Being a Black woman in this world means being your biggest advocate, no matter who is standing beside you or not. There is something about a Black woman and her power of manifestation that can’t be taught, only felt. It’s something that’s been passed down from our ancestors, from generation to generation and something that is always within us. Some call it Black Girl Magic, but some haven’t been able to define the unique gifts we possess.
Working with the energy in your life is imminent in creating the life you desire. Mantras, affirmations, and daily testaments have been proven to work in aiding manifestations for centuries, and are powerful ways of co-creating your reality.
Having a money mantra you can repeat to yourself daily that resonates with your unique perspective and financial goals can help you meet your desires with ease and confidence. Each sign of the zodiac has a unique relationship to its finances and some keywords can positively impact you on your financial journey. Remember that a key component to manifesting is putting in the work and backing your intentions with action.
As you are repeating these mantras daily, natural intuitive guidance and insight will begin to come forth on what concrete action to take in addition to the intentions you are putting out there. Connecting to your inner alchemy can create wonders in your life, and will manifest the life of your dreams.
Along with your sun sign, your midheaven sign is your career zone, your success zone, and shows you how you can reach your financial goals in life. When reading your money mantras below, make sure to view your midheaven sign (MC, Medium Coeli) for further insight into aiding in your success story. This is your reminder that you are a powerful soul, there are divine tools and practices available to you at all times, and that anything in life is possible for you.
ARIES
“The work I do receives instant financial support.”
Aries is a driven soul and is constantly getting itself into new ventures, especially when it comes to business. With Mars being your planetary ruler, you have a gift when it comes to natural drive and energy, and you have what it takes to see your goals through. A good money mantra for you is one that can keep up with your high goals and one that provides a quick return. Remember that patience is key with all manifestations, but using this money mantra can help meet you where you are and provide the more fast returns you are looking for.
TAURUS
“I give and receive freely.
I always have enough.
I always am enough.”
Taurus is the money sign of the zodiac and you are born with more of a gift with money than most. A lot of Tauruses are born into wealth, or the complete opposite which makes them extremely hard-working individuals who strive for this type of financial stability in life. Taurus is one of the most frugal signs of the zodiac, and although you are very giving to your loved ones, you do prefer to have stability more than anything.
However, this energy can do you more harm than good and can keep you in stagnation, feeling like you have to keep everything in, giving you very little breathing room to enjoy what you have accumulated for yourself. For you, having a good flow here and less rigid energy can create space for even more wealth to enter your life.
GEMINI
“My ideas flow effortlessly.
I manifest money through my creative ideas and solutions.”
Gemini is all about the mind, as your planetary ruler is Mercury, the planet of the mind, communication, and business. With your unique gifts in creative ideas, visions, and solutions, you make for a great manifester. All that is needed is putting your good ideas to use and taking concrete steps to back up your intentions. For you, a money mantra that acknowledges how your mind flows and what it can manifest into is key. You are the creative genius of the zodiac and using the power of your mind to manifest is your gift. Repeat this mantra daily, and also remember the intentional action needed to make your dreams come true.
CANCER
“I am grounded.
I am stable.
I have everything I need.”
Cancer is known to be one of the most emotional zodiac signs, and people often forget how business-savvy you truly are. You work hard towards your goals in life because security means everything to you both emotionally and financially. Your home life is your world, and you understand that money typically equates to your dream home. You work to rest peacefully, and a good money mantra for you helps you gain your ground and get back to the present moment when emotions run high. Being ruled by the Moon, finances can tend to fluctuate as the phases of the Moon do, and having a consistent routine or mantra can help balance and ground this energy.
LEO
“I am worthy of financial success and freedom.
I am abundant.”
Financial success for Leo is all about confidence. When you are feeling good, you manifest good, and having a money mantra that reminds you of how worthy you are, does wonders for the Leo soul. With your innate gift of optimism and joy, you shine wherever you go. Putting this energy into your finances can shed light on the prosperity and abundance that is there for you in life, and your money mantra is all about reminding yourself how great you are. No one takes a compliment better than a Leo, and you should be the first one to give yourself that. Use your money mantra daily, and to take this even further, say your money mantra out loud while looking in the mirror.
VIRGO
“I relax, I let go, my finances are in perfect flow.
I am open to receiving money.”
Virgo knows how to create and manifest, being a Mercury-ruled earth sign. Virgo’s make some of the best manifesters, as your energy is one of harvest and what comes about through positive intentions, hard work, and dedication. However, you can be way too hard on yourself at times and be your own biggest critic. A good money mantra for you reminds you to let go, and open up to receive. Your money mantra is here to remind you that you don’t always have to work so hard to receive and that sometimes it’s just about opening up and allowing something to just be given to you freely. Remember that you don’t have to do anything to be worthy of abundance, abundance is your birthright.
LIBRA
“I love what I do.
I am successful in all areas of life.”
Libras when it comes to money are all about what you can do and have with money itself. You want to accumulate wealth so you can live the lavish life of your dreams, but you also wouldn’t mind if someone else was doing the money-making for you. For you to get in the zone of financial wealth, all areas of your life need to be going smoothly for you; especially love, as when your relationships are going well, you feel well on all levels. Your money mantra is about covering all the bases so that you can manifest your goals feeling like you are not leaving out the other important matters of your life as well. Balance is everything for a Libra, and your money mantra puts you into this perspective.
SCORPIO
“I am a money magnet.
I attract abundance with ease.”
Scorpio is the ruler of the 8th house which is the house of shared finances, inheritances, taxes, and debts. You have an eye for what is going to benefit you financially or not, and your analytical mind is constantly running the numbers. This is why you will find a lot of Scorpios working in banks, accounting, or dealing with data. A good money mantra for your passionate soul acknowledges your need for abundance and empowerment but also highlights the magnetic power you exude. You have a way of luring people or energy to you, and you can use this gift in attracting money and financial wealth into your life as well.
SAGITTARIUS
“I manage my finances well,
I am a lucky soul.”
Sagittarius tends to find themselves in the right place, at the right time. Through your optimism and adventurous energy, you attract opportunities for yourself effortlessly in life. For you, your money mantra is all about recognizing your unique gifts of manifestation, but also about grounding this energy so that you always feel like you have enough. You will book a vacation without much thought to it, which can be fun for the soul but may dampen your financial returns in the long run. Balance is everything for you financially, and your money mantra should especially be repeated before making any big purchases or spending on impulse.
CAPRICORN
“I am a success, and I have the Midas Touch.
Everything I do turns to gold.”
A Capricorn looks at their bank balance the first thing when they wake up. You are not one to beat around the bush when it comes to money, and you also aren’t afraid to ask for what you deserve. Being ruled by the 10th house, the house of success, career goals, and prosperity--you have high ideals in life and this is especially true for you financially. You want to be the best at everything you do, and everything you touch turns to gold. Your money mantra puts you into that energy of knowing how valuable you are, and the fact that everyone wishes they had a Capricorn on their team to get things done and elevate financially.
AQUARIUS
“The opportunities for me in life are endless.
Wealth constantly flows into my life.”
Aquariuses are aspirational and inspiring souls. You were born with expansive goals and visions for the world, and you have a gift for connecting with the right people who help you get there. A money mantra for you that opens up channels of wealth and prosperity serves you well, and you have a unique way of making things happen for yourself. Aquariuses often surprise people with what their financial world looks like, as they aren’t one to boast. Your money mantra is all about attracting endless opportunities into your life, and being the successful soul you are. Repeat your money mantra while going about your day to help you focus on what you are attracting and focusing on.
PISCES
“I am grounded in the present moment.
The universe has my back, and always provides for me.”
Pisces manifest from the heart. Being ruled by Neptune, the planet of fantasy, and Jupiter, the planet of success, means that your dreams in life do often come true for you. Why? Because you don’t stop thinking of them. You tend to live in your own world of fantasy, which can be a very good thing when it comes to manifesting. You know there is a force greater than anything out there, and you often rely on this benevolent energy to support you when needed. Your money mantra will help you ground your desires in the present moment, where the universe can meet you halfway.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Daniel de la Hoz/Getty Images
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.
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image courtesy
Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Relationship Timeline
Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe are one of our favorite Hollywood couples. We can't get over their adorable moments together on the red carpet and on social media. While they're both from St. Louis, they didn't meet until college, which they both attended Stanford. And the rest is as they say, history. Read below as we dive into their decades-long relationship.
Mid to Late1990s: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Meet
Sterling and Ryan met as freshmen at Stanford University. "We were in the same dorm freshman year...that's kind of how we met," Ryan said in an interview with ET. "I was mesmerized," she said after watching him audition for the school play, Joe Turner's Come and Gone. Sterling revealed that The First Wives Club star was dating someone else, so they started off as friends.
"She got cast in the play as well, and we would ride bikes to rehearsal, and we would just talk. We found out that we were both from St. Louis. We didn't know that we were both from St. Louis, like, our parents went to rival high schools. We were born in the same hospital. Like, we were friends," he said.
The first few years of their relationship involved many breakups and makeups. However, they ended up graduating and attended NYU's Tisch Grad Acting Program together.
Early 2000s: Sterling K. Brown Tells Ryan Michelle Bathe She's 'The Love Of My Life'
The Paradise star opened up about telling Ryan that she was the one. "We broke up for three and a half years before we came back into each other's lives," he said. "She was on the treadmill working out, and I had this epiphany, 'I have to go tell this woman she's the love of my life.'"
"I go to her apartment, I tell her, and she's like, 'Well, I'm working out right now,' and I was like, 'No, I can see that—I'll just talk to you while you're on the treadmill,' and she's like, 'Well, I feel like going outside. So I'm gonna go on a run,'" he continued. "So I'm like dressed [in a suit], and she starts running through Koreatown, and I start running along with her. Brother had to work, but it was well worthwhile."
2006: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Tie The Knot
The St. Louis natives eloped in 2006 and a year later held a larger ceremony. According to the bride, the best part of their wedding was the food. "The best thing about it was the food," she told ET.
"Can I just say, sometimes you go to weddings, and you get the winner-winner chicken dinner and you're like, 'I pay. OK, it's fine.' But I wanted people to remember their experience -- their culinary experience. So I was happy about that. The food was good."
2011: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Welcome Their First Child
In 2011, Sterling and The Endgame actress welcomed their first son, Andrew. In a 2017 tweet, Sterling revealed they had a home birth. "An unexpected home delivery is something my wife and I went through ourselves with our first born, so this was round 2 for me!" he wrote while referring to a scene involving his character Randall, in This Is Us.
2012: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Appear On-screen Together
A year later, the couple acted together on the Lifetime series Army Wives.
2015: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Welcome Their Second Child
In 2015, Sterling and Ryan welcomed another son, Amaré. Sterling shared an Instagram post about their latest addition to the family. "1st post. 2nd child. All good! #imoninstagram," the Atlas star wrote.
2016: Ryan Michelle Bathe Joins Sterling K. Brown On 'This Is Us'
Ryan guest appears on her hubby's show, This Is Us.
Sterling K. Brown Reveals Ryan Michelle Bathe's Mother Didn't Like Him At First
During their sit-down interview for the Black Love series, Sterling revealed that Ryan's mother wasn't a fan of him, which caused friction in their relationship.
2024: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Explain How Jennifer Lopez Once Broke Them Up
While visiting The Jennifer Hudson Show, Sterling and Ryan share their hilarious Jennifer Lopez break-up story. "We had just gone out, we were living in New York City, we were in grad school, and we had gone to see a Broadway play and we came back to my place and my roommate was playing the ["Love Don't Cost A Thing"] video on MTV," Sterling said.
"Now I'm a fan of Jennifer Lopez's dancing, and I was watching the video and I knew my young...21, 22-year-old girlfriend was looking at me watch the video. And I know I'm not supposed to have a reaction. In trying NOT to have a reaction, what had happened was, my eyes began to water."
Ryan jumped in, "Otherwise known as, TEARS! I turn around and my boyfriend is weeping, tears like big fat [tears]. And I'm looking and she's just a shakin' and a shimming, and he's just crying. I said 'Oh no, I got to go.' "
2024: Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe Launch Their Podcast, We Don't Always Agree
The couple launched their podcast, We Don't Always Agree, where they disclose more intimate details about their love story.
Feature image by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock