Jada Pinkett Smith Shows Us How To Use Astrology To Tap Into Our Highest Selves
Auntie Jada is a content goldmine; always giving us what we need to see in order to live our most fruitful lives. When she's not on the Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith is helping us get our skin together, showing us affordable ways to practice self-care, releasing a concious beauty brand, and on the 'gram teaching us what she knows about life in a relatable way (although our bank accounts look nothing alike).
And now sis is tapping into astrology, by introducing us to Jessica Alexandria, also known as Behatilife.
Jada Pinkett Smith/Instagram
In an episode of her latest project, Jada's Essentials, Jessica is pouring tea on how we can best use our astrological signs to tap into our higher selves.
Jessica, who was raised in the space, knows quite a few things about shifting our lives through alignment.
"If you really take a step back, you know, and kinda feel out the vibes of our planet, you'll start to understand and see, hopefully, that there really isn't anything that is good or bad, it just is what it is. If you're living in a world of rules and restrictions from our society or from our family upbringing or from the expectation that it is you have for yourself, you will always find yourself guided of what it is that you feel like you should be doing, and never really authentically aligned to your intuitive path."
Whew, a word!
Continue reading for ways you can use astrology to create a positive shift in your life:
#1: Deepen Understanding of Self
Jada Pinkett Smith/Instagram
Jessica opens her list with explaining how astrology helps you understand who you are.
"Astrology provides a really clear insight into 'this is who I am, this is what I want' and it keeps you focused and it keeps you aligned."
#2: Manifest Highest Vision Using Moon Magic
According to Jessica, 'moon magic' is using the moon to set powerful intentions for the things that it is you want to see show up in your life, or things that you want to avoid. She goes on to discuss how we can all use the moon to know what sign we're currently in, and how we can best use its energy.
"This is one of my favorite ways of working with astrology. This is the magical aspect of it."
#3: Improve Health
Jada Pinkett Smith/Instagram
Plan your diets, get healthier, and get stronger!
"There is a such thing as medical astrology and this looks at your natal chart, your birth chart in order to look at your sixth house of daily routine, health, and what would make you a more vibrant, healthier individual."
Jessica then teaches us how to pull your astrology chart. You will need your birth time, location, and date.
"It's not all aches, pains, suffering, or failed attempts at feeling healthy, it's about maximizing your time here."
*poetry snaps*
#4: Confirm Your Intuition
Jada Pinkett-Smith/Instagram
One of my favorite moments of the lesson, was how we subconsciously suppress our intuition with statements like, "it's OK" or "everything is fine."
"Over time, when you are told to disconnect from your intuition, it creates so much imbalance. It creates psychological dysfunction. This is why it's so important that if you feel curious, if you feel called, if you have questions, that you break outside of these norms or break outside of these systems and allow yourself to feel curious."
Whew.
For the rest of the list, watch the extremely interesting video in full below:
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Featured image by Jada Pinkett-Smith/Instagram
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How To Tell If You're Disciplining Your Child Or Seeking Revenge
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images