Therapy for Black Girls:

Session 441 – What the Stars Said in 2025 and Looking to 2026 – With Mecca Woods

Release Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford
Guest: Mecca Woods, Astrologer

Episode Overview

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.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Astrology as Record-Keeping and Validation

• Mecca reflects on the dual role of astrology: not only as a predictive tool, but as a method of documentation and affirmation in the face of societal erasure.
• Notable Quote:

  "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]

2. Intersection of Astrology & Mental Health

• Discussions revealed overlap between client therapy and astrological work, with clients often reporting similar insights from therapists and Mecca.
• Both Dr. Joy and Mecca envision future collaboration between astrologers and therapists to provide holistic care.
• Notable Quote:

  "There is some overlap between my work and the work that clients are doing in therapy..."
  —Mecca Woods, [09:17]

3. 2025’s Elemental Themes: Fire, Earth, Air, Water

• Fire Signs (Sagittarius, Aries, Leo):
  • Generally subdued due to heavy Saturn influences and eclipses; asked to slow down, prioritize shared spotlight, and learn the power of 'no.'
  • Impact: Less extroverted, more reserved and introspective year for fire signs.
• Earth Signs (Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo):
  • Benefited from supportive energies, especially in fertile growth, barring Virgo’s mutable upheaval due to eclipses.
• Air Signs (Aquarius, Gemini, Libra):
  • Mixed experiences: transformation for Aquarians (Pluto), habits challenged for Geminis (Uranus), relationships tested for Libras (Saturn).
• Water Signs (Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer):
  • Generally supported; Pisces grew stronger boundaries, Cancers saw opportunities (Jupiter), Scorpios faced old fears but benefited supportively.
• Notable Quote:

  "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]

4. Societal & Cultural Parallels

• Planetary influences coincided with political change—new leadership in NYC, progressive moves in Detroit and California, and broader shifts driven by younger generations.
• The old vs. new dynamic was a core theme:

  "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]

5. Mercury Retrograde and Collective “Gallows Humor”

• The final Mercury retrograde of 2025 began in Sagittarius and concluded in Scorpio, resulting in a unique mix of levity and depth.
• "Gallows humor" served as a collective coping mechanism for Black communities amid difficult news cycles.
• Notable Quote:

  "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]

6. 2025 in Pop Culture (Influence of Jupiter in Cancer, Neptune in Aries)

• Prosperity through family and cultural roots: films like Ryan Coogler’s "Sinners" became cultural phenomena, Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter," and others tapped into ancestry and artistry.
• Astrological events matched resurging creativity and interest in authentic connection.
• Notable Quote:

  "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]

7. Romantic Relationships in the Spotlight

• A surge in relationship discourse and content, major reassessment of what people want from partnerships
• Attributed to concurrent Venus and Mars retrogrades at the year’s start, plus Jupiter’s focus on home/family.
• Expectation for continued reexamination into 2026.
• Notable Quote:

  "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]

Looking Ahead to 2026: Major Astrological Shifts

[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:

  • "Jupiter in Leo—brings back a little fun, creativity, joy...I would love to see a renaissance in art." [50:24]
  • "The focus on community and the everyday person doing their part...with the North Node in Aquarius." [51:11]

• Most Cautious About:

  • "Uranus in Gemini—I’m concerned about what tech can do, especially in terms of privacy, power, and climate..." [53:44]
  • "The eclipses—they shake things up and can be very, very stressful, physically and mentally. Take extra care during this time." [55:42]

Timestamps & Memorable Quotes

• Astrology as validation/record-keeping: [06:30]
• Overlap with mental health work: [09:17]
• 2025 elemental analysis: [12:51–19:19]
• Societal changes and the “old vs new” battle: [19:19–21:47]
• Mercury retrograde reflections and 'gallows humor': [23:44–25:03]
• Pop Culture resonance (Sinners): [27:12–34:28]
• Relationships under the cosmic microscope: [36:24–39:01]
• 2026 planetary transit rapid fire: [39:59–50:16]
• Biggest hope: art/fun; biggest concern: tech eclipses: [50:24–56:53]
• 2026 survival advice: embrace change, move beyond old patterns: [57:05–59:10]
• Vetting astrology content online: [61:19–63:24]

Practical Advice for Navigating 2026

• Embrace change even if outcomes are uncertain—do not cling to “safe” habits or behaviors that no longer serve you.
• Experiment, innovate, and be willing to try new approaches—especially as planetary energy moves into fire and air.
• Take personal responsibility for both self and community. Small acts matter.
• During eclipse periods: keep your schedule light, prioritize rest and self-care, and prepare for physical and mental turbulence.
• When consuming astrology—or any online content—ask whether it helps you or simply adds to fear/noise; trust your intuition.
• On manifestation: the right mindset, openness to possibility, and willingness to challenge limiting beliefs are keys to success under these planetary shifts.

Staying Connected with Mecca Woods

• Website: mylifecreated.com
• Current status: Accepting readings; less active on social media, focusing on family and client work.

Closing Thoughts

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.