I started the morning in the garden — barefoot, sweating, with the soothing sounds of Anita Baker floating through the air.
It’s hot here in Houston. Triple digits, no breeze, ain’t-going-nowhere-so-don’t-ask kind of hot.
When I came back inside, the air felt heavier and warmer than usual. I stood there for a moment sticky from the garden, dirt still under my nails and I just knew.
The AC was out.
I laughed. Couldn’t even be mad. If you know Houston, you know: it’s not summer unless the AC gives up at least once. That’s law.
I’ve been on the move this season and while I’m grateful for the momentum, I’m feeling some guilt about leaving my garden to face this heat without me.
How are y’all keeping your gardens happy and hydrated this summer?
🌞 Welcome to Leo season.
In the garden, Leo marks the height of summer.
Some plants — like okra, basil, and hibiscus — love this kind of heat. They use it to bloom bigger, fuller, and brighter. You’ll notice that some of your other plants may start to struggle. Maybe they need more shade, deeper watering, or protection from the heat. Eventually, the garden shows you where the stress is. You learn what needs more attention — and what needs to be let go.
The same is true for us.
Today’s New Moon in Leo arrives under a heavy sky — with Mercury Retrograde tempering the fire, asking us to slow down, look inward, and choose our words with care.
Leo is ruled by the sun, the center of our sky. And in the body, Leo governs the heart and the spine — what you love, and what helps you stand in it. This new moon isn’t asking for performance. It’s asking for presence. A full-bodied yes. A deeply felt no.
Just like in the garden, you’re being asked to notice: What’s blooming under pressure, and what’s asking for protection or release?
This new moon is about feeling something fully and standing up in it. While Leo gives us permission to shine and radiate. Mercury retrograde creates space for us to slow down and reassess our direction. Together, they are offering us the chance to reclaim our light.
Ask Yourself:
What part of me wants to be witnessed?
What desire have I buried under other people’s comfort?
Where have I been too quiet, too careful, too agreeable?
What would it feel like to take up space without apology and with pleasure?
Remember:
You’re not here to perform. You’re here to glow from within.
You’re not here to burn out. You’re here to burn bright, in your time, like only you can.
This is Leo’s gift. Embrace it.
Clippings & Links (Substack Edition)
This month’s reading list is all about reverence for Black Southern life, land, and that feeling of coming home to yourself.
Read something good lately? Drop it in the comments or send me a message.
Now Playing: The Star of The Story
By Heatwave
Originally released in 1977, “The Star of a Story” is a cosmic offering. From the floating bassline and honey vocals everything about it is soft, rich, and shining with Leo energy. Let this be your soundtrack for blooming and becoming the main character in your story.
Thanks for reading, reflecting, and being apart of the MARIGOLD community. If this moved you, I encourage you to share with someone who needs a little more sun, softness, or clarity in their life right now.