Podcast Summary: Black People Love Paramore – "Astrology II"
Host: Sequoia Holmes
Co-host: Jewel Wicker
Date: March 20, 2025
Episode Theme: A deep, humorous, and candid exploration of astrology's role in Black social life, personalities, dating, and pop culture—celebrating the astrological new year with hot takes, personal stories, and sign stereotypes.
Episode Overview
On this special "Astrology II" episode, Sequoia and Jewel dive back into astrology just in time for the astrological new year (Aries season). They provide enlightening and often hilarious perspectives on zodiac signs, reflecting on how signs show up in their lives, relationships, and Black culture at large. The episode is filled with direct experiences, playful sparring, pop culture references, and even a mock "FMK" (F***, Marry, Kill) segment by elements.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Astrological New Year & Aries Season
- Timestamp: 01:56 – 03:31
- The astrological new year starts with Aries season, aligning with the first day of spring.
- "It feels weird to start a year in the dead of winter… So a lot of people save their actual New Year's resolutions until the first day of spring." (Sequoia, 02:48)
- Aries are jokingly called "the babies of the zodiac"—noted for their impulsiveness and youthful energy.
2. Aries Slander and Archetypes
- Timestamp: 02:21 – 05:57
- Jewel recounts being repeatedly challenged by Aries people: "Aries is the one sign where, like, I've started to double up on birthdays…and they all try me." (Jewel, 03:45)
- Celeb Aries: Lady Gaga (evolved Aries), Halle Bailey (quintessential Aries), Kourtney Kardashian, Pedro Pascal, Lil Nas X.
3. Big Three and Sign Repetitions in Personal Lives
- Timestamp: 06:41 – 10:45
- Jewel: Libra sun, Taurus moon, Pisces rising. Sequoia: Gemini sun, Virgo moon, Capricorn rising.
- Elemental balance and recurring sign archetypes among friends and family (e.g., Sequoia finds her life surrounded by Virgo men; Jewel seems fated to encounter fire signs and stubborn Aquarius men).
- "I tend to attract Virgo men. My brother is a Virgo, all my friends…Air signs repeat the most." (Sequoia, 07:22)
4. Single Word Descriptions for Each Zodiac Sign
- Timestamp: 10:44 – 17:12
- Rapid-fire roast of each sign, e.g.:
- Aries: "Fighting fists." (Sequoia, 11:06)
- Taurus: "Forgettable." (Sequoia, 11:23)
- Gemini: "Witty." (Sequoia, 11:53), "Stressful." (Jewel, 11:56)
- Cancer: "Nurturing…That's my forgettable." (Jewel, 12:10)
- Leo: "Favorite." (Sequoia, 12:22) "Chill." (Jewel, 12:34)
- Scorpio: "Fake deep." (Sequoia, 14:34) "No, thanks." (Jewel, 14:33)
- Sagittarius: "Guarded." (Jewel, 15:12) "Thoughtless." (Sequoia, 15:13)
- Capricorn: "Stoic." (Sequoia, 16:03)
- Aquarius: "Cold." (Sequoia, 16:41) "Stubborn as hell." (Jewel, 16:45)
- Pisces: "Delusional." (Sequoia, 17:00) "Fun." (Jewel, 17:12)
- Memorable moment: "As a Virgo moon, I tend to attract Virgo men…Do you have any signs that repeat?" (Sequoia, 08:45)
- Rapid-fire roast of each sign, e.g.:
5. Astrology 101: Sun, Moon & Rising Explained
- Timestamp: 19:33 – 22:26
- Sequoia gives a concise, accessible breakdown of the "big three," including how rising signs affect appearance and first impressions.
- "Your rising sign is the way that you look…you kind of move around the world externally like your rising sign." (Sequoia, 20:44)
- Example: Pisces risings "look like fish" (22:01) with Jewel humorously denying any fishy resemblance.
6. Worst Sign to Date or Live With
- Timestamp: 23:08 – 29:15
- Jewel: "Aries or a Scorpio…It wasn't poor to the core…That man was a hoe." (Jewel on Scorpios, 23:14)
- Sequoia: "Libra…would have the hardest time" (dating), recounts the frustration of pursuing clarity with Libra men: "Do you know that I will punch you in your nose?" (Sequoia, 26:33)
- Living with Virgos and Aquarius—insights into neat freaks, introverts, and household compatibility.
7. F*, Marry, Kill, Leave Behind: Elements Edition**
- Timestamp: 35:24 – 40:53
- Jewel: Marry air, kill fire, leave behind earth, f-word water.
- Sequoia: Marry fire ("Leo is my favorite"), kill earth ("too much structure"), leave behind water ("too many tears"), keep air (friend loyalty).
- "My man's a Leo stellium…his chart looks like a sociopath chart." (Sequoia, 39:22)
8. Witchy Black Girl Magic & Tarot Talk
- Timestamp: 41:36 – 43:08
- Sequoia identifies as "a real witch," explains frequent tarot pulls ("the tower card follows me everywhere").
- Jewel is open-minded but not witchy herself.
- "Sometimes they can really shake you." (Sequoia, 42:38)
9. Sign Stereotypes & Controversial Takes
- Timestamp: 53:36 – 56:58
- Libra should catch more slander: "Libra deserves the slander Gemini gets…Geminis get the slander for being too-faced, but a Libra is never gonna tell you where they landed." (Sequoia, 54:59)
- Aquarius dating controversy: "People say they're non-committal, but I've never experienced that." (Jewel, 53:47)
10. Guessing Zodiac Signs of TV Characters (Insecure)
- Timestamp: 46:39 – 53:36
- Fun speculative rundown of Insecure main characters' probable zodiac signs:
- Issa D: Libra
- Molly: Capricorn or Sagittarius
- Lawrence: Taurus, Libra, or Pisces (default: Taurus for being "unnotable")
- Nathan: Aries (for sudden aggression)
- Tiffany: Virgo or Capricorn
- Kelly: Gemini, Libra, or Sagittarius
- Fun speculative rundown of Insecure main characters' probable zodiac signs:
11. The Good, The Bad, The Hilarious of Black Astrology
- The hosts emphasize astrology as a tool for fun, bonding, and lighthearted shade among Black friend groups—not a religion or "something to believe in."
- "If you don't understand it, that's fine. There are so many languages you can speak…As a Gemini, I probably speak all of them." (Sequoia, 56:59)
- Observations on how sign compatibility and "energy" show up uniquely in Black familial and romantic life.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
"[Aries are] the babies of the zodiac…You run off instinct. You don't run off sense too much."
– Sequoia (02:21) -
"Aries is the one sign where…they all try me…it's like, why would you send me two of them?"
– Jewel (03:45) -
"Virgo—they have already clocked every single flaw that you have within 15 minutes of meeting you."
– Sequoia (12:54) -
On Libra men:
– "Do you know that I will punch you in your nose?" – Sequoia (26:33)
– "When I think of a Libra man, I think of Clifford T.I. Harris, and you ain't never heard him answer a question directly." – Jewel (26:51) -
"If you're gonna be a hoe, be a hoe out loud. Be proud of your hoism. Why are you trying to bait and switch me?"
– Sequoia (23:56) -
"Worst sign ever to date? Aries or a Scorpio."
– Jewel (23:08) -
"Libra deserves the slander Gemini gets is…The likes of you, y'all…A Libra is never gonna tell you what they landed on."
– Sequoia (54:59) -
"Sometimes they can shake you…one time I felt like it was telling me to leave a man alone. But, I mean, really—the heavens, the Earth, my friends, my mama, my cousins, the Bible, everybody had told me that."
– Jewel (42:42)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 01:56 | Introduction to Aries Season & Astrological New Year| | 03:32 | Aries Recurring in Jewel's Life + Sign Stereotypes | | 06:41 | Sharing Big Three Placements | | 10:44 | One-word Descriptors for Each Sign | | 19:33 | Explanation of Sun, Moon, Rising | | 23:08 | Worst Sign(s) to Date | | 26:33 | Sequoia's Libra Man Anecdote | | 35:24 | "F***, Marry, Kill, Leave Behind" Zodiac Elements | | 41:36 | Tarot, Crystals & Witchy Black Girl Magic | | 46:39 | Guessing Zodiac Signs for "Insecure" Characters | | 53:36 | Controversial Sign Takes | | 54:59 | Libra-Gemini "Slender" Debate | | 56:59 | Astrology as a Language, Not a Belief System |
Tone & Style
Bright, irreverent, honest, and rooted in Black culture—Sequoia and Jewel keep it playful but incisive, stressing that astrology is less about fate and more about shared references, self-reflection, and community in Black circles.
Further Engagement
- For bonus content and merch, listeners are encouraged to check out the show's links.
- Connect with the hosts: @BPLPpod (IG, Twitter) | Sequoia B. Holmes | Jewel Wicker Show
Whether you’re an astrology lover, casual skeptic, or scene Black kid who’s tired of hiding your tarot cards—this episode delivers the insight, laughs, and cultural commentary that Black People Love Paramore is known for.