March is a month of change, reflection, and taking things slow. We enter Retrograde Season now, and things can feel a little heavy at times. Right as we enter March, Venus goes retrograde in Aries. Venus only goes retrograde every 18 months or so, so this is one of the more significant astrological transits of the year. Venus will be retrograde in Aries from March 1 to March 27, and then in Pisces from March 27 to April 12.
While Venus is retrograde in Aries, love and relationship matters need some navigating. There can be a lack of direction when it comes to love this month, and this is overall occurring to put you in a better position within your relationships and relight the spark in you.
This month also begins Eclipse Season, and the first one of the year will be a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Virgo on March 14. This Eclipse is a full circle moment and will be a time of clearing the air, getting organized, making space, and finding the gifts within the changes you are moving through right now. Lunar Eclipses are a time to allow things to settle in rather than make any drastic moves, and being in Virgo, a lot of this has to do with the healing needed to get things back in order. This Eclipse opposes the Sun currently in Pisces, and there is beauty in the culmination.
March 2025 Astrology: Retrograde Season, Eclipses & Major Shifts
Mercury goes retrograde in Aries from March 15 to March 29 and then will be retrograde in Pisces from March 29 to April 7. This is the first Mercury retrograde of the year, and in Aries, brings a dynamic and passionate energy. This is not the best month to take any unnecessary risks, and playing it safe may turn out to be for the best right now. Mercury retrograde in Aries can cause clashes, power struggles, and a need for greater independence and freedom.
Don’t rush what you are trying to communicate or get across right now, and know that patience will lead you to better places than mental overexertion will.
Aries Season begins on March 20, and this is going to help pick up the pace and create more opportunities after the setbacks that may have prevailed this month. On March 29, the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries happens, creating a breakthrough from what you have been initiating and taking action on since April 2023. This is a powerful Eclipse and is bringing forth the manifestations from all the work you have done. Before the month ends, Neptune enters Aries, where this dreamy planet will remain until 2039.
Neptune in Aries drives us to pursue our creative and spiritual pursuits and gives us the boost of energy needed to see our dreams and inspirations through. Overall, through the changes and detours happening in March, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and a new journey awaiting you.
Read for your Sun and Rising Sign below to see what March has in store for you.
What Does March 2025 Have in Store for Your Zodiac Sign?
ARIES
AriesKyra Jay for xoNecoleMarch is one of the most if not the most important months for you, Aries. All eyes are on you, and most of the energy of March is in your sign. This begins with Venus going retrograde in Aries on March 1 until March 27. While Venus is retrograde in your sign, you are learning how to love yourself radically, and what that may mean for your relationships moving forward. Mercury also goes retrograde in your sign this month and will be guiding you toward inner clarity. Be careful with miscommunications in March, and focus on communicating your vision with strength.
Aries Season officially begins on March 20, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. You are ready for a new beginning and are embarking on it now. On March 29, there is a New Moon Solar Eclipse in your sign, and you are ready to embrace the beauty in your life and will be moving through a lot of fortunate changes during this time. Neptune then enters your sign on March 30 and will be in Aries until 2039, and you are moving into a creative, inspiring, and magical time.
TAURUS
TaurusKyra Jay for xoNecoleTake things one day at a time this month, Taurus. Your ruling planet Venus is retrograde for the entire month, and you need some time to process things right now. The focus is on your healing, your truth, and your patience, and emotionally you are moving through a time of growth. With Mercury also retrograde and in your 12th house of closure, the past may be coming up for you a lot this month but remember that this is for your healing and not for you to repeat old patterns or mistakes.
On March 14, a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse will be held in fellow earth sign, Virgo, and this is an opportunity for closure and to grow closer to your heart. You are letting go of how you thought things would be, and owning what you are creating in your life now. Overall, this month is about not letting yourself overthink things that are still coming to fruition for you, and being patient with it all. Venus will be retrograde until April 12; use this time to get to know yourself better.
GEMINI
GeminiKyra Jay for xoNecoleEverything's coming together for you this month, Gemini. You are looking at the full picture and accomplishing what you have set out to do this year. With Venus and Mercury both retrograde in an area of your life having to do with friendships, community, aspirations, and social life; this isn’t the best time for meeting new people, but it is a time for understanding the social dynamics in your life better, and for creating greater harmony and connection here.
On March 14, there is a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Virgo, and you are ready to let go of foundations that haven’t been serving you. You are no longer building things that don’t sustain and you are thinking a lot about the long-term of your life and creating plans in this way. Overall, March is about seeing things with new eyes, and trusting that you have done everything you needed to do to be where you want to be.
CANCER
CancerKyra Jay for xoNecoleMarch is a month of progress, Cancer. You are moving at full speed ahead and going after the things you have wanted for yourself. Life is happening for you right now, and you are excited about the opportunities that present themselves this month. Remember to keep two feet planted and ground yourself in the present moment, but know that things are really picking up for you in March.
A Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is happening in your 3rd house of communication mid-month, and this is helping you let go of any miscommunications that have been flowing in your world. You are looking at things a lot differently this month and this new perspective is helping you let go of a version of yourself you don’t resonate with anymore. Before the month ends, Venus retrograde enters Pisces, and this impacts your sense of adventure. Be careful with unnecessary risks over the next few weeks, and try to look at the bigger picture right now.
LEO
LeoKyra Jay for xoNecoleMarch is a month of letting things come to fruition and moving through life knowing that they will, Leo. While we are in the midst of Retrograde Season, there is a lot for you to process right now, especially regarding your plans for the future, your perspective, mind, and belief systems. You are asking yourself all the important questions this month, but it’s important to give yourself grace and compassion within this process.
The more you focus on nurturing your world instead of forcing things to unfold, the better this month. The Sun is in your 8th house of rebirth for most of March, and there are a lot of changes happening in your life right now. Own how these things play out for you. At the end of the month, there is a New Moon Solar Eclipse happening in your 2nd house of abundance, and your intentions are manifesting in your life. You are leaving the month seeing the gifts of your patience and walking with your head held high.
VIRGO
VirgoKyra Jay for xoNecoleIn March you are taking some time for yourself, Virgo. You have been through a lot as of late, and you need some space to process everything that has occurred. You are walking away from the things that no longer resonate, and are leading with your heart and with self-love right now. Your ruling planet Mercury goes retrograde this month from March 14 through April 7, and this is a good time to get clear on health matters and to see where things can use some reworking or replanning. Taking care of yourself can look many different ways this month, just make sure you are doing so.
On March 14, the first Eclipse of the year happens, and this Full Moon Lunar Eclipse will be in your sign, Virgo. You are moving through massive changes this month, and the key here is in letting go. Don’t hold onto things too tightly when they are falling away from your life, and trust that where you are going right now is better than where you have been. Overall, this month is about empowering yourself toward change.
LIBRA
LibraKyra Jay for xoNecoleThis is a month of collaboration, dedication, and effort, Libra. You are taking care of your priorities and crossing off the to-do list this month, and a lot is going on for you. With the Sun in your 6th house of health, work, and daily routines, this is a time for seeing the results of your efforts and for feeling more energetic and alive in the workplace and within the actions you are taking right now. However, with Venus and Mercury both retrograde and in your opposite sign this month, love is on the back burner as you figure out what your heart needs.
On March 29, one of the most important New Moons of the year for you occurs and this is the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries. This New Moon is when you finally get some closure and some answers you have been looking for in love over the past few years, and when you feel more in tune with your partnerships. Things are changing for you as the month ends, and they are moving in a better direction for you and your heart.
SCORPIO
ScorpioKyra Jay for xoNecoleMarch is about doing what is best for you and your health, rather than entertaining negative patterning or people, Scorpio. The gift this month is in letting go and not allowing yourself to get overly attached to things that haven’t been serving you. With Venus retrograde in your 6th house of health and daily routine this month, it’s important to take matters here a little more seriously and to put your peace and well-being first.
The first Lunar Eclipse of the year happens on March 14, and this highlights your friendships, hopes and dreams, and sense of community. The people you associate with or surround yourself with are changing for you right now, and this begins a journey of letting go that will be with you until 2027. You are recognizing what is authentic to you and your dreams, and what has been holding you back from obtaining that. Overall, you are moving through the month asking yourself the important questions and making the necessary moves to protect your peace.
SAGITTARIUS
SagittariusKyra Jay for xoNecolePerspective is everything this month, and it’s important to go at your own pace, Sagittarius. Everything is coming into full focus for you and this is changing the way you look at some of the experiences you have been through. Mercury and Venus are both retrograde in your 5th house of romance, happiness, and self-expression, and you may be feeling like you need to relight the spark in your life. Look for the experiences that make you feel grounded, authentic, safe, and joyful, and spend more time there.
Juno goes retrograde in your sign from March 19 until April 15, and you are doing a lot of reassessing when it comes to your relationships right now. Ask yourself what a soulmate or a soul connection looks like for you at this time in your life. How can you authentically show up in your relationships or experiences right now, to attract these types of authentic connections? Before the month ends there is a Solar Eclipse in Aries, creating a breakthrough for you in love and a chance for a new beginning.
CAPRICORN
CapricornKyra Jay for xoNecoleMarch is a fun month for you, Capricorn. Celebrations are in store and you are really leaning upon the people who make you happy. With the Sun in your 3rd house of communication for most of the month, you are having a lot of good conversations, meeting new people, and enjoying the life you have created for yourself. Even with the retrogrades happening this month you are overcoming as you always do, and having more fun than usual at the same time.
A Lunar Eclipse in Virgo happens on March 14, and this is wrapping up an adventure you have been on and fueling your quest for knowledge. You are mentally seeing things with a new perspective right now, and this is an inspiring and hopeful one. On March 27, Venus goes retrograde, and you are leaving the month needing more downtime from your social calendar and will be taking the time to relax your mind and create some space. Remember that you are loved, Capricorn.
AQUARIUS
AquariusKyra Jay for xoNecoleMarch is a new beginning for you and your financial world, Aquarius. You are taking on new opportunities, and developing professionally, and some Aquariuses may begin a new career venture this month as well. All the intentions you have been setting and the efforts you have made are showing fruition for you now, and with the Sun in your 2nd house of income for most of the month, you are feeling a sense of abundance in your life that is lighting up your world. There is a lot to look forward to, and you deserve these wins.
With Mercury and Venus both retrograde in your 3rd house of communication this month, however, be careful with acting on impulse or creating confusion in communication matters by not leading with transparency. Before the month ends there is a New Moon Solar Eclipse, and this will be a breakthrough for you in clearing up any chaos and creating more order and understanding in your life and interactions. Overall, March is your month of opening new doors and owning the abundance you are finding yourself in.
PISCES
PiscesKyra Jay for xoNecoleMarch moves fast for you, Pisces. You have a lot going on, but you are appreciating this pickup in pace. Your guidance for the month is to focus on your new beginnings, the present moment, and the good that is unfolding for you. This is Pisces Season and you deserve to enjoy where life is and everything you have become in the process. The light is shining on you, and there is a lot of support moving you forward in March. The Lunar Eclipse happening on March 14 is in your sister sign, Virgo, and the clarity you have been needing in love is blooming for you mid-month.
Venus and Mercury are both retrograde this month, and they move into your sign to finish their retrograde transit. Venus will be retrograde in Pisces from March 27 to April 12 and Mercury from March 29 to April 7. Leaving the month, you could feel a bit off and like you don’t know where you want to go from here. Know that these challenges are arising for you to get clearer on who you are and the things you want for yourself, and in mid-April, you are going to have an inner clarity and confidence bloom that will be worth the confusion.
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RELATED
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
Luckily, there are some things that you can do to either speed up the healing process of a cold or make having one more bearable than usual. Things that are affordable, all-natural, and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Are you ready to know how to nip a damn cold in the bud…before you even get one?
Here ya go.
1. Fire Cider
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Two drinks that I am gonna drink all the way down, each and every fall season, are hot chocolate and apple cider (that’s warmed up). So, when I read about something called “fire cider,” it absolutely caught my attention. If you’re not familiar with it, fire cider is a homemade drink that consists of things like apple cider vinegar, herbs and other ingredients that are specifically designed to boost your immune system.
I won’t lie to you — since some of the traditional recipes contain things like onion and garlic (sulfur has potent medicinal properties) and sometimes even hot peppers (which help to clear up congestion) — although fire cider might not be your favorite as far as your palate is concerned, the viruses (because there are reportedly somewhere around 200 of ‘em) that cause colds will lose a lot of their impact if you drink this; and that makes it worth a shot — well, swallow. Some fire cider recipes can be found here, here and here.
2. Probiotics
A few years ago, I wrote an article for the platform entitled, “80% Of Your Immunity Is In Your Gut. Take Care Of It Like This.” — and that alone should explain why and how a probiotic can help to prevent colds and make it easier to get over them. The reality is that a healthy gut is what helps to monitor how your immune system reacts and responds to harmful pathogens that may try and get into your system, including ones that cause the common cold.
And since probiotics feed your gut with “good bacteria,” this gives your gut the ability to be better (and quicker) at fighting off the bad. So yeah, take a probiotic — all of the time and definitely while you have a cold. It helps.
3. Peppermint (or Eucalyptus) Oil
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Although I rarely get sick (praise the Lord!), when I do catch a cold, I think what I hate the most is not being able to comfortably breathe. Well, something that is proven to help with that is peppermint essential oil. That’s because it contains properties that act as a natural decongestant as well as a fever reducer. Another essential oil that can hook you up in this department is eucalyptus oil. It’s bomb because it helps to soothe a nagging cough, it can clear up chest congestion and ultimately makes it easier to breathe.
So, before turning in at night, either mix a few drops of one (or both) of these oils with a carrier oil like grapeseed, avocado or jojoba, warm it up for 10 seconds in the microwave and apply it to the sides of your nose or on your best or back. Or put the oil in a diffuser. It can quickly ease cold-related symptoms while also making it so much easier for you to rest (which is something else your body needs to get over a cold; more on that in a sec).
4. Zinc Lozenges
Zinc is a mineral that helps to keep your immune system healthy and strong — and since a weakened immunity is directly connected to having more colds (2-4 a year is considered to be “normal,” by the way), it’s always a good idea to have some zinc in your body. As it relates to colds, specifically, aside from the fact that zinc can help you from catching one to begin with, there are also studies which say that sucking on zinc lozenges can help to shorten the timespan of a cold as well.
To be fair, some people have said that zinc lozenges make them feel nauseated; however, everything has its pros and cons and so, how would you know if you’re one of these folks unless you try it? Oh, and while we are on this topic, there are also zinc supplements and foods that are high in zinc (like red meat, lentils, hemp seeds, cashews and quinoa) if you want to try and get more zinc into your system that way (although lozenges are gonna be your best bet on the shortening tip; just sayin’).
5. Foods Rich in Vitamin C
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Speaking of foods that can fight a cold, out of all of what you’ve read here, probably what you are quite familiar with is the fact that vitamin C and colds are mortal enemies. In fact, one pretty significant study says that by taking one gram of vitamin C a day during a cold, you can reduce the severity of your symptoms by as much as 15 percent.
That’s because vitamin C is packed with antioxidants, it helps to reduce bodily inflammation and it helps to strengthen your immunity too. Foods that are full of vitamin C include chili and yellow peppers, kale, kiwi, papaya, broccoli, kale and citrus fruits.
6. Elderberry Tea
If you’re someone who likes to put preserves on your biscuits or toast, have you ever tried one that is made from elderberries (recipe here)? It’s actually pretty good — and good for you because elderberries are high in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants. And that is why they are great whenever you are trying to hurry up and get over a cold because they also contain properties that are literally antiviral — and since a cold is a virus…well, there you have it.
One of the best ways to get elderberries into your system? Elderberry tea. If you add honey to it, honey can help to shorten symptoms like a stuffy nose, sore throat and cough by 1-2 days. Very cool.
7. REST
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Did you know that even one day of not getting the sleep that you need to weaken your immune system and increase bodily inflammation at the same time too? That’s because one of the benefits of a good night’s rest is it rejuvenates and recharges your system, so that your immunity can work at its optimal level.
Not only that but, according to science, if you already have a cold, getting plenty of rest can benefit you on a few different levels as well. First, your cytokines (proteins that boost your immunity) are released when you sleep.
Second, your body temperature elevates enough to kill some of the bacteria and viruses that are making you sick. Finally, sleep provides you with the energy that you need in order to get through the day while you are healing from your sickness. So, if you want to get through your cold ASAP, be intentional about getting as much rest as you possibly can.
BONUS: A Humidifier
When you get a chance, please check out “10 Really Good Reasons To Get Yourself A Humidifier This Fall”. There really are all kinds of solid reasons to invest in a humidifier around this time of the year — and one of them is to make getting through the cold (and flu) season so much easier for you. Since humidifiers bring moisture into the air, that can help to loosen up congestion, soothe an irritated throat, decrease coughing, help with the healing process of respiratory infections and it can help you to sleep better — so that you can get past your cold sooner.
So, if you don’t already have a humidifier, cop one ASAP. Your future colds will absolutely hate that you did. LOL. For a list of some highly recommended humidifiers that are currently on the market, click here.
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