Just a BROAD n' Her Blog...

What's in a name ?... when it comes to BROAD ZEEN, it can be pretty much anything ! The possibilities are endless... but the name? That has to be something intriguing but also applicable to many sub topics. I'm definitely on a stoned rant right now ! Hah! But Volume 3 has ... a ... name !

Coming 2025,

BROAD ZEEN Vol. 3 Hysteria

Wow, today marks one year from when the first Broad Zeen Retreat came to fruition. I will never forget that weekend. I was so nervous / excited for everyone to arrive. Within seconds of us meeting, we immediately were on the same wavelength. We didn't even need an itinerary because we all had something to contribute and it worked so effortlessly to bring our visions to life. I cannot wait for the next Broad Zeen Retreat for Volume 3!

365 days later and so much has changed, yet Broad Zeen has been a constant evolution. I feel like I lived 3 lives since then and I am so happy that I didn't give up on my dream once. Didn't even think about it.

This magazine helped me through my saddest days and darkest moments. It kept me feeling purposeful while also distracted from the shit show of my life. I will never stop creating, and that's a promise to me. And you, if you are taking the time to read this ! :)

-Zingara

Volume 2 of BROAD ZEEN has been released over the weekend and the party was absolutely magical. So much love and support was in the air. I am so truly happy with the outcome. We had a delicious authentic style Italian dinner followed by a champagne toast, music, dancing, drinking, laughing and of course a ton of photo ops!

The full moon in Aries marked an official end to my chapter of grief. I have shed that layer and am moving onto BROAD ZEEN Vol 3 now! There was a few days of much needed rest, but I am back on my creative collab. Vibe ! So many new connections made and I cannot wait to create!

-Zingara

Wow. So much can change in just two years. I was so codependent and in love. I was someone's lovesick puppy. Now I am a lone wolf. This next edition of BROAD ZEEN is a celebration of freedom and self exploration. None of us belong in a labeled drawer. In fact, we are meant to expand each and every day. Growth is so essential to our being and I plan to continue growing.

My new moon mantra is "I am open to adventures and opportunities" because I firmly believe we are here to be full of self love, passion, connections and happiness. I am an American Italian Stregha and absolutely adore this next chapter of my life.

I was never meant to be tamed. I am here to be free and to empower other women to do the same. Don't take this as "you should be single" because I love love and passionate partnerships. But, self identity is even more important. Everyday holds a new lesson. I thought it was a grand love, but it was just another lesson... and for that, I am grateful.

- Zingara

This full moon eclipse is what my soul has been waiting for. Earlier in the year during the March eclipse, so much had changed and fell apart in my partnership with who I thought was my soul mate. I couldn't understand why for the majority of the year. Within the painful process of grief, I began to grasp a little more each day that passed.

Grief is a rollercoaster that is so necessary for our growth. I've been met with extreme highs and very low periods. Tears... so many tears.... laughter and happiness.... and back to tears and sleepless nights. What truly matters right now is that I take care of myself going forward.

This lunar eclipse will complete the cycle of this year for my growth. I am finally realizing to let go and trust the universe. I am on the right path, I am where I need to be. In short, I have to let go of a huge part of me and my past.

Tonight I will have my own full moon ceremony to release what is no longer meant for me and finally be able to begin this next chapter; Chapter Z. I am fueled to create, and I cannot wait till the next edition of BROAD ZEEN is released in October!

- Zingara

Ever make "nature soup" as a child? Ya know, when you gather all the pretty flowers and leaves in your backyard, add some water, mash up, and serve to your elders?

This was a favorite childhood pastime for me. Mostly because I grew up in my grandparents backyard, and usually played alone. I was always fascinated with the wild flowers growing around the yard; doing their own thing. No one needed to water them, yet there they were, blooming and waiting for me to come notice them.

Ok maybe they weren't too happy to be a part of my nature soup. That's where they went to die. But that little ceremony I had of picking, placing, and sharing... that stuck with me.

Now I am learning more and more about flowers and their many uses. We have endless species of FREE flowers that can be used in our food or even as a medicinal herb.

BROAD ZEEN Vol. 2 Italiane will explore some of these species. I've grown up with many of them in the household, and in my dish. Be sure to check out Volume 2 in October to read more about floriology and some popular herbs to add to your plate this fall!

-Zingara

It was another mundane Monday so I didn't expect much to come of it. A new friend of mine from a girls night In Staten Island messaged me on Instagram. I liked her post regarding a "free reading" because why not? I was bored and she needed people. Plus I love free things! She asked me for my date of birth, location, and time. Not a problem!

August 18, 1992, New York and 10:33am..

A few minutes later, we hopped on a zoom call for the reading. I recognized some of the jargon she was using. I once heard about "gene keys" before on my favorite podcast "Herby House" and knew it was meant to be, this reading. Another invitation as a "Projector" Another powerful lesson to be had...

Human Design is a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth, blending ancient wisdom with modern science to provide a unique blueprint of your energetic makeup. It combines elements of astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and the chakra system, offering insights into your personality, strengths, and life purpose. By understanding your Human Design chart, you can align more fully with your authentic self, make decisions that honor your true nature, and live with greater ease and fulfillment. It's not just about understanding who you are—it's about living in a way that feels deeply aligned with your core essence. Read more about it in BROAD ZEEN Vol. 1.

Have you ever caught the "Tarot Card itch"? You know, the one when you walk through a witchy festival and the readers give you that eye like they have so much to tell you? Well, I grew up around the occult. My mother's best friend was part of the Wiccan community so the term "Tarot" was always tossed around. I didn't quite understand it but knew I wanted to pick a card. It seemed so magical and slightly scary. Luckily, my mother "Mama Tee" as we call her, let me explore anything that piqued my interest.

I went to my first witch craft store at age 10 and became fascinated with the candles, herbs, books and tarot cards! I always had my cards read but it wasn't until I received my first tarot deck on Christmas 2022 when I began to learn how to read them on my own. I dove right into the land of pentacles, cups, wands and swords and began to learn everything about them.

This was a big push and inspiration for BROAD ZEEN Vol.1 Arcana. So let's discuss what it even means.

Roughly translated, Arcana means secrets or mysteries... pretty BROAD right?! There are two types; Major and Minor.

The Major Arcana in tarot consists of 22 cards, each representing a significant spiritual or life lesson. These cards are often seen as the "fool's journey," starting with The Fool (0) and ending with The World (21). They symbolize key archetypes, such as The Magician, The Empress, and The Devil, each reflecting different stages of personal growth, challenges, and triumphs. The Major Arcana's cards are powerful indicators of life's pivotal moments and deeper spiritual themes, guiding the querent toward self-discovery and enlightenment.

The Minor Arcana in tarot consists of 56 cards divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles. Each suit represents different aspects of daily life: Wands signify creativity and action, Cups relate to emotions and relationships, Swords reflect thoughts and challenges, and Pentacles deal with material matters and career. Each suit contains ten numbered cards (Ace to Ten) and four Court Cards (Page, Knight, Queen, and King). Unlike the Major Arcana, which highlights significant life events, the Minor Arcana focuses on everyday experiences and decisions, offering practical guidance for navigating the ups and downs of life.

Keep your eye out for more Tarot Talk in Volume 1 and future editions!

-Zingara

As a little girl, I always enjoyed flipping through magazines. My mother had them stacked in the bathroom (like any typical home in the early 90s). Upon receiving a school project in 4th grade to create your own magazine, I was estatic! It was a group project but I tended to take these over as a kid and run the entire project on my own, telling my friends they can sit back, relax and expect an A+! This was music to their ears...

I filled the construction paper pages with collages, mini articles and fake advertisements! I did make sure to include the other classmates topics of interest of course ! I didn't want it to be too obvious I did the entire thing. And guess what? We got our A+ indeed. This was just the first of many graphic projects to come that I loved!

Fast forward 20 years later and it was finally time to make that multimedia magazine in PRINT that I had always yearned to create. And as usual, I wanted to do it all! But that can be pretty tricky because magazines should be filled with many faces and many topics under an umbrella subject.

Enter BROAD ZEEN.

There's a few reasons I settled on this name. One being that I always referred to myself as a "Broad from the Bronx" and also knew the pun to keep the topics of each magazine... BROAD! No one can say "well this is out there" because it will always be a broad term with many concepts to explore. ZEEN on the other hand, also has two meanings. The usual "zine" as a nickname for magazine but it is also a nickname for my pseudonym "ZINGARA" which is an Italian word. My roots are in the heart of southern Italy through my first generation father and second generation mother. My grandma always called me and my female cousins her "Zannere", the dialect word for "gypsy". We are always on the move and having fun together. This has so much meaning for me, but can also be taken at face value for those who do not know the story behind it.

With the birth of BROAD ZEEN, women now have a platform to collaborate and explore their interests while empowering one another to embody their femininity and intuitive powers that society has tried to wash away. I am always networking on the prowl for more women (and those who identify as female) who have art and unique beauty to share with the world!

- Zingara