One Person, One Voice, One Flag in the Ground
The Day I Stopped Hiding the Medicine Woman
My fourth book is the first one I ever half-apologized for.
Intuitive Writing and Unfussy Life — those were books for a broad audience. While working on Writing with the Moon for two years, I’d get questions from people, “How’s the book coming?” and “What’s your latest book about?”
I’ll admit that at times, I’d leave out the “moon” part, and just say, “Oh, it’s a book about writing.” Sometimes that was easier than explaining. But I also noticed I’d say that when I wasn’t sure how I’d be received.
Writing a book about writing with the moon meant shedding old identities, and being okay with new ones.
In the past two weeks, I talked about the book in spaces where old me would have felt uncomfortable.
First, at a business networking group I attend with a diverse crowd — real estate to lawyer to chiropractor to jeweler to roofer. Someone asked how they could support my launch. I chuckled at first, because I genuinely thought the answer was obvious. Buy the book — for yourself or a friend. Leave a review. Of course, I’m happy to be in a supportive space. But the way they asked made me realize the book hadn’t grabbed them. It wasn’t for them. And that’s okay.
A few hours later, I stood up in front of a Christian women’s networking group last week holding my new book. Having been on the receiving end of Christians quoting Old Testament verses about how astrology is bad enough times to be wary, I gave my sixty-second introduction anyway, mentioned the book, and briefly explained the journey — how I bounced from Catholic to new age to something I describe as God-and-Jesus-first, today. How I eventually threw out the oracle cards and the other things I’d collected in that season, because I realized they were opening me up to things I didn’t want opened. How astrology stayed, because God literally created the stars. And how I wrote a whole book about writing with those stars as the framework.
I spoke truth. Got some curious looks. A few warm smiles. And, that’s fine.
On page five of Writing with the Moon, I wrote: “Now, you might be asking — is it okay to use astrology if I believe in God? And the answer is yes. I believe in God too.” I quoted four pieces of Scripture. I wasn’t defensive. I just wanted the people who needed that reassurance to find it before they closed the book. Because I understand.
Here’s what I’ve been sitting with since speaking in front of both of those rooms: the story that feels completely safe and natural in one space can feel awkward in another. Not because there’s anything wrong with it. Because it’s not for everyone. And learning to be at peace with that — really at peace, not just saying the words — is its own kind of writing lesson. I didn’t write a book for anyone in those rooms. I wrote the book I needed to support my writing. I know I’m not the only one who needed it.
I used to avoid talking about any of this in professional settings. Back in my corporate days, the idea of mentioning the moon in a meeting would have made me want to crawl under the conference table, Spanx and all. I kept it all separate. Work Jacqueline over here (actually, they called me ‘Jackie,’ and I hated it, but never corrected anyone — just kept blending in). Everything else over there. The integration I’ve been writing about all season — letting all of it be in the room at once — is still something I’m practicing in real time. These networking groups are where that practice gets tested.
Here’s what I know: people will always have something to say about whatever you’re creating. And what they think is genuinely none of my business. What someone thinks about my book, my methods, my faith, my framework — that’s theirs to carry, not mine. My job is to make the thing as true and useful as I can, put it into the right hands, and trust that the people it’s for will find it.
While deep in book launch prep, I paused. Releasing this book felt like outing my “other side”. This internal dialogue surfaced a tension between The Intuitive Writing School, where I lead a community and group learning, and Jacqueline Fisch, the author site, training, and one-on-one work — two brands — two identities, two versions of me living in separate rooms and not speaking to each other.
My LinkedIn said “Executive Writing & Communications Mentor.” My Instagram said “moon signs and writing rituals.” A corporate comms director landing on my Substack would be confused. A solopreneur in my community looking at my LinkedIn might not recognize me.
Keeping two identities is exhausting — and I finally decided I was done.
I wrote this in my journal …
“I want to show up as one person — everywhere. No more hiding. No hiding the medicine woman. I don’t care if people think it’s weird.”
I also know that the executives who are the right fit will be open to the nontraditional, non-linear methods I use in my coaching.
The decision: One person. One voice. The medicine woman who also has 20+ years of experience, 13 years of corporate work, homeschooling, four books. Same Jacqueline on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Substack — same frameworks, same medicine, just different context per platform.
Writing with the Moon was the flag in the ground. The moment I stopped hiding this part of me.
Reading this essay from Liana Shanti helped me connect the dots in a deeper way. It made me realize the hiding wasn’t just in which rooms I walked into or avoided. It was in the words I chose when I got there. I used to avoid saying “Mother Earth.” I’d find a safer phrase without even thinking about it. That’s how subtle that kind of self-editing gets. I spent almost 20 years writing in others’ voices. I didn’t realize how much of my own I’d been unconsciously editing out in the process.
This is the Sagittarius full moon energy in action, by the way. It arrived early this morning. The Sag symbol, the archer, aims high, tells the truth, and releases the arrow — without standing there watching to see where it lands.
Write the honest thing.
Put it in the room.
Let go.
Let this full moon be the invitation. Say the thing. Send the bold story. Aim bigger than feels comfortable. What people think about it — that’s not your department.
✨ On my desk this week
🎙️ On the podcast — Rose published her first book last week. A book she put aside after criticism. I totally relate. Hear her story: How Women Write #74: When Criticism Cuts You Off at the Knees: Finishing Your Memoir Anyway — with Rose Hurst
Next, I’m going to be releasing chapters of Writing with the Moon on the podcast. Essentially, it will be the complete audio version, for free. Subscribe now so you don’t miss chapter one dropping this week.
📖 The book bonuses are on their way — If you purchased Writing with the Moon — the bonus bundle is ready for you. Fill out the form by Tuesday morning (before our live Q&A) and I’ll send you everything:
🌙 June Lunar Writing Calendar — daily moon phases, signs, and a writing intention for each day of the month so you can start using the method the moment the book lands
📝 10 Bonus Prompts for Your Moon Sign — a personalized set of prompts to go deeper with your specific lunar energy
🎧 The Surrendered First Draft Guide — an expanded guide on the method from the book that gets you writing without the pressure of getting it right
🎬 Find Your Writing Rhythm — a video walkthrough for getting started with the book from day one
✨ Private Live Q&A with me — a 60-minute reader-only call on June 2 at 2 pm EDT to ask anything.
✨ In The Studio this week — We kick off the week with a 3-hour Co-Writing & Chill session on Monday, plus another opportunity to write together on Thursday — it’s the accountability and cozy writing many author-entrepreneurs need. Join us for 4.5 hours of focused, quiet writing — the kind that actually moves your project forward. You can even drop into a session to try it out.
📗 Finalizing book edits for two badass author-entrepreneurs. I can’t wait to see these books in the world. I’ll have space for coaching and editing your book soon — get in touch early; these spots fill up quickly because they’re extremely limited.
✨Putting the finishing touches on something new. Happening in June + July, with limited spots and massive momentum on the page. I’m really excited about this. Something I didn’t plan dropped in and I knew immediately I had to make it happen. It’s for writers who are ready to make serious momentum on a project — book, essay, or otherwise — in a short window. More soon.
That’s a peek at what’s on my desk this week.
What’s below the paywall: your day-by-day moon guide for the week, with the energy breakdown and writing prompts for each sign. The part that turns everything above into a daily writing practice — with prompts and energy guidance for every single day of the week. Subscribe here →
And if you want a place to put this into practice with other writers, The Studio is where that happens — and you get the paid Substack included with your membership.