Everything You Need To Know About Mercury Haterade (I Mean…Retrograde)
Even if you only have an elementary understanding of Astrology, you've probably heard about the oh-so-dreaded Mercury Retrograde. About three times a year, the planet of communication, learning, and transportation goes retrograde, retracing its orbit. Although Mercury Retrograde has the ability to cause some annoyances in our lives, this regularly occurring transit isn't as bad as the masses tend to think. When we are open to truly understanding this energy (instead of perpetuating a fear-based narrative), we can make this transit work to our advantage.
Check out these 10 things you need to know about the transit we all love to hate:
1. Calm your tits, sis.
Mercury is retrograde for basically half the year. Before you knew anything about this transit, you were just living your life and Mercury has been retrograde on numerous occasions. You may have even been born during a retrograde like myself. Even if you aren't a Mercury retrograde baby, you probably know someone who is. These individuals tend to be more introspective, detail-oriented, and they have the potential to be extremely creative—even borderline genius.
2. Be patient.
The retrograde transit itself lasts for about three weeks but there is a two-and-a-half week pre-shadow and post-shadow phase. During the shadow phases, the effects of the retrograde tend to be felt more as Mercury prepares to retrace its orbit. With that being said, the entire Mercury Retrograde transit is about two months long (and yes, it can feel extremely drawn out depending on what zodiac sign this mutable planet is visiting).
3. Stick to the tried and true.
Mercury Retrograde is not a good time to start new projects, endeavors, or serious commitments. Instead, use this time to review and revise something you're already working on. This transit is best utilized for rolling up your sleeves and getting into the details. Finish up your business plan, prepare your marketing campaign for the big launch, and reassess existing contractual agreements that need to be adjusted.
4. Mindfulness is key.
When the planet that governs our thoughts and communication goes retrograde, we have a tendency to overanalyze things. When Mercury is direct, the energy is focused outwards towards our surroundings. However, when it's retrograde, the energy is more internalized. Although this transit can be effective in helping us get into the details, we can easily trail off the deep end where our inner critic becomes louder than our intuition. There are enough haters in the world. Don't be a part of your own downfall.
5. Maintenance check, please!
When's the last time you got your oil changed, sis? It's time to visit your local auto shop, especially if you plan on taking a road trip during the retrograde. Not only does Mercury govern our thoughts and communication but it also affects our transportation. If you've been holding off on getting those tires replaced or your radiator fixed, you may not be able to hold off for much longer. You can also avoid a much bigger problem later down the road by making sure your car is getting just as much self-care as you do.
6. Don’t text your ex.
You may be tempted to reach out to someone from your past due to the optical illusion that Mercury is moving backwards during a Retrograde (in actuality the speed of the planet's orbit is just slowing down). Each person's situation will be different but as the popular saying goes, "Exes are exes for a reason." Now you may feel like you've got some unfinished business to sort out with someone, and in some cases, Mercury Retrograde can help you clear the air in an attempt to get on the same page, heal, and even reconcile with the past. Just keep in mind that once Mercury goes direct, there is the possibility that someone pulls a 180 and decides to move in a different direction.
7. Leave 20 minutes early.
Mercury is a bit of a trickster and when the planet that governs our transportation goes Retrograde, it can throw some unexpected surprises our way. If you've got something important planned, or your boss keeps giving you a hard time for being late, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. You may notice an increase in accidents, traffic, and road work during the retrograde. With that being said, it's a good idea to leave the house a little earlier than usual to avoid the chaos.
8. Triple check your travel plans.
Traveling can already be a hectic affair. Once you add Mercury Retrograde into the mix, the process becomes 10x more annoying. There is a tendency for our thoughts to be a little cloudy during this transit which is why it's so important to pay attention to the details. As excited as you are to hit the beach in Cabo for Spring Break, make sure you've got all of your ducks in a row. Make sure your passport is up-to-date, your hotel room is secured, and stay on the alert for any flight changes.
9. Hold off on upgrading your electronics.
You may be tempted to get that new iPhone or buy that fancy MacBook Pro. Unless it's an emergency, you'd be better off waiting until Mercury goes direct. Not only does this planet govern communication and transportation but it's also associated with all of our modern gadgets. If you must make a high dollar purchase, make sure to save your receipt. You may even want to consider buying a warranty or some kind of insurance to protect your new gadget just in case something goes wrong.
10. Sharpen your expertise.
Although this isn't the best time to start a new endeavor, Mercury Retrograde does give us the opportunity to dive deeper into something we've been working on. If you need to brush up your skills or prepare for that public speaking event, this energy is useful for working out the kinks. As annoying as Mercury Retrograde can be, the regular occurrence of this transit serves to remind us that life is a lesson that is constantly refining us into a better version of ourselves.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
Your February Horoscopes Are All About Indulgence & Romance
Your Love Language, According To Your Zodiac Sign
The Best And Worst Traits Of Men To Date By Their Zodiac Sign
Featured image by Shutterstock
- January 2020 Monthly Horoscopes For Every Sign - xoNecole ... ›
- Survive Negative Effects Of Retrograde - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- The Final Mercury Retrograde Of 2021 - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Mercury Retrograde Dates - 2020 - 2021 | SunSigns.Org ›
- When Is Mercury Going Into Retrograde In 2020? ›
- Everything You Need to Know About Mercury Retrograde - Susan ... ›
- Mercury Retrograde, 2020 - The red shaded days are when Mercury ... ›
- Mercury Retrograde 2020 Calendar and Survival Guide | Allure ›
- Mercury Retrograde 2020 Dates & How Does It Affect You ›
- Mercury retrograde 2020 ›
- Mercury Retrograde Dates for 2020 | What is Mercury Retrograde ... ›
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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.
Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Victoria Monét Opens Up About Feeling ‘Validated’ Months After VMAs Turned Her Down To Perform
Victoria Monét has had an incredible year. Thanks to the success of the widely popular “On My Mama” that went viral, the singer/ songwriter’s Jaguar II album debuted in the top 10 of Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart. She also went on to headline her own sold-out tour. So, when the MTV VMAs happened in September, everyone was surprised to learn that Victoria’s team was told that it was “too early” for the “Smoke” artist to perform at the award show. However, a couple of months later, the mom of one received seven Grammy nominations, including “Best R&B Album” and “Record Of The Year.”
Victoria is currently in London and stopped by The Dotty Show on Apple Music and shared how she feels “validated” after being dismissed by the VMAs.
“It really does feel nice and validating because, in my head, the reason why I wanted to be a performer at the VMAs or award ceremonies like that is because I felt like I am at the place where I should. I would work really hard to put on the best show that I could, and I was excited to do so,” she said.
“And I guess the best way to describe it for me is like when you're like on a sports team, and the coach is like, ‘No, you gotta sit this one out.’ When they finally put you in, and then you score all these points, and it feels like that feeling. You're like, yes, I knew it wasn't tripping, but I knew I worked hard for this, and so it's been super validating to just have these accolades come after a moment like that, and I know the fans feel vindicated for me.
While her fans called the VMAs out on their decision, the “Moment” singer kept it cute and is still open to performing at the iconic award show. “I feel no ill towards them because it's just maybe that's just truly how they felt at the time, but I hope their mind has changed,” she admitted.
Aside from recognition from the Grammys, she has also received praise from legendary artists such as Janet Jackson, Kelly Rowland, and Usher.
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.
Feature image by Amy Sussman/WireImage for Parkwood