Writing the Cosmos: Gemini Season

Astrology as a starting point for generative writing

Writing the Cosmos: Gemini Season, Expressing the Authentic Self

Astrology, like poetry, is a tool to help guide us to a truth, a personal honesty.

Both can show us a lot about ourselves, offer new perspectives and insights, and surprise us by opening up new pathways to self-awareness.

In this workshop, we will be working with what lies beyond our control (the cosmos) while using the tools that we can control (our writing.) We will use our natal chart information as well as the current astrological transits to access info about ourselves - new aspects, new ways of seeing - and in turn, write through it. For Gemini season, there will be a particular focus on the expression of self.

This workshop begins with a mind-opening and body-calming guided meditation, a brief discussion of astrology (participants will receive information ahead of the workshop), and a poetry reading. Participants will then generate work using several star-tied techniques, such as bibliomancy, tarot, and astrology.

We will help you access your natal chart info if you don’t already have it or know it. This workshop is suitable for those new to Astrology as well as for folks who have a firm handle on it. We’re essentially using astrology as a starting point for generative writing.

Led by

Andrea Talarico

Co-owner of Stanza Books, Andrea Talarico (Cancer sun/Pisces moon/Sagittarius rising, she/her) is a Beacon-based writer, poet, and general witchy poo (astrology, tarot, ritual work.) She co-hosted a podcast with close friend Lisa Marie Basile called Astrolushes where they drank wine and discussed astrology, pop culture, and wriitng. She’s taught workshops on astrology, tarot, ritual work, and poetry, and her work has been featured in Luna Luna Magazine, The Poetry Project, Brokelyn.com, Yes, Poetry, and more.

Lisa Marie Basile

Lisa Marie Basile is the author of a few books of nonfiction and poetry, including Light Magic for Dark Times, Andalucia, and Nympholepsy, among others. Her work can be found in The New York Times, Best American Experimental Writing, Best Small Fictions, Narratively, and more. Lisa Marie earned an MFA from The New School, and she's led workshops or spoken at Manhattanville College, Columbia University, Emerson College, and Pace University. She is the editor-in-chief of Luna Luna Magazine. Her work explores trauma, darkness, ritual, the body and chronic illness, Mediterranean ancestry, foster care, and place.

Get Lisa’s books at Stanza