We're really starting to cook with our Saturn in Capricorn story, but we're not quite finished laying down the foundation. I know, I know. How much more planning and hard work is it going to take until we start seeing results?!
Patience is a virtue, and before you rush off with your half-finished blueprint, it's important to hear what Mercury the Winged Messenger has to say about all of this.
Mercury governs communication, thoughts, and transportation, and on January 11th, he moves from upbeat, optimistic fiery Sagittarius into practical, grounded Capricorn.
Since December 3rd, when he went Retrograde, Mercury has been going over the big picture with a highlighter and an editing tool to make sure you're clear on what your inspired vision is. So, this is it, last call to fine tune your blueprints before we plant the seeds on the Capricorn New Moon next week.
Aries
Alright Rams, Mercury has been crisscrossing your House of Higher Education, Distant Travel, and Philosophy for a few months now, gathering all the receipts to back up your ascent to the top of your game. Now the time has arrived to take those philosophies and apply them to your work. Chat that real ish, Aries, but make sure you can back up everything you say with tangible action. Whatever you do, don't say what you're unwilling to commit to!
Taurus
You've just about seen and heard it all while Mercury was in your House of Transformation, Secrets, and Other People's Money, but that's actually a good thing, Taurus. Whatever you learned behind closed doors is asking to be broadcasted to the world. Remember you're creating a brand-new world view and philosophy, share what fits for now, then let go of the rest. Try not to get too comfortable with what you believe just yet, come springtime all that you thought you knew will be radicalized.
Gemini
Enough chit-chat, Gemini...well at least enough chit-chat without backing it up with some tangible actions. You've already waxed poetic about your partnerships and how grand they're going to be, so now it's time to put up or shut up. When you speak of deeply connecting with others, do it not only in your mind, but also with your physical presence and your rapt attention. Focus, give some intensity, say how you're going to commit, and then actually do it.
Cancer
Take your mind off the day to day details, Little Crab. You've been neck deep in spreadsheets, to-do lists, and tending to either your own health or the well-being of those around you. You've been fabulous, Cancer, but there are some very important people in your life who are demanding some much-needed one-on-one facetime from you. Pick up the phone, make a date to go out, and talk to the people who are interested in building solid relationships with you. Now that your head is in the game, it should be easier to connect from the heart.
Leo
Everyone knows what a natural talent you are Leo, and with Mercury having just finished with your House of Creativity, it's time to get more grounded with what you can really do. Health and Daily Routines doesn't sound especially fun nor glamorous I know, but if you put the same amount of thought and effort into this area of your life, you'll surely shine in no time. Treat your mind, body, and spirit like a stage upon which you can perform. Do for yourself and do it for the people, inspire us with the new story of what it means to take care of oneself with style.
Virgo
Mercury has been nestled deep in your House of Home and Family since November, encouraging you to explore the past. Childhood memories, nostalgia, trips down memory lane, or even just more time spent at home has been good for your mind, Virgo. But Mercury is leaving the nest now to go out and play with the rest of the planets hanging out in your creative sandbox. Your creative confidence quickly grows to a point where you don't mind being the center of attention, outlining your cleverly crafted plans that can literally change your life.
Libra
Being a bit of a homebody doesn't have to mean being lonely. You're a naturally social creature, so with Mercury entering your House of Home and Family, you may want to invite some chattering friends into your home. Try the friends who have similar curiosities to you or who might also be interested in nesting, redecorating, and being unafraid of discussing family baggage. Who knows, you may even convince them to help you paint your place!
Scorpio
Mercury has been focusing his attention on your resources and values: balancing the budget, tossing out old concepts about self-worth and wealth, reimagining how abundant and satisfied you can be in life. Now that the Winged Messenger is moving into your domain of communications, siblings, and the local neighborhood, you may want to start talking about what you learned. You're so perceptive, Scorpio, why don't you teach us what you know? It's time for the student to consider becoming the teacher!
Sagittarius
If it feels like your wheels have been spinning in the mud, Centaur. That should begin to change once Mercury leaves after a long stay in your sign. Over the last three years, Saturn helped to crystalize who you are and what you believe in. With Mercury arriving in your House of Self Esteem, Values, and Money, you can finally start speaking with optimistic, yet practical authority. You earned it, now don't be shy about speaking your truth to power. For every word you say, back it up with that action.
Capricorn
One last hurrah in the Land of Introspection, Sea Goats. Mercury has been helping you perceive beyond the veil into some really strange and mystical parts of your own soul. The good, the bad, and the ugly all exists in the subconscious and Mercury is crossing over the threshold to deliver the news about the cosmic upgrade you just received. The new topic of conversation is YOU! All about you and how you're about to conquer the world with Saturn at your side. Show out, Capricorn!
Aquarius
Mercury has been in your home domain of Hopes, Dreams and Wishes, Aquarius. So maybe you've been more social than usual with your normal group of rebels and revolutionaries but now the hour has arrived for you to take your mind into the unknown. Solitude can be a bit alarming but don't panic, instead tap into the deeper Universe, and let your imagination provide you with unexpected wisdom. Just be sure to come back up for air, Water Bearer, sometimes mental travel through space and time can make anyone go crazy.
Pisces
What have you learned about the ups and downs of ambition and ladder climbing, Pisces? Your life is becoming a little less about your own reputation and more about how your experiences can be shared with the collective. Let us know what wisdom your intuition and experience has given to you over the last three years. Allow Mercury to give concrete yet inspiring words to those in need of your insight.
What does your horoscope say about your sign this week? Let us know in the comments down below.
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
Taylor founded Mastermind MGMT, an agency that represents some of Hollywood’s best “image architects” like Roach, Kellon Deryck, and Kollin Carter, who are responsible for creating unforgettable style and beauty moments for celebrities like Zendaya, Megan Thee Stallion, Taraji P. Henson, and more. Taylor and her company possess an array of functions, but her biggest role is to be her client’s advocate. We hear endless stories about how creatives aren’t paid or underpaid in the entertainment industry, but Taylor ensures that her clients get their piece of the pie. The entrepreneur opened up about her company and her non-profit, Mastermind Matters, in an exclusive interview with xoNecole.
“I always say that I'm an artist advocate first, deal closer second. So my primary focus is to just make sure that the artist is getting everything that they deserve, whether it's compensation or, you know, certain accommodations, but just making sure that they have everything that they need to be able to show up and provide the best service that they're hired for,” she explained.
“So you know, in the beginning, it was hard because I didn't have any experience, and the artists who I was working with at the time–we were learning together, meaning neither of us had assisted anyone. We didn't have mentors in our specific fields. So every deal was like a new learning experience for us from the styling side and also from the business side, and so it took, you know, doing some research, using some very creative tactics, to find out information in the industry and just starting to request accommodations that I knew other artists were granted, who maybe didn't look like my artists.”
Photo by Christopher Marrs
Ten years later, there’s still not many people who are doing what Taylor is doing. However, things have gotten easier thanks to the research and connections she made in the beginning. During Mastermind MGMT’s ten-year anniversary celebration, she announced her non-profit, Mastermind Matters, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that focuses on helping young entrepreneurs through a 12-week program. The program is divided into “two routes.” The first route is for aspiring creative artists who want to start a business from their talent and all the things they need to learn about business, such as taxes, life insurance, etc. The second route is for practicing creative artists who are already in the industry but need resources such as how to plan for retirement or how to sustain themselves if they can’t work for a short amount of time, i.e., the pandemic.
“I just feel that I'm able to have a business and be successful because of their art as well. And so there are things that I know, I tried to teach it to them but understanding that I can only do so much because I'm not a subject matter expert in those fields,” she said. “So I at least want to be able to provide the resources, and then if they make their grown decision not to do it, then that's on them. But you know, I could be guilt-free and taking advantage of the resources that I'm also providing to them.”
Taylor continues to be an innovator in her industry by always pushing the boundaries of creativity and thinking one step ahead of everyone else. The Chicago-bred businesswoman is moving into the tech space thanks to a new invention created with her clients in mind, and she is looking forward to bigger collaborations in the future. Follow Mastermind MGMT on Instagram @mastermind_mgmt for more information.
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 Christopher Marrs
