[INTRO MUSIC PLAYS]
Kimberly: Hello and welcome back to who's out the Writing Center. I'm Kimberly. I am currently wearing too much green than I prefer.
Ali: I'm Ali Shaw and I spent all morning listening to a Taylor Swift analysis podcast.
Maddy: Hi, I'm Maddy and I am craving cereal right now specifically Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Kimberly: That's, that is my favorite cereal.
Ali: A banger.
Maddy: I love it.
Kimberly: I love Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Do you, my favorite part about it is the milk. Is that, do you agree or disagree?
Maddy: I agree. I love the milk. It's just so good. Like honestly, I love it so much and Golden Grams and Frosted Flakes. But CTC is my favorite. I call it CTC, by the way.
Kimberly: CTC?
Maddy: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Ali: Controversial opinion, I -
Kimberly: If you say you don't like cinnamon toast crunch.
Ali: No, no, no, I do be loving some CTC. But most of my life prior to oatmilk’s existence, I spent my life eating cereal dry, because I cannot stand dairy milk. And there was nothing else that I wanted to do with it. So I just would crunch on my cereal. And maybe that makes me a psychopath to some but now I use oat milk and so it's okay. Kimberly's looking at me.
Kimberly: I have a lot of questions about dry cereal. I think it's better than people, who I mean no offense to people who do this.
But people who put water in their cereal as opposed to milk.
Ali: Oh yeah, I’m worried about that.
Maddy: That's a crime. That's a crime.
Kimberly: If you do that, if you do that, that's fine.
Ali: It’s not. It’s not fine
Kimberly: I just have a lot of opinions about that. I'm not here to judge. Except that's all that we humans do. Anyway, we are here. As you may have heard, as you may have guessed from our episode title. So what's your sign? And you may have gotten a little sneak peek about it from our first episode. If you've not listened to that already. We- I thought this was would be a really great opportunity to talk about astrology, and to talk about astrology in the way that it sort of permeates our lives in a multitude of ways. This might end up being just an episode about astrology and what it is rather than the things that I just mentioned. But that's okay, because we are a flexible podcast and we are also students. And nothing that students love more, especially Gen Z, than astrology.
Ali: Correct. This could be full of varying degrees of usefulness or uselessness, but we hope you enjoy nevertheless.
Kimberly: We hope that you enjoy some sort of conversation whether you're hearing this on your way, on your drive, just at home. It randomly popped up in your recommendations. We hope that you enjoy this.
Ali: Watch if it does, that would be very exciting. Then we’ve mastered the search engine.
Kimberly: So I guess why don't we go ahead and start off for those who may not be familiar with or are just absolutely confused by when kids ask you what is your sign? And what the purpose of that is? What is-
Ali: Sorry, I didn't know I was recording with my grandfather. When the kids asked you about your astrology sign, what are you gonna say? [laughter]
Kimberly: Anyway, um, so what is the astrology? What- what the heck is it? And mind you, we do have Ali Shaw in the room. Not to call her out, but I will absolutely call them out. They are a bit of an astrology head. I don't know about you, Maddy, I am less of an astrology head.
Maddy: I'm like in the middle. I do have my Co-Star I have my friends on my Co-Star and like, I check up on it every now and then. But I'm not like super dedicated but I do, I do believe in it. Like I do think that there is some truth to that. Like I know some people are like no, it's not true like your traits or whatever don't correspond with your sign, but I believe it. I think it does.
Ali: I have- I have so many thoughts.
Kimberly: I know you have something to share. If it brings other people joy then I'm okay with it. But I have absolutely no idea what any of the signs mean. Like I understand when you say fire signs or water signs and all that stuff, but I like any other detail after that I'm completely lost.
Ali: So true. So true. So I do pay $12 a month for an astrology app that actually like owns my life. It is really remarkable. I love it very much. It's by a creator named Chani Nicholas, C-h-a-n-i. The app is just called Chani. And I think it's great. She wrote a book called, You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance, I think. I really love it because A) just like, it's fun. And it's like a, I don't know, kind of a novel way to interact with like, why are you like this? And like how do you respond to this kind of conflict or what like drives you and makes you really, feel empowered and excited? So I could, I could go in fairly deep, but I will rely on my fellow co hosts here to reel me in a little bit. But yeah, it's a great time. So we can, I don't know where y'all want to start. But there might be some ground like definitions that we want- to start with.
Kimberly: Perhaps yeah, I think we just want to clarify like when we talk about astrology, we also we understand that there are different obviously different interpretations and cultures of like what the stars mean. Obviously, you may be familiar with more Western astrology with the Scorpio, Aries, Capricorn... Why can’t I think of-- Cancer I'm literally Cancer. All the other signs, but you also, there's obviously like Chinese Zodiac and that's really important in certain cultures and people love to like, I know, for those born in the 2000s we love to be like year of the dragon let's go. And some people are born of the year of the rat.
Ali: Yeah, hi, I'm a ‘99 baby. So year of the rabbit.
Kimberly: Am I the only?
Ali: Are you a 2000?
Kimberly: I’m a 2000 baby.
Ali: Maddy when were you born?
Maddy: 2001.
Ali: Good, Lord.
Kimberly: You're not that much older.
Ali: Okay, well, what's your birthday?
Kimberly: July 17?
Ali: Yeah, I'm like six months older than you. Okay, that's not that much anyway.
Kimberly: Apparently, you're an elder.
Ali: I’m a 90s kid, no worries, just a flex. [laughter]
Kimberly: But yeah, so there's different types of astrology and different types of way that people interpret the stars in space, and what the signs mean to them. So when we specifically talk about astrology, I think in our circumstances, I think we're specifically talking about the more Western-
Ali: Well, I think that it's been taken, astrology has been very westernized in the way that it like has permeated pop culture. But it's been something, like the tradition of studying the Zodiac, and when we say the Zodiac in astrology, what we're meaning is the use of the position of the stars and planets on the exact moment that you were born, or like, the moment where you take your first breath, as a way of understanding your experience on this earth. Be that your personality, your career and life choices, your family, your relationships, those like it's a way of not necessarily predicting, but interpreting your, like human experience based off of that, first pivotal moment of life, if that makes any sense. Yeah, yeah. And that has been that's been around for hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of years. And it did not start in the western world as we know it today, being like America, and--
Kimberly: Oh, for sure.
Ali: but not everything.
Kimberly: Yeah, I think because it's been so westernized and pop culture. Like, if you've ever seen any kind of teen magazine, it definitely has some sort of like horoscope of the day, 100%. And I think that's the kind of astrology that we're familiar with.
Ali: Yeah, yeah. And those usually, like, most folks are familiar with their horoscope, which is based off of your sun sign. But there's a few others, there's a ton of different like positions and planets and signs within the birth chart. And the sun sign is essentially like, your most prominent identity. And so that's like, how I'm kind of like- how necessarily you view yourself like internally, but like how you see yourself kind of existing in the world. And that is what most people like, think of like, oh, like, I'm a Sagittarius, I’m a Leo, blah blah blah. And if you don't necessarily relate to your sun sign, that could be because there's a lot of other important signs at play within your birth chart. And so sometimes it resonates like with folks and sometimes it doesn't.
Kimberly: Yeah, for sure. Maddy has mentioned-- well, I get it I mean, I'm understanding. It makes sense to me. Maddy here-- If you didn't catch our last episode, we all talked about what star signs we are. We learned that Ali is ,you said you’re Sagittarius?
Ali: Sagittarius Sun, Leo, moon- I can't do it without saying the big three. So if you if you listened to our last episode, I believe we talked about our big three signs which are your sun, rising, and moon signs. Those are going to essentially give you a more complex and comprehensive picture of like who you are, at least when you're subscribing to the belief system that astrology provides. And so that means that I'm a sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Aries, rising in Leo. And the three fire signs are Sagittarius, Leo and Aries, meaning I am a trouble fire sign, which is a lot of fun and a wild ride for everybody involved.
Kimberly: Maddy is also another fire sign, I am the token water sign in this room, which makes sense. But you also said that you mentioned that you completely believe in it. And you think that it can like differ, like makes like it justifies or it makes sense? How certain people interact or how they behave and stuff.
Maddy: Yeah, like, well, I think it's also one of those things when you start reading a lot about it. And then you start being like, oh, yeah, like I see myself in that. But no, like, I do think it's real. I mean, I think well, because I was born in the last day to be an Aries. So I've read a lot about like the Aries and Taurus cusp. So I do think that I have some like Taurus-ness within that, but I do kind of think like, there is some truth to it and like how people are, at least like in their, like overall existence. Like I very much do see you Ali as a triple fire sign. [laughter]
Ali: I'd be curious to know why. But I don't know if I want you to totally roast me.
Kimberly: No, I think it totally makes sense.
Ali: I'm just mostly loud. I don't know if that's...
Maddy: No, it's just like you seem like super fun and like outgoing. And I feel like that is a fire sign. You know what I mean?
Ali: Yeah, what's your thank you. That's very sweet. What's your moon and rising again? Can you remind me?
Maddy: Um, I think well, okay, Aquarius I'm pretty sure I'm rising. And then Moon is Pisces.
Ali: Okay. Yeah, so Aqua is an Air sign. And then Pisces is a water sign. Yeah, so you've got a fire. Good little balance there. Yeah. And then the fact that you're also an Aries Taurus cusp. Taurus being an earth sign also means that you have some aspects of both of those signs, which it does make sense. I feel like I see you definitely as a very like, balanced, well rounded person, which makes a little--
Maddy: Well thank you. I try.
Ali: Don’t we all.
Maddy: I try to be balanced.
Ali: And Kimberly our Cancer queen over here.
Kimberly: Thank you.
Ali: Tell me more about you, are you?
Kimberly: Are you reading us right now?
Ali: Well, no, but...
Kimberly: I think at the very end, I just have a fun idea. I have a fun idea for the end. Um, I am a as far as I remember. I don't remember specifically because again, I'm a Cancer sun. I think I'm a Aquarius moon and a Gemini rising.
Ali: Aqua and Gemini are both air signs. So you have some water and air. And that?
Kimberly: I do. Yeah.
Ali: Gemini and Sagittarius get along very well, which is weird because we hate each other. So that doesn't make any sense.
Kimberly: You know, I also read that Cancers and Libras don't get along with each other. But my partner is a Libra.
Ali: Okay, well, and that's an important caveat to say right off the bat, like astrology is in its entirety, a very. It's not something that is like the end all be all concrete in your relationship.
All: No, yeah, no.
Kimberly: Please do not break up over someone because they’re not--
Ali: Some people really live their lives by it and other people don't. I will be bringing up Chani more than once on this podcast as I already have. But a lot of her philosophy revolves around like this is a way that has helped me interpret my life and my relationships with the people that are in it. And if it resonates with you awesome, I want to like give you information and tools to explore that resonance and if it doesn't, that's also fine and I like hope that you find something that is also like spiritually important to you and can give you some more context for this messy world we live in. So don’t-
Kimberly: Absolutely. I am not, I mean I think two years in and I think I'm okay. Doing pretty great.
Ali: I also agree. Yeah, yup but it can be fun to explore.
Kimberly: Oh yeah, I think it's definitely, I think and you know, you hear the like old saying that opposites attract and if we're meant to be not compatible with each other then we've just proved all those theories wrong.
Ali: Like ha suck guys, we really figured it out.
Kimberly: Truly, yeah, you know, I just I think the common ground that we both have is that we cry a lot.
Ali: Which I love.
Kimberly: You know, we just, cry. [laughter]
Ali: Very LGBTQ of the both of you, just saying. [laughter continues]
Kimberly: I mean, I just I am fascinated by people who know so much about it. I actually envy them, because that's just like a lot of information that I would have not been able to contain that can barely remember a lot from what I read in like a chapter of a book and like have to regurgitate that information to like, the next day and be like, I couldn't not tell you. But like for anyone to be like, what's your sign? Okay, now, let me tell you about this. Really, it really like I really, it's, it's inspiring. It's very, it's very fun. And I don't know how to describe it. It's just like, you know, I could not do it.
Ali: Well, I think that potentially, this is just my hyper fixation talking. But I think that if you gave it more time, you would absolutely be able to get on that level. If, if you so desired. Just saying...
Kimberly: I can't just have more friends that just tell me
Ali: Well, I can talk your ear off your days, if that’s what you’re asking.
Kimberly: Why do the work when you can just have friends who do it for you? [laughter]
Ali: Right? So I think I kind of mentioned before, but yes, you have your sun, which is your like basic identity and like kind of how like you see yourself. Like as a whole. Then you have your moon, which is going to be more of like your body and the physical way that you show up in the world. So oftentimes, that's discussed as like the way that people perceive you, and how you're kind of like externally interpreted. And then your rising is more of your internal relationship with the self. And that can also be like seen as like your motivation for living, or like the reasons that you feel really like empowered and passionate in your life. And then, to add another level of that, your rising sign will have it's also called an ascendant sign. And so your rising sign is going to have an ascendant ruler, which is essentially the planet that governs the sign that is, your rising. Your ascendant ruler rules, your ascendant.
Maddy: Wow.
Kimberly: Yeah, I think that had to do with like, I don't know, because again, I actually don't know, like, the timeline of or the history of astrology, you think that I would have gotten a little more familiar with that, but I just read up on how astrology shows up in literature, which is...
Ali: Which we'll get to at some point--we're not just gonna, like, imagine it.
Kimberly: But, but I almost wonder if like, because it's actually it's, like Ali, you said, like, it's been around for a lot longer than we think it does. Like, I know, we think about it as like a fun, pop culture thing. But there are some cultures and traditions that really took what the stars told them. And, you know, obviously, something comes from somewhere. So this must have been grounded in some sort of, like, interpretation in, you know, we named planets after Roman gods and stuff. And the fact that it's connected to a certain astrology/astrological sign feels like there's some sort of connection there with like, Roman history, Roman God history and astrology.
Ali: When I like, I don't know, I get very frustrated with people who are like, Oh, it's like, it's not like it's not scientific, you can't prove any of it. And it's like, okay, well, that's a very like... Western neoliberal approach to the what is science because essentially, it's just a, it's a study of pattern and the way that we notice similar traits happening within folks who are born at certain points with like, in accordance with the planets. It's like, I mean, we look for patterns in everything that's literally the way our brains are, like, programmed to function. So if you're an--and again, just because it's resonant and exciting to me, doesn't mean it has to be for you. So if you're like, “This is stupid.” Okay, I hope you find something in your life that isn't stupid that makes you excited.
Kimberly: I was just talking to Maddy earlier about how we can say no to things so if this information does not please you or does not resonate with you at all you can say no to us and you can pause right now,
Ali: But still leave us a review in the Apple Store.
Kimberly: Oh, of course, please do so.
Ali: We would love you forever.
Kimberly: We are in fact an academic podcast and we are just trying our best. All this to say though don't hate on Cancers that much. I get it we're emotional.
Ali: Lots of big fields. But that's beautiful. Like you're really...
Kimberly: Lovable.
Ali: Exactly. Yeah,
Kimberly: I just got so I just like there are certain astral astrological signs I get so much like, I think they're the pattern gets, you know, becomes a stereotype that like the second you introduce yourself as one you're like, immediately people have like presumptions about you or like they are immediately like they like know who you are. Which is why it gets scary for me (not that scary). But like for me to be like, “I'm a Cancer,” and people like, “Oh, that makes sense.”
Ali: You're like, “What does that mean?” What makes sense about that? Well, and here's...
Kimberly: When's the last time you cried?
Ali: Well, right now, don’t be mean to me [laughter]
Ali: When like another like on on that same note, like you said, your moon is an Aquarius?
Kimberly: I think so. Yeah.
Ali: And so the moon again is like how someone shows up to others and how like you're viewed externally in your physical body. And you haven't got Aquarius moon makes all the sense in the world, because...
Kimberly: Again, I don't know what that means.
Ali: Aquarians are extremely inquisitive, and very interesting and pretty mercurial and excited to learn more excited to ask questions. Very passionate, enthusiastic, maybe a little weird in their own interests and excitement, which is not in a bad way at all.
Kimberly: This is the compliment Kimberly's show, please give me all the validation
Ali: words affirmation are my love language to give, baby, we could talk about this for hours.
Kimberly: Oh, my God, what's affirmation is a whole other bag of worms. I just talked about it with my partner. And the other day, I was like, my used to be quality time, but I think it's words of affirmation or words of affirmation is definitely going up there. Because every day, I'm like, it would be nice, iff someone validated me right now.
Ali: And that’s another thing. I think that if, if you haven't taken the love languages test, do it. It's really interesting, very informative. And there's also a book that goes along with it. I don't, I can't vouch for that because I haven’t read it. But like in the love languages assessments, all of those Love Languages show up for you somewhere within like how you interact with folks. And similarly, in astrology, all of the planets were somewhere when you were born. So you have aspects of every sign and every planet within your chart, it just depends on how strongly they show up, based off of where they were positioned. So... like the big three? While we've talked about the sun, moon and rising, those might be more presently obvious or indicative of who you are. But that doesn't mean that the other planets in science within your chart are not actively working in your life as well.
Maddy: Yeah, I think people well, I mean, I think it's a general like good way to just kind of see yourself in a general sense. I don't know if you could be like, like how you were saying, if an app tell or a book tells you don't be with--or Libras and Cancers don't get along or whatever. It's like, don't I don't think you should take that literally. Oh, I feel like it's just a good fun overall, like, general guidance of like, I don't know, yourself.
Ali: Yeah. And like that is like, you don't have to take it literally like it can be a fun exercise of interpretation. And, and also, like, your signs are going to show up in different houses, which is a whole other complicated aspect that even I am like, not super well versed in quite yet. But each sign and each planet in your chart is present in a certain house. And the house system, there's two main ones, I'm not gonna remember the names of them. But there's two different ways of reading planetary houses. But that's going to show you where, like, what aspect of your life that planet is applicable to. So like, for me, my sun is in Sagittarius. And it's placed in the fifth house, which is the house of like children, creative projects, like relationships and pleasure. And so that means that like my Sagittarian identity, which is like super positive and bubbly and adventurous, and kind of restless shows up in the relationships that I have as far as like children and creative endeavor and the relationships that I like find pleasurable. If that makes sense.
Ali: Kimberly's looking at me like I just spoke a different language.
Kimberly: I know I don't know, I mean... Again, I am--I can admit that I'm least versed in this kind of where--where all I just know is that I have a Co-star. It tells me things every day and I'm like, “Huh, that's weird.” And then some days when I look at it, I'm like, “That's so weird. How did they know?” Yeah, it's so crazy.
Ali: With the way that modern technology has been interacted with astrology, like of course, bare in mind that costar is driven by an AI that was written by like influenceable flawed humans, as all things are, so if Co-star doesn't do it for you. Guess what? Co-star is not the cosmic authority. So, another plug for Chani though it is 11.99 a month, which is far too much to be paying for an app, I hope to god my mother doesn't listen to this episode because she will be viscerally disappointed in me. [laughter
Ali: I really like that one, because it also like gives you more information about your chart and like you can like read into like the transits that are happening, because transits are like how the current sky is moving, and what that--what that means as far as how you're feeling, in effect, like as an effect of that. So like, whenever people are like complaining about Mercury being in retrograde, that means it's moving in the reverse of its normal planetary transit, which I don't totally understand. If I'm being honest.
Maddy: I couldn't tell you though, I wouldn't, I would not know
Ali: Maybe I can. Because I'm like, the planet doesn't like actually change in orbit physically, but like something happens, something happens. And it messes with technology and communication, because that's what mercury, like Mercury is the planet of communication. So like, in my chart, my Mercury is in Sagittarius, which is like, again, that positive like kind of bubbly buoyancy is like how I communicate and express myself with other people. And so, when Mercury is in retrograde, the way that you communicate with folks, like becomes incompatible, and then technology starts to get wonky, because of like, the way we're trying to communicate with each other. I swear, I'm not just talking out of my butt. I've listened to a lot. I've heard a lot of podcasts.
Maddy: No, I've heard of the retrograde. Yeah, but does that only affect the fire signs?
Ali: No. So that's like, so kind of, like how I said, there's a, like, you're all of the planets exist within your chart. When the planets move, and how they move in relation to each other, and how they station each other. That's gonna have an impact on everybody. It just depends on how severe that shows up, or like how severe that impact is. And so like, when Mercury stations Retrograde, it's potentially like going to super effect, it also depends on what sign it's going to be in retrograde within. There's just so there's a lot of layers, it's like an onion, the universe, an onion. Like when Mercury is in retrograde, it could super affect one particular sign, it could totally leave somebody else, like untouched and that, in and of itself is going to create some kind of like, change in communicative and relational dynamics between breaks. Right. I hope that makes sense.
Maddy: No, it does make sense. I got it cool.
Kimberly: You know, I was very excited about this episode, because A) I knew Ali would have a lot to say about this. [laughter] But B) at the same time, I will learn a lot. And I think it goes to show that like I know for some certain individuals, this may just seem like a silly kind of thing that people like to you know, go along with, but like people have done research about this. People have literally like looked at what astrology means, and like gone to really deep research about it. And you know, like I mentioned here, like Ali said before, we are going to mention this, but that like astrology has also existed in literature. And you know, there are records of people, Shakespeare, I mention Shakespeare because that is an easy access, I know, The Canterbury Tales, which I'm not absolutely familiar with. Sorry, full disclaimer, and the author of that series...
Ali: Was that Dickens?
Kimberly: No, it's not. It was a completely different author.
Ali: Wow, I sound like such a newb
Kimberly: It's actually okay. Again, I really don't know this
Ali: Okay, your writing center consultants are humans who don't know everything about literature and the world.
Kimberly: That is true. You know, who may know someone who has read the book.
Ali: If you've read The Canterbury Tales, leave us a review. Five stars at the App Store. Let us know we'd love to hear from you. Read us but don't but five stars for five cents.
Kimberly: That's all we ask. Four at least I mean, I mean, believe me, I have room for improvement.
Ali: It's kind of like how I've never once given an Uber driver or a Lyft driver less than five stars because they would like actively have to inflict injury upon me in order to like lower their rating. That's fine my head. It's kind of like that. Five stars. Yeah. For showing up.
Kimberly: All this to say is that there is still like, I just I want to let our listeners know that like, we make this episode and you'll be like, Oh my God, I don't want to have to sit through it a whole episode about y'all But it's like more than that, like people have really relied on this. And I don't think it's wrong to do so and it’s not like you're hurting anybody too severely, unless you're using it as a weapon, then please don't, please don't do it. I think it's just a really great way to understand the like, how it helps people clarify, you know, parts about themselves, I think that that's part of the bigger world journey that we're all on is just like, What is the meaning of life. And I think that some people using the stars and the planets and the alignment and all that stuff, gives them a sense of clarity, and gives them a sense of, you know, comfort to just know that, like, why you may behave this way. It's like, oh, because I'm a Cancer, like, if I, if I am really emotional about a certain thing, which, by the way, everyone gets emotional, we express it in different ways. But things attributed to a cancer sign that I exhibit, frequently, is like, oh, because I'm a cancer sun. And I use that example, to just say that, like, you know, this isn't some willy nilly thing there. This is rooted in long years of people trying to, like develop this, to find different ways to learn about themselves. And like Ali has mentioned, there are books out there talking about this kinds of stuff. And you can take tests that are maybe some are more official than others official, quote, unquote, some are just like on a very generic quiz website, which is okay. Whatever you trust, more
Ali: Be a skeptical consumer of media, if it doesn't resonate with you. Maybe try a different source.
Kimberly: Exactly.
Ali: And see what you can glean for yourself.
Kimberly: But all this to say is, if you've ever read any kind of old historical texts, you know that there's going to be some sort of like, pleading for the stars to tell me like, what, where am I going to go? And sometimes it just, it's just like, you know, life. Some parts of life deserve to be romanticized. And what kind of--
Ali: Amen I like that.
Kimberly: Thank you, thank you, why can't--
Ali: I’m pro-romanticization.
Kimberly: Why can't I just look at the stars with my loved ones and be like, this is this, this is what they're going to tell me and like, make meaning out of it. Like when people see shooting stars, we understand scientifically, that it's just like a like a dying rock. You know what I mean? But to some people--
Ali: But that’s not fun! I don’t want to look at the sky and say, “Oh yeah, they're all just exploding masses of gas,” like, boo, right? So much cooler when you let it be fun.
Kimberly: And I think poets and poetry and for those who may know more about that, like, I think there is a sense of that poetry gives us a comfort, a sense of like, that you're not alone in this world. And like I was reading about, I couldn't tell you right off the bat, what specifically but I will include these links in the description box for you as a starter to explore, you know, what does astrology mean? If you're a skeptic, if you're already a big believer in it, you know, it doesn't help to have more resources. But you know, there are definitely different mediums of...mediums that talk about the importance of astrology. So you know that it isn't completely moot, per se, that's, that's my three word this week. M-o-o-t.
Ali: In case you were wondering [laughter] Yeah. And like, I like what you're saying, Kimberly, about how like, it's not a new thing for people to look at the sky and wonder how it affects us. And I think why astrology tends to be fairly resonant with me is that like, it just seems so impossible to me that we exist within this really like complex Cosmos, and are not affected by the things that are happening externally to this planet that feels like, again, just my opinion, but it feels like extremely arrogant of humans to think that we are totally untouchable, by the forces that exist in the universe beyond us that we do not understand and frankly, likely don't have the cognitive capacity to understand. And so it's really interesting, at least for me to like, kind of stretch into, like, “oh, well, what if, what if I'm actually just like, really small and the 1000s of, like, 1000s of years of precedent in history and study of the patterns in people's personalities have actually, like, created more information and observation than I myself as one person in this world can, like, understand.” I don't know if that makes a lot of sense, but, and it's also like, okay, and this sounds ridiculous, but we're like made of a lot of water. The human being, and the moon controls the tides. And so the moon, then like, the water is affected. Yeah? Anyway, no, that is a, again, none of this is scientifically backed by Western empiricism but I think it's kinda interesting. That’s all.
Maddy: Well, I mean, I think too, like, even in psychology, I mean, there's like the whole Myers Brigg thing, which is also like personality types and different like archetypes in literature. So I feel like, I don't know, people might be trying to do almost the same thing as like astrology has been doing for longer is like just try to find commonality within like certain traits or yeah, like what have you. Like the Myers Briggs thing, well, I really like that that's a whole separate thing. [laughter] But similar vibe.
Ali: Yeah. And like, I mean, again, to, like, connect it back to writing. Like, I think that it's a really kind of essential human experience to want to understand how you fit in with other people. And why like, the way that you approach conflict or interactions with others, like, mean, we don't read. We don't read just to, like exercise, the parts of our brain that know how to interpret markings on a page into narrative story within our heads, like, we do it in a lot of ways to, like, live vicariously through another or to experience stories that are different than our own and to, like, pursue understanding. And I think that tests like the Enneagram or Myers Briggs, or interpretations of astrology, like are also rooted in that essential desire to, to be seen and like recognize how you exist within other people.
Kimberly: All this to say, you know, we not to be like, not to give anyone an existential crisis, but we are one individual on the speck of rock, and just going on with life. And we're all complex, dynamic human beings. And I think, you know, as long as we're being good to each other and kind and just trying to find ourselves, I think, you know, why not have have pride and like being x sign or y rising or all of that stuff. And the same way that people like, you know, like you've mentioned, like the personality test, I love personality tests. I don't know what it is about it. I love having these four little letters. Tell me who I am. Yes.
Ali: What is your Myer’s Briggs?
Kimberly: Ah, my... I don't think I've ever taken a Myer Briggs. Yeah.
Ali: Ahh, That will be remedied on an upcoming podcast. Apple, Spotify, whatever we use anchor FM, they help us make things
happen.
Kimberly: But you guys have taken it I assume.
Ali: Yes,
Maddy: Yeah. Yes. I'm an INTJ. Okay.
Kimberly: Oh, it's thought... Yeah. Okay. I didn't realize the personality for like, Okay, well, I have taken it. Okay. It is, I think I am an ENFJ. Okay.
Ali: I'm an ENFP. Which is more like on like the feeling side rather than like the judgment or--
Kimberly: Ali and I are going to go to war after this. You're off by one letter. [laughter]
Ali: Duke it out. Whoever interprets information better [laughter]. Yeah. And then I like I've taken the Enneagram. I don't know if either of...
Kimberly: I have not taken it recently. It's been like a while since the last one I took I think I was like a four or a two
Ali: I would guess you as a four.
Kimberly: I really don't my partner's more into Enneagrams than I am
Ali: Enneagram is like kind of like the Myers Briggs where like, is a way of kind of quote unquote, typing you into like, your essential motivations and interests and like how you fit into like, I'm a four wing three. So the four is like the artist or the Creator. The wing is like where you lean as far as in relation to the other. Like numbers. And so opening three is like a wing of ambition and like drive.
Kimberly: I see that. That's interesting.
Ali: Anyway, so maybe, maybe we'll take the Enneagram
Kimberly: Yeah, maybe we'll check back on our next episode when we have different ideas for it. But we'll just do a quick check in before we start the episode. Yeah, yeah. So last episode, you heard that we were talking about Enneagrams and now we just want to update. Yeah, you said you were an ISTJ
Maddy: INTJ.
Ali: Tell me more about that.
Maddy: So Oh, boy. So don't get me started. [laughter]
Ali: Maddy, here we go
Maddy: It's the architect. So it's, like, more analytical. Introverted, but a lot of like you can you are, you can find work, but it needs to be like very, like a deep, a long process of work like you're not satisfied by like quick stuff like, like doing a math problem might not satisfy you. But like writing a very long paper might. Like a lot of work. It's just I don't know, I'm trying to think of like the famous people. Yeah, I mean, they say like, well, I'm also a Game of Thrones person, but there's a few like Game of Thrones characters that are INTJs. God, I’m trying to think of who else? You know, it's, it's an interesting one to be I feel like, because its purple, so like the colors mean different things.
Ali: Oh so I hadn’t heard about the colors before.
Maddy: Yeah, so. Well you might be green...
Ali: Oh yeah, wait no, is this the 16 personalities test? I know mine shows up green, yeah.
Maddy: Okay
Kimberly: I think mine might be... Oh I can’t remember
Ali: I think you might be green
Maddy: Yeah
Ali: Because you are ENFJ and that’s only one letter off from me and I think that’s on the side of extroversion and emotional communication stuff.
Kimberly: I don’t know, I can check right after this.
Ali: Anyway, if you can share more about Meyers-Brigg's information
Maddy: It’s interesting though, I mean the purples are architect, analyst, statistician. It’s more like those people.
Ali: So not me. [laughter]
Maddy: I mean I identify with some of it, I mean I am not super like...
Kimberly: Rigid about it...
Maddy: Right, I mean it is interesting. They give you a lot of advice, like, this is how you would be as a parent. This is how you would be in a relationship. This is how you would find your work or your life’s purpose. So, it’s the same sort of thing as astrology. Yeah.
Ali: Again, ways of interpreting your existence with other people.
Maddy: Exactly! Right.
Ali: If you really pair things down, you see a theme of mostly this. I remember, I was in a class and we spent a fair amount of time talking about like “pseudo-psychology” and “pop-psychology” and how things like personality tests, astrology, and all that fit within those categories. Because they cannot be empirically legitimized by being peer-reviewed and all of that stuff.
Maddy: No fun. [laughter]
Ali: Yeah, it’s like come on. Obviously love me some “psyc” but I’m also like guys let people try to find meaning in places.
Kimberly: Right! Exactly!
Ali: But again, just because some letter or numbers or stars tell you how you think you should be doesn’t mean that you have to.
Kimberly: And I also love that it... What I love about the Meyers-Briggs test is that it changes. Like I used to be an INFP for the longest time. And then for some, I took the test recently, because I wanted to know if I grew at all. Like the love language test or Enneagram. Yeah. You know I found out that I am more extroverted than what I used to be, which is evident.
Maddy: [laughter]
Kimberly: Umm but with those things, you see yourself grow. And it's like a little victory or little... and if you don’t want to grow that’s fine too. But it’s like the little things that you know make you... like little joys, little places of joys. You know you can say you used to be an INFP but now you are an ENFJ. It’s like something that allows you to reflect about who you are as a person now and in your life. And yeah, maybe I am more extroverted and maybe I am more this or that. Umm I think that’s totally fun and again, if you're not hurting anyone and if you are not weaponizing these kinds of things, I hope you aren’t dear listener, then what's the harm in having a little fun in like uh in having a little more clarity in our lives and in ourselves.
Maddy: Right!
Kimberly: Exactly!
Kimberly: So, I thought as a fun little thing to do at the end is to just give our own little horoscope, or our sun sign specifically, just because we know there are other signs out there. Um but we don’t want to assume anything on your behalf, so why don’t we go ahead and.... just for our listeners out there that also happen to be an Aries, Sagittarius, or Cancer. Go Cancers! Anyway ummm.
Ali: And if you don’t if that’s not one of your signs, uh I’m sorry.
Kimberly: Yeah
Ali: We do want to focus on “I statements” and focus on our own experiences and not speak for others.
Kimberly: We are also three people umm.
Ali: We are!
Kimberly: Not twelve. [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Ali: None of us are astrologers. And if you are curious go check out Chany’s podcast. [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Kimberly: If you are listening to this, please sponsor us. [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Ali: If you are listening, I would die. I would love to like yeah... [laughter]
Kimberly: Anyway, um who feels ready? Who feels ready? To start with a little horoscope for themselves.
Ali: You know I am always down!
Kimberly: You can start us off!
Maddy: Yeah start us off!
Ali: Okay! Umm dear fellow Sagittarians umm a horoscope maybe just in general perhaps that is not relevant to what is currently happening in the sky as I... Again, I am not a professional astrologer, but umm but we at our core want and seek adventure and dynamism and try to find ways to experience new things. So I would say to lean into that even if its daunting um. Allow yourself to experience fear in a way that is motivating and it’s not limitating... limiting... limiting is the way that you say that word. Umm [laughter] umm
Kimberly: I would have accepted it!
Ali: I think I said it confidently enough that I was going to go for it.
Maddy: Yep! [laughter]
Ali: [Laughter] umm yeah try something that scares you are run with it. Don’t obviously put yourself or others in harms way. But there is um space for fear to exist as a mechanism for adventure as opposed to something that is paralyzing.
Kimberly: Disclaimer we do not encourage harming others.
Ali: Do not do anything that...
Kimberly: Please do not do anything that would put yourself or others at risk. Thank you!
Ali: [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Kimberly: That was beautiful! That was beautiful! Umm Maddy, I don’t know if you have anything for anybody.
Maddy: Yeah! I can go. That was... That was very good to follow! [laughter]
Ali: [laughter]
Maddy: I guess for the Aries people out there... Ummm I’m trying to think. I guess just,, I don’t know I think sometimes even in myself Aries people, stay grounded. I guess [laughter]… Ummm yeah I mean stay fun because I think one of the things for Aries people, aren’t they kind of like umm or aren’t they spontaneous....
Ali: Yes, spontaneous, action oriented.
Maddy: Yeah!
Ali: And like to be on the move.
Maddy: Yeah!
Ali: We don’t have any notes, we are totally pulling this out of thin air. So uhh....
Maddy: So yes, what Ali has said... action oriented, spontaneous, I mean I don’t know. I would like to think sometimes that being action oriented is fun but take some time for yourself to maybe chill out, be lazy. And do something for you.
Ali: Embrace some Taurian aspects.
Maddy: Yes!
Ali: Very much enjoying rest and material comforts perhaps.
Maddy: [laughter] I like that!
Kimberly: That was beautiful! I like that! I actually have something similar for my fellow Cancer’s.
Ali: Oh my god!
Kimberly: I just want you to know fellow Cancers, you have my love and upmost respect. I’m right there with you, I am just trying to learn the world as much as you are. And don’t forget to love yourself, don’t forget to say no. Don’t forget, most importantly, to do things that make you happy.
Ali: Give yourself the emotional tenderness that you offer to others.
Kimberly: I am talking to my Cancers right now!
Ali: Hey! I was adding to it okay! [laughter]
Kimberly: [laughter] I just want to say that I know wea re at the bottom of the hierarchy, but in our minds its reversed. We are the top dog, no hate to anyone else, but we do get a lot of let's say criticism for being emotional.
Ali: Episode title... Kimberly beefs with every other astrological sign other than Cancer. [laughter]
Kimberly: [laughter] I just have a lot of love for us.
Ali: Are you crying right now?
Kimberly: No, I am not.
Ali: Ok, it sounds like it.
Kimberly: Anyway... do your best.
Maddy: I love that!
Kimberly: Yes, thank you. I uh got a little personal there, sorry guys I know that was a lot.
Ali: No, don’t apologize. Own it!
Kimberly: Don’t apologize Cancers. [laughter]
Ali: [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Ali: Folks, thanks for listening, thanks for being here through this kind of chaotic and academically adjacent...
Kimberly: Episode...
Ali: Exploration into astrology.
Kimberly: That’s what we do at Hoo’s at the Writing Center. This episode has just been great um.
Ali: [laughter]
Kimberly: All this is to say, you know. Everything... all good things must come to an end, but don’t worry, we will be back.
Ali: Yes, we will be back! We have some exciting things coming up!
Kimberly: Please check out our Writing Center blog. We are recording this in the summer, so we do not know what kinds of posts we will be having by then. Please check out our Writing Center blog!
Ali: Maybe we will get some astrology content in there...
Kimberly: Wouldn’t that be so fun? Someone who listened to the episode and was like, “I’m going to make a blog post about astrology.”
Ali: That’d be cool.
Kimberly: Please place your bets on who it might be. It might be Ali. [laughter]
Ali: It might be, but other consultants? If they listen or not, maybe we’ve sparked some inspiration.
Kimberly: Please check out our Writing Center blog for transcribed versions of episodes and for posts by our Writing Center staff. Follow our social media @suwritingcenter on Instagram, Seattle U Writing Center on Facebook, and @writingcentersu on Twitter! And the podcast’s new Instagram @hoosatthewcpod for all things HATWC related!
Ali: That was beautifully timed. Very rhythmic.
Kimberly: What can I say, I’m a theater major. [laughter]
Ali: Okay, talking about being a theater major means it’s time to end the show.
Kimberly: With that, be sure to stay safe, take care of one another, and this has been another episode of--
Everyone: Hoo- Hoo- Hoo's At The Writing Center.
[CLOSING MUSIC PLAYS]
Kimberly: Hello and welcome back to who's out the Writing Center. I'm Kimberly. I am currently wearing too much green than I prefer.
Ali: I'm Ali Shaw and I spent all morning listening to a Taylor Swift analysis podcast.
Maddy: Hi, I'm Maddy and I am craving cereal right now specifically Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Kimberly: That's, that is my favorite cereal.
Ali: A banger.
Maddy: I love it.
Kimberly: I love Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Do you, my favorite part about it is the milk. Is that, do you agree or disagree?
Maddy: I agree. I love the milk. It's just so good. Like honestly, I love it so much and Golden Grams and Frosted Flakes. But CTC is my favorite. I call it CTC, by the way.
Kimberly: CTC?
Maddy: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Ali: Controversial opinion, I -
Kimberly: If you say you don't like cinnamon toast crunch.
Ali: No, no, no, I do be loving some CTC. But most of my life prior to oatmilk’s existence, I spent my life eating cereal dry, because I cannot stand dairy milk. And there was nothing else that I wanted to do with it. So I just would crunch on my cereal. And maybe that makes me a psychopath to some but now I use oat milk and so it's okay. Kimberly's looking at me.
Kimberly: I have a lot of questions about dry cereal. I think it's better than people, who I mean no offense to people who do this.
But people who put water in their cereal as opposed to milk.
Ali: Oh yeah, I’m worried about that.
Maddy: That's a crime. That's a crime.
Kimberly: If you do that, if you do that, that's fine.
Ali: It’s not. It’s not fine
Kimberly: I just have a lot of opinions about that. I'm not here to judge. Except that's all that we humans do. Anyway, we are here. As you may have heard, as you may have guessed from our episode title. So what's your sign? And you may have gotten a little sneak peek about it from our first episode. If you've not listened to that already. We- I thought this was would be a really great opportunity to talk about astrology, and to talk about astrology in the way that it sort of permeates our lives in a multitude of ways. This might end up being just an episode about astrology and what it is rather than the things that I just mentioned. But that's okay, because we are a flexible podcast and we are also students. And nothing that students love more, especially Gen Z, than astrology.
Ali: Correct. This could be full of varying degrees of usefulness or uselessness, but we hope you enjoy nevertheless.
Kimberly: We hope that you enjoy some sort of conversation whether you're hearing this on your way, on your drive, just at home. It randomly popped up in your recommendations. We hope that you enjoy this.
Ali: Watch if it does, that would be very exciting. Then we’ve mastered the search engine.
Kimberly: So I guess why don't we go ahead and start off for those who may not be familiar with or are just absolutely confused by when kids ask you what is your sign? And what the purpose of that is? What is-
Ali: Sorry, I didn't know I was recording with my grandfather. When the kids asked you about your astrology sign, what are you gonna say? [laughter]
Kimberly: Anyway, um, so what is the astrology? What- what the heck is it? And mind you, we do have Ali Shaw in the room. Not to call her out, but I will absolutely call them out. They are a bit of an astrology head. I don't know about you, Maddy, I am less of an astrology head.
Maddy: I'm like in the middle. I do have my Co-Star I have my friends on my Co-Star and like, I check up on it every now and then. But I'm not like super dedicated but I do, I do believe in it. Like I do think that there is some truth to that. Like I know some people are like no, it's not true like your traits or whatever don't correspond with your sign, but I believe it. I think it does.
Ali: I have- I have so many thoughts.
Kimberly: I know you have something to share. If it brings other people joy then I'm okay with it. But I have absolutely no idea what any of the signs mean. Like I understand when you say fire signs or water signs and all that stuff, but I like any other detail after that I'm completely lost.
Ali: So true. So true. So I do pay $12 a month for an astrology app that actually like owns my life. It is really remarkable. I love it very much. It's by a creator named Chani Nicholas, C-h-a-n-i. The app is just called Chani. And I think it's great. She wrote a book called, You Were Born for This: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance, I think. I really love it because A) just like, it's fun. And it's like a, I don't know, kind of a novel way to interact with like, why are you like this? And like how do you respond to this kind of conflict or what like drives you and makes you really, feel empowered and excited? So I could, I could go in fairly deep, but I will rely on my fellow co hosts here to reel me in a little bit. But yeah, it's a great time. So we can, I don't know where y'all want to start. But there might be some ground like definitions that we want- to start with.
Kimberly: Perhaps yeah, I think we just want to clarify like when we talk about astrology, we also we understand that there are different obviously different interpretations and cultures of like what the stars mean. Obviously, you may be familiar with more Western astrology with the Scorpio, Aries, Capricorn... Why can’t I think of-- Cancer I'm literally Cancer. All the other signs, but you also, there's obviously like Chinese Zodiac and that's really important in certain cultures and people love to like, I know, for those born in the 2000s we love to be like year of the dragon let's go. And some people are born of the year of the rat.
Ali: Yeah, hi, I'm a ‘99 baby. So year of the rabbit.
Kimberly: Am I the only?
Ali: Are you a 2000?
Kimberly: I’m a 2000 baby.
Ali: Maddy when were you born?
Maddy: 2001.
Ali: Good, Lord.
Kimberly: You're not that much older.
Ali: Okay, well, what's your birthday?
Kimberly: July 17?
Ali: Yeah, I'm like six months older than you. Okay, that's not that much anyway.
Kimberly: Apparently, you're an elder.
Ali: I’m a 90s kid, no worries, just a flex. [laughter]
Kimberly: But yeah, so there's different types of astrology and different types of way that people interpret the stars in space, and what the signs mean to them. So when we specifically talk about astrology, I think in our circumstances, I think we're specifically talking about the more Western-
Ali: Well, I think that it's been taken, astrology has been very westernized in the way that it like has permeated pop culture. But it's been something, like the tradition of studying the Zodiac, and when we say the Zodiac in astrology, what we're meaning is the use of the position of the stars and planets on the exact moment that you were born, or like, the moment where you take your first breath, as a way of understanding your experience on this earth. Be that your personality, your career and life choices, your family, your relationships, those like it's a way of not necessarily predicting, but interpreting your, like human experience based off of that, first pivotal moment of life, if that makes any sense. Yeah, yeah. And that has been that's been around for hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of years. And it did not start in the western world as we know it today, being like America, and--
Kimberly: Oh, for sure.
Ali: but not everything.
Kimberly: Yeah, I think because it's been so westernized and pop culture. Like, if you've ever seen any kind of teen magazine, it definitely has some sort of like horoscope of the day, 100%. And I think that's the kind of astrology that we're familiar with.
Ali: Yeah, yeah. And those usually, like, most folks are familiar with their horoscope, which is based off of your sun sign. But there's a few others, there's a ton of different like positions and planets and signs within the birth chart. And the sun sign is essentially like, your most prominent identity. And so that's like, how I'm kind of like- how necessarily you view yourself like internally, but like how you see yourself kind of existing in the world. And that is what most people like, think of like, oh, like, I'm a Sagittarius, I’m a Leo, blah blah blah. And if you don't necessarily relate to your sun sign, that could be because there's a lot of other important signs at play within your birth chart. And so sometimes it resonates like with folks and sometimes it doesn't.
Kimberly: Yeah, for sure. Maddy has mentioned-- well, I get it I mean, I'm understanding. It makes sense to me. Maddy here-- If you didn't catch our last episode, we all talked about what star signs we are. We learned that Ali is ,you said you’re Sagittarius?
Ali: Sagittarius Sun, Leo, moon- I can't do it without saying the big three. So if you if you listened to our last episode, I believe we talked about our big three signs which are your sun, rising, and moon signs. Those are going to essentially give you a more complex and comprehensive picture of like who you are, at least when you're subscribing to the belief system that astrology provides. And so that means that I'm a sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Aries, rising in Leo. And the three fire signs are Sagittarius, Leo and Aries, meaning I am a trouble fire sign, which is a lot of fun and a wild ride for everybody involved.
Kimberly: Maddy is also another fire sign, I am the token water sign in this room, which makes sense. But you also said that you mentioned that you completely believe in it. And you think that it can like differ, like makes like it justifies or it makes sense? How certain people interact or how they behave and stuff.
Maddy: Yeah, like, well, I think it's also one of those things when you start reading a lot about it. And then you start being like, oh, yeah, like I see myself in that. But no, like, I do think it's real. I mean, I think well, because I was born in the last day to be an Aries. So I've read a lot about like the Aries and Taurus cusp. So I do think that I have some like Taurus-ness within that, but I do kind of think like, there is some truth to it and like how people are, at least like in their, like overall existence. Like I very much do see you Ali as a triple fire sign. [laughter]
Ali: I'd be curious to know why. But I don't know if I want you to totally roast me.
Kimberly: No, I think it totally makes sense.
Ali: I'm just mostly loud. I don't know if that's...
Maddy: No, it's just like you seem like super fun and like outgoing. And I feel like that is a fire sign. You know what I mean?
Ali: Yeah, what's your thank you. That's very sweet. What's your moon and rising again? Can you remind me?
Maddy: Um, I think well, okay, Aquarius I'm pretty sure I'm rising. And then Moon is Pisces.
Ali: Okay. Yeah, so Aqua is an Air sign. And then Pisces is a water sign. Yeah, so you've got a fire. Good little balance there. Yeah. And then the fact that you're also an Aries Taurus cusp. Taurus being an earth sign also means that you have some aspects of both of those signs, which it does make sense. I feel like I see you definitely as a very like, balanced, well rounded person, which makes a little--
Maddy: Well thank you. I try.
Ali: Don’t we all.
Maddy: I try to be balanced.
Ali: And Kimberly our Cancer queen over here.
Kimberly: Thank you.
Ali: Tell me more about you, are you?
Kimberly: Are you reading us right now?
Ali: Well, no, but...
Kimberly: I think at the very end, I just have a fun idea. I have a fun idea for the end. Um, I am a as far as I remember. I don't remember specifically because again, I'm a Cancer sun. I think I'm a Aquarius moon and a Gemini rising.
Ali: Aqua and Gemini are both air signs. So you have some water and air. And that?
Kimberly: I do. Yeah.
Ali: Gemini and Sagittarius get along very well, which is weird because we hate each other. So that doesn't make any sense.
Kimberly: You know, I also read that Cancers and Libras don't get along with each other. But my partner is a Libra.
Ali: Okay, well, and that's an important caveat to say right off the bat, like astrology is in its entirety, a very. It's not something that is like the end all be all concrete in your relationship.
All: No, yeah, no.
Kimberly: Please do not break up over someone because they’re not--
Ali: Some people really live their lives by it and other people don't. I will be bringing up Chani more than once on this podcast as I already have. But a lot of her philosophy revolves around like this is a way that has helped me interpret my life and my relationships with the people that are in it. And if it resonates with you awesome, I want to like give you information and tools to explore that resonance and if it doesn't, that's also fine and I like hope that you find something that is also like spiritually important to you and can give you some more context for this messy world we live in. So don’t-
Kimberly: Absolutely. I am not, I mean I think two years in and I think I'm okay. Doing pretty great.
Ali: I also agree. Yeah, yup but it can be fun to explore.
Kimberly: Oh yeah, I think it's definitely, I think and you know, you hear the like old saying that opposites attract and if we're meant to be not compatible with each other then we've just proved all those theories wrong.
Ali: Like ha suck guys, we really figured it out.
Kimberly: Truly, yeah, you know, I just I think the common ground that we both have is that we cry a lot.
Ali: Which I love.
Kimberly: You know, we just, cry. [laughter]
Ali: Very LGBTQ of the both of you, just saying. [laughter continues]
Kimberly: I mean, I just I am fascinated by people who know so much about it. I actually envy them, because that's just like a lot of information that I would have not been able to contain that can barely remember a lot from what I read in like a chapter of a book and like have to regurgitate that information to like, the next day and be like, I couldn't not tell you. But like for anyone to be like, what's your sign? Okay, now, let me tell you about this. Really, it really like I really, it's, it's inspiring. It's very, it's very fun. And I don't know how to describe it. It's just like, you know, I could not do it.
Ali: Well, I think that potentially, this is just my hyper fixation talking. But I think that if you gave it more time, you would absolutely be able to get on that level. If, if you so desired. Just saying...
Kimberly: I can't just have more friends that just tell me
Ali: Well, I can talk your ear off your days, if that’s what you’re asking.
Kimberly: Why do the work when you can just have friends who do it for you? [laughter]
Ali: Right? So I think I kind of mentioned before, but yes, you have your sun, which is your like basic identity and like kind of how like you see yourself. Like as a whole. Then you have your moon, which is going to be more of like your body and the physical way that you show up in the world. So oftentimes, that's discussed as like the way that people perceive you, and how you're kind of like externally interpreted. And then your rising is more of your internal relationship with the self. And that can also be like seen as like your motivation for living, or like the reasons that you feel really like empowered and passionate in your life. And then, to add another level of that, your rising sign will have it's also called an ascendant sign. And so your rising sign is going to have an ascendant ruler, which is essentially the planet that governs the sign that is, your rising. Your ascendant ruler rules, your ascendant.
Maddy: Wow.
Kimberly: Yeah, I think that had to do with like, I don't know, because again, I actually don't know, like, the timeline of or the history of astrology, you think that I would have gotten a little more familiar with that, but I just read up on how astrology shows up in literature, which is...
Ali: Which we'll get to at some point--we're not just gonna, like, imagine it.
Kimberly: But, but I almost wonder if like, because it's actually it's, like Ali, you said, like, it's been around for a lot longer than we think it does. Like, I know, we think about it as like a fun, pop culture thing. But there are some cultures and traditions that really took what the stars told them. And, you know, obviously, something comes from somewhere. So this must have been grounded in some sort of, like, interpretation in, you know, we named planets after Roman gods and stuff. And the fact that it's connected to a certain astrology/astrological sign feels like there's some sort of connection there with like, Roman history, Roman God history and astrology.
Ali: When I like, I don't know, I get very frustrated with people who are like, Oh, it's like, it's not like it's not scientific, you can't prove any of it. And it's like, okay, well, that's a very like... Western neoliberal approach to the what is science because essentially, it's just a, it's a study of pattern and the way that we notice similar traits happening within folks who are born at certain points with like, in accordance with the planets. It's like, I mean, we look for patterns in everything that's literally the way our brains are, like, programmed to function. So if you're an--and again, just because it's resonant and exciting to me, doesn't mean it has to be for you. So if you're like, “This is stupid.” Okay, I hope you find something in your life that isn't stupid that makes you excited.
Kimberly: I was just talking to Maddy earlier about how we can say no to things so if this information does not please you or does not resonate with you at all you can say no to us and you can pause right now,
Ali: But still leave us a review in the Apple Store.
Kimberly: Oh, of course, please do so.
Ali: We would love you forever.
Kimberly: We are in fact an academic podcast and we are just trying our best. All this to say though don't hate on Cancers that much. I get it we're emotional.
Ali: Lots of big fields. But that's beautiful. Like you're really...
Kimberly: Lovable.
Ali: Exactly. Yeah,
Kimberly: I just got so I just like there are certain astral astrological signs I get so much like, I think they're the pattern gets, you know, becomes a stereotype that like the second you introduce yourself as one you're like, immediately people have like presumptions about you or like they are immediately like they like know who you are. Which is why it gets scary for me (not that scary). But like for me to be like, “I'm a Cancer,” and people like, “Oh, that makes sense.”
Ali: You're like, “What does that mean?” What makes sense about that? Well, and here's...
Kimberly: When's the last time you cried?
Ali: Well, right now, don’t be mean to me [laughter]
Ali: When like another like on on that same note, like you said, your moon is an Aquarius?
Kimberly: I think so. Yeah.
Ali: And so the moon again is like how someone shows up to others and how like you're viewed externally in your physical body. And you haven't got Aquarius moon makes all the sense in the world, because...
Kimberly: Again, I don't know what that means.
Ali: Aquarians are extremely inquisitive, and very interesting and pretty mercurial and excited to learn more excited to ask questions. Very passionate, enthusiastic, maybe a little weird in their own interests and excitement, which is not in a bad way at all.
Kimberly: This is the compliment Kimberly's show, please give me all the validation
Ali: words affirmation are my love language to give, baby, we could talk about this for hours.
Kimberly: Oh, my God, what's affirmation is a whole other bag of worms. I just talked about it with my partner. And the other day, I was like, my used to be quality time, but I think it's words of affirmation or words of affirmation is definitely going up there. Because every day, I'm like, it would be nice, iff someone validated me right now.
Ali: And that’s another thing. I think that if, if you haven't taken the love languages test, do it. It's really interesting, very informative. And there's also a book that goes along with it. I don't, I can't vouch for that because I haven’t read it. But like in the love languages assessments, all of those Love Languages show up for you somewhere within like how you interact with folks. And similarly, in astrology, all of the planets were somewhere when you were born. So you have aspects of every sign and every planet within your chart, it just depends on how strongly they show up, based off of where they were positioned. So... like the big three? While we've talked about the sun, moon and rising, those might be more presently obvious or indicative of who you are. But that doesn't mean that the other planets in science within your chart are not actively working in your life as well.
Maddy: Yeah, I think people well, I mean, I think it's a general like good way to just kind of see yourself in a general sense. I don't know if you could be like, like how you were saying, if an app tell or a book tells you don't be with--or Libras and Cancers don't get along or whatever. It's like, don't I don't think you should take that literally. Oh, I feel like it's just a good fun overall, like, general guidance of like, I don't know, yourself.
Ali: Yeah. And like that is like, you don't have to take it literally like it can be a fun exercise of interpretation. And, and also, like, your signs are going to show up in different houses, which is a whole other complicated aspect that even I am like, not super well versed in quite yet. But each sign and each planet in your chart is present in a certain house. And the house system, there's two main ones, I'm not gonna remember the names of them. But there's two different ways of reading planetary houses. But that's going to show you where, like, what aspect of your life that planet is applicable to. So like, for me, my sun is in Sagittarius. And it's placed in the fifth house, which is the house of like children, creative projects, like relationships and pleasure. And so that means that like my Sagittarian identity, which is like super positive and bubbly and adventurous, and kind of restless shows up in the relationships that I have as far as like children and creative endeavor and the relationships that I like find pleasurable. If that makes sense.
Ali: Kimberly's looking at me like I just spoke a different language.
Kimberly: I know I don't know, I mean... Again, I am--I can admit that I'm least versed in this kind of where--where all I just know is that I have a Co-star. It tells me things every day and I'm like, “Huh, that's weird.” And then some days when I look at it, I'm like, “That's so weird. How did they know?” Yeah, it's so crazy.
Ali: With the way that modern technology has been interacted with astrology, like of course, bare in mind that costar is driven by an AI that was written by like influenceable flawed humans, as all things are, so if Co-star doesn't do it for you. Guess what? Co-star is not the cosmic authority. So, another plug for Chani though it is 11.99 a month, which is far too much to be paying for an app, I hope to god my mother doesn't listen to this episode because she will be viscerally disappointed in me. [laughter
Ali: I really like that one, because it also like gives you more information about your chart and like you can like read into like the transits that are happening, because transits are like how the current sky is moving, and what that--what that means as far as how you're feeling, in effect, like as an effect of that. So like, whenever people are like complaining about Mercury being in retrograde, that means it's moving in the reverse of its normal planetary transit, which I don't totally understand. If I'm being honest.
Maddy: I couldn't tell you though, I wouldn't, I would not know
Ali: Maybe I can. Because I'm like, the planet doesn't like actually change in orbit physically, but like something happens, something happens. And it messes with technology and communication, because that's what mercury, like Mercury is the planet of communication. So like, in my chart, my Mercury is in Sagittarius, which is like, again, that positive like kind of bubbly buoyancy is like how I communicate and express myself with other people. And so, when Mercury is in retrograde, the way that you communicate with folks, like becomes incompatible, and then technology starts to get wonky, because of like, the way we're trying to communicate with each other. I swear, I'm not just talking out of my butt. I've listened to a lot. I've heard a lot of podcasts.
Maddy: No, I've heard of the retrograde. Yeah, but does that only affect the fire signs?
Ali: No. So that's like, so kind of, like how I said, there's a, like, you're all of the planets exist within your chart. When the planets move, and how they move in relation to each other, and how they station each other. That's gonna have an impact on everybody. It just depends on how severe that shows up, or like how severe that impact is. And so like, when Mercury stations Retrograde, it's potentially like going to super effect, it also depends on what sign it's going to be in retrograde within. There's just so there's a lot of layers, it's like an onion, the universe, an onion. Like when Mercury is in retrograde, it could super affect one particular sign, it could totally leave somebody else, like untouched and that, in and of itself is going to create some kind of like, change in communicative and relational dynamics between breaks. Right. I hope that makes sense.
Maddy: No, it does make sense. I got it cool.
Kimberly: You know, I was very excited about this episode, because A) I knew Ali would have a lot to say about this. [laughter] But B) at the same time, I will learn a lot. And I think it goes to show that like I know for some certain individuals, this may just seem like a silly kind of thing that people like to you know, go along with, but like people have done research about this. People have literally like looked at what astrology means, and like gone to really deep research about it. And you know, like I mentioned here, like Ali said before, we are going to mention this, but that like astrology has also existed in literature. And you know, there are records of people, Shakespeare, I mention Shakespeare because that is an easy access, I know, The Canterbury Tales, which I'm not absolutely familiar with. Sorry, full disclaimer, and the author of that series...
Ali: Was that Dickens?
Kimberly: No, it's not. It was a completely different author.
Ali: Wow, I sound like such a newb
Kimberly: It's actually okay. Again, I really don't know this
Ali: Okay, your writing center consultants are humans who don't know everything about literature and the world.
Kimberly: That is true. You know, who may know someone who has read the book.
Ali: If you've read The Canterbury Tales, leave us a review. Five stars at the App Store. Let us know we'd love to hear from you. Read us but don't but five stars for five cents.
Kimberly: That's all we ask. Four at least I mean, I mean, believe me, I have room for improvement.
Ali: It's kind of like how I've never once given an Uber driver or a Lyft driver less than five stars because they would like actively have to inflict injury upon me in order to like lower their rating. That's fine my head. It's kind of like that. Five stars. Yeah. For showing up.
Kimberly: All this to say is that there is still like, I just I want to let our listeners know that like, we make this episode and you'll be like, Oh my God, I don't want to have to sit through it a whole episode about y'all But it's like more than that, like people have really relied on this. And I don't think it's wrong to do so and it’s not like you're hurting anybody too severely, unless you're using it as a weapon, then please don't, please don't do it. I think it's just a really great way to understand the like, how it helps people clarify, you know, parts about themselves, I think that that's part of the bigger world journey that we're all on is just like, What is the meaning of life. And I think that some people using the stars and the planets and the alignment and all that stuff, gives them a sense of clarity, and gives them a sense of, you know, comfort to just know that, like, why you may behave this way. It's like, oh, because I'm a Cancer, like, if I, if I am really emotional about a certain thing, which, by the way, everyone gets emotional, we express it in different ways. But things attributed to a cancer sign that I exhibit, frequently, is like, oh, because I'm a cancer sun. And I use that example, to just say that, like, you know, this isn't some willy nilly thing there. This is rooted in long years of people trying to, like develop this, to find different ways to learn about themselves. And like Ali has mentioned, there are books out there talking about this kinds of stuff. And you can take tests that are maybe some are more official than others official, quote, unquote, some are just like on a very generic quiz website, which is okay. Whatever you trust, more
Ali: Be a skeptical consumer of media, if it doesn't resonate with you. Maybe try a different source.
Kimberly: Exactly.
Ali: And see what you can glean for yourself.
Kimberly: But all this to say is, if you've ever read any kind of old historical texts, you know that there's going to be some sort of like, pleading for the stars to tell me like, what, where am I going to go? And sometimes it just, it's just like, you know, life. Some parts of life deserve to be romanticized. And what kind of--
Ali: Amen I like that.
Kimberly: Thank you, thank you, why can't--
Ali: I’m pro-romanticization.
Kimberly: Why can't I just look at the stars with my loved ones and be like, this is this, this is what they're going to tell me and like, make meaning out of it. Like when people see shooting stars, we understand scientifically, that it's just like a like a dying rock. You know what I mean? But to some people--
Ali: But that’s not fun! I don’t want to look at the sky and say, “Oh yeah, they're all just exploding masses of gas,” like, boo, right? So much cooler when you let it be fun.
Kimberly: And I think poets and poetry and for those who may know more about that, like, I think there is a sense of that poetry gives us a comfort, a sense of like, that you're not alone in this world. And like I was reading about, I couldn't tell you right off the bat, what specifically but I will include these links in the description box for you as a starter to explore, you know, what does astrology mean? If you're a skeptic, if you're already a big believer in it, you know, it doesn't help to have more resources. But you know, there are definitely different mediums of...mediums that talk about the importance of astrology. So you know that it isn't completely moot, per se, that's, that's my three word this week. M-o-o-t.
Ali: In case you were wondering [laughter] Yeah. And like, I like what you're saying, Kimberly, about how like, it's not a new thing for people to look at the sky and wonder how it affects us. And I think why astrology tends to be fairly resonant with me is that like, it just seems so impossible to me that we exist within this really like complex Cosmos, and are not affected by the things that are happening externally to this planet that feels like, again, just my opinion, but it feels like extremely arrogant of humans to think that we are totally untouchable, by the forces that exist in the universe beyond us that we do not understand and frankly, likely don't have the cognitive capacity to understand. And so it's really interesting, at least for me to like, kind of stretch into, like, “oh, well, what if, what if I'm actually just like, really small and the 1000s of, like, 1000s of years of precedent in history and study of the patterns in people's personalities have actually, like, created more information and observation than I myself as one person in this world can, like, understand.” I don't know if that makes a lot of sense, but, and it's also like, okay, and this sounds ridiculous, but we're like made of a lot of water. The human being, and the moon controls the tides. And so the moon, then like, the water is affected. Yeah? Anyway, no, that is a, again, none of this is scientifically backed by Western empiricism but I think it's kinda interesting. That’s all.
Maddy: Well, I mean, I think too, like, even in psychology, I mean, there's like the whole Myers Brigg thing, which is also like personality types and different like archetypes in literature. So I feel like, I don't know, people might be trying to do almost the same thing as like astrology has been doing for longer is like just try to find commonality within like certain traits or yeah, like what have you. Like the Myers Briggs thing, well, I really like that that's a whole separate thing. [laughter] But similar vibe.
Ali: Yeah. And like, I mean, again, to, like, connect it back to writing. Like, I think that it's a really kind of essential human experience to want to understand how you fit in with other people. And why like, the way that you approach conflict or interactions with others, like, mean, we don't read. We don't read just to, like exercise, the parts of our brain that know how to interpret markings on a page into narrative story within our heads, like, we do it in a lot of ways to, like, live vicariously through another or to experience stories that are different than our own and to, like, pursue understanding. And I think that tests like the Enneagram or Myers Briggs, or interpretations of astrology, like are also rooted in that essential desire to, to be seen and like recognize how you exist within other people.
Kimberly: All this to say, you know, we not to be like, not to give anyone an existential crisis, but we are one individual on the speck of rock, and just going on with life. And we're all complex, dynamic human beings. And I think, you know, as long as we're being good to each other and kind and just trying to find ourselves, I think, you know, why not have have pride and like being x sign or y rising or all of that stuff. And the same way that people like, you know, like you've mentioned, like the personality test, I love personality tests. I don't know what it is about it. I love having these four little letters. Tell me who I am. Yes.
Ali: What is your Myer’s Briggs?
Kimberly: Ah, my... I don't think I've ever taken a Myer Briggs. Yeah.
Ali: Ahh, That will be remedied on an upcoming podcast. Apple, Spotify, whatever we use anchor FM, they help us make things
happen.
Kimberly: But you guys have taken it I assume.
Ali: Yes,
Maddy: Yeah. Yes. I'm an INTJ. Okay.
Kimberly: Oh, it's thought... Yeah. Okay. I didn't realize the personality for like, Okay, well, I have taken it. Okay. It is, I think I am an ENFJ. Okay.
Ali: I'm an ENFP. Which is more like on like the feeling side rather than like the judgment or--
Kimberly: Ali and I are going to go to war after this. You're off by one letter. [laughter]
Ali: Duke it out. Whoever interprets information better [laughter]. Yeah. And then I like I've taken the Enneagram. I don't know if either of...
Kimberly: I have not taken it recently. It's been like a while since the last one I took I think I was like a four or a two
Ali: I would guess you as a four.
Kimberly: I really don't my partner's more into Enneagrams than I am
Ali: Enneagram is like kind of like the Myers Briggs where like, is a way of kind of quote unquote, typing you into like, your essential motivations and interests and like how you fit into like, I'm a four wing three. So the four is like the artist or the Creator. The wing is like where you lean as far as in relation to the other. Like numbers. And so opening three is like a wing of ambition and like drive.
Kimberly: I see that. That's interesting.
Ali: Anyway, so maybe, maybe we'll take the Enneagram
Kimberly: Yeah, maybe we'll check back on our next episode when we have different ideas for it. But we'll just do a quick check in before we start the episode. Yeah, yeah. So last episode, you heard that we were talking about Enneagrams and now we just want to update. Yeah, you said you were an ISTJ
Maddy: INTJ.
Ali: Tell me more about that.
Maddy: So Oh, boy. So don't get me started. [laughter]
Ali: Maddy, here we go
Maddy: It's the architect. So it's, like, more analytical. Introverted, but a lot of like you can you are, you can find work, but it needs to be like very, like a deep, a long process of work like you're not satisfied by like quick stuff like, like doing a math problem might not satisfy you. But like writing a very long paper might. Like a lot of work. It's just I don't know, I'm trying to think of like the famous people. Yeah, I mean, they say like, well, I'm also a Game of Thrones person, but there's a few like Game of Thrones characters that are INTJs. God, I’m trying to think of who else? You know, it's, it's an interesting one to be I feel like, because its purple, so like the colors mean different things.
Ali: Oh so I hadn’t heard about the colors before.
Maddy: Yeah, so. Well you might be green...
Ali: Oh yeah, wait no, is this the 16 personalities test? I know mine shows up green, yeah.
Maddy: Okay
Kimberly: I think mine might be... Oh I can’t remember
Ali: I think you might be green
Maddy: Yeah
Ali: Because you are ENFJ and that’s only one letter off from me and I think that’s on the side of extroversion and emotional communication stuff.
Kimberly: I don’t know, I can check right after this.
Ali: Anyway, if you can share more about Meyers-Brigg's information
Maddy: It’s interesting though, I mean the purples are architect, analyst, statistician. It’s more like those people.
Ali: So not me. [laughter]
Maddy: I mean I identify with some of it, I mean I am not super like...
Kimberly: Rigid about it...
Maddy: Right, I mean it is interesting. They give you a lot of advice, like, this is how you would be as a parent. This is how you would be in a relationship. This is how you would find your work or your life’s purpose. So, it’s the same sort of thing as astrology. Yeah.
Ali: Again, ways of interpreting your existence with other people.
Maddy: Exactly! Right.
Ali: If you really pair things down, you see a theme of mostly this. I remember, I was in a class and we spent a fair amount of time talking about like “pseudo-psychology” and “pop-psychology” and how things like personality tests, astrology, and all that fit within those categories. Because they cannot be empirically legitimized by being peer-reviewed and all of that stuff.
Maddy: No fun. [laughter]
Ali: Yeah, it’s like come on. Obviously love me some “psyc” but I’m also like guys let people try to find meaning in places.
Kimberly: Right! Exactly!
Ali: But again, just because some letter or numbers or stars tell you how you think you should be doesn’t mean that you have to.
Kimberly: And I also love that it... What I love about the Meyers-Briggs test is that it changes. Like I used to be an INFP for the longest time. And then for some, I took the test recently, because I wanted to know if I grew at all. Like the love language test or Enneagram. Yeah. You know I found out that I am more extroverted than what I used to be, which is evident.
Maddy: [laughter]
Kimberly: Umm but with those things, you see yourself grow. And it's like a little victory or little... and if you don’t want to grow that’s fine too. But it’s like the little things that you know make you... like little joys, little places of joys. You know you can say you used to be an INFP but now you are an ENFJ. It’s like something that allows you to reflect about who you are as a person now and in your life. And yeah, maybe I am more extroverted and maybe I am more this or that. Umm I think that’s totally fun and again, if you're not hurting anyone and if you are not weaponizing these kinds of things, I hope you aren’t dear listener, then what's the harm in having a little fun in like uh in having a little more clarity in our lives and in ourselves.
Maddy: Right!
Kimberly: Exactly!
Kimberly: So, I thought as a fun little thing to do at the end is to just give our own little horoscope, or our sun sign specifically, just because we know there are other signs out there. Um but we don’t want to assume anything on your behalf, so why don’t we go ahead and.... just for our listeners out there that also happen to be an Aries, Sagittarius, or Cancer. Go Cancers! Anyway ummm.
Ali: And if you don’t if that’s not one of your signs, uh I’m sorry.
Kimberly: Yeah
Ali: We do want to focus on “I statements” and focus on our own experiences and not speak for others.
Kimberly: We are also three people umm.
Ali: We are!
Kimberly: Not twelve. [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Ali: None of us are astrologers. And if you are curious go check out Chany’s podcast. [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Kimberly: If you are listening to this, please sponsor us. [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Ali: If you are listening, I would die. I would love to like yeah... [laughter]
Kimberly: Anyway, um who feels ready? Who feels ready? To start with a little horoscope for themselves.
Ali: You know I am always down!
Kimberly: You can start us off!
Maddy: Yeah start us off!
Ali: Okay! Umm dear fellow Sagittarians umm a horoscope maybe just in general perhaps that is not relevant to what is currently happening in the sky as I... Again, I am not a professional astrologer, but umm but we at our core want and seek adventure and dynamism and try to find ways to experience new things. So I would say to lean into that even if its daunting um. Allow yourself to experience fear in a way that is motivating and it’s not limitating... limiting... limiting is the way that you say that word. Umm [laughter] umm
Kimberly: I would have accepted it!
Ali: I think I said it confidently enough that I was going to go for it.
Maddy: Yep! [laughter]
Ali: [Laughter] umm yeah try something that scares you are run with it. Don’t obviously put yourself or others in harms way. But there is um space for fear to exist as a mechanism for adventure as opposed to something that is paralyzing.
Kimberly: Disclaimer we do not encourage harming others.
Ali: Do not do anything that...
Kimberly: Please do not do anything that would put yourself or others at risk. Thank you!
Ali: [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Kimberly: That was beautiful! That was beautiful! Umm Maddy, I don’t know if you have anything for anybody.
Maddy: Yeah! I can go. That was... That was very good to follow! [laughter]
Ali: [laughter]
Maddy: I guess for the Aries people out there... Ummm I’m trying to think. I guess just,, I don’t know I think sometimes even in myself Aries people, stay grounded. I guess [laughter]… Ummm yeah I mean stay fun because I think one of the things for Aries people, aren’t they kind of like umm or aren’t they spontaneous....
Ali: Yes, spontaneous, action oriented.
Maddy: Yeah!
Ali: And like to be on the move.
Maddy: Yeah!
Ali: We don’t have any notes, we are totally pulling this out of thin air. So uhh....
Maddy: So yes, what Ali has said... action oriented, spontaneous, I mean I don’t know. I would like to think sometimes that being action oriented is fun but take some time for yourself to maybe chill out, be lazy. And do something for you.
Ali: Embrace some Taurian aspects.
Maddy: Yes!
Ali: Very much enjoying rest and material comforts perhaps.
Maddy: [laughter] I like that!
Kimberly: That was beautiful! I like that! I actually have something similar for my fellow Cancer’s.
Ali: Oh my god!
Kimberly: I just want you to know fellow Cancers, you have my love and upmost respect. I’m right there with you, I am just trying to learn the world as much as you are. And don’t forget to love yourself, don’t forget to say no. Don’t forget, most importantly, to do things that make you happy.
Ali: Give yourself the emotional tenderness that you offer to others.
Kimberly: I am talking to my Cancers right now!
Ali: Hey! I was adding to it okay! [laughter]
Kimberly: [laughter] I just want to say that I know wea re at the bottom of the hierarchy, but in our minds its reversed. We are the top dog, no hate to anyone else, but we do get a lot of let's say criticism for being emotional.
Ali: Episode title... Kimberly beefs with every other astrological sign other than Cancer. [laughter]
Kimberly: [laughter] I just have a lot of love for us.
Ali: Are you crying right now?
Kimberly: No, I am not.
Ali: Ok, it sounds like it.
Kimberly: Anyway... do your best.
Maddy: I love that!
Kimberly: Yes, thank you. I uh got a little personal there, sorry guys I know that was a lot.
Ali: No, don’t apologize. Own it!
Kimberly: Don’t apologize Cancers. [laughter]
Ali: [laughter]
Maddy: [laughter]
Ali: Folks, thanks for listening, thanks for being here through this kind of chaotic and academically adjacent...
Kimberly: Episode...
Ali: Exploration into astrology.
Kimberly: That’s what we do at Hoo’s at the Writing Center. This episode has just been great um.
Ali: [laughter]
Kimberly: All this is to say, you know. Everything... all good things must come to an end, but don’t worry, we will be back.
Ali: Yes, we will be back! We have some exciting things coming up!
Kimberly: Please check out our Writing Center blog. We are recording this in the summer, so we do not know what kinds of posts we will be having by then. Please check out our Writing Center blog!
Ali: Maybe we will get some astrology content in there...
Kimberly: Wouldn’t that be so fun? Someone who listened to the episode and was like, “I’m going to make a blog post about astrology.”
Ali: That’d be cool.
Kimberly: Please place your bets on who it might be. It might be Ali. [laughter]
Ali: It might be, but other consultants? If they listen or not, maybe we’ve sparked some inspiration.
Kimberly: Please check out our Writing Center blog for transcribed versions of episodes and for posts by our Writing Center staff. Follow our social media @suwritingcenter on Instagram, Seattle U Writing Center on Facebook, and @writingcentersu on Twitter! And the podcast’s new Instagram @hoosatthewcpod for all things HATWC related!
Ali: That was beautifully timed. Very rhythmic.
Kimberly: What can I say, I’m a theater major. [laughter]
Ali: Okay, talking about being a theater major means it’s time to end the show.
Kimberly: With that, be sure to stay safe, take care of one another, and this has been another episode of--
Everyone: Hoo- Hoo- Hoo's At The Writing Center.
[CLOSING MUSIC PLAYS]