February Compost Heap

Book, Music, TV recs for surviving during single digit weather, civilizational collapse, and doomscrolling

Illustration by Osamu Tezuka from The Buddha Series

Happy belated Imbolc/Full Moon/St. Brigid’s Day/Ground Hog Day. I almost wish the same day was happening over and over. Then there might be some way to steel ourselves against would be the fresh hell and monstrosities that seem to multiply like Hydra heads.

As a survivor I’ve found the constant assault of Epstein file related media to be…difficult. Then, after a year of deaths, my family cat died. And my eyes to start flaring again, reducing my ability to tolerate almost any light at all.

I’ve got a musculature for discomfort. I’ve lived with it up close and ongoing for a long time. I’m okay right now. But holy hell. Hugs to you all. It’s been uncomfortable lately. For all of us in different gradations and flavors. Single digits for days on end in the Hudson Valley feel like something an author would add to a thriller, making the environment sympathetically mirror the extreme drama of the narrative. And editor might say, “Now that’s a bit too on the nose?”

I’m going to share the glimmers, stories, soft patches of narrative moss, where I’ve been finding some respite along the way to spring (and revolution? It’s time right? This can’t go on?!).

1. My friend Hannah Sparrow is an amazing and informative astrologer. I’ve benefited from her behind the scenes advice on cosmic weather since college and it’s exciting that she’s now offering it on a larger scale. I got a reading with her in early January that was extremely clarifying. You can follow her horoscopes on her astro substack ( Hannah Sparrow ) and book a variety of different kinds of readings.