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Welcome to the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast, a weekly conversation about mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. I'm your host, Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford, a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia. For more or to find a therapist in your area, visit our website@therapyforblackgirls.com while I hope you love listening to and learning from the podcast, it is not meant to be a substitute for a relationship with a licensed mental health professional.
Hey y', all, thanks so much for joining me for session 441 of the therapy for Black Girls Podcast. We'll get right into our conversation after a word from our sponsors.
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It's that time of the year again, where we reflect on all of the astrological insights we got heading into 2025, as well as get a sneak peek into what we can look forward to in 2026. Our resident astrologer Mecca woods joins me for her annual astrological report. From transits to retrogrades to major planetary shifts, she's here to unpack it all. If something resonates with you while enjoying our conversation, please share with us on social media using the hashtag tvginsession or join us over in our Patreon to talk more about the episode. You can join us at community.therapy for black girls.com here's our conversation.
C
Welcome back to the podcast, Mecca. So excited to see you and chat with you again.
B
Likewise, Dr. Joanne. It's always a pleasure to be a guest. I feel like we're having like our annual meeting.
C
Exactly. Our annual ketchup to See what.
A
So.
C
2025 has been quite the year. Oh yeah, right. Like, deep breath everybody. What has life been like for you as an astrologer this year? And are there any, like, themes? Like, what kinds of conversations have you been having with clients?
B
So conversations that I've been having with clients has been around. Like, what's next? Where do I go next trying to make sense of a lot of the chaos that 2025 brought, I think, amongst my fellow astrologers. More so, like, in private, we've been checking each other's notes to see, like, if the things that we spoke about or predicted came to pass. I was actually listening to our last session back in 2024, when you and I were talking about, you know, what was coming up for 2025. And as I was listening, I was kind of going through my little checklist of like, yes, that happened and that happened. And I always have mixed feelings about making the predictions, but also wanting to provide information to our listeners that's helpful and that prepares people for what's to come, especially during these sort of chaotic times. But at the same time, I think one of the things that came up for me, both in talking to clients and also just being astrologer and just what my work encompasses, I think astrology is not just about making the predictions and saying what's coming up, but also a form of record keeping, especially given that we are now in a time where there is a lot of erasure happening for black women, Black women voices, black women's work, and a lot of gaslighting that's taking place from the government, from the media, from celebrities even, that are telling us that everything is fine and that everything's okay when it's not right. So I think that a big chunk of my work has not only been helping people, like supporting my clients and supporting people in terms of, like, navigating what's going on, but also just to affirm it and say, like, yeah, like you're feeling what you're feeling for a reason. You know, things feel stressful for a reason, things feel chaotic, angering, frustrating, all of the above for a reason, and having people just really be thankful to have someone like me validating and affirming that.
C
I love the way that you're framing that.
A
Right.
C
Because I think sometimes, you know, people have conversations around astrology and it feels frivolous and it feels like, okay, what are y' all doing? But to think about it as a record keeping, especially in the interest of making sure our lives and things are documented, I think is very powerful.
B
Yeah, I think so. I think that when I first started my practice over a decade ago, at this point, I remember I named it my Life created because I wanted to give people an idea of, like, being co creators with the universe and not just being passive participants. And so I think that the way in which I practice astrology and I Try to, like, incorporate it in my life or in my work is to show folks that, like, yes, there are a lot of things that are going on that might be beyond our control. What can we do that's within our control? Right. Like, how can we be active participants in our own lives despite the challenges or the roadblocks that we might be facing? Yeah.
C
So, you know, this is of course, a mental health podcast, and you've already mentioned that a lot of the conversations that you've been having with clients are around, what do I do next? Like, how do I support myself through these difficult times? I'm curious, Mecca, have you ever worked in tandem with a mental health professional? Like, with a client? Is that something that is. Has been a part of your work?
B
Actually, yeah. So I've never had. How can I say it? Like, I've never had a therapist other than you, Dr. Joy, like, reach out to me to, like, co coach a client. But I have clients who are in therapy and we'll have moments where I'm like, telling them something or, you know, suggesting something, and they'll be like, my therapist just said that. Are you sitting in on my therapy sessions? Because I just had that conversation with my therapist the other day. So, yeah, so there, there is some overlap between, you know, my work and the work that clients are doing in therapy. Yeah.
C
And I wonder if there could be a world. I think for sure it is that like a. A client would sign a release for maybe use to talk with their therapist about some of the themes that have come up in session to kind of talk about, you know, like, because you are a part of the care team.
A
Right.
C
Like, for people who this is important to, like, you are a professional, just like they might be seeing a therapist. So it feels like there could be a way where there is more kind of collaboration maybe, or for the therapist to hear from what you are, like, what's coming up in your sessions to kind of anchor the work.
B
Yeah, I think that there is definitely room for that. I think that as we progress forward and think about what does healing mean both in terms of like, emotional, physical, spiritual, how we can combine different methods and modalities to create more like of a holistic sort of treatment plan or picture for people who are seeking those kinds of remedies. And so it's actually interesting too, because I know that there are some astrologers who are also licensed therapists. I've seen that before. And I've seen people talking more about being interested in astrology but also wanting to study psychology. As well. This is more, I would say, more modern astrology. There's been more overlap between the psychology of human behavior and how that translates or is manifested through the stars and the planets as well. So, yeah, so I definitely think that there's room for both and I think that there should be room for both. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
C
So you mentioned that you and some astrologer colleagues have been kind of doing some reflection and as you're thinking about, you know, what we're going to talk about today, is there anything as you were doing that, reflecting that in 2025 came out of left field, even given what you have known about the stars?
B
Oh, that's a great question. I don't know if there's anything I would say maybe this is not so much the astrologer talking, but more me Mecca, the human talking. I think that I felt the sort of stomach drop of like, oh, no, like, what else bad is about to happen? Each time the headlines were coming out about some horror, about some tragedy, about some something that was going wrong, I think that I was going through the thing of like, oh, gosh, not this. Oh, just feeling the impact of that, of being just a human in the world and witnessing such great pain and suffering. I think that that was something that really impacted me.
C
Each of the signs falls into. They belong to one of four categories, the elements. So fire, earth, air and water. And I want to have you talk about what each element represents and like, what was the general vibe for each element in 2025. So we can start with the fire signs.
B
Yeah, so fire signs, Sagittarius, Aries and Leo. Fire is playful, fire is outgoing, fire is creative, fire is assertive. And so when we talk about, for the fire signs this year, I think the fire signs were a little bit more muted than usual. And that was because, so Sagittarians, we were getting beat up by the Virgo and Pisces, eclipses and Saturn and Neptune in Pisces. So whenever Saturn is around, Saturn tends to make you more serious and make you a little bit more reserved. Right. So Sagittariuses are known for being very outgoing and kind of like the life of the party. Between those eclipses and that Saturn Neptune story, I think a lot of sages were just kind of like, didn't really have that get up and go that we usually have. And then Aries also got a taste of Saturn this year, this past year as well, or I should say this year, I'm already in 2026.
I'm like, where am I? Yeah, so Aries also got a taste of Saturn because Saturn was in Aries for a few months this year. And so that might have made Aries a little bit more reserved, a little bit more reflective, a little bit more cautious, because Saturn teaches us, you know, to slow down and also teaches us the power of no. And then for Leos, you know, Leos have been dealing with Pluto in Aquarius. So, like, relationship stuff has definitely been big on Leo's mind of, like, it's not just about you, Leo. You have to share the spotlight. You have to make some room. I think that was the theme for fire. The next element would be what? Air, Earth. So Earth, that's Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo. So Earth, I think Earth signs were faring a little bit better. With some exception, I'll put an asterisk next to Virgo because Virgo was also being heavily eclipsed and affected by that Saturn Neptune in Pisces story. So all the mutable signs, which would be Sagittarius, Virgo, Gemini, and Pisces have been eclipsed. So when you're eclipsed, essentially, it means that your life is being changed in, like, major ways. And sometimes the change could be good, sometimes it's not so good. But ultimately it's supposed to help with your personal evolution, your personal development, your personal growth. But as far as the Earth signs are concerned, I think they were having a little bit more support from that Virgo, Pisces energy, because Pisces is water. So when you mix that energy of, like, water and Earth together, it creates more fertile ground to plant things in, to start new things, to burst new things. So I think they. They had a bit of a better time than us fire signs did. And then air signs would be Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. I think it was a bit of a mixed bag for the air signs. So air is connected to, like, communication, ideas, people. Air wants to circulate, right? So we circulate in terms of, you know, meeting and, you know, mixing and mingling with people, circulating ideas, learning new things, information, right? That's a big thing with air. And I think for Aquariuses going through that Pluto in Aquarius, you know, they're undergoing a big personal transformation and just kind of like thinking about, like, themselves and looking at themselves differently. Gemini also was visited briefly by Uranus this year. So we had Uranus in Gemini for a few months this year. And I saw a lot of Geminis challenging a lot of old things, old habits, old patterns. Because Uranus is a planet that pushes you to change. And sometimes it could be very drastic change with Uranus. So that was really interesting. And then Libras were also dealing with, with Saturn in the relationship department, which is interesting because Libra is the sign that's connected to relationships. So they were also going through maybe, you know, losing some friendships, maybe making some new friendships, you know, relationships, partnerships, those kinds of things being challenged and tested. So yeah, oh, and I mentioned, I didn't mention, I know I talked a little bit about Earth, but I didn't mention what Earth represents. Earth is about stability and security. Earth is connected to like our material world, right? For everything that you can touch, taste, see, smell, financial security. A lot of times Earth signs are associated with like hard work and discipline because they have a lot of patience and endurance to keep going. So yeah, I just, I wanted to double back on that. And then final, last but not least would be the water signs. And that's Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer. So I would say that they also probably had a little bit of a better time than the air signs and the fire signs did because we had a lot of support for Piscine energy. So a lot of Pisces, even though Saturn was visiting them, I think it helped them to kind of advocate for themselves more because Pisces are known to be very like forgiving and understanding. And I think that Saturn being in that sign really helped them to like kind of grow more of a backbone, Learning how to say no without feeling guilty, recognizing they didn't have to rescue everyone all the time. For cancers. Cancers had Jupiter in their sign since June of this year. So when Jupiter comes to visit you, Jupiter can often bring new opportunities, opportunities for growth, success, for even recognition, like public recognition or sometimes fame, depending on the kind of work or the kind of path a person is on. And then Scorpios, I think Scorpios, because of that emphasis on cancer in Pisces also felt some support there. But Scorpios are also dealing with Pluto in Aquarius too. So I think it's for them it might have been a little bit of mixed bag of new things coming in, but also having to let go of having to challenge some of their fears. Because sometimes Scorpios can be very risk averse.
So the theme, it was very water and Earth heavy. We had some fire and air around the spring and summer, but around that was also a lot of water and earth. So we have a spectrum, I would say for this year, I think in terms of the theme, what I saw just across the board Was this sort of battle between the old, like, letting go of old, like what feels familiar, like overly familiar, being pushed out of our comfort zones, having to let go of old habits, things that just don't work anymore, and really having to embrace change and really having to do things new, even if we didn't know that the new thing would work right. So I think we saw a lot of that. And one of the things that comes to mind is like. So, you know, I'm thinking in terms of just like, collective stuff, global stuff, politics here in New York City, you know, we just got a new mayor who's going to be taking office in January. And that was, you know, it's a local election, but it reverberated across the world because here you had this young upstart, so to speak, who came in and challenged the establishment and won. Right. And gave people hope. But also all of us, especially those of us here in New York City, we were all, like, holding our breath, like, is he going to do it? Is it going to be. It was very like we were white knuckling it the entire time. And still we're celebrating the wins. Like, I saw other seats that got flipped blue, like Virginia jersey, even down in, like, red, red, red, Mississippi. I saw that there were some breakthroughs there. And so it's like we want some, like, people want new things. We're seeing that a lot of the old ways don't work, but we're also having to really, like, keep putting one foot in front of the other and still having to do that, even though we might not know that we might not succeed. I think that that's been some of the theme, like a large theme that I've seen, seen this year.
C
I appreciate you addressing that because that definitely was on my list to ask about.
A
Right.
C
So in addition to the New York rays, we saw, you know, the first TVL married in Detroit, Prop 50 passed in California. So it feels like that was really connected to this getting away from the old and, like, ushering in this new kind of age of what people are looking for in terms of politics.
B
Yeah, totally, totally. And I think that that's going to be a continuation for 2026. Right now, Mercury is currently retrograde now. There's about five planets, I want to say, that's currently retrograde right now. So as we go into 2026, the planets will slowly start turning direct bit by bit. And so what's going to happen is as we go into the first quarter of 2026, eventually Saturn is going to return Back to Aries. Neptune eventually is going to follow and return back to Aries as well. As we go into the spring, we're going to have Uranus going back into Gemini. And then the emphasis for 2026 is going to be primarily on fire and air with the, like, the outer planets being in those signs. So really what that means is just like, there's going to be a bigger push for something new, for something different, for something that we've never seen before, that we've never done before, even though we are still dealing with some very old problems, problems that are, like, centuries old at this point. But people are going to want new solutions to those problems. Fresh blood coming in, right? This is a time like, you know, we talk about, like, again, New York City or even just some of the. The elections that have taken place, right, over the past month or so. A lot of it was driven by young people, young people who weren't even engaged in politics, who were apathetic about it, Right. And we saw them being like, no, like, we want something different because you're leaving this world to us. So, hey, that's what makes me hopeful about the future. That's something that lights some of the fire in me of seeing people getting excited and wanting something new, and not only wanting it, but actually putting action to it as well.
C
You mentioned that as we're recording, we have entered a new Mercury retrograde. We know that's always a hot topic. Lots of energy around that. How do you think people will look back on this final Mercury retrograde of 2025? Anything notable?
B
So with this particular retrograde, it's actually happening between two signs. So the Mercury retrograde started out while Mercury is in Sagittarius, and it's going to finish with Mercury being in Scorpio. Scorpio and Sagittarius are two very different signs. Scorpio tends to be more serious, more secretive. Right. Whereas Sagittarius is a little bit louder. And also, and I say this as a Sagittarius, sometimes we don't take things seriously. You know, we're the goofballs of the zodiac. And one of the things that I have been noticing, gallows humor. That's a big thing for black folks. Gallows humor tends to get us through some of the most challenging times. And I think that that's one big thing that I've seen during this Mercury retrograde of all these. Again, all these headlines coming out about all this really wild stuff, and people still finding a way to find some humor as a way of coping.
And also, I think with this Mercury retrograde, revisiting some of the headlines that we saw earlier in the year, for example, you know, with.
The Epstein files being brought back up and that becoming a story yet again, because people were trying to sweep that under the rug. And so that's come up again and I think in terms of 2026. So we are still going to be having eclipses in Pisces and Virgo, right? We're still going to have a couple more of those eclipses, but we're also going to be starting the eclipse cycle that's going to be flowing in the signs of Aquarius and Leo. And when we talk about Aquarius and Leo and what those eclipses are tied to, I think what you're going to see or what we're going to see is more celebrities or like, famous, notable people falling from grace. Like, we've already kind of seen that already. And that's partially because of Pluto being in Aquarius and everyday people challenging some of those really powerful people. And I think we're gonna see that fight between democracy and dictatorship that still, that struggle, that fight is gonna continue to heat up the retrogrades. What they really do, especially with Mercury, is just recall our attention back to something. So as we close out the year, we're going to be thinking about all the things that have taken place over this past year and then thinking about, like, well, how do we apply this information? How do we use this information effectively for the new year?
C
So I want to revisit some of the things that we talked about when we talked last year. So last year you predicted Jupiter and cancer would bring us stability through rootedness in family, ancestry, and spirituality. I mean, when we look back at 2025, we saw explosions like Ryan Coogler. Sinners became a cultural phenomenon. The Met gala had the super fine theme. Beyonce's Cowboy Carter. Do you feel like those were demonstrations of what you were talking about in terms of Jupiter?
B
Yeah, absolutely. I think that there was this sort of emphasis on, like, returning to our roots, so to speak, like going back and taking nuggets from the past and making them new in a way. I think that also was also a contribution of Neptune in Aries as well, Because Neptune is associated with the collective ideal, the collective dream. And also art also falls under that umbrella when we talk about Neptune and sinners. I remember the day that it came out. I was looking at the chart for the release and that Neptune in Aries was really. I mean, Aries was really strong in that chart. In particular, which really spoke to how groundbreaking that movie was. The first of its kind. The first it was just hitting so many like check marks in terms of like how new and innovative it was and had people talking for months. I saw, I think I saw it in a theater maybe about seven times because I was so blown away by it, you know, and it was just like yes, especially and I think wanting sort of a renaissance in art. Right. Because I think for a really long time that was something that we had spoke about before too, about how art has been kind of suffering lately. Like things don't feel new, things kind of feel like it's just being pumped out by a machine. And I think that yeah, between Jupiter entry into cancer and that Neptune in Aries story, I think it helped bring a resurgence of art and artistry and like going back to our history to reclaim some things and bringing it here to like heal and move the people.
A
More from our conversation after the break.
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C
I feel like there was a bit of a competition here on the podcast production team about who saw centers most. I feel like Elise won that competition. But hearing you say that you also sometimes in the theater, is there anything that kind of felt especially compelling to.
B
You as an astrologer, Whenever I see, like, movies or TV shows that I really like, I always look up the birth dates of the people involved, right? And because I'm always curious to know, like, what is going on in their charts and what's going on in the sky that's bringing them to the forefront at this particular time. And so, even before I even get to the twin part, I think with Ryan Coogler, I know that he's a Gemini. I can't really remember the rest of his chart. But everybody who was involved, from Ryan Coogler to Wami Osaku to Michael B. Jordan, everybody was having some major blips in their chart, which I thought was pretty amazing. And I think Michael B. Jordan, his performance, for him to be playing a double role. And I've seen actors do that before where they play a double role. But I really like. He did it so well that I forgot that I was watching one actor.
And that, to me, I think, really spoke, because I know that he's an Aquarius son. And I mentioned before that Pluto is currently in Aquarius, and that's, like, how that's driving and shaping people born under that sign. And I think that the power of Pluto, that transformative power, right? Because when we talk about being an actor, you have to transform, right? Like, that's what makes the character compelling on the screen, where you make people forget where they are, you know, or who you are, like, as a celebrity, and they're just watching that story. I think that that was something that came through. It was a transformative experience, you know, being an audience member, being someone watching the film, right? So I thought that that was really moving and really powerful. And then the talk about the twins. So I know in, like, African folklore, they talk about, like, the twins representing sort of, like, the light and dark, right? And we saw that in terms of, like, the costuming and, like, Stack being the more, I guess, mischievous one, whereas Smoke was the more serious and grounded one. But also in astrology, Gemini represents the twins. And when we talk about that from the astrological lens, Gemini is connected to the trickster and that archetype. And so we saw that show up in the film as well, not only just with the twins, but also with Remik coming in, right? Trying to trick his way into the fold. So the astrology brain was working when I saw that film, for sure.
C
You can imagine. I can imagine. So something else that we have seen have, like, this major moment this year, though, it feels like this is a continuation almost Every year is like lots of conversations around romantic relationships.
A
Right.
C
So explosion in wedding content. You know, there's this whole conversation right now happening. Like, is having a boyfriend embarrassing? This whole Vogue article.
B
Right.
C
You know, so it just feels like there has definitely been like a ramp up in relationship content and conversation. Is there anything that you can point to in the stars that kind of made romantic relationships have this main character moment in 2025?
B
Oh yeah, that's great question. So there's a couple of things. I mean, whenever we talk about astrology, there's always a bunch of different things going on at one time. But just to pinpoint a few. So we have started the year with both a Venus and a Mars retrograde. So in astrology, Venus is associated with love and relationships, our values in terms of what we want in life and what we want in a partner, our sense of self worth. Mars has a lot to do with attraction and also how we sort of handle our anger or how we deal with things or take action in relationships or how we might even bump heads with a partner. So when you have those planets, retrograde is usually a time of reevaluating what you want in a partner, what you want in your life. Does it make sense to be single? Do you even want a partner? You know, like all these things come up. And also like, you know, with Mars retrograde, sometimes it can like fizzle out, like sexual attraction. We might be like, I wanted this, but now I don't want that. You know, all these kinds of things come up for review. And so I think with us starting out the year that was from like January through April, that that happened, I think that pushed a lot of people that rethink what they wanted. And then when we got to Jupiter, entering cancer, and cancer being a sign that's connected to home, family, emotional bonding, how we want to feel in connection to other human beings. I think that also put an emphasis of people wanting to grow together, wanting to grow a family, wanting to build a home together, wanting to get engaged, wanting to get married. And then when we talk about commitment, Saturn is the planet that's often associated with commitment in astrology. And with Saturn being in Pisces for most of the year and giving some support to Jupiter and cancer, I think that also brought up not only questions about what do we want in partnership, but also, again, seeing people wanting to build partnerships and to nurture their partnerships and to date better partners as well.
C
Okay, so it sounds like we can expect maybe some of that to continue as we head into 2026.
B
Yeah. So we'll have. Saturn will be in Pisces until mid February, and then it goes back into Aries, and then we'll have Jupiter in cancer until June 30th of 2026. And then from there it'll go into Leo. I mean, Leo is also a sign that's connected to sex and dating, But Leo next year might be kind of struggling a bit, especially when we talk about the eclipse stuff. So again, people are going to really be thinking long and hard about, like, who they want to give their heart to, if they want to give their heart to anyone. You know, I saw a lot of women, especially black women, being like, I just want peace, you know, Like, I don't want to be bothered with anybody, you know, especially if they're not willing to come. Correct. So I think that's going to be a continuation in the new year as well.
C
Got it. So I have a little bit of a rapid ish fire game that I want to play with you. So the team has done a little bit of research, and according to us, there are seven major planetary shifts happening in 2026. So I want to read them all to you and then have you give us maybe three words that describe each of these shifts, and then we can kind of talk more about it generally.
B
Okay.
A
Okay.
C
All right. So the first one is Neptune re entering Aries in January or January 26th.
B
So Neptune entering Aries. I would say artistic renaissance. Our ideals in terms of progress. So progress. Like, what do we want in terms of fresh, new, innovative. So I would say that those would be the words with Neptune, Aries. Fresh, new, innovative.
A
Okay.
B
Yeah.
C
Saturn reenters Aries.
B
Personal responsibility. Yeah, personal responsibility. Trying to think if there are anything else. Rogue governments.
Rogue governments, rogue leaders. Yeah, those would probably be the. The top themes. I would associate that.
C
Okay. Uranus re enters Gemini.
B
So technological advancement, reframing our relationship with social media and also ethics in tech.
I think that's also something.
C
Yeah, this next one I don't think we talked about, so I feel like we may need a definition. So Chiron enters Taurus.
A
What.
C
What are we referring to when we talk about Chiron?
B
So Chiron is actually a more modern astrological concept, if you will. Chiron, I believe, was discovered in, like, 1977, and it was an asteroid. So there's a branch of astrology that actually incorporates asteroids in addition to the planets. When we talk about, like, human behavior and, you know, personal development and things of that nature. So Chiron in itself represents a wound. So we call Like Chiron, the wounded healer. So the myth or the story behind Chiron was that Chiron was a great teacher and a great healer and could heal others but couldn't heal himself. So whenever I think about Chiron, sometimes I think about it as being like advice that we can give, but we don't know how to take our own advice. You know, sometimes Chiron could represent like a place where we feel awkward or self conscious, but by doing the thing that we might be afraid to do or scared to do, we actually like can heal that wound. So Taurus is a sign that is connected to self worth. It's a Venus rule sign. So if you remember values, self worth, those are big Taurus themes. So when we talk about Chiron and Taurus, to me it piggybacks off of some of what we've been learning while Uranus has been in Taurus. And some of that is connected to our value system. And our society is very broken, extremely broken. We value the wrong things. Everything that's going on right now is a sort of consequence or repercussion of, of our skewed values. And so Chiron being in Taurus I think will push us to kind of heal that within us. Right. Like the ways in which we value wealth, the ways in which we value power, the ways in which we value things that aren't really.
Worth it to some degree. Right. And so I think that that will be a big theme that comes up while Chiron is in Taurus.
A
More from our conversation after the break.
This episode of Therapy for Black Girls is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether you're booking your next trip or a weekend escape, Chase Sapphire Reserve is your gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I travel somewhere, I'm typically determined to try the best local pizza and find the best spa experience. With Chase Sapphire Reserve, you have access to everything from private dinners hosted by award winning chefs to VIP treatment at the most sought after events. Chase Sapphire Reserve allows you to take advantage of one of a kind experiences while earning three times points on dining worldwide. No matter your destination, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more with Chase sapphire reserve@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply. Many of us play lots of different roles in life. Partner, employee, caregiver. And many of us also think about another role that could take our life where we want it to be. Degree holder. That's where National University comes in. They've been busy since 1971 creating more ways for you to work Earning a degree into your hectic life NU confers more graduate degrees to diverse populations than any other institution in the country, with more than half being earned by women. With flexible online formats, NU makes higher education possible and achievable for busy working adults. Learn more today at nu.edu if you're tired of the tug, the heat and the hours it takes to blow dry your hair, I got you covered. Revair is a reverse air hair dryer that's changing the game for textured hair. It dries, stretches and smooths your hair all at once with way less heat, less damage and less time. Whether you're rocking coils, curls or kinks, Revair works with your texture, not against it. It's gentle, efficient, and gives you that salon quality finish right at home. Imagine all the things you could get done in a day if you cut your styling time in half. With the holidays approaching, treat yourself or loved ones to healthier, shinier hair in a fraction of the time. Thousands of women are already loving the results and the time they are getting back in their day. And right now, Revair is offering their lowest price of the season so you can look your best at your holiday events. You can also become a member and earn points and rewards every time you shop. Visit myravaire.com today to shop their holiday sale. That's myreva.com your crown deserves it. Okay friends, real talk. You are worth the wait. We've all been there, giving our energy to connections that didn't honor ours and watching friends do the same. And honestly, we all deserve better. That's why Bumble is built for intentional dating. Safety is such a big deal for us all, especially when meeting new people. And Bumble gives you the peace of mind with options like photo and ID verification. That little extra step means you know the person you're talking to is who they say they are with their real photos, and they are ready to show up authentically. And once you feel safe, you can actually focus on what matters finding someone who gets you with shared interests. It's easy to see right away who vibes with your passions, whether that's true crime, podcasts, yoga mornings, or weekend hikes. So take a pause, affirm your worth, and protect your peace. Bumble helps you create safe, meaningful connections, the kind that truly respect your boundaries, your energy and your time. Thinking about dating again? Take this as your sign. Start your love story on Bumble. No one's journey is the same. That's why Delta Sky Miles lets you do it your way. From earning miles on reloads for coffee runs, shopping, and things you do every day to connecting you to new places and experiences, a SkyMiles membership fits into your lifestyle, letting you do more of what makes you you. It's more than travel. It's the membership that flies, dines, streams, rides, and arrives with you. Every great journey deserves a great story. And when you have a membership that's as unique as you are, there's no telling how your story will unfold or where that journey will take you next. SkyMiles is the membership that will be here for all your big and small moments. The membership that's there for every solo adventure or family trip. The membership that comes with the power of partnership from brands you love. The membership that moves with you. Learn more@delta.com SkyMiles.
C
What about Jupiter entering Leo?
B
So Jupiter is the planet of growth and opportunity, right? Whatever Jupiter touches, it wants to expand. So that could be good. And it can also be bad. You know, it's two sides to every coin. And so Jupiter and Leo can be like more creativity, more fun, more romance, more confidence. But it can also be more of more ego, excess, overindulgence, more me, me, me. So it could go two ways.
A
Right?
B
Right.
C
Okay, what about lunar nodes entering Leo in Aquarius?
B
So the lunar nodes, that kind of goes back to what I was saying about the battle between me and we. The me and the we, the democracy and the dictatorship, that battle and the leader. Right. Or the power of many versus the power of the few. So, yeah, I think that sums it up.
C
Okay, and then the seventh one is Venus retrograde through Scorpio and library.
B
So Venus retrograde, again, is all about reevaluation. So what are we reevaluating? We are evaluating our relationships, intimacy and our relationship to power. Right. Because Scorpio is power. Scorpio is also connected to intimacy. And Libra is relationships and how we connect with each other.
C
So, Mecca, of these transits, which one has you most excited and maybe which one has you a little nervous?
B
Oh, gosh. I'm most excited that Jupiter and Leo brings back a little fun. I'm a Sagittarius. I'm a fire sign. I also have some strong Leo on my chart, and I feel like I'm like, where is the fun? So I don't know. I kind of hope. I don't know. I'm not holding out a lot of hope for that one. But I do wish that Jubilee would bring back some joy. The art piece is really big for Me, I am a creative person. I love art, music, film, photography, whatever. I would love to see a renaissance in that. And that if the popularity of Sinners was any indication of that sort of resurgence of that renaissance, I would love to see more of that. I think. What else? With the North Node in Aquarius and the Aquarius eclipse is coming in again, I really am excited about the focus on community and the everyday person doing their part to make the world better. And that also ties into what I was saying about Saturn being in Aries and, like, personal responsibility. I think that, you know, as we go into this new year, this is a good time to think about, like, you know, what is our personal responsibility in terms of making the world better? Like, how can we play our own individual role in that, even if it's something small? So, like, for example, I had just watched a NETFLIX documentary called Buy now, which was talking about, like, the effects of consumerism on our environment, on our wallets, on other countries and things of that nature, and how we should all be in the practice of consuming as less as possible because there's just too much junk, there's too much trash. There's just too much in the world right now for it to go anywhere. And so I was thinking about, okay, well, how do I. Hold on. I just had to buy a new cell phone because the other one that I had broke down Mercury. And so I'm like, okay, how do I make this one last beyond the two or three years, like, when it clunks out, how do I make that? You know? So I've just been thinking about, like, how do I make things last? I've also been shopping a lot less. And that was something that we had spoke about in our last session when I was saying, like, this is a year where people have to be. Where, you know, we're going to have to be very smart and sort of conscientious about where our money is going and what we're spending money on, right? So shout out to Target.
Because we, you know, we boycotted Target because we was like, you want to roll back your dei? You don't need our money. Right? And so we saw what happens when we collectively come together to say we're gonna take our spending power and use it in other ways, Right? And I really believe that that's one of the biggest ways to get, like, these, like, larger corporations to listen. You got to hit them in the wallet, right? So, yeah, just thinking about, like, what is our personal responsibility or individual responsibility and how do we. Can we use that and come together with other people. Right. To make things move, to make things happen.
C
In any in particular make you nervous?
B
Yes. I'm concerned a little bit about the Uranus in Gemini. I saw a little bit of it earlier this year and I saw like how a lot of these like tech giants and corporations are trying to amass even more power than they already have in terms of getting our private information and keeping tabs on us and how they're trying to build a super computer that can, you know, getting every like facial recognition and keep. Especially because we are under a authoritarian regime at this point. And one of the tactics that they use is intimidation. Right. And I've seen people talk about how they've been getting visits from the FBI. So these kinds of things in terms of like what tech can do, I am concerned about especially also in, in terms of how it affects climate. And we've seen like the storms, hurricanes and things like that, like natural disasters getting worse and worse. What just happened in Jamaica for example. So when I was saying Uranus in Gemini and ethics, Uranus is a planet that's known for instability and.
Things just happening ad hoc. And so I think there definitely needs to be some deep re regulation with respect to how we engage with tech. I mean AI, right. We saw how scary that can get. And I know that there are people who say like well we need AI and we need to like. And on one hand it's like, okay, I get that. But we also need some regulations around like how we're engaging with this. So I'm concerned about that. And also over reliance on social media too. I think it's just gotten way unhealthy in terms of how we use it and engage with it. So that's one thing. And then, you know, I'm always nervous when the eclipses come around because the eclipses.
They shake things up. They shake things up and it can be very, very stressful, you know, not only just in terms of like collectively but also like in our individual lives. So whenever the eclipses come around, my rule of thumb for folks is to always say like trying to keep your schedule as light as possible for those two weeks. Try to rest, try to unplug, try to just self care, you know, needs to be like, like don't neglect the self care because eclipses they, when they happen, even though the day of an eclipse, you know, something big might necessarily happen on the day of. Because eclipses have a six month lifespan, the energy still is pretty heavy. It can be very hard, like physically, mentally, a Lot of times they like their astrologers who talk about, like, if people are dealing with mental health issues, for this to be a time where they have to take extra care, because eclipses can be triggering in that way. So, yeah, the eclipse is always, like, batting down the hatches.
So, yeah, so that's probably what I'm most concerned about. Yeah.
C
And any advice for navigating 2026 given these transits?
B
Yeah. So I think it kind of goes back a little bit to what I was saying earlier about this being a time to really take a hard look at our lives and really think about, like, what have we been clinging to and holding on to and afraid to move away from or afraid to let go or afraid to try and really thinking about, like, letting those things go, finding the courage to. To do something new, to do something different, even if we might not be 100% certain that, that, that is going to work right, for. For us not to stay stuck in the old way, in the old, thinking in the old, or even just kind of like, doing the thing that sometimes I even do to myself where I'm, like, shutting myself down before I even begin a thing or even do a thing. You know what I mean? Like, with the entry of these outer planets going into fire and air, it means things are going to be moving at a much faster pace than we've been accustomed to. And it means that there is a need for new ideas. There's a need for, like I said, new blood. There's a need for change and trying things and experimenting with things and seeing, like, what works, what doesn't work, what can we do better? Right. Rather than going with this old way of doing things of. Well, that. That's never worked before, so why bother? Well, maybe it might work now. Maybe third time's the charm. Maybe ten times the charm. We don't know. Right. Like, this is a time, you know, to. To get curious, to be brave enough to step outside your comfort zone, to embrace something new and kind of think about, yeah, like, what have you been doing for too long that has become familiar, that has become comfortable, but it's not really helping you or working for you anymore. That's what you want to work on, like changing.
C
Yeah. And I think that there really speaks to the energy there is around, like, manifesting things right now. Like, I've definitely seen lots more conversations. Are there any of these transits that lend themselves nicely to, like, doing a lot of manifesting or trying to bring some of these new things to life?
B
I know Saturn gets a Bad rap in astrology, because Saturn, like I said, you know, makes us get real. Saturn is a reality check. Saturn sobers us up, so to speak. But Saturn is also useful. We need Saturn to figure out, like, okay, I need to cut this out. You know, I need to be done with this. I'm ready. You know, this needs to be a hard no in order to figure out what your yeses are, right? Working with that Saturn in Aries, it could also be because they're working with Neptune as well in terms of tapping into your creativity. And creativity doesn't always have to mean, like, artistic. Like, it can be. They can also just be kind of like thinking outside the box, right? Same thing with Uranus and Gemini. You know, Gemini is the sign that's connected to, like, how we communicate and ideas and how we think about things. And Uranus is like, it's time for some fresh ideas and new, new approaches, right? Like, stop sticking with the same old, same old thing, because that's done. That's a done deal. Even with the eclipses that, you know, in the nodes going between Aquarius and Leo, right? Aquarius is not only just connected with the groups or, like, community or the collective, but also the future. So thinking about, like, what do we. What kind of future do we want, right? And do we even imagine that that future is even possible? Or are we still stuck on, like, this thing of that can never work. This will never happen. This will never change. Like, we don't need that kind of thinking. So if you want to manifest, right? Like, the big rule of manifestation is that you have to have the mindset for it. So this is a time to, like, challenge, like, our own sort of internal beliefs, our own internal thoughts that we have that keeps us from achieving the kind of things that we want.
C
You know, something you mentioned, Mecca, was that you feel like we have to be mindful of, like, examining our relationship to social media. Like, has it gone too far? You know, you cannot scroll very long before you run across a video with somebody talking about astrological predictions. Or just like, people say all kinds of things, right? Anybody has a mic, what suggestions do you have for how people can vet the kinds of content they're consuming online related to astrology.
B
Oh, that's a great question. I think it really boils down to, is it helping you or is it stoking more fear in you? Is it designed to get you to, like, rage and get angry? Like, is it rage bait? Is it clickbait? Is it actually helping you in your life or to give context to like, what's going on or is it just adding to the noise? Right. Is it coming from a place of like, I'm sharing this information because I want to help people or I'm positioning myself as the all knowing, tell all, be all guru kind of person. Because with us going towards this emphasis of Aquarius, you know, as we go into 26, it's going to be less about like just one person being that egocentric sort of delivery and more about like, is this actually helping people? I remember we spoke about this before. I haven't seen it as much lately. But just being mindful of people who prey on your vulnerabilities, who want you to buy a reading or want you to spend money on something because they're speaking to an insecurity or they're speaking to a place where you're feeling vulnerable right now. You know, to like pause, making sure that you take your time. Like if you decide to work with an astrologer or you're following anyone, whatever, but just giving yourself a time to check in with your own intuition and seeing if that there's an alignment there. Because if there's not, chances are that that's probably not a person that you should be absorbing their content. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
C
I always appreciate you joining us at this time of the year, Mecca. It feels really good to like reflect on what did we talk about last year, but also what do we have to look forward to for the next year? Please remind us where can we stay connected with you? Any new work that we should be on the lookout for from you?
B
I always look forward to our chats, even though sometimes I might not always deliver the best news.
But if you want to find me, you can find me at my website, mylifecreative.com I'm abandoned Twitter. I'm on blue sky now, but I barely share anything there. I've been kind of in a cocoon phase as of late and just working on stuff behind the scene and more like family related stuff. But I am doing readings so folks are interested in a reading. Yeah, they can find me at my website, mylifecreated.com perfect.
C
Well, thank you so much. We'll be sure to include that in the show notes.
B
Thank you.
A
I'm so happy Mecca was able to.
C
Join me for today's episode.
A
To learn more about her and her work, visit the show notes@theapyforblackgirls.com session 441. And don't forget to text two of your girls right now and tell them to check out the episode did you know that you could leave us a voicemail with your questions or suggestions for the podcast? If you have topics you think we should discuss, drop us a message at Memo FM Therapy for Black Girls and let us know what's on your mind. We just might feature it on the podcast. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, visit our therapist directory@therapyforblackgirls.com directory. Don't forget to follow us over on Instagram at Therapy for Black Girls and come on over and join us in our Patreon Community. You can get exclusive updates, behind the scenes content and much more. Join us at community.therapy for black girls.com this episode was produced by Elise Ellis, Inde Chubu and Tyree Rush. Editing was done by Dennison Bradford. Thank y' all so much for joining me again this week. I look forward to continuing this conversation with you all real soon. Take good care.
Many of us play lots of different roles in life partner, employee, caregiver. And many of us also think about another role that could take our life where we want it to be. Degree Holder that's where National University comes in. They've been busy since 1971 creating more ways for you to work earning a degree into your hectic life. NU confers more graduate degrees to diverse populations than any other institution in the country, with more than half being earned by women. With flexible online formats, NU makes higher education possible and achievable for busy working adults. Learn more today at nu.edu. if you're tired of the tug, the heat and the hours it takes to blow dry your hair, I got you covered. Revair is a reverse air hair dryer that's changing the game for textured hair. It dries, stretches and smooths your hair all at once with way less heat, less damage and less time. Whether you're rocking coils, curls or kinks, Revair works with your texture, not against it. It's gentle, efficient and gives you that salon quality finish right at home. Imagine all the things you could get done in a day if you cut your styling time in half. With the holidays approaching, treat yourself or loved ones to healthier, shinier hair in a fraction of the time. Time. Thousands of women are already loving the results and the time they are getting back in their day. And right now, Revair is offering their lowest price of the season so you can look your best at your holiday events. You can also become a member and earn points and rewards every time you shop. Visit myraver.com today to shop their holiday sale. That's myraver.com your crown deserves it. This episode of Therapy for Black Girls is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether you are booking your next trip or a weekend escape, Chase Sapphire Reserve is your gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When you use your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you get eight times points on all purchases made through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets you into the Sapphire Lounge by the club at select airports nationwide. Travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Trust me. Discover more@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.
B
Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line. But first.
There the last one.
Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes.
C
And Doug, what a horrible call.
A
Hey ref.
B
Open your eyes, ref. You're really not gonna call that? Come on. Hey ref. Jeff, why don't you customize your car insurance with Liberty Mutual and save money? I don't think you get what we're doing. Sure I do. We're all just giving him advice. You guys on sports, me on saving money. Nope, that's not it. Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.
Release Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford
Guest: Mecca Woods, Astrologer
In this annual tradition, Dr. Joy sits down with astrologer Mecca Woods for a comprehensive reflection on the astrological landscape of 2025 and an insightful preview of what 2026 may hold. Together, they explore how major planetary shifts, eclipses, and elemental dynamics influenced collective and personal experiences—especially for Black women—and map out what themes, energies, and opportunities the cosmos has in store for the year ahead.
"Astrology is not just about making the predictions and saying what's coming up but also a form of record keeping, especially given that we are now in a time where there is a lot of erasure happening for Black women, Black women voices, Black women's work, and a lot of gaslighting..."
—Mecca Woods, [06:30]
"There is some overlap between my work and the work that clients are doing in therapy..."
—Mecca Woods, [09:17]
"We have a spectrum, I would say, for this year, in terms of the theme—this sort of battle between the old, letting go of old, what feels familiar, and being pushed out of our comfort zones."
—Mecca Woods, [19:19]
"People want new things. We're seeing that a lot of the old ways don't work, but we're also having to really, like, keep putting one foot in front of the other..."
—Mecca Woods, [19:19]
"Gallows humor tends to get us through some of the most challenging times. I think that’s one big thing that I’ve seen during this Mercury retrograde—people still finding a way to find some humor as a way of coping."
—Mecca Woods, [24:23]
"There was this emphasis on returning to our roots, going back and taking nuggets from the past and making them new in a way..."
—Mecca Woods, [27:12]
"There was a ramp up in relationship content and conversation. That was driven by Venus and Mars retrogrades, which made people rethink what they wanted in a partner, what they wanted in their life..."
—Mecca Woods, [36:47]
[Rapid Fire Three-Word Theme Segment, 40:19]
| Transit | Key Themes (Mecca’s words) | |------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Neptune re-enters Aries | Fresh, new, innovative | | Saturn re-enters Aries | Personal responsibility, rogue governments/leaders | | Uranus re-enters Gemini | Technological advancement, social media reframing, tech ethics | | Chiron enters Taurus | Healing self-worth, value recalibration | | Jupiter enters Leo | Creativity, confidence, potential for ego/excess | | Lunar Nodes in Leo & Aquarius | Battle between 'me' and 'we,' democracy vs. dictatorship | | Venus retrograde in Scorpio & Libra| Reevaluation of relationships, intimacy, power dynamics |
Most Excited About:
Most Cautious About:
This episode provides both a powerful retrospective on the challenges and breakthroughs of 2025 and an encouraging, practical glimpse into how to align with the opportunities and changes coming in 2026. Whether you follow astrology or are simply curious, Mecca’s insights—grounded in affirmation, collective empowerment, and purposeful reflection—offer both comfort and calls to action, particularly for Black women navigating an ever-changing world.