in Mercury Retrograde and the final quarter of Venus Retrograde. I can’t wait until this shit is over.
Dating during Venus Retrograde is not for the weak. There are times I am full of hubris and think that maybe I can go against the tides, that maybe I can circumnavigate the waves of these astronomical events but boy was I wrong.
Venus governs beauty, love, money, pleasure, and aesthetics. They say you’re not supposed to date anyone new, not get married, not to change your appearance (I.e get plastic surgery or change your hair dramatically) etc. I’ve had a number of tarot clients try to get approval for a ton of surgeries during this time period.
You’re supposed to focus on cultivating self-love, and reevaluate your relationships with others as well as yourself. A lot of people tend to breakup, argue, and whatever is swept under the rugs, rises to the surface to be resolved. And don’t surprised by the number of celebrity divorces. Despite all this, I said what the hell, why not?
I hopped back on the dreaded dating apps, and was pleased to see the majority of girls I matched with matched back. I went on some dates and engaged in a lot of convos with new people. Whether it was styrofoam girl, bulking girl, clear your akashic records before going on a date with me girl, I’ve never been in love before girl or I’m coming off a fresh breakup girl, these were some interesting interactions. Most of them were pleasant but they all dissolved like clay in water.
Some of these interactions helped trigger some healing within me and others sharpened my swords of courtship. I deleted two of these apps and one girl remains. This is one I met before Mercury Rx in the Twitter waters. If you’re reading this, we text, and if you think I’m talking about you, then yes I am.
My advice to the single people out there, don’t date new people during the Venus Retrograde.
I received an advance reading copy of New Millenium Boyz by Alex Kazemi earlier this week. I’m officially part of the cool kids club now that I own this book before its release date. Shoutout to the twink intern who sent it my way. The book seems to be stirring up a lot of drama in the writer community so it’s only right that I have it in my hands. Plus,
told me it was great and he has good taste so there’s that…I’ll report back with my thoughts whenever I read this book.
David Simmons whipped up this great review of my latest book Melancholy’s Finest. He gets it. The part I love the most is the fly person representation. I have a secret love for fashion that drips into my books and this is one where it goes into overdrive. I just hate how characters dress ugly in books all of the time. There is a time and place, but this lack of swagged out representation in fiction.
On the writing front, things are going well and I’ve somehow cracked through some creative walls. Some gnarly ideas are flowing to me when it comes to Project Bunny Bloodbath and the characters are coming together. If you love God’s Leftovers, wait until you get a load of this. *Rubs hands together like Birdman*
A Cold Summer is coming together nicely so I’m pleased with that. Plus, I have some short story ideas flowing my way. Also, looks like the Broken River Books boas will be out in full force on the book convention circuit in 2024 so that’ll be interesting.
Currently Watching: Love, Death & Robots Season 3 & Lost Season 1
Currently Reading: Blame! by Tsutomu Nihei & Full Throttle by Joe Hill & Cosmic Horror Monthly #2 & An Altar of Stories to Liminal Saints by Rios de la Luz
Currently Smoking: Alien Labs Creme de Menthe Pre-roll
Listening: Black Tapes Podcast, The Danny Brown Podcast, The Higherside Chats
It’s crazy seeing KayCyy’s musical fingerprints on Travis Scott’s Utopia and Kanye’s Donda albums. He’s so young, but really seems to be coming into his own making these love longs. “My Jeans” is a short soulful bop and feels designed for summer radio. That is if radio was a still big thing in 2023.
Mick Jenkins is one of the most slept on rappers coming out of Chicago. I know people praise Kendrick Lamar, but Jenkins would come for his neck lyrically. I never thought I’d see Freddie and Mick link, but it works too well. Great chemistry and fire flows. Mick’s last verse on this…
This is obnoxious and absurd, but damn does it go hard. Even if you remove the stripclub, the money, and the displays of wealth, this shit goes. Quavo set the tone beautifully, but Future delivers one of the most petty yet turnt verses of the year. He should really go to therapy since he’s not over Ciara, but he’s turning his bitterness into some amazing music. Let’s go Pluto!
Peewee Longway’s flow is untouchable on “Who Am I.” This is feel good fun track from Longway that’s a much needed reminder of his overwhelming talent. Simply good raps. What more do you need?
Until next time…
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The planet shit is sure explaining some things in the horror world...