It’s hard to imagine, especially for those of us (like me) who spent our summer vacations haunting the local library and devouring adventure novels, but many U.S. kids have no library near where they live – and thus no access to books.
Three years ago, this fact became apparent to Baltimore resident Araba Maze. As she was reading a book to her niece on the front stoop of her home, a group of neighborhood kids began to gather around. When the story was done, they demanded another. She told them to go home and read, but it turned out they didn’t have any books. And thus Maze’s career was launched as an influencer and a radical change-agent serving urban children living in “book deserts” like hers.
Fired up by a vision of enthusiastic young readers, Maze got some training at a library across town, then began to curate collections of books for kids. Due to her rising popularity on Instagram and TikTok, by 2023 she was able to gather enough funds to install free book vending machines on the streets. With the addition of pop-up bookstores, she has distributed over 7,000 books so far.
Now, Storybook Maze is attempting its largest project to date—a book trolley. With the goal of raising $100,000 on GoFundMe, Maze hopes to create an eye-catching children’s trolley that will meander its way through underserved areas, offering up as many books as are able to fit into its colorful cars.
Do you have a vision that inspires you? If not, you might receive one near the Sagittarius Full Moon (May 23, 6:53 a.m. PDT). Or, maybe you’ll feel ready to pursue one that’s been on the back burner. Think big and watch for signs and flashes of insight. This light-hearted lunation at 2 degrees Sagittarius opposes Jupiter and Venus at the last degree of Taurus, promoting an over-the-top celebratory mood. With both benefics at the powerful anoretic degree and traveling so close to the Sun in Gemini, there is a lively, optimistic quality to this Full Moon. It offers a chance for pleasure and expansion, especially with matters related to mind (Gemini) and body (Taurus). Still, Sagittarius is such a large energy that exaggeration can happen. We’re talking exploration and enthusiasm – but also, possibly, foolhardiness or fantasy thinking. So yes, think big – but don’t forget to work out the details in advance before taking any major leaps.
At this lunation, often called the Flower Moon due to the abundance of flowers blooming at this time, the Sun will be exactly trine (and the Moon sextile) regenerative Pluto at 2 Aquarius. These are potent aspects for unveiling a project, gathering with friends and/or getting the word out about Aquarian pursuits that emphasize brotherhood, community and justice for all. Two days after the Full Moon, on May 25, Venus and Jupiter both dance into the sign of the Twins. Venus stays for just a few weeks, but Jupiter will be in inquisitive Mercury’s territory for a year – favoring communications, short trips and educational matters.
As it’s ruled by Jupiter, next Thursday’s Sagittarius Full Moon ushers in the giant planet’s tour through Gemini. This lunation is apt to bring things to the forefront that will unfold over the next year – especially for Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces folks. We can all look to the last time Jupiter was in Gemini (June 2012 – June 2013), to see what impulses and activities might beckon us to expand our horizons.
Even if you’re not the adventurous type, you can support a cause that helps others – like the efforts of Storybook Maze to bring reading into the lives of deserving kids. Here’s to an inspiring Full Moon for all!
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