March Newsletter: Romantic Folklore, Full Blood Moon Simmer Pots, and a Bestseller!

Is your relationship failing, or are you literally cursed?

Ah, love. That beautiful, messy, occasionally cursed experience. While modern dating has its fair share of horrors (ghosting, commitment issues, Tinder bios featuring fish), folklore has been in the heartbreak business for centuries. Whether it’s cryptids ruining relationships, fairies playing matchmaker (or homewrecker), or entire islands dooming couples to breakups, one thing is clear—love has never been easy.

In this issue, we’re diving into folklore’s most romantically unhinged creatures, the notorious Bali Breakup Curse, and some good old-fashioned love magic. Will this newsletter save your love life? Probably not. But at least you’ll have some weird, vaguely threatening trivia for your next date.

- First, let me check in and let you know how things are going in the book world.

- Then we’ll get into the folklore.

- Finally, for our full moon (a lunar eclipse/blood moon!), I’ll include some recipes on simmer pots for romance, because why not, who doesn’t love a theme.

Pucker up!

Part I: Workcation Roundup and a USA Today Bestseller

Bikini content has reached a temporary end as I’m back in the States after a month in Indonesia. I wrote, edited, tweaked, and completed everything on my very long to-do list, and found the will to live at the bottom of a coconut. I cannot overstate how amazing this work trip was, and am so glad to have spent it in such an affordable country (where the entire month cost less than a recent 4 day trip to Mexico).

Here are some headlines that all deserve exclamation points:

• No Other Gods 2, The Fox and the Falcon, hit the USA Today bestseller list!

  o (Thank you!!!!)

  o If you like pagan gods, fae, demons, and mythology, I hope you’ll give this urban fantasy series a try!

  

• The official No Other Gods literary soundtrack is streaming on all musical platforms!

• The next Indie novella, Whoreiffying, drops April 1^st!

• We’re counting down the days until Fern’s 2, The Grim Adventure!

• I’m narrating my indie novellas, more on that to come!

And of course, as with every Substack so far, a nod to the workbook. People ask me for advice on how to finish their manuscripts and write at break-neck paces all the time, and I’ve collected all the advice into a handy, dandy digital notebook.

📖 The Neurodivergent Author: Write a Book in 1 Hour a Day

Part 2: Love and Lore

6 years ago—my first time in Bali, while I was living and working in SE Asia—I got a participation ribbon for succumbing to the Bali Breakup. Years later, I’m excited to share the curse with you, as well as visit a handful of creatures from around the world that love to mess with your love life.

💔 The Bali Breakup Curse: A One-Way Ticket to Splitsville

You needed a vacation, so you and your partner booked a dream vacation to Bali. You sip coconuts through a straw. You watch the sunset. You narrowly escape a thieving monkey. You’re having a great time. And then—BAM—you’re screaming in the street over which direction to point the toilet paper roll and your relationship crumbles before you can race your newly-minuted ex to the airport.

This is the legend of the Bali Breakup Curse, which suggests that unmarried couples who visit the island together are doomed to split shortly after. (This anecdote may make you giggle, but I remembered this long-buried piece of lore while shopping in a market and listening to an Australian couple near tears yelling about why they chose Indonesia over Thailand. [“We always do what you want!” was thrown around a time or two]). Is it because of ancient mystical forces? The wrath of a forgotten deity? Or the simple fact that nothing tests a relationship like trying to assemble an IKEA-level itinerary while sunburned and dehydrated?

While many travelers laugh off the idea of a curse (until they find themselves arguing over who lost the hotel key), some locals take the legend seriously. The origins of the so-called breakup spell are often traced back to a Brahmin Prince and Princess from Java whose love story ended in disaster—and, allegedly, a lingering supernatural grudge against lovers who dare to visit the island.

Balinese Couple, hanging in hotel in Sanur

👑 The Star-Crossed Lovers Who Doomed Your Relationship

As the story goes, centuries ago, a Brahmin Prince and Princess from Java (because no legendary curse is complete without royalty and heartbreak) fled to Bali to escape their disapproving families. Think of them as Romeo and Juliet, but make it ancient Southeast Asian nobility.

Despite their devotion to one another, their love was met with tragedy. Some versions of the tale say their families pursued them to Bali and tore them apart. Others claim that once they arrived on the island, an outside force—perhaps the wrath of an offended deity—ensured that they could never be together. In some versions, the Princess betrayed the Prince, leaving him heartbroken, while in others, they were separated by war, exile, or divine intervention.

No matter the version, their love ended in heartbreak, grief, and—if Balinese folklore is to be believed—an eternal grudge against romantic bliss.

🔮 So, Is The Curse Real?

Many Balinese locals claim that the island, as a sacred place full of powerful spiritual energy, naturally tests relationships—a sort of divine filtering system for couples. If your bond isn’t strong enough to survive a trip to Bali, maybe you were never meant to be. (Alternatively, maybe you just shouldn’t plan a romantic getaway during Mercury retrograde. Who’s to say?)

Others believe that the curse is just a spooky urban legend meant to scare couples into respecting Bali’s spiritual sites—because let’s be real, every year some influencers show up and try to turn sacred temples into their personal photoshoot backdrop. (No, Chad, you can’t do a shirtless yoga pose on the altar of a centuries-old temple.)

But whether you believe in the supernatural or not, the Bali Breakup Curse remains one of the most infamous pieces of modern folklore tied to romance. So if you and your significant other are considering a trip before tying the knot, maybe just bring some extra good luck charms… and a backup solo itinerary, just in case.

Wooden Javanese Prince and Princess Puppets, Wayang Golek Panji Batik

🧚‍♂️ Fairies Who Will Absolutely Meddle in Your Love Life

Fairies have long been sticking their tiny, mischievous noses into human romance. Sometimes they help, sometimes they ruin everything, and sometimes they just want to steal your partner for themselves. Here are a few you should keep an eye on:

• Leanan Sídhe (Ireland): The ultimate toxic ex. She’s a stunning fairy who inspires poets and artists to greatness—at the small cost of their life force. Basically, she’s your manic pixie dream girl with an actual death wish for you.

• The Clurichaun: He’s like the Leprechaun’s drunk uncle, and while he’s mostly known for his wine cellar antics, some say he also hoards love charms. If you’re willing to endure his tipsy riddles (and the distinct smell of whiskey), he might let you in on some romantic luck.

• The Blue Men of the Minch (Scotland): These aquatic tricksters like to challenge sailors before dragging them to a watery doom. But on rare occasions, they’ve been known to fall in love with human women. If the woman returns their love, they supposedly become less murder-y and more protective. A bare minimum king, really.

💞 Creatures Who Might Want to Date You (Or Eat You)

Folklore is full of supernatural beings with very questionable dating practices. Here are a few:

• Kitsune Lovers (Japan): Fox spirits who shapeshift into stunning humans, seduce them, and have whirlwind romances—until the human inevitably finds out they’re actually a fox, at which point the magic is ruined (a solid metaphor for the second you hear someone say “I don’t believe in therapy” on a first date).

• The Aitvaras (Lithuania): A household spirit that, when treated well, brings great luck in love. But if you neglect it? Well, good luck finding anyone who will text you back, ever.

• The Dziwożona (Slavic Folklore): A vengeful forest spirit who punishes men who wrong women. Basically, a cryptid that functions as the ultimate karmic rebound.

• Lou Carcolh (France): A giant man-eating snail that lures lovers into its lair. Is it a metaphor for slow, suffocating relationships, or just proof that France’s folklore is as weird as its cheese? Unclear.

Part III: The Worm Moon & a Love Spell

from the Printique photography blog

The upcoming full moon is set to peak on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 2:55 a.m. Eastern Time. This particular full moon is traditionally known as the "Worm Moon". The name originates from the time of year when the ground begins to thaw, leading to the reappearance of earthworms, which in turn signals the return of robins and other birds. This nomenclature is attributed to Native American tribes who observed these natural signs as indicators of the changing seasons.

In addition to the Worm Moon, March's full moon has been referred to by various names across different cultures (from the Farmer’s Almanac):

· Crow Moon: Signifying the cawing of crows that heralds the end of winter. ​

· Sap Moon: Marking the time when maple sap begins to flow, indicating the onset of spring.

· Chaste Moon: Symbolizing purity and the reawakening of nature.

· Death Moon: Reflecting the finality of winter before the rebirth of spring.

This year's March full moon is particularly special as it coincides with a total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a "Blood Moon" due to the reddish hue the moon takes on during the eclipse. The eclipse will be visible across North America, with totality occurring from 2:26 a.m. to 3:31 a.m. Eastern Time on March 14, 2025.

Simmer Pots

We’ve spoken about other traditions, so here’s a clip of me from a past full moon making a simmer pot, charging my crystals, and making moon water, in case you’re a visual learner.

To make your own simmer pot, simply collect your desired ingredients, put them in a pot on low, and let the aroma fill the house. Here are some from Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs that specifically help with “love”.

Herbs for Love & Romance

• 💖 Basil – Used in love spells and to attract romance. Some believe placing basil leaves under your pillow can help you dream of your future lover.

• 💖 Cinnamon – Not just for lattes! This spice is known to heat up passion and increase sexual attraction. It’s often used in love oils and charm bags.

• 💖 Lavender – A classic for romance, lavender is said to bring peace, harmony, and devotion in relationships. Also, who doesn’t love the scent?

• 💖 Rose – The universal symbol of love. Roses and their petals are used in everything from love potions to wedding rituals. Bonus: Rosewater in cocktails = peak romance.

• 💖 Jasmine – Associated with sensuality and attraction, jasmine is often used to enhance passion and deepen connections between lovers.

• 💖 Damiana – A known aphrodisiac, damiana is used in teas, tinctures, and love spells to enhance desire and emotional connection.

• 💖 Vanilla – Sweet, warming, and enticing, vanilla is believed to enhance attraction and bring love into one’s life. Plus, it’s delicious.

• 💖 Hibiscus – This vibrant flower is linked to passion and seduction. Hibiscus tea is often used in love spells and rituals.

• 💖 Patchouli – A deep, earthy scent associated with attraction and drawing lovers closer. (Also, your one friend who won’t stop talking about their aura probably owns some.)

• 💖 Vervain – Used for love magic and strengthening bonds. Historically, it was also considered sacred and protective.

• 💖 Catnip – Not just for cats! In folklore, catnip is associated with love spells and attraction. Some believe carrying it will make you irresistible (to humans, not just felines).

• 💖 Apple – Apples have been associated with love and fertility for centuries. Apple blossoms or dried apple peels are used in spells for romance and commitment.

• 💖 Clove – Used to attract love and keep a relationship spicy. Some traditions also use cloves to protect a relationship from negativity.

• 💖 Mugwort – A dreamy herb that’s said to enhance love magic, deepen passion, and even aid in prophetic dreams about your soulmate.

• 💖 Thyme – Traditionally carried to attract a lover or maintain faithfulness in a relationship.

• 💖 Peony – Thought to attract love, luck, and good fortune in relationships. (Also, peak cottagecore aesthetic.)

That’s a wrap on another full moon folklore newsletter

That’s all, love you, bye <3