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Capricorn Season Reading Recommendations (December 21st – January 19th): The Entrepreneur & the Traditionalist

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Keywords & Capricorn in a Nutshell (including a bit of technical stuff)

The darkest and longest night of the year is upon us as the Sun moves into the sign of Capricorn on the Winter Solstice. Remember the beginning of Cancer season when the Sun was at its zenith? Now it has descended into the murky, chthonic (underworld) depths. The womb-tomb of cosmic rebirth. We’ve all descended into the dark bearing a tiny flickering light which will be reborn anew at the Spring Equinox when the Sun enters Aries, beginning the cycle again. 

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Sagittarius Season Book Recommendations (November 21st – December 21st): The Free-spirited Nomad & the Philosopher/Priest

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Keywords & Sagittarius in a Nutshell (including a bit of technical stuff)

Welcome to Sagittarius season, the sign of the archer and/or the mythical centaur (Chiron). Aim with your bow and arrow for your own personal North Star, the guiding force of your life leading you toward your own purpose, mission, or vocation as written in the stars. (For a profound and poignant take on the North Star as a spiritual guiding light, check out this fantastic podcast episode. FYI: The podcast itself is rather niche, but this episode, and others, could be worth a listen during Sagittarius season for anyone curious about learning more about how to engage with this stellar/celestial concept on a profoundly personal level).

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October Nature Journaling

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Journaling continues at Merrill Memorial Library! The focus in October is on nature in
transition. Change happens in our lives, and in the natural world as well. This month we will
explore the transitions in Maine’s natural world by setting up four different Sit Spots* and
compare and contrast the different Sit Spots. This is a continuation of our August 4th Nature
Journaling program. So, if you missed that program, jump into starting your own nature
journaling practice with us this October.

October’s Suggestions:

 Follow our weekly prompts to help you explore your inner and outer world. We
will be posting prompts every Monday via our library newsletter and social media
accounts. Follow along with the prompts and activities to build a journaling
practice.
 There are four Mondays in October. Pick a different Sit Spot each Monday and
follow the prompts for that week in that Sit Spot.
Examples of Sit Spots:
 Beach, woods, open field, and your backyard
 A Sit Spot on each side of your home (shed, other building)
 Pick a central spot and face the four different directions (North,
South, East and West) each Monday.
 Need to stay indoors? Pick four different windows!
This is your journal, make your choices on what works best for you.

There will be another Take and Make Nature Journaling kit for this month. This will
include materials needed to make a variety of different Nature Journal features including;
 How to make a map insert
 Materials to make your own journal
 How to Nature Journal zine.

Remember, this is no right or wrong way to Nature Journal as long as you are journaling
about nature. No one has to look at your journal. If you don’t think you write or sketch well, try
it. There are no grades. Express your perspective on nature as you feel comfortable. Just
journal! Journaling in nature is a great way to reduce stress and slow down life’s speedy pace.
Explore, question, and get curious about the nature around you!

Libra Season Book Recommendations (September 22nd – October 22nd): The Artist & The Diplomat

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Keywords & Libra in a Nutshell (including a bit of technical stuff)

Like fellow air sign Gemini, Libras tend to be social butterflies, but unlike Geminis, Libras usually aren’t into gossip but rather are dedicated to keeping the peace. They are at their best mediators of conflict, either on the large (i.e.: societal) or small (i.e.: familial) scale. At their worst, they are people pleasers who become bitter over time due to their inability to voice their own opinions and self advocate. (Ever heard of fawning?)

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Breaking Out of Reading Ruts… Try a new genre!

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Have you read and re-read the same books and authors too many times? Are you looking for something new to break yourself out of a reading rut? Try a new genre!

See below a snapshot view of the following 10 genres (and sub-genres). Please use them as a gateway/portal to a new reading realm. 🙂 Just as an FYI, they aren’t in any particular order, though I’ve tried to place genres that are related close to one another on the list (i.e.: Fantasy, Magical Realism, and Science Fiction, etc.) Also, note that there is often a lot of overlap between genres so if you’d categorize a title or author in a different genre than I have, we are BOTH probably right. Finally, the suggested authors listed for each genre are in no way comprehensive. They are just a starting point. 

If you have any questions or would like more suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Courtney at ckleftis@yarmouthlibrary.org. 

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