Where the Stars Align or Do You Search for Compatibility Elsewhere?
Song Of The Week
In a world where the veil between reality and the ethereal gets thinner, SZA and Phoebe Bridgers have conjured up an enchanting duet, "Ghost in the Machine." This track feels like a spectral ride through the mystique of modern relationships, where emotional landscapes morph like clouds on a windy day.
The collaboration kicks off with SZA's silky, R&B-infused vocals, wrapping around listeners like a cozy blanket. She's the embodiment of the everywoman, navigating love's labyrinth with all the grace of a cat stuck in an air duct. Her introspective musings linger in the air, perfectly complemented by Bridgers’ hauntingly delicate harmonies that float in like a friendly ghost.
As the song unfolds, the lyrics delve deep into themes of longing and existential self-reflection. The chorus—dripping with vulnerability—echoes the inner turmoil of wanting connection while feeling like a phantom in one’s own life. There's a palpable juxtaposition here: SZA’s assertive yet tender delivery invites you into her world, while Bridgers’ ethereal tones remind us of the bittersweet melancholy lurking beneath the surface.
But let’s not forget the instrumental backdrop that cradles their harmonies—a gossamer blend of synths and gentle guitar strumming that feels as if it’s been plucked from the dream of a long-lost summer. It’s both whimsical and slightly eerie, perfectly encapsulating the essence of being haunted by memories.
"Ghost in the Machine" isn’t just a song; it’s an experience. It captures the essence of feeling disconnected while yearning for connection, echoing our own modern-day struggles in a world filled with noise and distractions. You might just find a ghost of your own lurking in the corners of your heart, whispering the secrets of love, loss, and everything in between.
Astrology Tests
Now here we are, and It’s been so long… two strangers at TUT. Well, I am your writer, so I guess I am not really a stranger, but I can’t tell if you're new or a regular. It doesn’t matter because all are welcome. It’s so lovely to have you here today. Before we get started, I wanted to ask the audience, what’s your zodiac sign? More importantly, do you think astrology is an important part of friendship? I am only asking because if your answer was one of the following: Capricorn, Pisces, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, or Scorpio then that means you are a water or earth signs, and that means we can’t be friends. I’m just kidding. Relax. I’ll try not to buy into my biases. It’s just that, I myself am an Aquarius, you know... I am a wild, free and creative being. We have different passions in life, different views on life. It’s not you, it’s me.
Water, Earth, Fire, Air
In this generation knowing your big three is more common than knowing your own blood type. Cue the opening scene from Avatar: The Last Airbender “Water, Earth, Fire Air, long ago the four nations lived together in harmony...”. Okay sorry, let me continue. A common conversation starter is people asking you about your big three. Hell, it’s even part of your Snapchat profile. For the sole reason to get a sense of who you are before you even start talking. Knowing your big three reveals your outside face, inside face and what you think of yourself. So, you can say it’s pretty extensive, almost invasive.
Astrology’s growing popularity brings to light preconceptions about you. Yet it can be a tool to help you find your group. Speaking for myself, I can confidently say that yes, I do judge you a little based on your sign, and I do use it to determine our compatibility. I’m sorry! I can’t help it! It is not my fault you act like your sign. Scorpios are always moody and very secretive people. Aries are always hot heads or what they say “we are just passionate” yet can’t think when they're mad. Leo absolutely loves themselves, you either hate it or you love it. I love it. Every Virgo I know is very clear about themselves and is prone to being compared to Taurus. The only difference between them is Virgo leans a tad bit more on the clean aesthetic. While Taurus give themselves room to express themselves. I store a bunch of little facts like this in my brain.
Compatibility, I believe, is one thing that doesn’t get enough praise in friendships. And if astrology can help with that, which it does, then I will use it. Those compatibility ratings should not only be used in relationships but also be used for friendships, pets, work, hell, even music artists. 8/10 times, people truly act like their sign or should I say, their outward appearance. Even my Benji acts like her sign; she is a Leo, and she just thinks my world revolves around her - which it does. The people who created those charts knew what they were doing because 9/10 they are correct.
When I meet someone new, my first instinct is to ask for their birthday. Guilty is charged but, you can say it’s like a gut reaction, a must-do, because again. Call it judging a book by its' cover. I want to know right off the bat what kind of person you may or may not be. You may be asking how I even know all that or how I do not become biased. Well, I have experience with all 12 signs, which is how I know the people who created them were 9/10 correct. Although do you know any other methods of quickly finding compatibility. I do not make it their whole personality. I can't say the same for myself because I love my sign. But I do recognize that they are assumptions.
If you can’t view it that way, you can think of it naturally. One of my favorite shows of all time is Avatar: The Last Airbender, and it’s not because I am an air sign either. Well, that’s a bonus. While the targeted audience for this show may be small children, this show is undeniably a work of art. At its core, it follows the journey of a boy tasked with mastering all four elements to restore balance to a world plagued by the dominance of the fire nation. Through its storytelling, the show aims to teach us about compassion and imparts a valuable lesson on empathy, emphasizing the importance of understanding others even if they don’t look like us or aren’t a part of our tribe. When all elements are harmoniously united there is peace and when they are pitted against each other chaos ensues. When you mix fire and air what do you get? A wildfire. What do you get when you mix water and air? You get a hurricane. What about when you mix air and earth? You get a dust storm. Nature itself serves as a powerful metaphor, demonstrating the consequences of mixing disparate elements—an analogy that mirrors the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. We either amplify each other or we knock each other out. The balance of equals can be unstoppable just like Aang’s crew. But I guess he was the avatar….
Tough Winds Ahead
Yeah, yeah, I know astrology isn’t a real science nor does it predict the future. It can’t predict how a bond will transform. Or how people act or react since it is all just a generalization. So, I let my experience speak for itself. Reflecting on my past, I have historically always been attracted to a fire or another air sign. We would be the life of the party, bouncing off each other’s energy, just vibes. Two out of the four best friends I have had are Sagittarius. The others were Aquarius or Geminis. And this still rings true today for me! My partner is a Sag, my editor is a Gemini, my work besties is a Sag, the list can go on. However, I have plenty of friends who are earth signs and water signs. And this is where I realized they just don’t hit the same. The energy isn’t naturally flowing, bouncing off each other's vibes. I work twice as hard to keep the energy flowing because I want them to work. Comparing my relationships may not be righteous, because there could be many different reasons as to why. Yet my feelings and awareness allow me to understand nature. Let nature be the one to tell me what works and what doesn’t.
Of course, that is not to say I can’t be friends with everyone or solely be friends with those I am compatible with. I can feel the ease that comes with certain signs than those who are not meaning those that require a bit of extra work to work. Understanding dynamics and the flow of energy release the feeling of putting effort or work into relationships. Sometimes things are simple. There is no need for extravagance or wildness for relationships to work. The quote “Through thick and thin” also implies the thinness of relationships and most people forget that.
SOS
So, with all this let me introduce this week’s song of the week, Ghost in the Machine by SZA and Phoebe Bridgers. Which by the way, won a grammy for best duo and it sure is. It is my favorite song on SOS because I can tremendously relate to everything in that song. Next to Florence and the Machine as my top artist is SZA. These two are my literal queens. Funny enough Florence is a Virgo while SZA is a Scorpio, both women who I adore, and we can’t be friends… It’s criminal! Lol I am just kidding. I don’t think I could actually be friends with these amazing women, but a girl could hope. Anyways the song really dives into this a different kind of loneliness, the one that sneaks up on people. The kind where you feel like life is moving through you, not you moving through life. It makes you feel like you are out of your body and life is just life-ing. Even though you are surrounded by loving people, thee conversations being had just aren't fulfilling. SZA just gets me; she puts my feelings into music and is just a hit every time. She is definitely talking about a man, but I see it a different way. Adding Phoebe’s part is also a reflection of my brain, “I don’t get existential, I just think about myself”. This couldn’t be truer; she hits the nail on the head so well. Instead of singing about it, I blog about it.
Enjoy This Journey With Me
° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ₒ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 °
Enjoy This Journey With Me ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ₒ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 °
This isn’t the end—just a bookmark in the conversation. Stories don’t really close; they unfold, shift, and find new voices. If this one stirred something in you, let it breathe. Leave a thought, challenge an idea, or carry it forward in your own way. And if you ever feel like wandering through more unfinished thoughts, you know where to find me. Let’s keep the conversation alive. ~XOXO
