Watch October 2019

October 2019

Inside the KTS | Sexualized Violence Policy | Climate March

Happy spooky month!

We are very happy to introduce you to new members of our team. Alexander Johnson is our incoming treasurer, Travis Devonport is our photographer, Dominique Amit is our copy editor and Kat O’Toole is our design editor!

They all have unique visions for what The Watch could be and we look forward to implementing their ideas throughout the following year. So to all of you, WELCOME! Already, we are starting to personalize The Watch and make it a magazine that speaks more to students. We had a lot of fun with this months layout. Hopefully you will have as much fun reading it! Thanks to Kat, this issue is full of little adorable Halloween doodles!

We want to also thank Travis for providing us with the first cover in seven months that is not of the King’s campus!

With all of that said, Have a great read!

Kheira & Sam

the watch VOL. 53 NO. 2 - OCTOBER 2019 watchmagazine.ca watcheditors@gmail.com TWITTER @kingswatch INSTAGRAM @watchmagz

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Kheira Morellon Sam Rainnie

ONLINE-EDITOR David J Shuman CONTRIBUTORS

Elizabeth Foster Faith Saar Decklan Rolle Sam Rainnie Kheira Morellon Jack Wuotila Claire Henry Ethan Lang Issy Sacristan STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Travis Devonport

PUBLISHER

Abigail Trevino

TREASURER

Alexender Johnson

PUBLISHING BOARD Adam Inniss Liz Woffendem Katie Marson Pauline Dakin DESIGN EDITOR Kat O’Toole

COPY EDITOR

Dominique Amit

LAYOUT

Kat O’Toole Kheira Morellon Sam Rainnie

We welcome your feedback on each issue.

Letters to the editors should be signed. We reserve the right to edit all submissions.

The Watch is owned and operated by the students of the University of King’s College.

But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people not be warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at watchman’s hand.

— Ezekiel 33:6

2 The Watch |October 2019| @kingswatch

the watch IN THIS ISSUE

New faces

page 4

Policy Implementation

page 6

Environment

page 8

Inside the KTS

page 10

CUBE

page 13

International Students

page 14

Horoscopes

page 16

The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch 3

4 The Watch | April 2014 | @kingswatch

Keep it Going Decklan Rolle

There is a lot of hard work and effort that goes into making a college campus run as efficiently as possible. Most of the credit goes to the teachers, and some to the facilities staff. But who is the individual that works behind the scenes to help keep the campus clean, and makes sure that everything is kept running perfectly? Who is the one who listens to our complaints and goes above and beyond to fix what is broken? The genius behind all of this is the University of King’s Facilities Director, Ian Wagshal.

Wagshal has been working at the University of King’s for only four months, but he’s no rookie. He has previously worked at Dalhousie as their Facilities Director. The question we might have is: what does a Facilities Director do exactly?

“Part of the job of being a director is that I oversee all of the facilities here at King’s and to make sure everything is maintained,” said Wagschal, “Also, to make major plans for what might happen here in the future. I’m supposed to overlook all of those activates.”

Wagschal continued by saying, “it also includes a lot of everyday things like security, maintenance of the building, grounds keeping, following some repair going on. You know if someone’s heating isn’t working, then we have to go over and turn the heat on or fix the thermostat. So, it’s a mixture of high-level planning with the big picture and taking care of all the day-to-day activities to keep the buildings running.” Needless to say, being the Facilities Director is a very important job with a lot of responsibilities.

“You know not many twelve-year-old kids wake up and say I’m going to be a Facilities Manager.” Wagschal jokingly said at first. “It started for me with architecture. I wanted to be an architect.

Then I discovered when I was doing work with architecture firms, I was actually really good with project management. So basically, making sure things were on time and on budget and also bringing together a team of people that can properly work together. Which is harder than it sounds. So instead of

designing buildings, I stayed in project management, where you take other peoples designs and help them”.

At this point in his career, he got recognized

by Dalhousie. Dalhousie hired him and from there, Wagschal has been working in Facilities Management.

Over time he has learned the rest of what the responsibilities were for Facilities Management at Dalhousie. When the opportunity came up to work at King’s, he applied and was hired on the spot.

Wagschal is eager to continue working here at King’s, “I see the opportunity here at King’s to make something special. You have the FYP and journalism.

These are important undergraduate programs that can’t be replicated anywhere else. I’m hoping from going to Dal where it’s big, to King’s where it is much smaller, I’ll get to have a lot more input and also be able to be a part of that community in a deeper way.”

“This is a great opportunity; this is what I’m interested in and this is what I’m working here for.

I still haven’t entirely worked it out, but there is definitely a sense of community here that is strong.

I have only been here for four months and it is something I definitely want to be a part of.” Although most of the students don’t recognize him yet, Ian is very hopeful that he can try to become closer to the King’s community. He is always open to listen to what the students really have to say about how they can contribute to improving King’s and to make sure everyone has the best experience.

With a person like Ian Wagschel around to help keep things running, Kings has a bright future ahead of itself. |w

The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch 5

Response and Prevention Kheira Morellon and Sam Rainnie

Since the Board of Governors has approved the new Sexualized Violence Policy the implementation process has been slow. With Jordan Roberts who started on August 9 as the Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response Officer (SVPRO) it seems like the policy will finally start being implemented and students will become more familiar with what this means for them.

In March 2018, the province of Nova Scotia had the first read of Bill N.83, also known as The Safer Universities and College Act. In it, it states that “Each university and college shall adopt a sexual violence policy within six months of the coming into force of this Act.” By the end of those 6 months, King’s released their own policy.

“I can tell you that the Sexualized Violence Policy at King’s is the way it is because of students,” said Levi Clarkson, President of the King’s Student Union (KSU).

Clarkson was a student representative on the Sexualized Violence Policy Committee. “Students worked extremely hard on this policy,” said Clarkson, “even writing portions of it themselves. The aim was for the policy to be survivor-centric and trauma-informed, and I think that is apparent in the policy - though I am excited to see how the policy will improve when it undergoes its year-end review.”

Originally the position of SVPRO was going to be given to the current Equity Officer, which is already a full time HR-job out of the Bursaries Office. When students heard about this, they rallied to demande a full-time job for the position. The hiring of the SVPRO is a huge win for students as a whole. Especially 6 The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch

for those who have worked hard to advocate for the position. “Students need and deserve dedicated support from a qualified person whose area of expertise is sexualized violence,” said Clarkson. The University will also be hiring a student to assist Roberts.

Clarkson said that for this academic year, our focus as a community should be to help Roberts make the new SVPRO position as effective as possible. So far, Roberts has been working with staff, faculty and students, organizing workshops and trainings. “Part of the SVPRO’s responsibility is sexualized violence education and prevention on campus,” said Clarkson, “I expect we will begin to see some programming around this soon.” She has also been working very closely with the Implementation Committee. In the spring of 2020, the policy will be revised by the Committee and any changes that are needed will be made.

The Implementation Committee consists of Clarkson, three other students, two professors, the Dean of Students and the Vice President. “We receive monthly reports from the SVPRO and discuss ongoing concerns - as well as doing work on the ground to hear what students are saying and to advocate for student needs.” The KSU will continue to provide consent culture programming. They are currently working on a grant proposal in order to hire a group of students that would run it. Clarkson said, “We know that students have been at the forefront of building consent culture on university campuses, and we want to continue to recognize and facilitate that important work.”

The University was under criticism last year, with concerns that it did not address the incident in the Wardroom quickly enough. The initial implementation of the policy was also criticized as not being specific enough for King’s. The mood this year however is seemingly optimistic, with positive changes being made by both the University and the commu-

nity. “One of the most important things right now is that the University be held accountable during the initial stages of implementing the policy,” said Clarkson, “and that the University shows through its actions that it is committed to a survivor-centric and trauma-informed framework.”|w

“The Sexualized Violence Policy at King’s is the way it is because of students.”

-Levi Clarkson, President of the KSU.

The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch 7

Live Like It Ethan Lang

Last month, 10,000 people left their classrooms, offices and homes to march across downtown Halifax. They started in Victoria Park and marched to the steps of city hall.

Overlooking the Grand Parade stands a monument dedicated to the men and women who fought to overcome the greatest challenges of their respective generations. Below, stood men, women and children calling for action against our own greatest challenge.

Universities granted academic amnesty for students who were striking. The old and young walked together to the rhythm of drums, songs and chants. A general feeling of bonhomie and solidarity spread throughout the

8 The Watch | April 2014 | @kingswatch

city, as it did in many other cities around the world.

It’s now been a month since that day.

What has happened?

A second strike occurred, however it raised more discussion about the logistics of the strike itself than the issue it was meant to be highlighting. In a federal debate, prime-minister designate Justin Trudeau refused to give a direct answer when asked if he would support forming a non-partisan cabinet with members from all parties that would work to fight the climate crisis. And, for most of us, we returned to school, work and business as usual.

Today, the news is a rough shoreline, full of waves that grow into significance only to break and fizzle on the sand, replaced by the wave behind it: a tweet, an outrageous video, or anything that offers solace through distraction. Passionate speech rarely seems to beget passionate action, and political momentum swings like a Newton’s cradle. It becomes easier by the day to slip into apathy and idleness.

leaders who saw the climate strikes for what they were. A multi-generational will for a sustainable future, not a publicity stunt or an excuse to play hooky.

An opinion piece in the October 1 edition of the Chronicle Herald, called out people who criticize politicians and corporations for inaction, but take full advantage of environmentally harmful “creature comforts” in their daily lives. For example, buying non-local foods or driving when you can bike or walk. I would argue that this is a fair point. We should do what we can in our day to day lives to mitigate climate change. But King’s student and NSPIRG board member Lily Barraclough has other thoughts: “Doing stuff in your personal life is However, I don’t feel disheartened. There is really great, it’s important and it makes a something about the September climate strike difference, but it’s not gonna solve the whole that felt different. issue of climate change. A lot of times people Although there have been discouraging words try to focus on changing individual behaviour and events since, the energy that fueled the —sorting the garbage right, driving less — all climate strikes hasn’t dissipated. This doesn’t super important, but that has to be paired with have the insincere, flavour-of-the-week social creating change at a systemic level because the justice feel that #Kony2012 had. This isn’t just majority of fossil fuels are emitted by corporaanother re-tweet. tions, not individuals.”

There is a genuine passion to act on climate We cannot take all of the burden indichange. vidually. We must push for systemic change.

So, what are King’s students doing? What can We must vote for legislation that will make we do? it easier to buy local, easier to travel without I asked a few students these questions using fossil fuels, easier to heat our homes and over the past week. At first, I was looking for use technology without polluting the environorganized movements and initiatives King’s ment. students were taking part in, but a running We can do this with our vote. But we theme emerged. When I asked what we could can’t stop there. do to remain politically active while facing the Being an environmental activist doesn’t climate crisis, the most common answer was mean going to one strike. And being a citizen in hindsight, the most obvious: Vote. in a democracy doesn’t end with casting your vote and waiting for the next election. If the On October 21, we have the chance to cast a vote for our vision of what Canada environment matters to you, live like it, vote should be. We can vote for leaders who will like it, and keep the pressure on.|w take the climate seriously. We can vote for The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch 9

Inside one of the largest societies at

King’s

Elizabeth Foster The cast of All My Sons starts their rehearsal with vocal warm ups, buzzing air through their lips and reciting tongue twisters of increasing difficulty.

Then, they launch into a scene. It is only their second rehearsal, and the energy is high.

Set in the early 1940’s, All My Sons tells the true story of how the Wright Aeronautical Corporation, an American aircraft manufacturer, conspired with army inspection officers and approved defective military aircraft engines.

The show is directed by Chloe Kaulbach and Natalie Forth. Kaulbach describes it as a show about privilege, and economically benefiting off the misfortune of others.

“We are living and benefiting off land belonging to the Mi’kmaq people, and that’s a connection that I felt when I read [the play],” Kaulbach says.

“Just, colonialism in general and the amount of privilege that we have.”

All My Son’s is one of two shows that the King’s Theatrical Society (KTS) is putting on this semester. The KTS is the largest student society per capita on campus. This is largely due to the fact that anyone who has ever attended a KTS show, is technically part of the KTS. “This includes people outside of King’s as well,” says KTS president Noah Harrison, who is a third year student at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. “Anyone who is a member of the KTS can propose a show, so if you’ve seen a show you’re welcome to propose to direct one.”

The group puts out a call for play proposals a couple months before the season officially starts. For the fall show this means around July or August. Then, directors and executive members are chosen. They hold auditions in September, a month Harrison affectionately refers to as “hell month.” He says they’re looking forward to a great season this semester, and personally hopes to increase collaboration with the Dalhousie Theatre Society, as well as the Fountain School of Performing Arts costume department de10 The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch

signers. This show, he believes, will be very immersive and he looks forward to getting the set together.

Aside from All My Sons, the KTS is also putting on a puppet adaptation of Hamlet this semester.

“I don’t think it’s a thing we’ve ever done before, at least for our main season show,” says Harrison. “It made our audition process very fun, people came in ready to do cold reads or monologues, and then we just threw a puppet at them and described a scene so they could start manipulating it.”

They usually do three shows per semester, but were forced to cancel their third show, Pochsy Plays, due to issues acquiring the rights. Still, the group is excited about the upcoming season.

So, how does one get involved with the KTS? There are more ways than just acting. Kaulbach urges people to reach out, saying they are always looking for more people. Beyond actors, the KTS consists of technical crew members, directors, writers, stage managers and executive members. Noah says that they are looking for all kinds of people, and that the best way to get involved is to reach out through social media.

“I love working with the KTS, everyone here is fantastic,” says second-year actor Sam Barringer.

“They’re all incredibly skilled people to work with,” says Barringer. “ I’ve done a lot of productions in my life and KTS people are routinely some of the most pleasant people to work with, so it’s always a lot of fun.”|w

Hamlet: Puppet Prince of Denmark is showing from the 20th to the 23rd of November. All My Son’s is running from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30. Tickets will be

The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch 11

Au Revoir CUBE Faith Saar

Recreational athletics are taking on a new form at the University of King’s College. CUBE, King’s intramural program, is being retired for the upcoming year. New opportunities geared towards active living will be made available through the King’s Student Union (KSU) and the Athletic Department.

Over the past several years, CUBE, otherwise known as King’s Amateur Athletic Association, offered sports such as indoor soccer, badminton and basketball at a recreational level.

CUBE was run by two student coordinators who were paid from a portion of the KSU budget. In their year-end report submitted in 2019, the past-coordinators expressed frustration with the lack of engagement in the program.

“They talked about how it was really frustrating for them to have all the effort they were putting in to have nobody attend … They were frustrated,” said KSU Student Life Vice President Patsy Ginou. It was their recommendation that lead to CUBE is being discontinued.

The KSU and The Athletics Department at King’s are taking steps to provide alternatives to varsity sports for non-competitive athletes. The idea currently being developed is to open the funding up to students to run workshops related to healthy active living or to bring people from the community who could speak about navigating the transition of living in residence or at home to living independently. The workshops would potentially cover a variety of topics including: physical activity, mental health, how to sign a lease and healthy eating habits when you have to grocery shop for yourself.

The unconfirmed timeline for the new programming is to begin workshops in Nov. The plan is to have one workshop once a month in Nov., Jan., Feb. and March.

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“Hopefully students will be more excited to engage with programming that their fellow students are putting on, and there’s also more of a diverse range of topics,” said Ginou.

The KSU and the Athletic Department are working together on this programming.

“As an Athletic Department it’s very much our priority to make sure there’s an outlet for people to be engaged in sports and athletics beyond a varsity level as not everyone has the time or wants to be a member of a varsity sport, said James Wise, Administrator for Athletics and Varsity Operations at King’s. “Having a non-competitive option is important for us as a department.”

Wise holds a new position created this year to aid in operations for King’s eight varsity teams and to provide non-competitive alternatives to varsity sports. Wise is assisting with the healthy active living programming as well as developing non-competitive athletic programming.

It is an added challenge at King’s to schedule time in the gym for intramurals around varsity schedules. “We are a small school, we have one facility and when January comes around, we have four teams sharing one basketball court,” said Wise.

The Athletic Department has booked time from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. specifically for intramurals. This time is fixed, all that is left is to develop the programming itself. The two options being discussed are pickup sports and inter-residence competitions to build campus community.

The intramural programming is hoping to have a “strong restart” second semester.

Wise expresses his hopes for the future, “What we’re here for is to provide an outlet for the King’s community to engage in physical activity. If one new person a year comes to the gym for the first time, that’s a victory…We just want to be there to enrich the lives of students on campus.”

pend “on what students respond positively towards,” said Ginou.

King’s students can look forward to more variety in the future of healthy active living programming on campus. |w

Both the intramurals and workshops are in their beginning stages. The KSU is asking for input on what students want to see happen with healthy active living programming. Programs, such as CUBE, de-

The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch 13

First Month as an

International Student Decklan Rolle

Being an international student can be a very exciting and equally terrifying experience. International students leave the countries that they were raised in to come to a new one with unfamiliar customs. They might feel insecure if they don’t meet people from similar cultural backgrounds.

The first month is especially disorienting for any international student, even to those who have been away from home before. I got the chance to talk to two international students about their first month in Halifax and some of the challenges that they faced. These students are Niloy Gomes from Bangladesh and Narissa Zhang from China.

he was afraid of what to expect. He expected that people would be very extroverted and often talk to strangers. “I was scared and intimidated by the thought of a complete stranger coming up to me to talk. But when I got here, I was very surprised how chill and laid back everyone was. When they talk to you they are very friendly.” Gomes said that he is used to having a lot of scammers on the streets following him around.

The style of education has been harder to get used to as Gomes is used to getting physical books, instead of going online.

Gomes studies engineering at Dalhousie and plans on getting a dual citizenship. He would then travel back and forth. He wants to help “[So far,] everyone has been very with technological advances in his home counfriendly,” said Gomes. If there is one thing try and still be able to return to Canada to Gomes is concerned with however, it is winter. further his research.

He has never experienced it before. “I am really excited to see snow. But I am really scared Narissa Zhang comes from China, but of ice,” he said. this isn’t her first time attending school away from home. Zhang has been living away from I asked him what the transition was like home for years in both China and in British coming to Halifax. “The first thing I noticed Columbia. is that there were fewer people, but also that things are more developed. Back home a lot is “When I first left China for universifalling apart, cluttered, or dirty. The city really ty, I felt this sense of freedom,” said Zhang. isn’t the cleanest,” said Gomes. “Another thing Back home, her parents would always make I noticed was that there are a lot more trees in sure that she had great management skills and the city. You would have to go out to the coun- was ready for everything. It was a very differtryside to see them. But the biggest change I ent experience for her not to be around them. saw was traffic. It’s a lot more efficient here Although this isn’t her first time away from than it is at home.” home, she is still getting used to the feeling of being alone in a new place.

The culture here is still new to him and 14 The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch

She first came to Canada at 14 years old.

The biggest challenge she faced was her level of English. There was a lot of miscommunication. “I didn’t really know how to express myself,” said Zhang. “One time, the airplane company lost my luggage at the airport. I had a really big problem explaining to them what it looked like.”

This miscommunication lead to two years of struggling with classes and finishing homework on time. Zhang often misses home, but knows her parents work hard so that she can get the best education. This thought helps her keep going forward.

to communicate with people she just met.

Even though she doesn’t like to socialize too much, it’s comforting for Zhang to know that she can still make new friendships.

Zhang credits her father with her decision to come to Canada.

“My dad taught me a lot. He taught me to be an individual. To think individually.

Don’t follow everyone,” said Zhang.

“Back home you can’t really do that and my situation was really limited. Everything is about discipline and all the test we take try to define you and your future. My dad thought Zhang had a harder time getting used to if I stayed, I wouldn’t be able to truly express Canadian culture because she was instinctively myself.” gravitating towards other Asian students.

For Zhang, Canada is her home away “There were quite a few Asian students, from home. A place where she can fully express herself and reach her true potential. so it is really my personal issue and part of Zhang would recommend to other internationhuman nature to go with the people who look the same and have similar backgrounds,” said al students to get out of their comfort zone.

Zhang. “You tend to go together.”

“Try to paint your own portrait and don’t let University has given her more freedom others try to change who you are.” |w

Horoscope Issy Sacristan

October begins under the star sign of Libra, first

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

under the influence of Venus, then, as she goes on her monthly coffee break, under the influence of Pluto.

He’s technically still an intern. They let him take over now and again out of obligation. Fortunately, this means many bright new ideas for how October could go. Unfortunately, finding anyone to take his ideas seriously is going to be a challenge, to say the least, so it’s probably just going to be another regular October.

Later in the month we switch to the star sign of Scorpio — just in time for Halloween. All non-Scorpios, look out for masked strangers. More importantly, look out for your wallets!

Hooooo boy, this’ll be a rough month for you! Your guardian planet is on break for the latter half of October, and the rest of the time she’s going to be fawning over Libra. Try not to let your jealousy get the better of you. Focus your attention on the fact that everything is going haywire and you have been sent to Venus’ voicemail every day for 12 days now, and it is really starting to get on your nerves because the last time you got to be in the spotlight was in May, which was way too long ago even for your standards, and what on Earth is so great about Libra anyway…

Aries (March 21 - April 19)

Your lucky colour this month is vengeful red.

A bright full moon shines in the Aries sign this month — be wary of high tides and the possibility of wolfmen on the 30. If you’re in the workforce, this month brings the opportunity for an extra shift and some well-earned cash! Either that or this is Pluto’s roundabout way of telling Jupiter he wants a raise (nice try, buddy). A foray into the outside world will bring a challenge in the form of arm-wrestling and/or spoken-word poetry — whatever your strengths are, you probably won’t back down; so just pray that some planet or another is on your side.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

Your lucky colour this month is witch stocking purple.

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Your tendency to flip-flop between “life is good and I’m so lucky to be here” and “I wonder if the planet will still be liveable by the time I’m 30” may drive you crazy this month. Like, stay up all night staring into the void and then come down to breakfast the next day with Nietzsche already half-read crazy. To steer clear of any existential rabbit-holes and nihilist cans of worms, spend your free time putting good out into the world. Leave a flower instead of picking it, use a reusable water bottle, catch a bug and let it go back outside instead of killing it. Maybe that good karma will come back to you in the end, who knows?

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Your lucky colour this month is jack-o-lantern orange.

This month is all about getting to know yourselves, Cancers. Specifically it’s about figuring out whether or not you can actually trust yourself to do fun things before work and still manage to hand in a decent assignment. Bonus points if sleep remains a part of your life in any way, shape, or form! Take a weekend this month to bus into town with some friends and stop by the harbour - you may need them to restrain you from jumping in.

Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Your lucky colour this month is zombie eye blue.

Leo (July 23 - August 22) Welp, the summer season is officially over, and with it goes your annual battery recharge. Much like Pluto, you may find yourself drifting off into solitude this month; unlike Pluto, this is merely due to a dip in emotional energy because of the shorter daylight hours and the seasonal shift. Pluto just doesn’t get invited to staff meetings, so he can’t really change how alone he is. Being alone isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. In fact, it might be just what you need in order to consolidate your energy. If you feel like that’s the case for you, just be sure to let your loved ones know that you need a little me time this month. Don’t leave passive-aggressive notes on the office fridge. They just get knocked off by asteroids at the end of the day.

Your lucky colour this month is lone wolf grey.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22) Mercury is in retrograde at the beginning of this month — hold on to your clipboards and remaining brain cells, we’re in for a bumpy ride! For those who don’t know, a planet going into retrograde (a state in which they seem to move in the opposite way across the sky than other stars, it’s a math thing, don’t think too hard about it) predicts a sudden but temporary dormancy in whatever that planet guards over. Since the Roman god Mercury is associated with communication and travel, expect Leo friends to be distant and Cancer friends to ask you to help plan bus routes. So, basically a normal month. Also, Mercury was the god that guided souls to the underworld, so there is a slight possibility you will be haunted by impatient ghosts.

October may begin with a sudden, strong need for emotional connection, which may take you by surprise. Don’t worry, darling - Venus is on your side.

And she’s already got a whole whiteboard filled with ideas for you, mostly crazy ones, definitely drawn up before she consulted you about it. That’s just her style, you know? She’s like a big sister who really just wants you to be close to someone, also has unimaginably powerful cosmic abilities at hand and is fully intent on using them to make this happen. Buckle up, buttercup, Venus is taking the wheel.

Your lucky colour this month is vampire-lip red.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) This month begins the dawn of Scorpio season, much to the chagrin of all the normal signs and the delight of one particularly abnormal one — but who said being normal was any fun? Well, Virgos said that, multiple times, but nobody listens to us. So. Venus may be focusing her energy on Libra this month, but don’t you worry - you lucky ducks are going to be under Pluto’s watch! Isn’t that fun? For you Scorpios, I mean.

This may be his big break, but Pluto still has no idea what being the Scorpio ruling planet is actually going to mean for him. Maybe Mars can help him out, but then again Mars was the one who peer-pressured Pluto into picking an unruly sign with the promise that “it’ll show the boss what you’re really capable of”. Apparently Pluto is capable of immense gullibility. Please go easy on him.

Your lucky colour this month is rain jacket yellow.

The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch 17

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

Looks like there’s a full moon in your sign, too, Sagittarius — the hunt for clarity is on. This October, you may find yourself at a bit of a loss, mentally speaking.

You may zone in and out at completely random intervals during lectures. You may walk into a room, forget why you came there, and leave again, only to sit down and immediately remember. You may find yourself reading the same sentence over and over. You may find yourself reading the same sentence over and over. You may find yourself reading the same sentence over and over. Don’t worry too much about not getting your notes perfect, though. Odds are you can’t really decipher the scribbles even when you’re fully awake.

Much like Virgo, you too shall be in the firing line when Mercury goes into retrograde - be sure to prepack your emotions neatly into little boxes and be utterly devastated when the winds of change blow them all open again. Fun fact: Mercury was in retrograde at the same time Pandora cracked open her infamous box! Back then he was called Hermes, though, and he swears he still gets hate mail over that. Just goes to show you what happens when you don’t do the proper postage procedure.

Your lucky colour this month is toxic waste green.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) Contrary to the peaceful empty-headed-ness of the Sagittarii this month, October has a great deal in store for Capricorns, academically speaking! Prepare yourself for riveting revelations, astonishing assignments, and intriguing inquiry. Also prepare yourself for the fact that everyone else is probably going to be way too sleep-deprived and/or comatose to want to engage with you. Now you know how Pluto feels on a Monday morning. Try not to push your ideas onto people, as tempting as it may be, or get them to see your point of view first. The undead do not make very good conversationalists, and neither do college students. In fact, it’s currently being debated by experts whether or not there is a real scientific difference between the two.

Your lucky colour this month is fairy wing pink.

18 The Watch | October 2019 | @kingswatch

Your lucky colour this month is headless horse tawny.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20) So, funny story: a few weeks ago, Neptune and Jupiter (the ruling planets of Pisces) got into a little argument about who was the real boss around here. Jupiter said it was him because he’s the biggest and Neptune called him out on his use of size politics. Jupiter said that’s not what size politics meant, Mercury started laughing because he misinterpreted the entire conversation, Pluto offered to look up the definition but Mars stole his dictionary and told him not to rock the solar system, then Mercury misinterpreted that (somehow) and started laughing even harder… Basically what this all boils down to is that Pisces is being handed off to Pluto temporarily while Neptune and Jupiter sort out a custody battle and/or some deep-seated sibling rivalry issues. Hold onto your lunch, it’s about to get cosmic.

Your lucky colour this month is scaredy-cat black.

20 The Watch | April 2014 | @kingswatch