I write this at the end of my first week of living my sailing dream with an intensive sailing theory course in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
I am here for five weeks, maybe longer. It has been a deeply transformative week, one during which I realised how starved I have been for so long of like-minded adventurers.
The first few days were challenging as I grappled with courses to steer, courses over ground, passage planning, and chart reading.
But. oh, how glorious is it to be surrounded by sailors everywhere I go! So many like-minded souls on the course, stepping out of the current of their everyday lives to live a dream. As I am. Except in my case, I am finally, finally marrying the dream of astrology, with my passions for writing and sailing.
A week of sailing, a week of astrology. This is how my life blissfully goes for the next several weeks.
And once again, I have learnt how much happier I am when my immediate environment is simple. Truly. My first room was hot and noisy but my reward came Friday last when I was moved to a room with a view on both sides of the harbour that lets me see boats, boats, and more boats. This room has an en suite bathroom, a desk, Wi-Fi and a kettle. Truly, what more do I need? Living out of one room, my mind is clearer, that’s for sure!
And my late mother’s estate is finally closed. It’s like she was saying, “Martha, go and live your sailing dream. Then, and only then, will everything become settled”.
The notice that the last of the paperwork was on its way was when Saturn was trining my Moon – the universe was clear in its intention to give me structure around home!
And two days after the Full Moon in Capricorn, the news came that everything was finalised. I had decided during last week’s Full Moon to let go, let go, and let go again.
My house purchase in Courtmacsherry is proceeding nicely. It will give me a base in a place that has immense power for me. And, when I rent it out, it will provide income for me to sail. And sail. And sail.
My sailing plans are still being adjusted and I may depart sooner than planned for mile-building in the Mediterranean, sailing from Saint Tropez to Malta, an island I love passionately. Then on from Gibraltar to the Canaries, and the ARC Rally to the Caribbean, rather than the Tall Ship originally booked.
The whole process is a sign of where I am in my life – mile-building is all about accruing experience through sheer force of will and dealing with all the difficulties we encounter and carry with us from what we have experienced.
Changing plans is all about drawing on that experience and leaning into intiution we have learnt to trust.
Venus trining Saturn
Venus trined Saturn last week, when my late mum’s estate was finalised. Venus is also squaring Neptune. This is my time for big dreams, big visions.
As I have written before, my happiest sound to fall asleep to is the sound of halyards clinking against the masts of yachts. And the harbour here is full of them! My course companions are gone for the week, and we reunite next weekend when we start the Yachtmaster Offshore course.
At some point this week, I’ll be buying a sextant. so I can navigate by the stars.
Intensive private classes are also booked for me this week, as I need them. Sailing theory has turned out to be more challenging than astrology to learn. But if it was easy, that would be no fun – eh?
Making the decision to move from the familiarity of our everyday existence to live the real dream of our life takes time. Baby steps add up.
Before moving here I took time to schedule lots of my work ahead of time, creating space for new experiences. That was tough to get through, but it’s gifted me all the more time to enjoy the clinking of halyards. Dusky evenings at the bar here overlooking, yes, all the yachts. Cowes week is coming up. As is a talk in a local library.
I may never go back on land!
I am shortly ceasing single sessions and increasing my prices, in order to serve my clients at a higher level. You can book astrology sessions with me HERE.
Photo by Jamie Davies on Unsplash

Book a professional astrology consultation
Gain fresh insights into your life’s purpose and potential and achieve personal growth using the power of astrological insight.