How can we have fun at a time like this? Is it even ok to have fun?

Urgent action must be taken to fight fascism and dismantle white supremacy.

We also must have fun, because the liberation of joy and peace is what we are fighting to protect. This is not escapist. This is not separate. This is not a break. It is all connected.

It is especially not escapist because often systemic oppression exists everywhere — including… Chuck E. Cheese’s! As we turn to childhood nostalgia for reprieve, what we find there is imperfect. I celebrate being able to see these imperfections with the wisdom of time. I celebrate the courage of those who point out the wrongs. I will continue to use my voice to dance us towards joy: Yes fun: without the misogyny and racism 😇.

So this video is a mix, just as life is a mix. I gush over a current obsession. I consider the paradox of receiving joy in devastating times. I reflect on the problems of this entertainment company, and what we can learn from them.

Most of all — I love what people love. Please stay giddy and excited about whatever random interest is calling to your heart! We need to stay silly.

Love, X

Xandra the Witch is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Sources:

* this book is so good! —> Everything to Play For: How Videogames are Changing the World by Marijam Did

* “Everything To Play For asks if videogames can achieve egalitarian goals instead of fuelling hyper-materialist, reactionary agendas.” 🌟

* NY Times: Farewell, Chuck E. Cheese Animatronics Brand

* Brainna Wu in Rolling Stone: Atari Founder Award Reexamined After Outcry Over History

* Defuctland sparked my interest in Chuck E. Cheese after this video on the helicopter thing, and a longer Patreon video ranking the animatronics

* I’m also enjoying TNT Muffin’s series including this one tracking down animatronics in weird places; this warms my heart and if anyone has animatronics at your local supermarket omg, take that in. enjoy.

Every full moon I delete social media from my phone, and every full moon I announce it. I like to normalise and role model different ways of balancing the virtual world with reality. Over my years of doing this, I learn something new every time!

So when Lorde commented on phone addiction, I thought I’d weigh in on why she doesn’t feel confident in her answer. Here are my Sag full moon thoughts on the reality of being online in 2025! disconnect/reconnect at your own pace. 💓

X

P.S. I’m working on more stuff behind the scenes 👀. You can look forward to (a) the nonbinary priestess diaries column and (b) a secret project coming soon to substack for summer fun. hint: 💌🐌

with magic,⭐️ X. This essay poured out of my pen in pretty much one go, born from days and hours of sleep and rest, honouring my soul-aching tiredness. With gratitude to Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry, and to Simone Grace Seol for affirming rest and slowness as a foundation for truth-telling. With gratitude to my divine feminine teachers, Meg McDermott and Bria Melitta.

I’m Xandra Sunglim Burns, the Witch, and artist of everyday life. This blog, The Priestess Diaries, is about reviving ancient ritual in modern times. It is also about discovering what a priestess is, does, and why I am one, because I am forever evolving my understanding of this mysterious wisdom! Lunar Logbook, my moon planner for creating your life while honouring nature’s cycles, is now available to order online. I live in Edinburgh, and my pronouns are she/they/he/witch/wizard.

First Quarter Moon project setting ritual!🪄 Lunar Logbook: https://lunarlogbook.com📸 Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/xandrathewitch/ 📝 Substack: https://xandrathewitch.substack.com/ 📹 TikTok: / http://tiktok.com/@xandrathewitch 🕸️ Website: http://xandrathewitch.com

How to live, plan, and create by the moon’s phases 🌙

I’m Xandra Sunglim Burns, the Witch, and artist of everyday life. This blog, The Priestess Diaries, is about reviving ancient ritual in modern times. Lunar Logbook, my moon planner for creating the magic story you wish to live, is now available to order online! I live in Edinburgh, prefer the title Mx, and use all the pronouns.

As a theme park enthusiast, I wish I could be excited about Epic Universe and Universal Great Britain. But I can’t shake the fact that theme park licensing for HP is the largest source of [my former favourite author turned raging transphobe] JKR’s income. Is that the only reason I feel icky about these projects? In this video/episode I explore the balance between enjoying IP in theme parks with calling out fan exploitation.

I made this for YouTube, then realised I can also post it here, hooray!📝 Substack: https://xandrathewitch.substack.com/📸 Instagram: / xandrathewitch 📹 TikTok: / xandrathewitch 🕸️ Website: http://xandrathewitch.com 🪄 Lunar Logbook: https://lunarlogbook.comSources:

* Forbes reports on JKR’s income

* How to Fire JKR

My self-development hobby has me podcasting about my favourite habits of the moment 😍. I love hearing examples of what daily practices others are focusing on. Here, I’ll go first:

* Daily movement or rest - and how I’m organising my wellness YouTube playlists

* Daily Correspondence (Half) Hour - and reducing messaging overwhelm

* Mini cleaning ritual - for resetting my space and deep cleaning my home

Apologies for the weird beeping sound in the audio :( It’s never happened before!

Time Academy Student Centre ⏳

* Submit your Time Queries for future episode topic requests

* Summer Glow Up List (Paint Nails Read Plato)

* Life Lessons from Gossip Girl podcast

Every week I paint my nails and watch an episode of Gossip Girl. It’s like my church. Whatever episode I’m on, the themes are spot on to set me up for the week ahead. The timing is always uncanny.

Watch the show and see what stands out to you: what inspires you? What disgusts you? Let your emotional reactions to the characters show you what to focus on in your own life.

And if you’re inspired, join me in my rewatch! We’re jumping straight in to where I happen to be this week:

Season 2 Episode 6: New Haven Can Wait

This is the episode where they visit Yale, culminating with Serena and Blair’s show down and the dean’s reception.

Life Lessons from Gossip Girl:

Flip that chip on your shoulder.

When you’re frustrated, who or what do you blame for holding you back? What’s in your control? What’s not? How can your perceived setbacks be an advantage? Don’t be like Dan and blame it all on being from Brooklyn. Look at Nate, who pretends to be Dan, because anonymity is a privilege. How can you navigate your current situation with pride and authority?

Nobody actually cares about how much effort you’re putting in.

It’s an ugly truth, but think about it: you won’t get rewarded for trying. Dan and Blair mould themselves to fit the perceived formula. What’s the magic word that will please the Yale gatekeepers?

Craft over Contrived Connection.

Jenny focuses on bringing her artistic vision to life. Create the best fashion show, and others will follow your lead. Others might fire you, reject you, or stand in your way, but it doesn’t matter. When you’re creating in service to the vision - not just yourself but for everyone who will enjoy it - the work will speak for itself. Invite people in to witness it, knowing that it’s irresistible.

Get comfortable being yourself, and you won’t have to try so hard.

Leaning on a persona or manipulating others to get your way is an exhausting method to keep up. But if you’re used to being authentic, you don’t have to try. You just have to show up, relax, and be present. Serena and Blair have the same privilege. Serena embraces her It Girl positioning, basking in the magnetism that comes with letting things be easy. Blair doesn’t leverage the privilege she has, trying to ‘earn’ her way where she doesn’t have to. She misses opportunities to connect in surprising ways. That fashion show that impressed the dean? Serena took credit, but it was Blair’s family’s event.

Don’t worry about what Serena Van Der Woodsen is doing.

What does Serena have that you wish you had? Use jealousy as a tool to inform what feels missing from your life. But if you’re too overwhelmed by envy to be curious, simply look away.

xoxo, X