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In a heartbreaking and historic interview, Meghan Markle and her husband Prince Harry sat down with Oprah to discuss why they left the royal family, the falsehoods the crown allegedly continues to perpetuate against them, and the racist treatment Markle and her son, Archie, faced at the hands of the monarchy. The interview itself revealed shocking information — but one of the most surprising revelations was that the Duchess of Sussex had been silently suffering with suicidal ideation, and was turned away when she reached out for help.

“I was really ashamed to say it at the time, and ashamed to have to admit it to Harry especially because I know how much loss he suffered,” Markle told Oprah. “But I knew that if I didn’t say it I would do it, and I just didn’t want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought.”

Markle described her reasons for speaking out about her experience, saying, “I share this because there’s so many people who are afraid to voice that they need help. And I know personally how hard it is to not just voice it, but when you voice it to be told no. And so I went to human resources. And I said ‘I need help,’ because at my old job there was a union and they would protect me.” But Markle alleged that the HR team said they couldn’t protect her, because she wasn’t “a paid employee.”

Markle speaking her struggles aloud deeply touched a number of viewers, especially those who have experienced suicidal ideation themselves. Some are even saying that her words and her bravery in coming forward will end up saving lives.

Woke up this morning imagining unknown others finally saying to a friend or loved one, “I, too, think of suicide.” For that alone, I am grateful for Meghan Markle. Her courage will save lives.

— Connie Schultz (@ConnieSchultz) March 8, 2021

But, unfortunately, online trolls have come out to voice their own opinion regarding Markle’s mental health. Megyn Kelly argued that Markle was “spinning a tale about how lonely she was in the castle” on Good Morning Britain. Piers Morgan, who has allegedly tweeted about Markle 57 times this week alone, also appeared on GMB on Monday morning to say that he didn’t “believe a word she said,” and wrote a column in the Daily Mail insinuating that the she was lying and that her privilege protected her from suicidal ideation and depression. A former political aide called Markle’s interview, “an appalling exercise in deception, delusion and vanity, with a web of lies and outrageous claims made against the British Royal Family.”

Statements like these are damaging to anyone who deals with their own mental health issues. People with suicidal ideation often delay seeking treatment because they feel their problems aren’t “serious enough to warrant professional help,” according to a study from the University of Michigan. Seeing public figures question and belittle a person who speaks out about facing these issues and trying to seek help can reinforce an already pervasive and damaging stigma. “Meghan Markle won’t see your comments saying you don’t believe her about her mental health struggles and that she was suicidal, but other people who are currently dealing with mental health issues will and your ignorant comments aren’t helping them,” tweeted Scott Summers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and has increased by 33% from 1999 to 2019. In order to continue to combat the issue, we must have open discussions about mental health and talk about how those who are dealing with depression and suicidal ideation can move forward in getting help. We must voice our support for those who are struggling. Markle did that during her conversation with Oprah on Sunday night, and we hope her message proves to be louder and more enduring than some of the criticisms she’s facing today.

If you are thinking about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Suicide Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433.

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Before the 2020-2021 flu season began, experts were warning of an influenza-and-COVID-19 “twindemic” — a viral mash-up that could wreak havoc on the United States healthcare system. The main concern was that we’d see an increase in hospitalizations from the seasonal flu, putting even more of a strain on already overtaxed hospitals. But it appears that those worries may have been unfounded. The flu has all but disappeared this year.

Between October 1, 2020 and January 30, 2021, only 155 people in the United States were hospitalized because of the flu; during that same time frame last year, 8,633 people were hospitalized. That’s a 98% decrease in hospitalizations — a massive difference. Flu-related deaths are also down from last year, reports the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention. Last year, about 22,000 adults and 195 children died due to the flu; this year, there’s been roughly 450 adult deaths and just one recorded pediatric death.

This isn’t a coincidence. We can likely thank COVID precautions, including hand washing, social distancing, and mask wearing, for our lighter-than-usual flu season, says Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, infectious disease epidemiologist and science communication lead at The COVID Tracking Project. Influenza is a respiratory virus, and similar to COVID-19, it’s spread via droplets that are made when people talk, sneeze, or cough. So it stands to reason that the same measure we know prevents the SARS-CoV-2 virus from spreading will work against the flu too. Maybe even better, since the virus that causes the flu has a shorter infectious period than COVID, Rivera points out. “The infectious period for COVID-19 includes the pre-symptomatic phase and even asymptomtic cases. That’s not the case with influenza,” she says.

Flu vaccines were also more popular this year, with 193.7 million distributed in the 2020-2021 season compared to 175 million in the 2019-2020 season, according to the CDC. The flu shot can help keep you from getting sick, and can keep you from spreading the virus to others too.

The fact that so many schools were closed over the winter probably helped keep this flu season manageable as well, Rivera says, since schools are typically hotspots for spreading germs. In general, with many more people than usual working from home — and not taking public transport or working in congregate settings — there have been fewer chances for the illnesses spread.

That said, the ongoing COVID-19 vaccine rollout means schools are beginning to re-open and people are going back into work. The CDC says that it’s possible for flu cases to increase in the coming months. Luckily, if you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, there’s still time. “It’s only too late when the seasonal supply of flu vaccine is exhausted,” Charles Golden, DO, vice president and executive medical director, CHOC Children’s Primary Care Network, previously told Refinery29. “We typically recommend the flu vaccine for anyone who hasn’t had one in that season, even as late as April or May. Some protection is better than none.”

A less-aggressive flu season has definitely been a beacon of light during our collective experience living through a pandemic. But it’s still essential to keep doing what we’ve been doing all year: social distancing, staying home and avoid crowded areas, washing our hands, wearing masks, and keeping our surfaces clean. Although we’re at the tail end of flu season, we’re not quite out of the woods yet.

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Say goodbye to lackluster relationships this month, because things are (finally) starting to heat up. On March 3, Mars, the Planet of Action and Desire, is leaving stubborn Taurus to make its way into playful Gemini, April 23. This transit is ushering in some super flirty energy, so fire up your dating apps or carve out some intimate time for you and your partner — things are about to get hot.

Stephanie Powell, head of content for Astrology.com, says that this transit is perfect for amping up the playful, witty banter with your romantic partners. When Mars is in Gemini, “we aren’t drawn toward surface-level attractions, we want someone who can entice our mind and intellect with sharp and engaging words,” Powell says. “There’s also an increase in intellectual stimulation — the ability to learn from a partner and hold a dynamic conversation becomes even more important.” Gemini loves thought-provoking dialogue, so when Mars moves into this sign, we’re often more turned on by someone’s wit than their looks.

If great conversation is something that your partnership is currently lacking in, Powell says that this transit might bring that issue to the forefront. Even if you don’t usually have deep talks with your partner, try watching a controversial documentary or tuning into what’s happening in pop culture to get the dialogue flowing; during this transit, it can double as foreplay.

Although things are getting steamy over the next month, we’ll be a little all over the place, so try to keep yourself centered and grounded. “The key with Mars in this sign will be to not start too many projects, leaving everything unfinished,” says Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com. “If we can conquer this tendency, we can accomplish a great deal.” Some ways to keep yourself centered: Meditate for a few minutes each morning, make to-do lists each day, and keep your schedule simple so you don’t lose track of important projects.

Gemini carries an airy energy, but Mars in the sign of the twin brings that vibe down to earth, making us want to take tangible actions, says Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City. “Being that Mars will now be orbiting the North Node of Destiny in Gemini, it’s a wonderful time to assert our needs and desires,” Stardust says. “The caveat is that Mars in Gemini can be heavy handed with words,” she adds. “There’s a chance that we will all say mean things in the heat of the moment, most of which we’ll want to take back after we express our sentiments and stand up for ourselves.” Be extra-careful about putting your foot in your mouth on March 23, when Mercury and Mars square off.

Another date to look out for, according to Powell, is March 22. But this one’s a bit luckier: Mars will form a supportive trine to Saturn in Aquarius. “Although Gemini’s nature can be a little indecisive and non-committal at times, this interaction tasks us with aligning our commitments with our actions,” she says. “If you’re looking to take action toward partnership, this is definitely a DTR moment.”

As April approaches, Powell warns that Mars will stir up a bit of confusion as it squares off against Neptune, the Planet of Illusion and Fantasy. “While this can be a hyper-romantic time, we’re not seeing the full picture,” she says. On April 9 in particular, “Mars and Neptune’s square will make us feel stuck and unable to take action,” Stardust says. The best thing we can do for ourselves during this time is to persevere and push forward in whatever ways we can. The steps you’re able to take during this time may feel small, but don’t discount them — you’re still making moves. And whatever work you do will really pay off once the tense square passes.

While Mars is in Gemini, our words have power — power to persuade, power to seduce, and power to help us get what we want. So while we’ll want to use our words wisely, it’s also a great time to speak up in our romantic lives, our personal relationships, and our careers. The world is listening.

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On February 28, three celestial bodies will meet in the sky to form a Grand Earth Trine: the moon in Virgo, Pluto in Capricorn, and Mars in Taurus. If it sounds fancy to you, that’s because it kind of is — a grand trine is a rare aspect that occurs when three planets are all equidistant from one another, creating an equilateral triangle. Grand trines are often seen as a time of harmony and good fortune. This aspect only happens in one zodiac element at a time, and this weekend’s grand trine will occur in grounded, stable earth signs.

“A grand trine represents something different in every element,” Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City, tells Refinery29. “In earth signs, it shows growth, creativity, wisdom, pride, and sensuality.”

This is a big moment for us to break free from what no longer serves us. Thanks to the powerful full moon in Virgo energy happening the day before this grand trine occurs, this letting go energy is even more potent. Together, these two planetary events are pushing us to move forward and embrace growth. “Pluto wants to rebuild, Mars wants to take action, and the moon is our security,” Stardust explains. “So, it’s a time to think about change and growth.” Think about where you are in your career and in your relationships — is there anything you want to change, or get better at? The energy of this transit is what will inspire you to bring in the new and start things fresh. Now’s the time to commit to making real, tangible change to help things move forward.

“This aspect can really help us center as well as make considerable steps towards a desired goal,” says Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com. “Since the zodiac signs involved are very smart at making money, for example, this is a day for asking for a raise or coming up with an ambitious financial plan.” You hear her: Open that savings account, set up a meeting with your boss about your compensation, and take control of your situation — the power of this transit is behind you.

The major mistake to avoid making during the Grand Earth Trine this weekend is to ignore it. Letting this energy pass you by may deter your forward progress in the long run, according to Stardust. “The only downfall is that grand trines can become lazy when the energy isn’t applied properly,” she says. “They can give up early, as the flow of energy can become hedonistic, indulgent, and selfish.” You may feel pulled to lay low and indulge in your sloth, but we’re warning you that you’d be missing out on some powerful energy.

Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com, agrees, and says that the most important thing to remember about a grand trine is to not take its luck for granted. “If complacency or passiveness occurs, you lose the opportunities for growth and fulfillment of the positive energy the grand trine brings,” she warns. So, don’t be stagnant. Have a plan of action or list of goals in place this weekend aimed at creating change and fostering meaningful growth.

As we’re inching closer to our one year anniversary of the pandemic hitting American soil, we may all be collectively feeling like we’ve hit a wall. But with the Grand Earth Trine behind us, we’ll be strong enough to push through.

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After three long weeks, the first Mercury retrograde of 2021 is officially ending. On February 20, the speedy planet goes direct in Aquarius. But don’t start celebrating quite yet. Unfortunately, the woes of this transit aren’t over just yet. Retro-shade is coming.

After Mercury turns direct, there’s still a two-week post-shadow period, which is sometimes called a retro-shade. “The retro-shade period is the wonkiest time of the retrograde,” warns Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City. “Mercury is passing over Jupiter and degrees of the retrograde, which is pushing us to understand matters on a deeper level.” Stardust says that this energy will cause us to “re-evaluate situations and relationships that have been exposing their truest natures.” Things that have long been hidden in the dark will start coming to the surface. This will continue until March 13, when Mercury finally leaves its post-retrograde shadow zone.

“The energy has not yet completely changed back to normal,” adds Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com. “Unexpected changes can still occur, equipment can still break down and we can still feel confused or be dealing with misinformation.” In other words, we’re not out of the woods just yet.

Stephanie Powell, head of content for Horoscope.com, says that we’ll start to see themes and conversations that took place during the pre-shadow phase of this retrograde, between January 15 and January 30, reappear. “Mercury direct is the perfect time to integrate some of the lessons and learnings that showed up for us on a personal level during our retrograde journey,” she tells Refinery29.

Did you miss meaningful plans or flub an important communication with your boss when Mercury was performing its backwards dance? Think of this time as a chance to make right our wrongs of the retrograde. Powell suggests asking yourself, “How do I want to move forward this time?” and “What needs to change with my approach or thought process?” Reach out to your friend and apologize, or step up at work and show your boss what you’re capable of. Look back at how 2021 has been going for you so far — what do you need to do to make it even better?

Thankfully, luck is on our side because the Planet of Communication is in the idealistic sign of Aquarius. “Aquarius is an innovative sign that’s forward-thinking, and here we can apply some of these energies to our mental faculties,” Powell says. Of course, still be on the lookout for those classic Mercury retrograde mess-ups — text messages may be misconstrued, and you may want to double check all of your important emails for any messy typos. But in general, Powell says that this is a grace period. “It allows us to revisit even the toughest of conversations or situations with renewed insight,” she says.

Retro-shade is all about reflection, and working out the best ways to move forward. Once we make it through the post-shadow period of Mercury’s retrograde, we can begin to relax. That is, of course, until the planet’s next backwards dance begins again on May 29. As long as we’re prepared though, we’ll be sure to make it through.

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After a month spent in innovative Aquarius, the sun is entering the dreamy, creative, intuitive sign of Pisces, the twelfth and final sign of the zodiac. Spanning from February 18 to March 20, we can expect Pisces season to make the next several weeks magical.

During this time period, “you may feel more intuitive, creative, and tuned in to others,” says Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com. “You become more interested in movies and art, or anything that can allow you to escape reality for the moment.” Hale also says that Pisces season is a time to avoid trying to follow a rigid schedule; like water, Pisces likes to flow along at its own pace.

The sign of the fish has a rep for being overly emotional, and it’s true that it’s an empathetic and feelings-oriented time. “After the heavy mental focus of Aquarius season and the first Saturn-Uranus square of the year, when our main luminaire enters Pisces, we’ll all be less up in our heads and more in touch with our emotional sides,” Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com, tells Refinery29. Pisces season will also bless us with the end of Mercury’s dreaded retrograde in Aquarius, allowing us to clear away any misunderstandings or miscommunications we’ve experienced for the past few weeks.

Montúfar says the real magic will happen during the second week of Pisces season. “Mars trines Pluto on February 24, and the sun sextiles Uranus on the 25th, bringing us the opportunity to make subtle but meaningful changes in our lives,” she says. “Also on the 25th, Venus enters Pisces to gift us the best possible energy for love and manifesting our biggest dreams for the next three weeks.”

Thanks to Venus’s move, love will be a major theme of Pisces season. “Venus in Pisces can light a romantic fire, as it is considered one of the dreamiest signs that can, at times, make you feel as though you’re in a fairy tale,” Hale says. Forget Valentine’s Day — the season of romance is just getting started.

Pisces season tends to be a creatively fulfilling time, notes Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City. That’s partially because our feelings will feel bigger than usual, but also because there’s a shift in how we understand the world. “We’ll be able to see things from a different perspective, as we’ll be leaning into the spiritual and metaphysical plane, rather than the material world,” she says. It’s a good time to experiment with different artsy activities, from poetry to dancing, and to follow your gut.

Montúfar says that between March 3 and March 11, Venus and the sun will be colliding with the Nodes of Destiny, points on the moon’s orbit that are related to your life’s path. These meet-ups indicate that we’ll be drawn toward our destinies and life’s purpose. “The past and the future will be mixing with the present, so these are days in which we should tune into our intuition and pay attention to the signs, as people and situations from the past could come back,” Montúfar explains. Keep your eyes peeled for weird “coincidences” on these days, and keep your mind open to what these events might mean.

Pisces season comes to its climax in mid-March, when five celestial bodies will all be hanging out in the sign of the fish: the sun, Venus, Mercury, Neptune, and the asteroid Pallas. Plus, the Pisces new moon falls on March 13, amping up the dreaminess. Montúfar says these astrological events will make it easier for you to take care of yourself, to know what you want, to be loving, and to do creative work. But, “the Neptune-Pisces energy will make it hard to focus on responsibilities and mundane tasks,” she warns. So if you’ve got to be productive, an organized to-do list and plenty of phone reminders will be your best friends.

The positivity that Pisces is bringing us this year feels like a breath of fresh air for 2021. Take this time to really focus on yourself and to lean into your loving, creative, spiritual side — it’s a good season to dream.

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In a new blog post for Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow’s wellness and lifestyle brand, the actor and CEO revealed that she’s one of the many people who have been suffering from long-lasting side effects of COVID-19. Paltrow revealed that she’d had the virus “early on,” and ever since has been faced with fatigue, brain fog, and inflammation. But never fear: As you might expect, the Goop founder has already slapped together a guide containing the products she’s been using to heal — including an $8,600 gemstone necklace. (It’s for hiking, okay?)

Researchers are estimating that about 10% of COVID-19 patients experience long-term symptoms, including coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, loss of taste or smell, and joint pain, according to a recent article from The Journal of the American Medical Association. People dealing with long-term side effects often call themselves long-haulers. “We don’t know why it happens. It’s a neglected area of science. But it’s very real,”  Paul Pottinger, MD, director of the Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine Clinic at the UW Medical Center, previously told Refinery29. “It may be that these patients survived the viral infection because they have a very robust, active immune response. That kills off the infection, but it has consequences for the entire body.”

Dr. Pottinger advised people experiencing lingering issues after recovering from COVID to speak with their doctor. Paltrow opted to go to one of her favorite functional medicine practitioners Will Cole (a doctor of chiropractic; not an MD), who told her recovery would be slow, then recommended “intuitive fasting”, cutting out sugar and alcohol… and, apparently, a lengthy list of shoppable products ranging from vitamins to face oils to the aforementioned necklace. (She can’t go out without a chain, but limits herself to “just” this one $8,600 option for her hikes, if you’re wondering.)

People will do anything to make a profit, and the COVID-19 pandemic has presented an opportunity for scammers and money-hungry corporations alike to take advantage of our collective fear of the virus (and the broken healthcare system) to push alleged cures and products. Throughout the pandemic, wellness brands have been using buzzwords like “immune boosting” to sell their products. Back in April 2020, a California doctor was charged with fraud for selling “COVID-19 treatment packs” online that claimed to help prevent and cure the virus. In fact, Goop has already come under fire for promoting the nonexistent flu-preventing properties of elderberry chew on their website. To combat this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has started to send out warning letters to companies for selling fraudulent products with claims to “prevent, treat, mitigate, diagnose or cure coronavirus disease.”

Of course, Paltrow is careful to avoid stating that any of these expensive, superfluous products are a cure for long-lasting COVID symptoms. The hiking boots (and hiking necklace — I can’t get over it) are paired with a caption that vaguely gestures at the benefits of “moving your body” and “sweating out toxins,” but doesn’t outright claim to treat side effects. But her approach is toeing the line of deceptiveness and false advertising, all in the name of selling vitamins, powders, skincare products, and infrared sauna blankets.

Misinformation about the novel coronavirus and treatments for it have run rampant online from the earliest days of the pandemic. Pseudoscientific “cures” like a six-day bone broth cleanse and the “detoxifying superpowder” that Goop is pushing tend to harm people in the long run, rather than help them. If nothing else, they provide false hope that could keep people from seeking actual medical advice.

If you’re experiencing long-lasting symptoms from COVID-19, be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider, and lean on your friends and loved ones for social support. But you can remove the $125 T-shirt from your cart — even if it is GP’s “favorite thing.”

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We’re not even through the first quarter of 2021, but we’re already about to experience a life-altering planetary aspect: On February 17, a square will form between Saturn and Uranus, an event that happens only once every 22 years. Astrological “squares” are known for creating tension between two points — and with this one involving Saturn, the Planet of Rules and Boundaries, and Uranus, the Planet of Freedom and Rebellion, you can bet that things are about to get pretty intense.

These two planets are vastly different. “While traditional Saturn likes to build and preserve, Uranus likes to change and destroy,” Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com, tells Refinery29. “This aspect is basically the old versus the new, a clash between rebellion and tradition.” We can expect this age-old struggle to define our year, Montúfar says, because the same square will occur three times in 2021 — on February 17, June 14, and December 24. In general, the two planets will be sticking close to each other over the next 12 months.

When Saturn (which is in Aquarius right now) and Uranus (in Taurus) form a square, we often see cracks appear in the foundations of society. The problems with our political, financial, and social institutions become exposed, and then they crumble, Montúfar says. In a way, we’ve already seen this coming. “The astrology of 2020 exposed the shadow side of our society, and in 2021, we will witness the collapse of many of our structural foundations so we can rebuild them based on the concepts of freedom, inclusivity, and individuality,” she says. While this transit may feel a bit rough, it’s exactly what we need to create meaningful change for the future.

On a personal level, we’ll each be tasked with finding our own balance between the rigid energy of Saturn and the freedom of Uranus, says Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City. “This square will bring challenges our way, which will force us to reflect upon what we want to attain and achieve,” she says. If you ever feel frustrated or stifled over the next week, ask yourself: Is there something I’m not ready to let go of that’s holding me back? Montúfar stresses that this is not a time to stubbornly hang onto our past. “Within our lives, structures will also change and collapse, and the more we hang onto them, the more we will suffer,” she cautions. “The best way to handle the energy of this intense square is by surrendering and going with the flow — and striving to have authenticity in a true Uranian way.”

It’s a year of evolution, and while sometimes releasing something you’ve outgrown — from hobbies to ways of communicating to relationships — can be scary in the moment, keep an eye on the long game to give yourself courage to push through. “The best way to handle this energy is to look toward positive changes in the future as opposed to the negative,” Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com, tells Refinery29. “If a break-up occurs in your personal life, the relationship has, in all likelihood, outlived its purpose. Review the negative and the positive and focus on improving yourself or what you could do to find a more lasting and appropriate relationship in the future.”

Also remember that Mercury is also retrograde until February 20. Stardust points out that the combined energy of the square and the retrograde make this a great time to revise and regroup.

Depending on which houses Aquarius and Taurus rule in on your birth chart, this transit can affect you in different ways. “Some of the manifestations of this transit may include: sudden job and work changes, break-ups of relationships that aren’t committed or stable, and desire for greater freedom from anything you find repressive,” Hale says.

While all this might sound urgent, it’s critical to take things slowly and steady. The third and final Saturn-Uranus square will be the strongest one, and that doesn’t happen until Christmas Eve, Montúfar points out. “While we might begin to notice how this aspect will manifest for us now, we won’t get the full picture until December,” she notes. So start to take those small steps toward change, and get ready to grow — it’s going to be a big year.

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February’s new moon has finally arrived, and you know what that means — it’s time to get ready for your monthly reset. On February 11, the lunar cycle will begin once again in the humanitarian sign of Aquarius. This new moon is a special one, too. Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com, calls it a “pivotal piece of one of the strongest alignments of the year.”

She’s referring to the fact that six planetary bodies — the Sun, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, and the asteroid Pallas — are currently lined up in intellectual Aquarius. When the new moon joins these planets in the sign of the water bearer, the forward-thinking energy will really start to take over our lives and the collective as a whole. “In astrology, the moon always functions as a trigger, as she is the closest planetary body to Earth, linking us to the energy of the rest of the planets and stars,” she explains. “So, during this new moon, we can expect an intensification of the current focus on this innovative and future-forward sign.”

The Aquarian “I-want-to-change-the-world” energy has been pretty noticeable in 2021 — it’s a revolutionary sign that’s focused on community and the collective. With Joe Biden’s COVID-19 relief plan getting passed and the fight for canceling student debt building momentum, this new moon will only intensify our forward charge for social reform, real change, and equality. In other words, get ready to kick your activism and work ethic into high gear.

Our creative instincts will also be strengthened during this lunation. “This powerful energy can awaken you to new thoughts, ideals and plans,” says Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com. But don’t let your stellar ideas and valuable visions go to waste. “You could have a sudden idea that could be of genius quality,” she says. “Write it down, as ideas disappear as quickly as they come with Uranus energy.”

The new moon’s connection with the asteroid Pallas is pretty important, too. Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City, points out that this celestial body “represents our innate talents and ability to add reason to our insatiable thirst for power.” Pallas’s nearness to the new moon will bring “a passionate energy to the overall vibe of the day,” Stardust says. Our ambitions will intensify, but again, the Aquarian spirit of community will peek through. “We’ll want to help our friends and the community gain more as we evolve,” she says.

Montúfar urges us to set some intentions during this week, since luck is on our side: “With the two most positive planets, Venus and Jupiter, exactly next to each other, our hopes and dreams are receiving major cosmic blessings,” she says, adding, “The presence of Saturn also spells the need to put in the hard work, and not just wishing and asking for what we want.” Think of it like manifestation: Set your goal, then take steps toward it.

Just a reminder, though: Mercury is still retrograde in Aquarius until February 20. Montúfar says that this energy is reminding us that in order for us to build a better future, we still need to examine our past. Allow yourself to really reflect this week and come up with a game plan on how you want to move forward post-retrograde.

The Venus and Jupiter connection is setting the stage for a happy Valentine’s Day — whether you have a partner or not, Hale notes. “This is typically a positive transit for love, but friendship with your loved ones will be very important at this time, perhaps more than deeply romantic feelings,” she says. If you haven’t already made special Galentine’s Day plans with your closest friends, this week is the week to do it. Connecting with others is an important part of Aquarian energy, and this new moon may offer you the chance to deepen your friendship with the people who mean the most to you.

“It’s time to dream some new dreams and boldly move forward, as we are in the new era of that will encompass brilliance as well as upheaval and change,” Hale says. Overall, this new moon is here to usher in a new, forward-thinking era — and we can’t wait to see where it takes us.

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Gigi Hadid’s original plan was to deliver her first child in a state-of-the-art New York City hospital, not an inflatable bathtub in the middle of a farm in Pennsylvania. But after the COVID-19 pandemic hit shortly after she learned she was expecting, the 25-year-old model had to reevaluate exactly where she was going to welcome her baby into the world.

In a cover story for Vogue‘s February issue, Hadid revealed she decided to have a home birth after watching The Business of Being Born, a 2008 documentary that explores the medicalization of childbirth in the U.S., with her partner, singer Zayn Malik. “We both looked at each other and were like, I think that’s the call,” Hadid said. She delivered with the help of a midwife, the midwife’s assistant, and a Zoom doula, who is meant to guide, support, and advocate for the birthing parent during labor (and who presumably dialed into Hadid’s labor via Zoom, due to the pandemic). Malik, Hadid’s mother, Yolanda, and her sister, Bella, were present as well.

Hadid’s decision might point to a larger trend. According to The New York Times, since the start of the global pandemic, more people have been using midwives and delivering at home. The risk of contracting COVID-19 in a healthcare setting, combined with the fact that, during the pandemic, many hospitals put into place restrictions that limited the number of people who could be present during delivery, and in some cases even mandated inductions of labor or C-sections, may have led many people to view home births as a more desirable option.

In Hadid’s case, she found herself quarantining 90 minutes away from the hospital she planned on delivering in, and knew that, due to restrictions on who could could be in the delivery room, her sister or mother wouldn’t be able to be present if she gave birth in the hospital. That, combined with the documentary, nudged her toward the home birth. (The American Congress on Obstetrics and Gynecology still states that “hospitals and accredited birth centers are the safest settings for birth.)

Hadid described having to “dig deep” during labor. “I knew it was going to be the craziest pain in my life, but you have to surrender to it and be like, ‘This is what it is.’ I loved that,” she said.

Her birthing story has a happy ending: a healthy baby. The first time she saw her daughter, she was in Malik’s arms. “It didn’t even click that she was out,” Hadid said. “I was so exhausted, and I looked up and he’s holding her. It was so cute.”

The pair recently revealed that they named their daughter Khai, which is Arabic for “the chosen one” or “royalty.” They announced the new arrival via Instagram, with a black and white photo captioned, “Our girl joined us earth-side this weekend and she’s already changed our world. So in love.”

For now, the Hadid-Malik clan will make their home on the farm in rural Pennsylvania, where baby Khai was born — sans inflatable tub.

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Mercury retrograde is by far the most widely dreaded astrological transit. No, it’s not all bad (and in fact, Rx memes always make me laugh). But still, the Swift Planet moonwalking through the sky can present serious challenges. Communication becomes a minefield, and the feeling that we’re missing something casts a dark shadow over us (at least… it does for me). In all honesty, they’re worth preparing for. So buckle up: The first Mercury retrograde of the year, in Aquarius, is starting on January 30 and will last until February 20.

First, a reminder of why Mercury Rxs have a bad rep: Mercury is known as the Planet of Communication, and it has a hand in anything to do the transfer of information, including technology or plain ol’ talking. When it moves backwards, it messes all that stuff up, says Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer at Keen.com: “Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and any kind of machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment.”

This specific Mercury retrograde is extra-important, says Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com. “It’ll be a pivotal part of the super-charged lineup of planets called a stellium,” she explains. “From February 1 to February 17, the Sun, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, asteroid Pallas, and even February’s new moon will all be in Aquarius, and Mercury retrograde will conjunct all of them, one by one.” Because of that, she says, this retrograde and its movements will pretty much define the entire astrology of February.

The fact that this retrograde is taking place in Aquarius is also a Thing. Aquarius is the most tech-y sign of the zodiac, and the speedy planet’s retrograde is known to mess with our tech — so any gadget-related mishaps will probably be especially annoying. We should be extra-careful: Double-check emails and texts before sending, and always back up your work on your computer.

The mental exhaustion during this transit is going to be real. “Aquarius is an intellectual and very mental sign,” Montúfar says. “Life will be moving at a rapid speed and big changes will be taking place on a societal level.” (Let’s just say, our eyes will be on the new Biden administration.) In one way, the Rx will help us adapt to these changes. “We may not feel so attached to situations and people from an outside lens,” says Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City. That disconnection can make us flexible, but it may come across to loved ones as spaciness — which could fuel squabbles and misunderstandings. We may also forget to make time for activities that nourish us, making us feel super-drained.

The sign of the water bearer is associated with altruism, collective good, and rebellion, Montúfar says, so this transit is set to bring major attention to humanitarian issues and concerns. “This retrograde is set to highlight the immense problems we are going through as a society, as well as the changes that are taking place,” she says. “This is especially true as the first of three Saturn-Uranus squares happen during this retrograde time, on February 17. [This square] is the defining astrological aspect of the year, and is set to change a lot of the structural foundations of our society as we know them.”

In many ways, 2020 was defined by the fight for social justice, and many of us are happy to carry that energy into 2021. We’re still living through a global pandemic and feeling the effects of a draining 2020. During this retrograde, and especially during the aforementioned square, activists and humanitarians will feel a boost in their motivation to call for more change, fight for the rights of others, and tear down the structures in society as we know them.

One suggestion: Prioritize reflection and planning during this period instead of action. After all, Mercury retrograde has a habit of messing with our actions, so focus on prep work now so you can nail the execution later. Hale says it’s time to “re-write, re-organize, and re-think.”

It’s not all gloom and doom. Stardust says that on February 13, Mercury retrograde and Venus will align. “This is a time for big paybacks and rewards for past matters,” she explains. You can take that literally (the energy may also signify a stimulus check arrival) or figuratively: Your flirtations might finally be reciprocated, for example.

Of course, this aspect can also encourage an ex or ex-friend to pop up in your life again — just in time for Valentine’s Day. But we prefer to focus on the silver linings, here. Mercury Rx isn’t all that bad, after all. And it doesn’t last forever. By February 20, it’ll be over, and our schedules will start to return to normal.

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All The Dates Of 2021's Full Moons

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Elizabeth Gulino, Khareem Sudlow

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Full moons: They’re spooky, they’re exciting, and they’re bursting with emotional lunar energy.

In astrology, full moons are all about endings. They shine their light on the past month, so you can take stock, spot problems, and tie up any loose ends. “Full moons have always been seen as moments in time in which the astrological energy comes to a climax,” Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com, previously told Refinery29.

These celestial happenings can also occur in any of the twelve zodiac signs, and each lunation carries the traits of the sign it’s in. A full moon in Leo may feel theatrical or dramatic, for instance, while a full moon in Gemini can bring about confusion.

Each month’s full moon also go by one or more names, such as the Wolf Moon or the Harvest Moon. The origins of these labels are a little hard to pin down, but they tend to match up with seasonal happenings; the Harvest Moon comes during the start of fall harvest season, for instance. They’re thought to be derived from a mix of Native North American, Anglo-Saxon, and Germanic month names, reports Newsweek.

Astrologers often recommend using full moons as an opportunity to spend some quiet time by yourself or with trusted love ones, reflecting on the past month and setting your intentions for the next one. To help you plan out these mini-meditations, though, you need to know when the moon will be full.

The dates for full moons in 2021:

January 28, 2021: Full Wolf Moon in Leo

This full moon is known as the Wolf Moon because wolves tend to be most vocal around this time of year, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. It’s also called the Hunger Moon or the Old Moon.

February 27, 2021: Full Snow Moon in Virgo

The second month of the year is snowy, hence the name of this full moon. You may also hear it called the Midwinter Moon.

March 28, 2021: Full Worm Moon in Libra

This one takes some explaining: In spring, the weather begins to warm and the worms begin to appear in the soil once again (yuck). This full moon is also known as the Wing Moon or the Spring Moon.

April 26, 2021: Full Pink Supermoon in Scorpio

Unfortunately, the Full Pink Moon isn’t actually magenta-hued. Its name comes from the herb moss pink flower that blooms in early spring, though it’s sometimes called a Frog Moon. This year, April’s full moon will be as close as it can get to Earth, making it appear extra big and bright — a phenomenon known as a supermoon. 

May 26, 2021: Full Flower Supermoon in Sagittarius; also a total lunar eclipse

In May, blooms really start to blossom, hence the name Flower Moon or Budding Moon. This year’s is also a supermoon.

June 24, 2021: Full Strawberry Supermoon in Capricorn

June gifts us with a third supermoon in a row. The full moon is named after the short — yet sweet — strawberry harvesting season, but can also be called the River Moon or the Flowering Moon.

July 23, 2021: Full Buck Moon in Aquarius

July’s moon is called the Full Buck Moon because it’s normally around the time when the new antlers on bucks begin to show. It’s also known as the Blueberry Moon.

August 22, 2021: Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius, and a seasonal blue moon

The Sturgeon Full Moon is named for the sturgeons of the Great Lakes; August is when they’re most easily caught; August is also corn season, which is why this moon can be called the Corn Moon. The term seasonal blue moon refers to it being the third (sometimes fourth) full moon of a particular season — in this case, summer.

September 20, 2021: Full Harvest Moon in Pisces

The Full Harvest Moon is whichever full moon falls closest to the fall equinox on September 21; sometimes, it can occur in October. It’s also called the Fall Moon or the Hunting Moon.

October 20, 2021: Full Hunter’s Moon in Aries

Colder weather used to signal a time to stock up on game for the winter ahead, which is why this luminary is called the Full Hunter’s Moon. Sometimes, it’s known as the Falling Leaves Moon.

November 19, 2021: Full Beaver Moon in Taurus, also a partial lunar eclipse

This is around the time that beavers start preparing for the winter, inspiring the name Full Beaver Moon. It’s also called the First Snow Moon.

December 18, 2021: Full Cold Moon in Gemini

An easy one — the Full Cold Moon is called this because it’s, well, cold in December! It’s also known as the (equally logical) Big Winter Moon.

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