There is a lot happening in the zodiac for everyone in the coming weeks. The floodgates of the summer solstice has welcomed itself, and the energies hit heaviest on June 26. The Strawberry Moon came through dripping lunar manifestation power, there will be a solar eclipse happening on July 12, and the longest lunar eclipse that has ever taken place in over a century happening on July 27.
Related: Your Monthly Horoscopes: July 2018
From June 26 to August 27, there will be six planets that will be in retrograde. These planets will bring about reflection of career, stability, security, emotional baggage, introspection, secrets, synchronicities, communication, thought, and action.
This read will reveal how each astrological sign group will be affected by some of the most powerful retrogrades, and how each individual astrological sign will be affected by the Summer Solstice Gateway. It will also suggest a divine July 12th and July 27th affirmation to recite during the solar and lunar eclipse, so bookmark this page!
Planetary Retrograde Energy
Jupiter Retrograde
Jupiter will be ending its retrograde on July 10, and has everything to do with ambitions, long-term plans, and travel.
Earth signs will be pushed to let go of any fear or doubt around the aforementioned categories. For whatever reason, you have been holding back on any of these things, you will release blockages, stop making excuses, and make an ultimate move! Put your earthy energy into play, and hit the ground running! Many will struggle with going back into negative patterns in any area of life.
Water signs will learn to take matters into their own hands when it comes to Jupiter energy, if you have been wanting to go on a vacation or make a long-term plan contingent upon other people. If people rock with you, or contribute financially, that is great...but ultimately, if you want it, you have to go get it yourself. This is "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" energy.
Fire signs might make plans with groups of people only to see the true colors of some people in their crew under this energy. With this retrograde, make sure you aren't grouping up with fair-weather friends, or those who just want a piece of your glow up. Not everyone in your circle may actually be for you, and this energy will bring it to light.
Air signs will find themselves moving further away from people who are not like-minded, or as free-spirited as they are. Under this Jupiter retrograde energy, you'll find more than ever, that birds of a feather flock together. The retrograde energy will pull air signs out of their comfort zones, and move closer to authenticity of self and surroundings.
Pluto Retrograde
Pluto has been in retrograde since April, and will go direct on September 30. This energy involves revelations and releasing baggage.
Earth signs will feel the heat when it comes to any kind of codependent relationships, behaviors, or addictions. This Pluto retrograde energy will be putting what it is you need to let go of in your face. If anyone or thing is siphoning your energy, Earth signs will have to build enough strength to acknowledge it, and let it go.
Water signs will be pushed into following the rules and playing by the book! This wave of Pluto retrograde energy will make it near impossible for you not to engage in the status quo. This could mean paying off all of your bills, abiding by legal or technical procedures, or doing "the right thing," by your friends, family, and spouses.
Fire signs will be faced with deciding not to engage in petty conflict, dirty games, or unhealthy competition. The Pluto retrograde will push many fire signs away from toxicity, and this even includes where you have been too difficult for your own good. Ultimately the choice is yours not to stoop down into low vibration.
For air signs, the Pluto retrograde energy might have you revert back to old drama and pain, for the sake of seeing if there was something that you missed. Many of you might be wondering if salvaging a tainted relationship is worth it. One part of you might be missing old friendships, while the other part wants nothing to do with it. It's up to you to see if any of it is worth the backtracking.
Mars Retrograde
Mars entered retrograde on June 26 and will go direct on August 27. It has everything to do with how your energy is vibrating, and what actions you need to take for your life.
Earth signs will really be feeling the Mars retrograde pressure when it comes to finances and love. Earth signs love the lap of luxury and all the nice things, but this retrograde might cause you to overspend and dip into savings. It is summertime, and we all want to splurge, but be careful! When it comes to romance, be wary of making decisions and advances under the influence. Spur-of-the-moment energy might be cause for regret later on.
Water signs will be hit with a wave of retrograde energy that will amplify their introverted nature. Mars is a volatile planet energetically, so when paired with self-love, self-care, and self-introspection, water signs might go through it internally. Instead of fighting this energy, openly communicate with your inner self to uncover what is truly important for you and your life in the moment and what makes you whole.
Fire signs are in for a bumpy energetic ride under this Mars retrograde. This energy will cause a lot of fire signs to want to spend time on their own and get grounded. With your spitfire energy, you could attract a frenzy of people around you who could either make things better or worse in your experience. This energy will cause you to do more pre-screening and observation of those around you before allowing them into your space.
Some air signs might be feeling a bit aloof in this Mars retrograde energy. You might have a hard time with memory, making decisions, calling shots, or being inactive. There could be a lot of waiting until the last minute to get things done, and wasting a lot of time. The summer time is the best season to pick up new hobbies, try new things, and gain new experiences. Get active, get out there, and enjoy life in the present moments.
Now that you have an idea of how each retrograde will affect your life, check out what the summer solstice gateway has in mind for your individual zodiac sign by clicking through the gallery below:
1.Aries
The summer solstice energy has influenced many Aries signs to purge out any leftover grievances of the first half of 2018, and make way for moving forward with your life. It's all about letting go of what no longer serves you, and what holds you back from manifesting the life that you want to live. The summer solstice gateway is sparking energy and enthusiasm back into your to-do lists and goals. There is no more sitting on what you have lost, and more focus on what there is to gain.
Eclipse Affirmation: "It's out with the old, and in with the new, what's in the past is in the past, and I feel brand new. I'm ready to manifest all of my heart desires and transform my experience, and vibrate higher."
2.Taurus
The summer solstice energy is not completely sunny for everyone. Many Taureans were hit with a wave of confusion and apprehension about their next steps. Taurus signs are really motivated and hardworking people, but when we hit a wall, it could be hard to pick up steam. Anxiety and stress will overpower you if you let it. Recognize how far you have come, and what you have built to give yourself the boost of confidence you need to move forward. One great thing about the summer solstice is that clarity can come overnight!
Eclipse Affirmation: "I have been through a lot, and I have overcome many obstacles. Because I am here, I am undefeated, and my intuition and higher self never steer me wrong."
3.Gemini
Many Geminis have come through a tough period of self-love and inward growth that has benefited their self-confidence and outlook. The summer solstice gateway is like a new start for Geminis who have turned a tide in any area of life. With this burst of energy and lifted spirits, you may find a new opportunity to expand yourself externally and financially, by recognizing doors you previously thought were closed to you. If you have done the work, enjoy the benefits of abundance that comes from it.
Eclipse Affirmation: "I am ready, dedicated, and focused on fulfilling all of my goals, and prosper financially, emotionally, and spiritually."
4.Cancer
Many Cancers out there have become emboldened to turn a new leaf in any area of life. The summer solstice gateway carries a lot of "Boss up" energy for Cancers out there. Where you have held onto the past, or became complacent in your present, you are ready to take a step in a new direction. This could be a new career path, love interest, or simply reinventing yourself. This summer energy carries a lot of empowerment.
Eclipse Affirmation: "I move past life's hardships, and pitfalls with a peace of mind and grace, and I am open to receive blessings and reasons to celebrate."
5.Leo
The summer solstice energy for Leo signs is asking you all to stop sitting on your dreams and aspirations because you are worried that they won't work out. If you have been in a place where you have been mentally going back and forth in your mind about how things will develop in your life, it's time for you to take that big leap of faith. This can apply to multiple areas of life, whether it is fitness, business, or simply deciding to do something nice for yourself. It's time to stop wishing you were in another place, and step into your future. Don't let the summer pass you by without making a step towards your next milestone.
Eclipse Affirmation: "I am ready to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new horizons. Opportunity to expand my external reality is readily available, if I make the effort and reach for it."
6.Virgo
Many Virgos have been given the summer solstice green light to make a move when it comes to love! The energy warns you however not to move too fast in one direction if you are single. Take your time before you go into overdrive with the wrong person who you are not truly aligned with. Communication will be key, whether you are single or taken. You might find yourself not being on the same page as the people in your life, all for the simple fact that something has been miscommunicated. Be sure not to get carried away by the wrong information, or unnecessary distractions this summer.
Eclipse Affirmation: "I will make sure to take my time when making serious decisions or judgment calls about anything in my life. I won't let my emotions get the best of me, and I will be sure to remain grounded."
7.Libra
For Libras, the summer solstice is giving you a big boost in your divine masculine energy. You might find yourself being more bold, outspoken, and protective of your peace. Make sure you maintain balance, and know when it is necessary for you to assert your power and when it's necessary for you to contain your prowess. This energy is all about knowing when to pick and choose your battles for the sake of living your best life this summer. Not every action needs a reaction, and this summer solstice gateway might test your patience a little bit.
Eclipse Affirmation: "I will know when a negative situation does not serve me, and will not give any energy to anything that is not worthy my attention. I will let those things go with ease."
8.Scorpio
The summer solstice energy for Scorpios out there is asking you all to be cool as a cucumber in this summer heat. It's all about balancing where you put your energy and making the conscious decision to dodge unnecessary drama and toxic people, environments, and circumstances. It's about moving forward and walking away from old BS. It's about being able to say the simple two letter word - NO. Enjoy the peace from all the damage control you might have done in the past months. If anyone is "big mad," in your life, let them do so - that way.
Eclipse Affirmation: "I'm ready to be free-spirited and unbothered by anyone looking to cause me any grief. I'm doing my own thing, and I don't need any negative vibes."
9.Sagittarius
The summer solstice energy for Sagittarians is all about getting back on track or catching up from any lost steam or derailments from the first half of the year. If anything has caused some trouble in your life, you are more than ready to redirect your focus and reinstate faith in your soul's ability to lead you out of a dark or confusing place. It's truly about making the best of any situation and understanding that nothing can hold you back for too long. You have everything you need to live your best life within yourself.
Eclipse Affirmation: "I am ready to win big this summer and make quantum leaps towards success, recognition, community, and financial gain."
10. Capricorn
The summer solstice energy brings about a double energy for the Capricorn signs out there. On one hand, you might experience being more focused on what it is that you want to accomplish, and coming up with out of the box ideas for financial growth and on the other hand, you might find yourself wanting to play more than you work. Since this is the season of fun, this is very understandable! Just make sure that you find a balance between work and play, as well as refining any unorthodox ideas for your Capricorn nature into something that is actually doable.
Eclipse Affirmation: "I am not going to fight my desire to tread unfamiliar territory, and embrace how I may be changing in my outlook, beliefs, and expectations."
11. Aquarius
The summer solstice gateway is driving many Aquarians to connect with people who understand them on deeper spiritual and energetic level. If you find that you are outgrowing some of the people around you, it might be time to enter spaces where you can relate to communities of like-minded individuals. If you feel that the people around you currently take more than they give, this is a sign that you should make an effort to find people you vibe with. What good is the summer if you don't have tribe to share new experiences with?
Eclipse Affirmation: "I am open to new and unexpected experiences and opportunities. I release my fear of the unknown, and I am deciding to go with the flow."
12. Pisces
The summer solstice gateway energy is pushing a lot of Pisces out of remission. Wherever you have been stagnant in any area of life, is in for a cable jump! It might be a hard pill to swallow for some signs, but the realization that nothing will happen in your external reality unless you light some fire under feet will likely hit home. You might realize that whatever blockage has been preventing you from moving on will become as relentless as the summer heat. If time waits for nobody, then you'd better get moving!
Eclipse Affirmation: "I am ready to release whatever has been holding me back from manifesting abundance, whether it's self-doubt, bad association, or anything having to do with lack consciousness."
All astrological Tarotscopes channeled via Tarot Cards! For your own Intuitive Channeled Healing Session, follow @Melanade_Stand on IG and send an inquiry via DM!
Featured GIF by Coveteur
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So, we handpicked one hundred It Girls who embody that palpable It Factor moving through us as young Black women, the kind of motion lighting up the world both IRL and across the internet.
It Girl 100 became xoNecole’s most successful program, with the hashtag organically reaching more than forty million impressions on Instagram in just twenty-four hours. Yes, it caught on like wildfire because we celebrated some of the most brilliant and influential GenZennial women of color setting trends and shaping culture. But more than that, it resonated because the women we celebrated felt seen.
Many were already known in their industries for keeping this generation fly and lit, but rarely received recognition or flowers. It Girl 100 became a safe space to be uplifted, and for us as Black women to bask in what felt like an era of our brilliance, beauty, and boundless influence on full display.
And then, almost overnight, it was as if the rug was pulled from under us as Black women, as the It Girls of the world.
Our much-needed, much-deserved season of ease and soft living quickly metamorphosed into a time of self-preservation and survival. Our motion and economic progression seemed strategically slowed, our light under siege.
The air feels heavier now. The headlines colder. Our Black girl magic is being picked apart and politicized for simply existing.
With that climate shift, as we prepare to launch our second annual It Girl 100 honoree list, our team has had to dig deep on the purpose and intention behind this year’s list. Knowing the spirit of It Girl 100 is about motion, sauce, strides, and progression, how do we celebrate amid uncertainty and collective grief when the juice feels like it is being squeezed out of us?
As we wrestled with that question, we were reminded that this tension isn’t new. Black women have always had to find joy in the midst of struggle, to create light even in the darkest corners. We have carried the weight of scrutiny for generations, expected to be strong, to serve, to smile through the sting. But this moment feels different. It feels deeply personal.
We are living at the intersection of liberation and backlash. We are learning to take off our capes, to say no when we are tired, to embrace softness without apology.
And somehow, the world has found new ways to punish us for it.
In lifestyle, women like Kayla Nicole and Ayesha Curry have been ridiculed for daring to choose themselves. Tracee Ellis Ross was labeled bitter for speaking her truth about love. Meghan Markle, still, cannot breathe without critique.
In politics, Kamala Harris, Letitia James, and Jasmine Crockett are dragged through the mud for standing tall in rooms not built for them.
In sports, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Townsend have been reminded that even excellence will not shield you from racism or judgment.
In business, visionaries like Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye and Melissa Butler are fighting to keep their dreams alive in an economy that too often forgets us first.
Even our icons, Beyoncé, Serena, and SZA, have faced criticism simply for evolving beyond the boxes society tried to keep them in.
From everyday women to cultural phenoms, the pattern is the same. Our light is being tested.
And yet, somehow, through it all, we are still showing up as that girl, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Because while the world debates our worth, we keep raising our value. And that proof is all around us.
This year alone, Naomi Osaka returned from motherhood and mental health challenges to reach the semifinals of the US Open. A’ja Wilson claimed another MVP, reminding us that beauty and dominance can coexist. Brandy and Monica are snatching our edges on tour. Kahlana Barfield Brown sold out her new line in the face of a retailer that had been canceled. And Melissa Butler’s company, The Lip Bar, is projecting a forty percent surge in sales.
We are no longer defining strength by how much pain we can endure. We are defining it by the unbreakable light we continue to radiate.
We are the women walking our daily steps and also continuing to run solid businesses. We are growing in love, taking solo trips, laughing until it hurts, raising babies and ideas, drinking our green juice, and praying our peace back into existence.
We are rediscovering the joy of rest and realizing that softness is not weakness, it is strategy.
And through it all, we continue to lift one another. Emma Grede is creating seats at the table. Valeisha Butterfield has started a fund for jobless Black women. Arian Simone is leading in media with fearless conviction. We are pouring into each other in ways the world rarely sees but always feels.
So yes, we are in the midst of societal warfare. Yes, we are being tested. Yes, we are facing economic strain, political targeting, and public scrutiny. But even war cannot dim a light that is divinely ours.
And we are still shining.
And we are still softening.
And we are still creating.
And we are still It.
That is the quiet magic of Black womanhood, our ability to hold both truth and triumph in the same breath, to say yes, and to life’s contradictions.
It is no coincidence that this year, as SheaMoisture embraces the message “Yes, And,” they stand beside us as partners in celebrating this class of It Girls. Because that phrase, those two simple words, capture the very essence of this moment.
Yes, we are tired. And we are still rising.
Yes, we are questioned. And we are the answer.
Yes, we are bruised. And we are still beautiful.
This year’s It Girl 100 is more than a list. It is a love letter to every Black woman who dares to live out loud in a world that would rather she whisper. This year’s class is living proof of “Yes, And,” women who are finding ways to thrive and to heal, to build and to rest, to lead and to love, all at once.
It is proof that our joy is not naive, our success not accidental. It is the reminder that our light has never needed permission.
So without further ado, we celebrate the It Girl 100 Class of 2025–2026.
We celebrate the millions of us who keep doing it with grace, grit, and glory.
Because despite it all, we still shine.
Because we are still her.
Because we are still IT, girl.
Meet all 100 women shaping culture in the It Girl 100 Class of 2025. View the complete list of honorees here.
Featured image by xoStaff
Then there were those who gave up their zip code altogether and found a permanent home in the skies. After years spent recruiting students for a university, Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare became a full-time travel influencer and founded her travel company, Shakespeare Agency. And she's not alone.
These stories mirror the experiences of women across the world. For millions, the pandemic induced a seismic shift in priorities and desires. Corporate careers that were once hailed as the ultimate “I made it” moment in one's career were pushed to the back burner as women quit their jobs in search of a more self-fulfilling purpose.
xoNecole spoke to these three Black women who used the pandemic as a springboard to make their wildest dreams a reality, the lessons they learned, and posed the question of whether they’ll ever return to cubicle life.
Answers have been edited for context and length.
xoNecole: How did the pandemic lead to you leaving the cubicle?
Randi: I was becoming stagnant. I was working in mortgage and banking but I felt like my personality was too big for that job! From there, I transitioned to radio but was laid off during the pandemic. That’s what made me go full throttle with entrepreneurship.
Gabrielle: I moved around a lot for work. Five times over a span of seven years. I knew I needed a break because I had experienced so much. So, I just quit one day. Effective immediately. I didn’t know what I was going to do, I just knew I needed a break and to just regroup.
Lisa-Gaye: I was working in recruiting at a university and my dream job just kind of fell into my lap! But, I never got to fully enjoy it before the world shut down in March [2020] and I was laid off. On top of that, I was stuck in Miami because Jamaica had closed its borders due to the pandemic before I was able to return.
Randi O
xoN: Tell us about your journey after leaving Corporate America.
Randi: I do it all now! I have a podcast, I’m an on-air talent, I act, and I own a public relations company that focuses on social media engagement. It’s all from my network. When you go out and start a business, you can’t just say, “Okay I’m done with Corporate America,” and “Let me do my own thing.” If you don’t build community, if you don’t build a network it's going to be very hard to sustain.
Gabrielle: I realized in New York, there was not a lot to do for Black lesbians and queer folks. We don’t really have dedicated bars and spaces so I started doing events and it took off. I started focusing on my brand, Raw Honey. I opened a co-working space, and I was able to host an NYC Pride event in front of 100,000 people. I hit the ground running with Raw Honey. My events were all women coming to find community and come together with other lesbians and queer folks. I found my purpose in that.
Lisa-Gaye: After being laid off, I wrote out all of my passions and that’s how I came up with [my company] Shakespeare Agency. It was all of the things that I loved to do under one umbrella. The pandemic pulled that out of me. I had a very large social media following, so I pitched to hotels that I would feature them on my blog and social media. This reignited my passion for travel. I took the rest of the year to refocus my brand to focus solely on being a content creator within the travel space.
Gabrielle
xoN: What have you learned about yourself during your time as an entrepreneur?
Randi: [I learned] the importance of my network and community that I created. When I was laid off I was still keeping those relationships with people that I used to work with. So it was easy for me to transition into social media management and I didn’t have to start from scratch.
Gabrielle: The biggest thing I learned about myself was my own personal identity as a Black lesbian and how much I had assimilated into straight and corporate culture and not being myself. Now, I feel comfortable and confident being my authentic self. Now, I'm not sacrificing anything else for my career. I have a full life. I have friends. I have a social life. And when you are happy and have a full quality of life, I feel like [I] can have more longevity in my career.
Lisa-Gaye: [I'm doing] the best that I've ever done. The discipline that I’m building within myself. Nobody is saying, ‘Oh you have to be at work at this time.’ There’s no boss saying, ‘Why are you late?’ But, if I’m laying in bed at 10 a.m. then it's me saying [to myself], 'Okay, Lisa, get up, it's time for you to start working!’ That’s all on me.
xoNecole: What mistakes do you want to help people avoid when leaving Corporate America?
Randi: You have to learn about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. You have a fast season and a slow season and I started to learn that when you're self-employed the latter season hits hard. Don't get caught up on the lows, just keep going and don't stop. I’m glad I did.
Gabrielle: I think everyone should quit their job and just figure it out for a second. You will discover so much about yourself when you take a second to just focus on you. Your skill set will always be there. You can’t be afraid of what will happen when you bet on yourself.
Lisa-Gaye: When it comes to being an influencer the field is saturated and a lot of people suffer from imposter syndrome. There is nothing wrong with being an imposter but find out how to make it yours, how to make it better. If you go to the store, you see 10 million different brands of bread! But you are choosing the brand that you like because you like that particular flavor.
So be an imposter, but be the best imposter of yourself and add your own flair, your own flavor. Make the better bread. The bread that you want.
Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare
xoNecole: Will you ever return to your 9 to 5?
Randi: I wouldn’t go back to Corporate America. But I don’t mind working under someone. A lot of people try to get into this business saying, “I can't work under anyone.” That’s not necessarily the reason to start a business because you're always going to answer to somebody. Clients, brands, there’s always someone else involved.
Gabrielle: I went back! I really needed a break and I gave myself that. But, I realized I’m a corporate girl, [and] I enjoy the work that I do. I’m good at it and I really missed that side of myself. I have different sides of me and my whole identity is not Raw Honey or my queerness. A big side of me is business and that’s why I love having my career. Now I feel like my best self.
Lisa-Gaye: I really don’t. For right now, I love working for myself. It's gratifying, it's challenging, it's exciting. It’s a big deal for me to say I own my own business. That I am my own boss, and I'm a Black woman doing it.
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Featured image courtesy of Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare
Originally published on February 6, 2023