Seaweed has a holdfast on coastal cultures. Here’s a bit of seaweed history to celebrate the end of summer. — Tangled, briny masses of kelp litter the shoreline, curling around your ankles as the waves crash onto the strand. The baby uses a piece to adorn their sand castle, and you recline underneath under an oversized umbrella. What’s for lunch? You check nearby restaurants. We could go for some sushi…

Origins of marine monster myths and why this cryptid’s future might be in peril — Sea serpents have slithered into our imaginations. They terrorized ships of yore and plunged unsuspecting travelers down into the ocean depths. Sea serpents are often depicted as ancient creatures of chaos and destruction. So where are these slippery legends today? To be clear: as far as we are concerned here, this salty cryptid does not, and never…

On imposter syndrome, lonely conservationists and finding your place in science communities — Between winged creatures and flights of fancy, I pressed my nose against the nearest Natural History Museum exhibit and inhaled. The air was charged with energy and voices buzzed around the museum’s annual bug fair. In kindergarten, I was obsessed with bugs. I went to bug fairs. I reread Animal…

On fish mythology and keeping Pisces on your good side — (February 19th to March 20)* Pisces wanders by the tide pools, turning over rocks to uncover hidden sea life. They’re a lagoon creature, an anxious little ball of energy. They’d rather disappear into a fictional seascape than have to start tomorrow all over again. True, Pisces can become a bit…

This air sign’s fluid history, and how intellectuals are riding the impacts of change — Aquarius: the levelheaded air sign. (January 20 to about February 18)* They’re the artsy friend who is always working on a new project, always concerned with their community. When I think of Aquarius signs, I think of blue corn flowers strewn in a cup of stimulating tea. I would trust…

And why is the fish-goat an Earth Sign? So begins the season of our loyal, workaholic fish-goat. (December 22 to about January 19)* Capricorns are supposedly the level-headed, goal-driven G.O.A.T.S of the zodiac. While some might consider this sign cold-hearted, others expect them to make strategic decisions and deliver results. …

What to do when Mercury is in the microwave, and why we’ll still care in 2023 — What’s your sign? Astrology is everywhere, from #Witchtok to street fashion and office coffee chats. Its rotations and retrogrades ebb and flow — as does its popularity. But why is this wheel of the year so popular right now? Why do we care whether our best friend is a fish-goat or a contemplative…

From art history to psychology, all eyeballs are oddballs — In October I stumbled into Los Angeles’ Oddities Flea Market, an event I’d wanted to attend for ages. The market was a glorious mishmash of taxidermy, potions, and goth aesthetics. But I was after one booth in particular: Eyeba Eye Jewelry. “Does this ring match my eyes?” Of course, I…

It’s okay if you haven’t accomplished anything yet this year — Achievement feels great. I love how it feels when I spring off the ground and produce, perform, and perfect at breakneck speed. I love how it feels to effortlessly grow, to sail with the wind at your heels. But after graduating from university in Spring 2022 and starting my awesome…