
Everything You Need To Know About This Year's Second Mercury Retrograde & What It Means For Your Sign

The second out of the four Mercury retrogrades happening this year is occurring this month, and this Mercury retrograde is a reality check. Mercury was formerly in the earth sign Taurus and will be in retrograde from April 21 until May 14. To get down to the basics of what this particular Mercury retrograde is going to feel like, we examine Taurus. Taurus is a sign dedicated to groundedness, patience, and love, and enjoys all of the earthly pleasures this life has to offer. Taurus is also aligned with finances, and financial drama is more likely during this time. This Mercury retrograde is a big learning opportunity when it comes to defining where your true values and priorities are and how you could be getting in the way of not only accomplishing your goals but enjoying yourself too.
Over the next few weeks, the universe is asking you, how willing are you to remain patient for your seeds to bloom? If you knew what you wanted was going to come true for you, how would you act or move in the meantime? Would you enjoy your life more and find more gratitude, confidence, and stability today? This Mercury retrograde transit is overall a great time for some extra TLC, rest, open-mindedness, and flexibility. Mercury will be forming a conjunction with Uranus during this transit, and you can expect the unexpected. Things are shaking up during this Mercury retrograde, and once Mercury goes direct, a lot of people will find themselves on new ground and more aligned and assured with their path.
ARIES
Mercury retrograde will be in your financial zone, and this is the time to put a little more precaution when it comes to finances, spending, and investments. You could be spending more than planned during this time or experiencing some unexpected financial revelations. Mercury retrograde will be showing you new avenues of wealth but also the importance of honoring your values and that you are worthy of all you want in life. Do things that make you feel confident and that align with your self-esteem, and know that the stability you are seeking right now will come from within first and foremost. You are finding new ground during this Mercury retrograde.
TAURUS
This Mercury retrograde is occurring in your sign during your season, and you are going to be feeling this one the most, Taurus. This Mercury retrograde overall for you is about personal growth, clarity, and re-discovering who you are. You are going through a journey of the soul during this transit and will be learning more about yourself, your needs, and your goals in the process. You could be feeling a little misunderstood at times during this retrograde, and you will be getting an opportunity to get your message clear and find your voice and way of expression that feels good for you. It’s about honoring this growth and development you have been going through and seeing yourself in a new, more favorable, and accepting light.
GEMINI
Your ruling planet goes retrograde, and this time for you is all about getting closure. The past may be coming up more than usual for you right now, and you are getting the opportunity to heal, accept, and let go once and for all. This Mercury retrograde for you overall is a time of unpacking. Since Mercury will be moving through your 12th house, things get deep, and your emotional world will be feeling a little more enhanced. This Mercury retrograde will be a catalyst for change for you, and you are getting more time away for yourself and your mental health.
Acknowledge what is coming up for you, but don’t let it control you.
CANCER
Over the next few weeks, you will be diving deeper into your dreams and aspirations, sense of community, friendships, and happiness. Friendships are going through a growth spurt, and you are getting clarity on who your people are and who you want to surround yourself with. There may be some more conflicts with others on the horizon, but overall this transit is about defining what friendship means to you, getting re-inspired, and trusting your gut instincts. Divine intervention is coming into play, and you are getting the opportunity to see more clearly the path you are headed on, who you are headed there with, and if that’s what truly inspires and fulfills you.
LEO
Your career, public life, reputation, and professional world are being influenced by Mercury retrograde during this time, and you will be taking a look at your current goals and where you are headed with them. There could be some more bumps in the road than expected when it comes to career goals but know that this is all temporary. Life tends to feel a little more public or out in the open when Mercury is in retrograde in your 10th house, and you may be thinking more about the way you are being perceived. Know that this time for you is overall about getting a better understanding of how you want to show up and what the next steps for you are within your career or public life.
VIRGO
This Mercury retrograde is an awakening for you, Virgo. Your ruling planet is Mercury, so whatever it is doing in the sky is especially influential for you. During this particular Mercury retrograde, your 9th house of travel, adventure, education, and spirituality are in the spotlight, and you are overall finding your way. You could feel like the path you have planned for yourself isn’t playing out exactly how you expected, and you are learning the importance of being flexible and finding your strength and sense of purpose within. You could be feeling tested to have more faith and to believe more in yourself and what you are trying to pursue, and it’s all about gaining direction for you right now. Expect help from unexpected places, and open your mind, Virgo.
LIBRA
Intimacy, transformation, commitment, and shared finances are being highlighted for you during this Mercury retrograde. You are moving through a journey of seeing where your time and energy have been spent and how you are feeling about the return you are seeing in your life for the work you are putting in. Imbalances within a romantic relationship, platonic or business, will become more apparent to you right now, and you are gaining the necessary clarity to make some important changes. You are moving through a transformative time in your life, and you will feel a deep sense of renewal, freedom, and rebirth once Mercury goes direct on May 14.
SCORPIO
With Taurus being your sister sign, this Mercury retrograde is happening exactly opposite of you, in your 7th house of love and partnership. You are taking a look at the relationship you have with yourself and how your partnerships and relationships with others are flowing for you right now. It’s all about finding the balance between the giving and receiving in your life and about allowing love to grow. You don’t have to do life alone, and although you could be feeling more distant from love or the people close to you right now, you are addressing where you’ve been holding yourself back and how to experience more love, connection, and harmony.
Let the past go, define where you want to go now.
SAGITTARIUS
Your work life, routine, health, and daily schedule are being addressed during this time, and you are creating some new structure here. This Mercury retrograde is about looking at your current daily plan and routine and looking for ways to improve here or develop a new system that is more effective for you. The vibes in the office could be feeling a little tense for the time being, but you are overall getting the opportunity to retrace your steps, re-do any errors, and break the ice with colleagues. This is a good time to learn a new skill, develop your skills, and work passionately on something that inspires you.
CAPRICORN
Listen to your heart, and learn more about it, Capricorn. Mercury retrograde will be pushing you to be more open, to ask for what you need emotionally, and to feel more confident taking up space and expressing yourself. You are reviewing where the happiness is in your life and if you’ve been prioritizing this enough for yourself. Any limitations you have been feeling creatively and romantically come up at this time to be reviewed, healed, and understood better. Once Mercury goes direct on May 14, you will have a better understanding of what makes you happy, making it easier to be in those spaces.
This Mercury retrograde is a journey of the heart for you.
AQUARIUS
Mercury retrograde will be bringing attention to the home. You are taking a look at your foundations, where you are feeling supported and stable in your life, and where you want to continue to grow your roots and build. Your emotional well-being is the priority, and your safe spaces are where to be to get through this time. Some misunderstandings with family or close loved ones are more likely now, and you are getting a clear view of how you’ve been feeling within when it comes to the past, family, and your environment. Your stability in life and how you feel grounded in it all are in focus right now, and overall this is a good time for you to declutter, finish that home project, and bring peace into the home.
PISCES
Communication is everything right now, Pisces. Extra patience is needed when it comes to communicating with others, and be sure to think things through and watch out for impulsivity. The more grace you can give yourself and others right now, the better. Journal your thoughts, meditate, and heal the mind. Mercury retrograde will be showing you how powerful your words are and what kind of mark you want to leave on people and the world when connecting. It is about overcoming previous communication challenges and seeing what has been blocking you from feeling heard. This Mercury retrograde transit is requiring more patience than most, and travels, contracts, texts, and emails should all be looked over a few times right now.
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Tayler Barakat is a Mystic who has studied Astrology for over a decade. She does intuitive astrology and tarot readings for people all over the world, and her work focuses on healing and empowering individuals. Follow her on Instagram @taylerbarakat_ and check out her website www.listentothevirgo.com.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Did You Know That Certain Traits In Men Can Make It Easier For You To Orgasm?
Recently, while doing a podcast interview on how God, love, and sex all work together, I shared something that I find myself saying quite a bit to church folks (whenever those topics, together, come up): “The main purpose of sex is not procreation, it’s oneness. Adam and Eve did not procreate until after they left the Garden of Eden. They had sex prior to that, though.” (Genesis 2:24-25, Genesis 4:1)
The reason why I think that this is relevant to today’s topic is, as I was doing some research for it, I found myself rolling my eyes quite a bit as I read things like “men need to orgasm in order to release sperm; women don’t need an orgasm to conceive” and “Why do women orgasm? It’s still a mystery.” Umm, is it? Because if you factor in the oneness component that I just mentioned (which more people should take to heart if you ask me) and then add to that the fact that the ONLY purpose of a clitoris is sexual stimulation and satisfaction for a woman — female climaxing and the need for it to happen as much as possible should baffle absolutely no one.
Sex serves a layer of benefits and yes, for both men and women, pleasure should be one of them. And since that is the case, a woman being able to orgasm, as much as she can, should be promoted…in content on a consistent basis.
And that is why I thought some of you might find it interesting that there are certain things about men, specifically, that science says can increase the chances of you climaxing — not only more but more intensely too.
Let’s dive in.
How Masculine a Man Is
I’m gonna be honest: All of the women out here who give pushback on submission and yet want a man to physically look up to (you know, someone who is 6’ or over which is only 15 percent of the male US population, by the way) fascinate me. So, you want a man who towers over you yet you think it is antiquated for a man to lead you? Do tell. Anyway, that is the first thing I thought about when I read that a man’s level of masculinity plays a significant role in how often a woman is able to orgasm and how quickly she is able to do it.
It would appear that some of the backstory on this is, on the physical tip, men with strong jawlines and broad shoulders represent being in good health as well as being able to protect their family while research also reveals that men with beards make many women believe that they would be good fathers. And yes, as much as social media may say — or scream — otherwise, women tend to prefer dominant (exerting authority or influence) men more as well. All of this together, in the bedroom, results in more and faster orgasms for women. Fascinating.
A Man’s Personality
A sense of humor in a man can really take him a long way in life — including when it comes to giving women orgasms. That’s why articles like “Funny Men Give The Best Orgasms, According To Research” exist. Although it’s probably a given that a lot of us are drawn to this character trait because it makes us feel good, research also says that humor taps into our creativity, makes it easier for us to adapt to things, and can help us to be better problem-solvers too.
Sexually, I would think that being funny helps because humor and orgasms both provide dopamine hits which is the feel-good hormone that runs throughout our bodies. While we’re on this topic, other personality traits that will make you cum more when it comes to men include being creative, warm, and faithful — gee, imagine that. #sarcasm
Also, a Man’s Self-Esteem
I’m pretty sure it doesn’t surprise you in the least that the more intense your orgasms are with a guy, the more attractive you’ll find him to be and the more willing you’ll be to have sex with him multiple times a week. Yeah, y’all be careful with this one because something else that science says is whenever a really good orgasm comes your way, as a woman, your brain literally switches all the way off for a moment (which could explain a lot when it comes to who some people choose to deal with out here…just sayin’). Anyway, apparently it would seem that a truly confident man is who’s able to pull all of this off.
That makes sense because confidence is all about having a high sense of self-worth; embracing challenges; not having a lot of self-doubt; listening well to others; standing firm on one’s own beliefs; putting plans into action, and taking control of one’s life. Plus, since a lot of women will admit that they prefer a man to be a provider and protector, which in turn causes them to feel safe, and feeling safe also makes it easier to let go and enjoy sex fully — yes, all of this tracks.
Foreskin
If no one else will say it, I WILL: the double standard on foreskin vs. the extra skin that a lot of women have when it comes to their vulva is absolutely ridiculous. In fact, if you know some things about your clitoris, it’s constructed a lot like a mini-penis in the sense of it experiences an erection of sorts when it’s aroused and the clitoral hood is the clitoris’s “foreskin.” So, to be out here giving the “ick” to men for how they were born when some of us have large or hanging lips — yeah, let’s chill on that.
Besides, according to science, “uncut men” not only have a greater level of sensation during sex, but that extra bit of skin (which isn’t as much as a lot of y’all make it out to be…relax) actually gives women more consistent orgasms too. Don’t believe me? Read this here and this here.
If He Ejaculates
I dunno. If you’re not a selfish partner, this one seems like common sense because, if a man “completes the act”, that means he was able to “get his” and that seems like something any good lover would want for their partner (the only thing better? Experiencing it with him at the same time!). However, what I did find interesting is there’s a greater chance that a woman will orgasm herself if she knows that her partner came.
In fact, one study said that a little over 50 percent of women thought that it was very important that their partner ejaculated during sex while a little over 22 percent said that they experienced more intense orgasms if he came during intercourse.
Some studies say that the sensation of the sperm inside of the vagina may play a role in this; however, since that means that you must engage in unprotected sex (check out “Thinking About Going Condom-Free? Read This Before You Do.”) in order to vouch for this one…I’ll just say to use forethought, wisdom and definitely get tested before attempting it.
BONUS: How Your Friends See Him
The more you learn, boy. Have any of you heard of the sexy son hypothesis before? The gist is this: If you create children with someone who other women find attractive, the belief is that you will end up having sons who have that same quality. And yes, being with someone who you think is appealing to other women — seems to increase the chances of you having an orgasm too (chile).
___
Hmph. It’s intel like this that explains why so many think pieces say that the brain is the most powerful sex organ that we have. Anyway, if you’re someone who wants to have more orgasms or more intense orgasms, perhaps take some of this data to heart. For all you know, it might be the blueprint that you’ve been looking for all along.
Thoughts? Comments. Confirmations? LOL.
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