Mercury, a planet that’s known for impacting communication, rationality, and reasoning, is inching its way from Aries into Taurus on April 19 — the very same day Taurus season begins. This will stir up a massive dose of stubborn, yet diplomatic energy that’s sure to affect all of us, especially in the ways we talk to one another.

“When Mercury enters Taurus, the flow of communication naturally slows down,” says Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com. “Mercury enjoys a swift pace, but the Taurean energy is a bit too slow to accommodate the cosmic messenger’s preference. Expect some blocks, surprises, and delays in communicative exchanges.”

Just like Venus in Taurus, Mercury in Taurus likes when you take things nice and easy. Resist the urge to send a frantic text or a quick email, especially if it’s about something important. Take your time with your written and spoken communications, and make sure the meaning of what you’re trying to say really gets across. “We can expect our words and thoughts to feel more deliberate,” says Madi Murphy, astrologer and founder of The Cosmic Revolution. 

But the more relaxed pace won’t necessarily interrupt your effectiveness. “Taurus is a sign that’s known for taking care of business and for being super-reliable. You can expect to feel inspired to slow down and express ourselves in more productive ways,” Murphy says. “When Mercury is in Taurus, there is also a persistence that can be quite powerful. If you’ve been getting distracted or been procrastinating, this transit may give you a boost of celestial stamina.” In other words, if you’ve been putting off any projects or responsibilities (which is understandable, given that Mercury was just in fiery Aries), now’s the perfect time to tackle your incomplete to-do list.

We often equate “responsible” with “dull,” but Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com, says that this push toward the finish line benefits our creative spark too. “Aries season was the time we felt inspired and full of new ideas, and now is the time to turn these ideas into concrete reality,” she says. “Mercury in Taurus can give our communication and thinking a practical type of style and determination.”

The influence of the Bull’s energy has the potential to cause some tense interactions. “Mercury in Taurus can point to being so stubborn in your views that you can’t see the the outside perspectives,” says Lisa Stardust, astrologer and author of Saturn Return Survival Guide and The Astrology Deck. “The lesson here is to be more flexible in our thinking and mindset.” Try to go with the flow during this transit. Your temper will thank you.

On April 24, Mercury meets Uranus in the sky. This is notable because it will bring “unexpected developments in the form of messages, but also big aha moments,” Montúfar says. Although erratic, she says that this energy can be brilliant and creative. Hale suggests writing down your big ideas on this day — they might disappear from your mind as quickly as they come, and some of them will be worth saving. But it may be a better time to brainstorm than it is to act. “Mercury will also be squaring Saturn at the same time, so stay away from pushing your agenda, especially when it comes to career-related matters and issues with authority,” Hale warns.

Overall, Mercury in Taurus is creating a definite The Tortoise and the Hare vibe, and as the book taught us, it’s best to bet on the slower strategy. Our vision and communication during this time will be streamlined, and we’ll be able to think practically and responsibly about how to best get what we want — all we have to do is take the time to listen.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Obsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok — & COVID

Charge Your Vibrators: Venus Is In Taurus

How Important Is Your Roommate's Zodiac Sign?

In a Good Morning America interview on Wednesday, former Bachelor lead Colton Underwood revealed that he’s gay to host Robin Roberts, and detailed his struggles coming to terms with his sexuality while growing up in a conservative, Catholic community.

During the interview, Underwood made a public apology to Cassie Randolph, his ex-girlfriend and former Bachelor contestant. The pair split back in May 2020, but their amicable separation ultimately turned sour. In September 2020, a restraining order was granted to Randolph, at which time the public learned that Underwood had been sending Randolph and her family “unsettling” text messages, showing up to her and her parents’ homes uninvited, and that he had even put a tracking device on her car. The restraining order was dropped a month later, after Underwood and Randolph reached a “private agreement.”

Although it’s good that Underwood can live authentically now, fans of the franchise have taken to Twitter to point out the fact that he’s getting a good ol’ fashioned Bachelor edit in this situation — and his former behavior is at risk of being swept under the rug.

Shortly after the interview aired, for instance, executive producers of The Bachelor publicly expressed support for Underwood in a statement that read, “We are so inspired by Colton Underwood’s courage to embrace and pursue his authentic self. As firm believers in the power of love, we celebrate Colton’s journey in the LGBTQIA+ community every step of the way.”

Underwood’s apology seemed heartfelt, and he may continue to demonstrate that he’s changed. But to award Underwood a glowing redemption arc right now could signal to Randolph and other people who may have lived through similar events that their experiences were unimportant. “[Underwood] and his struggle with his sexuality is going to be the highlight, as opposed to an examination of the character that leads to mistreating others,” Veronique Valliere, PsyD, a psychologist who counsels sexual assault perpetrators and victims, tells Refinery29.

The Bachelor executives’ statement is also notable due to the fact that the famously straight dating show hasn’t exactly done their part in supporting (or even representing) members of the queer community. They may say they’re celebrating Underwood’s journey, but there has been virtually no LGBTQIA+ representation on the ABC show, with the exception of a handful of bisexual women. The Bachelor grasping at the opportunity Underwood has given them to be “allies” is empty, and ultimately disappointing.

Underwood’s inner struggles and turmoil were undoubtedly painful for him to go through, and caused him great harm — he even opened up to Roberts about experiencing suicidal ideation. But his actions also led to his former partner fearing for her safety, which is inexcusable. “The phrase ‘Hurt people hurt people’ comes to mind,” tweeted Bachelor fan Brett S. Vergara, “and while context sheds light on the situation, it does not excuse, change, or even minimize that hurt and pain caused by those actions. I’m hoping Cassie feels supported by those close to her today.”

Dr. Valliere points out that we tend to treat situations like this as either/or: Underwood can either be a victim of his own oppressive upbringing and our unaccepting culture; or he’s a bad guy for his past actions. But he can be both. “He needs to address his turmoil and come to peace with himself and his sexuality,” Dr. Valliere says, “but he also needs to deal with the piece of himself that felt entitled to mistreat somebody else.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for confidential support. 

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Colton's Big "GMA" Interview Included An Apology

Bachelorette Star Opens Up About Eating Disorder

Even More "Bachelor" Spin-Offs Could Be Coming

Venus, the Planet of Love, is about to head into one of its favorite signs — dependable, hardworking Taurus. From April 14 until May 8, we’ll be getting some new, refreshing energy, prompting us to soak in the luxuries of life and put ourselves first.

“Venus is at home in the sign of the Bull, as it is one of the two signs it naturally rules,” explains Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com. “In this earthy territory, Venus can work at her best and bestow gifts our way, making the next few weeks some of the best of the year for romance, flirting, and even practicing self-love as well.” This positive transit will have all of us focusing on love, money, and relationships, so prepare for good things to come in those specific areas of life.

Venus in Taurus is known for being indulgent and pleasurable, which is why Lisa Stardust, astrologer and author of Saturn Return Survival Guide and The Astrology Deck, says “it’s a time to embrace one’s hedonistic sentiments and embrace sensual desires.” This time is all about you, your wants, your needs, and your wishes, so don’t let anyone else get in the way of you fulfilling your desires over these couple of weeks — especially in the bedroom.

Montúfar agrees, and says that since Taurus is one of the most sensual signs of the zodiac, “this planet-sign combo is all about opening ourselves to a more sensorial experience.” She points out that Venus in Aries was more interested in quickies and fervent sexual escapades, but “Venus in Taurus wants us to take our time luring, undressing, and teasing our partner.” The vibes of this transit make for the perfect opportunity for you to take things slow and experiment in the bedroom, with or without a partner.

The “pleasure first” energy of Venus in Taurus is extending outside of the bedroom too, according to Madi Murphy, astrologer and founder of The Cosmic Revolution. “During this transit, you might be feeling extra luxurious, grounded, and more connected to your five senses,” she says. “Taurus rules earthly delights, and while Venus is in Taurus your job is to make pleasure your top priority.” In other words, Murphy says that the time to treat yourself is now.

Nina Kahn, astrologer and author of Astrology For Life, agrees, saying that it’s a good idea is to focus on pampering yourself during this time instead of worrying about pleasing others. “Venus in Taurus is a great time to indulge in lots of pleasure-centered self-care,” she says. “Think hot bubble baths, luxurious massages, and cozying up for naps between some high-thread-count sheets.”

There are a couple of dates to look out for during this transit, including April 22 when Venus aspects Uranus. Stardust says we can expect to let our “freak flags fly” while Montúfar notes that surprises may come up in our personal relationships during this time. Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com, says that this can be an unusual day. “You may feel restless and desire to do or try something different, and many unexpected things can happen involving your social life, love, and money,” she warns.

Then, on April 25, Mercury will meet Venus in Taurus, which Montúfar says will “bring the opportunity to openly talk about our feelings, as well as the opportunity to express devotion, affection, and trust in our most important relationships.”

Although this transit may sound like it’s a tad overly self-serving, it isn’t all about being selfish — Venus in Taurus just wants you to prioritize your own happiness and pleasure, which in turn may make you a better friend or more attentive lover. The decadent, lustrous energy of this transit may also be the push we need to propel us into what could be the Horniest Summer Ever — that is, if you’re ready for it.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Please, STFU While Mercury Is In Aries

Obsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok — & COVID

How Important Is Your Roommate's Zodiac Sign?

Roe v. Wade was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that solidified the fact that our Constitution protects a pregnant person’s right to an abortion. The newly released movie Roe v. Wade, however, is a piece of anti-abortion propaganda that perpetuates falsehoods about abortion and the motives behind passing the life-saving court case. The movie doesn’t claim to be historically accurate; it only says it’s “based” on a true story. But although at first, I thought the movie aimed to be Borat-esque, political satire with a bit of raunchiness (I’m still half-convinced that Greer Grammar’s wig must have been a joke), I was wrong — it clearly has a different agenda.

Directed by Nick Loeb — who’s main claim to fame was attempting to battle his ex-wife Sofia Vergara for possession of their fertilized embryos — and Cathy Allen, Roe v. Wade tells a skewed tale of how the historic Supreme Court ruling came to be through the eyes of Dr. Bernard Nathanson, an obstetrician and co-founder of the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (NARAL). Dr. Nathanson pioneered the pro-choice movement, only to switch sides after the 1973 ruling. The movie paints him, along with abortion activist Larry Lader, as money-hungry opportunists who were fighting for the pro-choice movement for the wrong reasons.

The movie is hard to watch for several reasons, including the terrible acting, the graphic images, and the appearances from far-right figures including Stacey Dash, Jon Voight, Tomi Lahren, and Milo Yiannopoulos. Jamie Kennedy, the actor who plays Larry Lader, also revealed that a number of the cast and crew walked off the set once they realized what the movie was going to be about. In short, this film is a mess.

Roe v. Wade is full of half-truths and inflammatory language intended to get its anti-abortion point across. The film describes safe, surgical abortions in overly graphic ways; it frames women who’ve been forced to travel to receive abortion care as careless and flippant about their decision; and it implies that certain Supreme Court Justices were borderline coerced by the women in their family to vote a certain way in the landmark case.

The movie seems intent on pushing a narrative that we’ve been hearing from anti-abortion folks since the 1950s. And while it may not be intended to be completely factually accurate, it’s hard to ignore some of the lies it tells about the realities of abortion and abortion access in the US. Here’s a sampling of some of the biggest untruths in Roe v. Wade.

After 10 weeks, the fetus will feel the pain of the abortion.

This statement has been perpetuated by anti-abortion folks, but has been proven time and time again to be false. “The best available evidence indicates that it’s not possible for a fetus at 20 or 22 weeks to feel pain,” Daniel Grossman, MD, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of California at San Francisco previously told Refinery29. “The neurofibrils that connect pain receptors to the cerebral cortex are not developed, and really don’t develop until the third trimester — past 26 weeks.” A 2005 review in the Journal of the American Medical Association also states that fetuses don’t develop the neurological wiring to feel pain until the third trimester.

Jane Roe regretted participating in the case.

This film completely ignores the fact that Jane Roe, aka Norma McCorvey, was coerced, manipulated, and bribed by anti-abortion activists to become a public figure for their agenda after the 1973 ruling. A documentary around McCorvey titled AKA Jane Roe was shot in 2017, shortly before her death. “I think it was a mutual thing,” she revealed. “I took their money, and they’d put me out in front of the cameras and tell me what to say. That’s what I’d say… I did it well, too. I’m a good actress.” The documentary also reports that McCorvey received, at the very least, $456,911 in gifts from anti-abortion groups.

Police officers found buckets of baby parts and fetuses in a hotel room.

A fictional sequence plays out in the movie, depicting a group of officers performing a sting operation on an illegal abortion in a hotel room. After barging in, the cops find buckets in the bathroom containing bloody tissue and “baby parts.” This never happened — anywhere. The Daily Beast speculates that this scene came from an incident where a woman died from an abortion in Buffalo in 1971.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The Supreme Court Restricts Abortion Pill Access

Why Are At-Home Abortion Pills So Hard To Get?

Why Did Josh Hawley Have This Creepy Dorm Poster?

Spring has sprung, but the buzzy, outspoken, spontaneous energy you’re feeling has more to do with the planets than it does with the warm weather. Mercury, the Planet of Communication, is zooming its way into fiery, action-oriented Aries on April 3, and while it’s in the sign (where it will stay until April 19), we’ll find ourselves really telling it like it is — and having fun doing it.

“At its best, Mercury in Aries can provide us with a mental state that is optimistic, encouraging, on point, and self-confident,” says Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com. “Mercury’s entrance into Aries can bring about much needed clarity, especially after its transit through Pisces over the past few weeks, which was much more lethargic.” If you’ve been feeling stuck in the mud lately creatively or professionally, now’s the perfect time to get new ideas flowing; your energy will be on turbo mode. Bring your fresh ideas to the table during meetings, pitch those innovative solutions to your boss, or just let yourself revamp the way you attack your workflow. Your mind will be sharp — use it.

Although we love when we’re feeling quick-witted, Mercury in Aries can be a double-edged sword. “When in impulsive Aries, Mercury is very harsh tongued and fast-lipped. Nothing is held back,” says Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City. “This means that we all can put our foot in our mouths during the transit.” Stardust warns that we’ll be more likely to unintentionally hurt others now if we’re not thinking before we’re speaking. “Mercury in Aries will bring many frustrating moments, but the lesson is to learn patience and be more understanding,” Stardust says.

Patience. Understanding. These seem like reasonable requests, right? Stephanie Powell, head of content for Horoscope.com, thinks so, and warns that an overly direct approach during this transit may rub people the wrong way. The antidote to that is to take a second before communicating your thoughts to others. “It will benefit us to pause before speaking, especially in tougher conversations, because we can speak before we actually think about what we really mean or want to convey,” she says.

During Mercury’s tour in Aries, Powell says there are a couple of different dates to be aware of. On April 11, Mercury will form a supportive sextile with Saturn, the Planet of Responsibility. “This is a fantastic time to put our ideas into practice and root them in the real world,” Powell advises. “If you’ve been brainstorming nonstop, Saturn is here to ask, ‘How are you going to achieve that?'” she says. “This is a great day to work toward a goal or project of interest.” In other words, it’s time to get busy!

Then on April 18, Mercury will form a harmonious sextile with fiery Mars and expansive Jupiter — but it will also meet destructive Pluto at the same time. “Mars and Jupiter’s influences will encourage us to speak what’s on our mind, but Pluto may not have our best interests involved and can stir up and exaggerate Plutonic themes of jealousy, manipulation, or even power struggles,” Powell says. “Go easy on yourself, and if you have an urge to confront someone or something it may be better to do some deeper reflection before giving into obsessive thinking.” Worth noting: Pluto’s influence can be positive and give us the energy to “confront structures or situations that need to be torn down and rebuilt,” Powell says. Although it may be a little rocky, impactful change can be accomplished during this time.

For the next couple of weeks, let yourself embrace the abrasiveness of Mercury in Aries — brainstorm, take action, and make your voice heard. Just know that if you’re not thinking before you speak, you may step on some toes. So take a deep breath, and practice pausing (at least a little) during this exciting time. You’ve got this.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

It's Aries Season. Be A Little Selfish

Obsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok — & COVID

How Important Is Your Roommate's Zodiac Sign?

This past weekend, we witnessed a historical Pop Culture Moment courtesy of Lil Nas X’s viral “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” music video. In it, he’s seduced by a serpent in what appears to be the Garden of Eden, then pole dances elegantly into the depths of Hell, where he gives Satan (also played by Lil Nas X) a lap dance before snapping his neck and donning the devil’s horns as his own. The video itself is a symbol of the rapper’s relationship with the church as a gay man — they told him he was going to Hell, so he went. And he had a good time doing it.

But, as with anything that has to do with Satanism or the LGBTQ+ community, conservative Christian Twitter was up in arms over the symbols and imagery, calling for the rapper and his music video to be condemned and canceled. The release of Lil Nas X’s unofficial “Satan” sneakers only stoked the flames of fury; it turns out that the Satanic Panic of the 80s never really went anywhere.

Satanism hasn’t either. In fact, it’s only getting stronger.

Our kids are being told that this kind of product is, not only okay, it’s “exclusive.” But do you know what’s more exclusive? Their God-given eternal soul.

We are in a fight for the soul of our nation. We need to fight hard. And we need to fight smart. We have to win. https://t.co/m1k1YWFpuo

— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) March 28, 2021

But for all the fear and bluster around Satanism, the actual religion is not well-understood. The Church of Satan has been around since the 1960s, while The Satanic Temple was founded in 2013 and is recognized as a tax exempt church by the IRS. Neither of them believe in Satan. While followers of the Church of Satan do believe in magick, The Satanic Temple describes itself as a nontheistic branch of Satanism, meaning members don’t believe in God, Satan, or other supernatural forces. In other words, no one is trying to give Satan a lap dance, a la the Montero video.

Whenever something that even tangentially involves Satan-worship makes headlines, The Satanic Temple — which has over 300,000 members and counting — gets a little spike of attention, says Lucien Greaves, the organization’s co-founder. But more recently, the religion has been getting recognition for its actual belief system, which is surprisingly progressive and deserving of its own moment in the spotlight, divorced from the whole “eternal damnation” thing.

The Satanic Temple follows seven tenets that preach acting with compassion and empathy, fighting for justice, upholding bodily autonomy and science, and reducing harm. On their website, The Satanic Temple claims to have, “publicly confronted hate groups, fought for the abolition of corporal punishment in public schools, applied for equal representation when religious installations are placed on public property, provided religious exemption and legal protection against laws that unscientifically restrict women’s reproductive autonomy, exposed harmful pseudo-scientific practitioners in mental health care,” and more.

One place where you can see evidence of increased interest in forms of Satanism is on TikTok. The witchtok corner of TikTok has been going strong since the app began back in 2016, and in November of 2020, TikTok creators took advantage of the time warp feature to make themselves look like The Satanic Temple’s goat-headed deity, Baphomet (a trend that, of course, caused an outrage among TikTok Christians). Recently, a discussion about The Satanic Temple’s progressive views on abortion and bodily autonomy has resurfaced on the platform, prodding a newfound respect for the organization. Another attention-getting move: In February 2021, the Satanic Temple sued the state of Texas regarding their restrictive abortion laws, alleging that some of their regulations violate the religious liberty of its members.

“I honestly think that what’s really spurring the growth of Satanic identification is the increasing overreach of the theocratic right,” Greaves says. “I think when people look back and recognize that there was a booming nontheistic Satanic revival in the early 21st century, I think they’ll attribute that to — at least equally to — people like Mike Pence, if they attribute that to people like me.”

The more religions continue to alienate those in marginalized communities, the more those who have been pushed away will seek out alternative faiths. As Greaves says, “It’s much easier, I think, to understand the prosocial value in Satanism when you see the horrific and anti-human things that our evangelical politicians are doing.”

Even though the Satanic Temple doesn’t believe in Satan and has nothing to do with Satan worship, Greaves is totally unbothered by Lil Nas X’s use of devilish imagery. In fact, he notes that for any group — Satanists or Christians alike — to claim ownership over Satanic iconography would be ridiculous. “This is culturally available, artistic, raw material that everyone’s familiar with,” he says. “That’s always going to resonate in a certain way with people, and no one group can claim any ownership over that kind of imagery. It’s totally fair game for any kind of artist, whatever they’re trying to express.”

Greaves adds that the backlash Lil Nas X is getting over his use of Satanic imagery is “rather outsized and ridiculous. You would think Christians would have a little more humility and realize how unkind many churches have been, especially towards homosexuals. For a gay person to be using imagery of Satanism or Satan and for them to claim offense at that requires a bit of a lack of introspection entirely,” he says.

While Lil Nas X hasn’t come out as a Satanist, it’s apparent that he’d be welcomed by the community if he did. “We’re one religion that recognizes that this isn’t for everybody, and we think we’d be better off if more religions acknowledged that they don’t have the one true answer and the one true way for all people,” Greaves explains. “We always kind of want to uphold our status as the religion for the outsiders, a place where the freaks and outcasts feel at home and welcome.”

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Lil Nas X's "Montero" & Backlash, Explained

The Truth About The Satanic Panic

Netflix & <em>Sabrina</em> Settle $50 Lawsuit

Danielle Bregoli, aka Bhad Bhabie, is coming forward about her experience at Turn-About Ranch in Escalante, UT. She was placed in the troubled teen wilderness program following her viral appearance on Dr. Phil in 2016. In a YouTube video uploaded on Friday, she details how she was kidnapped in the middle of the night, handcuffed, and taken to the isolated ranch, where she was denied “necessity privileges” and witnessed troubling behavior, including other children being physically restrained by staff. Bregoli, who is now 18, was sent to the abusive program when she was just 13 years old.

“I was taken there against my will,” Bregoli shares. “[They] come in the middle of the night, they don’t tell [the kids] where they’re going. They just take them, handcuff them, and put them in the car. It’s basically like kidnapping.”

The rapper says that she was inspired to share her story after a fellow program attendee and Dr. Phil alum named Hannah Archuleta accused one of the Turn-About staffers of sexual assault. “When I had seen the punishments [Archuleta] was given, I knew I really had to say something … because I truly believe they did that,” she said in the video.

“It’s just our word against the staff’s word when you’re there, because there’s no witnesses, there’s no cameras, you don’t have a phone, there’s none of that,” Bregoli explained. “That’s why I was so scared to speak out, because I was like, ‘No one’s going to be believe me.'”

There are hundreds of these programs across the country, and they’ve been under intense scrutiny recently. Bregoli’s claims are comparable to Paris Hilton’s, who was also sent to a teen wilderness program in Utah, as well as Provo Canyon School, a boarding school for troubled teens. Hilton spoke out about the trauma she endured last year in her documentary This Is Paris and also works closely with Breaking Code Silence, a social movement organized by survivors of the Troubled Teen Industry that Bregoli highlighted in the description of her YouTube video. Sending “troubled teens” away to programs like this is “part of the whole Dr. Phil show,” according to Bregoli. In her YouTube video, the 18-year-old claimed that while her mother had threatened to send her away before, Bregoli never believed she really would — until she ended up at Turn-About Ranch.

Bregoli’s video includes many troubling details about her time at the ranch, which is still in operation, including being forced to sit up for three days straight — laying down and sleeping comfortably was apparently not allowed. “This place is all about taking away privileges, like okay yeah, the phone and the TV and all of that, but they take away necessity privileges, like sleeping on a bed, eating good food, not being cold,” she revealed. Program attendees were required to do intense manual labor, and would be punished if they broke any of the ranch’s numerous rules — or if a staff member was in a bad mood, Bregoli said. She also described being ignored after telling staff members that another student was being bullied or mistreated by a peer.

In one upsetting part of the video, Bregoli recounted hearing about the death of James “Jimmy” Woolsey, a Turn-About Ranch employee who was murdered by a teen enrolled in the program, through a counselor’s walkie-talkie, an experience she calls traumatic and scary.

“I’m not really sure why Dr. Phil still sends kids here. It really doesn’t make sense,” Bregoli says. “Are you trying to help them or are you trying hurt them even more?”

Representatives for Dr. Phil have not responded to Refinery29’s request for comment, and Dr. Phil — who has not renewed his license to practice psychology since 2006 — has yet to respond publicly to Bregoli’s claims.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Paris Hilton Testifies About Alleged Abuse

Why Is Meghan Markle Being Called A Liar?

Why Sharing Publicly About Grief Is So Important

Rae Dunn is shy. She’s a quiet person — an introvert. This is how she describes herself to me when we talk on the phone (and then again in a follow-up email), and I understand why she says it: She’s very soft-spoken, modest about her success, and has a gentle sense of humor. For such a shy, quiet person, though, the 58-year-old Dunn has become incredibly well-known over the last decade; in some circles, she’s considered a household name. But even if you don’t know her name, you probably know her work: Her simple crockery is stocked in every TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshalls — all of which are owned and operated by TJX Companies — across the nation. Her designs are instantly recognizable to Rae Dunn insiders and casual shoppers alike: Think mostly cream-colored mugs, plates, and canisters, typically emblazoned with one- or two-word phrases like, “yum,” “family,” and, of course, “but first, coffee,” all written in a delicate, unadorned, hand-crafted font. You may even own a few pieces of her minimalist ceramics yourself without ever having known that there was a real person behind those designs, and that the person is Rae Dunn.  

On the phone, Dunn is as unassuming as she says she is, though she’s also open and quick to laugh. She admits she created a monster with her now ubiquitous aesthetic. She claims it was an accident.

“I never intended on becoming a brand, much less creating this weird phenomenon,” Dunn says.

The “weird phenomenon” she’s referring to goes beyond the uber-popularity of her houseware line, and speaks to the existence of the Rae Dunn Hunters — who are also known as the Rae Dunners, or the Rae Dunnies, among other nicknames. They are Rae Dunn superfans, and their main mode of communication is Facebook Groups, of which there are hundreds, both national and regional, with names like Rae Dunn Newbies, Rae Dunn Addicts, Girls Just Wanna Have Dunn, and even What Have I Dunn?! On these pages — some with over 25,000 members — the Hunters trade secrets and tips for scoring the most coveted pieces of Rae Dunn merchandise. 

Like any other hypebeast, to be a true Rae Dunner, you need a shopping strategy. Her products are so popular that the release of seasonal mugs elicits the same reaction from Dunnies as an in-store drop of Supreme merch does from that brand’s fans. The craze can be witnessed first-hand in a viral TikTok video where hordes of women flock around a display case filled with Rae Dunn pieces, hungrily grabbing mugs and plates from the shelves, sometimes plowing one another over in the process. “There are basic pieces that are always in the stores, and then there’s stuff that comes out seasonally — and the seasonal stuff is what people fight over,” explains Lauren Sotelo, a former Rae Dunn Hunter based in Reno, NV. 

But it’s not just the Halloween plates and Christmas mugs that stir mobs of suburban moms into a frenzy. “The ‘oink’ pig was like, a really big deal,” says Michelle Green, a Rae Dunn Hunter and TikTokker based in Fort Pierce, FL, referring to a ceramic pig-shaped canister with the word “oink” on its side. According to Green, searching out these highly sought-after pieces is where the Facebook groups come in handy. It’s there that Hunters trade info about what’s new, what’s rare, or what’s about to be the next coveted item. The groups also track orders heading to TJX stores, so that members can better figure out when shipments will be arriving in certain areas — and what will be in them. “The things that are limited, like the ‘oinks,’ only two went per [HomeGoods],” Green says. Because of her dedication to the hunt, she was able to get her hands on both of them for $16.99. Now, the pigs are selling for $250. “If I wanted the money, I could go and sell one of them,” she says. “But I don’t want the money… I found that. It’s like a treasure hunt.”

My initial reaction to this fandom was much like that of the viewers who left comments on that TikTok video: disbelief. Why is there such a frenzy over these simple ceramics? How could this chaos ensue over a white mug with the word “coffee” on it? Surely this must be an anomaly! But this wasn’t — and isn’t — an isolated incident. “Y’all no I work for TjMaxx and this is 100% true,” commented user @mary.jane4 on the viral TikTok. “They stand around like VULTURES and even get into fights over Rae Dunn mugs that cost like $8.99.” User @jadaamarie06, who claimed to be a former TJ Maxx employee agreed, adding, “They were always waiting at the door for us to open. It was intense.”

While it’s tempting to dismiss the Rae Dunnies for their enormous devotion to what Sotelo once called “the comic sans of our generation,” it’s actually not so different from the craze for brands like Supreme or Kith Monday Program. Both are driven by the scarcity principle: We want things that other people can’t have, and we attach more value to things that are hard to get — hence, the “hunt” that devoted Rae Dunners are so drawn to. But instead of streetwear or sneakers or branded money guns or luggage at a flagship store in New York City, the hype is coming from ceramics at TJ Maxx. And, in this case, the hypebeasts are suburban moms.

Like sneakerheads who eagerly wait for the next Yeezy or Jordan drop at storefronts, Dunn Hunters make their presence known at their local Marshalls and TJ Maxx. “They would line up every single day, even during the week,” Alyssa, the former HomeGoods worker who filmed the now viral TikTok video in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, tells Refinery29. “It doesn’t matter if it was raining or not. They would still be out there.”

Sotelo used to be one of those women who waited outside of TJ Maxx each morning to get their hands on the newest items. “It’s an adrenaline rush when you’re able to get things that other people want and they don’t get to have because there’s only so many pieces,” she says. “That’s kind of why it got super-crazy for me — because I started to get addicted to having things before somebody else was able to get it.”

But, the devotion that some Rae Dunners have to the game can end up being toxic. Dunn Hunters have been known to deceive one another, lying about when and where they found certain products or if a store received a new shipment that day. “You think you’re friends with all these women, but it’s a bunch of women lying about things that they’re finding and then using each other to find other things,” Sotelo says. At stores, things can get confrontational, and even physical. “I’ve seen people fight over stuff and I’ve been around where women have screamed at each other over things. I’ve seen women take stuff out of other women’s hands,” Sotelo says. “It’s insane.”

Much like with other hypebeast brands, the rare, hard-to-find Rae Dunn products are the most coveted, and they often end up on third party sites with prices marked up unbelievably high (like the “oink” pig). Take Rae Dunn’s Homeline Bird House, for example. Green bought the cutesy ceramic piece, emblazoned with the word “home” on it, back in 2016 for under $5. Now, it can be found on sites like Mercari for over $600 apiece — one seller is even asking for as much as $1,130 for it.

“It’s kind of like people that collect Beanie Babies or Louis Vuitton purses or vintage shoes,” Green says. “Some people don’t get it. But if you get it, you get it.”

Magenta, Inc., the company that manufactures Rae Dunn products, seems baffled by Dunnies’ passion for the goods. “When we started partnering with Rae, we had no idea that this was going to become such a huge thing or such a collector’s item,” says Janet Speight, senior marketing strategist at Magenta, Inc. Every day, the brand receives messages from Rae Dunn buyers asking them to authenticate her pottery pieces that are being bought and sold across the internet. “[There are] replicas of Rae Dunn where we have to be like, ‘That is not authentic Rae Dunn,’” she says. Speight compares the replicas to copycat Chanel bags. “You would’ve never thought that it would turn into something like this,” she says. Magenta, Inc. doesn’t control the exact number of what products go where either, so it’s up to TJX Companies and how much they buy of a certain style to really control what’s rare and what’s not.

Although brands like Supreme purposefully use the scarcity principle to their advantage by announcing drops and hyping up limited-edition collabs through social media and celebrity exposure, that’s not something that Rae Dunn — the artist — ever needed to do to attain the level of brand loyalty and wholesome hype she receives from her loyal customers. It’s not something she ever wanted, either.

“It makes me really sad that people [resell],” Dunn says. “I wish I could sell more of my handmade stuff. But when I do it, I know that people are buying it and reselling it for hundreds of dollars more. And it really upsets me because… I don’t know. I feel like I’m just being used.”

Dunn says that people have always responded positively to her work, but the recent spike in popularity is new to her. “I would say, just in the past few years, it’s become this… thing,” Dunn says. “I would have studio sales and people would come from all around the country and they would be treating me like I was Mick Jagger. I’ve had people break out and start crying when they meet me. It’s truly remarkable and overwhelming.” She marvels at it, laughing and saying, “I don’t even get it.”

Both Green and Sotelo estimate that they’ve each owned over 1,000 pieces of Rae Dunn pottery in the past few years. “I’ve spent thousands of dollars,” Sotelo says. “But it matches everything.”

Green, like other Dunn Hunters, has an entire room in her home dedicated to her Rae Dunn finds. “My kids say, ‘Mom, you choose pottery over us,’” she says. “I’m obsessed. It’s just the thrill, and they don’t understand it.” Green, a substitute teacher, hunts for pieces every day she’s not working. When I ask how much she’s spent during the past couple of years as a hunter, she balks. “It’s bad,” she says. “It’s bad.”

It’s hard to say whether or not Rae Dunn, the brand, will be a cog in the hype machine forever. But Dunn, the artist, says she’ll continue to create her iconic pottery for as long as people keep wanting to buy it — however, she’s always had other artistic outlets that she’s open to exploring. Currently, she’s working on a new line of jewelry and a line of pet products, both of which will come out this summer. While it’s too early to say whether they’ll have the same level of hype as her ceramics, Dunn isn’t worried. “I know that there’s a lot of negative stuff that goes on out there, and that makes me really sad. But I love that people connect to my work, and it connects them to other people, and it brings them joy and happiness,” Dunn says. “I’m not trying to be something fancy or different. My work is me.”

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

The Accidental Sex Couch That Took Over TikTok

Dakota Johnson Loves Limes. Or, Does She?

Here's How The Pandemic Has Changed Baby Names

Venus, the Planet of Love, is leaving dreamy Pisces and finally making its way into fiery, assertive Aries on March 21 — the day after Aries season officially begins — where it’ll stay until April 14. During this transit, the drama dial will be turned all the way up on our love lives, but don’t be intimidated. Adding a little spice may be just what we need right now.

Venus in Aries “signals greater passions, energy, and action directed toward our love lives,” explains Leslie Hale, a psychic astrologer for Keen.com. “We may feel more assertive in connecting with those we are attracted to and want to get to know better, and we may seek a fresher, more exciting approach with those we are already involved with.” Venus in Aries is upfront and direct, so don’t be surprised if your flirtatious side takes a front seat this month.

But while this transit brings great first date energy, Venus is actually not super comfy in Aries. “Venus in Aries is red hot, but it’s the kind of sexual fire that doesn’t last for very long,” notes Narayana Montúfar, a senior astrologer for Astrology.com. “In short, this planet-sign combo is great for one-night stands and flirting, but not the best for beginning long-term relationships.”

While this may not be the month to DTR, if you’re already in a relationship, Montúfar says that Venus in Aries can be “quite refreshing, bringing the possibility to have more fun in the bedroom.” Now’s the perfect opportunity to try a new position, or buy that sex toy that’s been (figuratively) collecting dust in your online shopping cart.

Besides some exciting new sexual energy, we’ll be all about showering our SO’s with attention, too. “Venus in Aries loves to work towards love,” says Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City. We’ll want our partners to feel taken care of. But Stardust suggests thinking through any grand romantic gestures you plan on making. “Impulsivity can get us into trouble sometimes, especially in matters of the heart,” she says.

While you’ll be feeling giving, this is Aries season — you’ll be falling a little in love with yourself right now too. “When the Planet of Love and Beauty shines in the sign of the rambunctious Ram, life is anything but boring,” says Madi Murphy, astrologer and founder of The Cosmic Revolution. “Aries likes the thrill of the chase, but also demands to be adored!” You’ll notice a little spring in your step when you’re out and about, and you should lean into that peacocking energy and allow yourself to be admired by suitors and yourself for the next month. Truly, you deserve it.

“Venus in Aries can bring adventures and opportunities to dive headfirst into something new or exciting,” Murphy adds. Be spontaneous — but self-aware. All the excitement can manifest as impatience, jealousy, or selfishness, so beware or you’ll risk hurting loved ones’ feelings, she notes.

Montúfar says to be especially careful between March 24 and April 2. “Venus will meet with Chiron, meaning that some deep-seated insecurities around love, sex, and relationships could come to the surface,” she says. “Since ignoring them won’t be an option, we must face them head-on. If we dare to embrace our vulnerabilities around these subjects, this Venus-Chiron meet-up does come with the opportunity to heal our hearts.”

The key here is balance. This is a wildly fun, sexy, anything-can-happen transit. But being realistic about your own expectations, needs, and flaws is crucial, or else you risk flaming out long before Venus makes her next move. Things are about to get really hot — can you handle it?

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Obsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok — & COVID

It's Aries Season. Be A Little Selfish

How Important Is Your Roommate's Zodiac Sign?

It’s time to start listening a little more closely to your inner voice as Mercury leaves Aquarius and heads into dreamy Pisces on March 15. When the the Planet of Communication is in this sign (where it will stay until April 3), “our intuition and psychic abilities are enhanced, and we ditch analytical practices in favor of slower and dreamier activities,” says Narayana Montúfar, a senior astrologer for Astrology.com. It’s the perfect time to try being open to new possibilities.

This transit comes just after a powerful new moon, and once Mercury makes its move, five planetary bodies will be in imaginative Pisces: Mercury, the sun, Venus, Neptune, and the asteroid Pallas. Combined, this sets us up for an optimistic month. “By the time Mercury enters Pisces, we will still be feeling the lovely beams from the Pisces new moon, and its entrance will only add to the already chill and mystical vibes,” Montúfar explains. “When our cosmic messenger is in the sign of the fish, our thought process is more influenced by emotions and sensitivity.”

Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com, says that when Mercury is in Pisces, “we may discover or understand things to a greater depth than we have before, and we could even feel a certain illumination.” She says that dreams typically become more vivid and frequent while Mercury is in this sign, so if you don’t already have one, try and keep a dream journal this month to see what your subconscious might be trying to tell you.

Along with more vivid dreams at night, your mind will also call you to daydream and fantasize during the day (and maybe window-shop for a new life), especially during the first week of the transit, Montúfar says. Lean into the ethereal nature of this transit — but you’ll probably want to do something to keep your feet on the ground too. “To say that it will be hard to focus on work or our responsibilities is an understatement, especially because Pisces is not the easiest placement for Mercury,” she explains. “As the fastest moving planet, Mercury likes to do things quickly; and the watery landscape of Pisces forces our cosmic messenger to slow its roll.” Keep up your to-do list, or set some alerts on your phone to remind you about big events.

While Mercury in Pisces will boost our imaginative side, Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City, says that it will also heighten our paranoid side. “The information we hear and give may not be 100% legit, as Neptune (who is known to add emotion and personal sentiments to information) is in aspect to Mercury during this transit,” she warns. Be wary during this time, as our dreamy side may end up clouding our judgement. Stardust says to look out for March 25 specifically, when Mercury squares the Nodes of Destiny: We’ll be especially prone to anxious thinking, so be intentional about resting your mind around then, she suggests.

The bottom line: Although we can expect some tension while Mercury is in Pisces, this transit will allow us to embrace our creative side and prepare for dreamy days to come. Prioritize self-care, let yourself fantasize about the future, and be open to new possibilities. It’s the perfect time to make magic happen.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Feeling Extra Flirty? Thank Mars In Gemini

Obsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok — & COVID

The New Moon In Pisces Is Ideal For New Hookups

The entirety of the last year has been scary and uncertain, but the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic were particularly so. Practically overnight, and with little advance warning, states closed down businesses and implemented stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus. Obviously it was for a greater good, but suddenly many of us were no longer able to see our friends, our families, or our coworkers. The exceptions to this — like, if someone was an essential worker — only made it more clear how isolating and frightening a time it was. For countless people, the experience was lonely and isolating. But there was one group who seemed to be adjusting a little better than everyone else: introverts. Some were even a little smug about it — at first, anyway.

“All the health experts are saying #StayHome. Okay… where were you guys when I was disappointing my friends and family by doing that for years?” popular Twitter account Introvert Life posted back at the start of the pandemic. “‘Social distancing’ please I’ve been training for a pandemic my entire life introverts rise up we’re finally valid,” tweeted YouTube personality Daniel Howell.

The term “introvert” was first coined by psychiatrist Carl Jung, who defined introversion as a “preoccupation with one’s inner world at the expense of social interactions.” But it gained newfound popularity after the publication of Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking in 2012, which argued that our society dramatically undervalues introverts, and led to a lot of people online proudly proclaiming their introvert status. The modern understanding of introverts is that they may enjoy spending time with others, but find it emotionally draining; extroverts, on the other hand, find socializing energizing, explains Alfiee Breland-Noble, PhD, a psychologist and founder of the mental health nonprofit the AAKOMA Project. “Introverts are more prone to get their energy and derive their excitement from an internal dialogue and what happens within them. It’s not necessarily shyness,” she says.

Since introverts already enjoy alone time, in the early days of the pandemic — before we knew how long the stay-at-home orders would stretch on, or how many lives the virus would take — many of them saw the COVID-19 regulations as a welcome respite.

“I was obviously pretty scared and alarmed about the virus news, but in terms of just life slowing down and spending more time at home at first, I thought it was kind of fun to have a blank calendar,” says Jenn Granneman, founder of the platforms Introvert, Dear and Highly Sensitive Refuge. “For a while, that was pretty exciting and it was fun to watch shows and relax, and get some more alone time and feel like life was slowing down a little bit.” The new bread-baking, tie-dye-sweat-suit-wearing, Tiger King days of quarantine were almost revitalizing.

For some introverts, the entire year has been a welcome change of pace. Lindsey Evans, host of the podcast I Just Don’t Have Time For, tells Refinery29 that she’s enjoyed not being around people constantly. “I thrive working from home and love that most people socially distance when I go into stores,” she says. “I rarely feel like I’m missing out on anything. During month three of quarantine I was definitely starting to get a little antsy, but the more time that passes, the more I actually enjoy not having to fake my way through social interactions that make me uncomfortable.”

Many introverts I spoke with echoed the sentiment that because everyone was encouraged to stay at home, the pandemic freed them from the typical pressure they felt to go out — including FOMO or a sense of obligation. “So much of my life prior to the pandemic felt obligatory in nature with my social interactions, and now with everyone on the same page of burnout, it feels liberating to not have to see and be seen,” says Meghan Rose, a tarot reader based in California.

But after an entire year of distance, some introverts said their outlook has changed. “I think I entered the pandemic an introvert and now I’m an extrovert,” says Taylor, a HR professional based in Los Angeles. “I want to talk more than ever before.”

At the beginning of quarantine, Taylor says that she wasn’t worried at all about staying home and not interacting with others in the way that she used to. “It just wasn’t top of mind for me,” she says. “Before COVID, my weekends were more resting and relaxing and not hanging with a lot of people.” But the loneliness started to get to her as the weeks dragged into months — so much so that she formed a “pod” with friends and now finds herself making plans with one or more members most weekends. “That’s a huge change for me,” she says.

Taylor isn’t alone. The University of Wollongong’s School of Psychology, which is based in Australia, recently looked into how 114 people fared during the pandemic and found that overall, higher introversion was associated with higher loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Introverts often turn inward when coping with stress and anxiety instead of reaching out to others for help, the study authors explained. This may have caused many introverts to fall prey to what Dr. Breland-Noble calls “maladaptive alone time,” which she describes as using quarantine as an excuse to not receive the quality human interaction we need. 

“I think everyone should have some balance between being fully engaged with people outside of them and being fully aware and present for themselves,” she says. The past year has tilted the scales out of balance, though: We have much more time to focus primarily on our own thoughts, and a serious lack of connection with others. At the same time, our stress levels have never been higher. It’s not a great combination for anyone — introverts or extroverts.

Another thing to remember is that virtual social interactions can be just as energy-sucking as IRL ones for some introverts. “Workloads have increased, there’s Zoom meetings all the time, even [Zoom] social events,” says Laurie Helgoe, PhD, clinical psychologist, associate professor of Behavioral Sciences at Ross University School of Medicine, and author of Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength. “There’s a lot of stimulation that comes from the pandemic. It’s a different kind of stimulation, and so that has been a challenge.” That’s why some introverts still feel socially burned out.

Granneman points out that whether or not an introvert has thrived during the pandemic also depends on each person’s unique situation. “In a broad sense, a big misconception is that the pandemic affected all introverts the same way,” she says. “It depends so much on your living and working situation.” For some introverts, it was a dream come true. “I know some introverts who are like, ‘Oh this is great, I don’t want to go back to normal life, don’t make me go back to normal life.’ And then for others, they’re stuck at home with their family, their kids are doing remote learning, maybe their job was affected in some way, so this is absolute hell for them.”

Take Evans, for example. “I live with my fiancé, who is also an introvert,” she says. “It’s been good because I do get some sort of social interaction every day, but it’s also harder to get true alone time. I’ve definitely had a few meltdowns because I haven’t had enough time to fully recharge.”

As we approach a year of the pandemic and, for many, a year of near-constant isolation, Granneman is feeling less excited about staying home all the time than she did when lockdown first started. “I’m feeling ready to have some more people time, which might be strange for an introvert to say,” she says. “I guess I’m feeling cooped up in my house, and at this point I’m ready to go back to normal.” She added: “Although I’m sure once I return to normal, within a week I’m going to be begging to just be left alone again.”

There’s still so much we don’t know about how a year of so much alone time and living through this traumatic time has changed us. But we do know that there’s one thing we have to do — move forward. “I think my socializing on the weekends will probably slow down a little once I’m back in an office and have to be more extroverted at work,” Taylor says. “But I think I won’t take for granted being able to be around other human beings. It’ll just be another transition.”

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

What Is "Pandemic Window-Shopping"?

Our Sense Of Time Has Been Off For A Year Now

Why Do I Feel Guilty About Getting The Vaccine?

Spring has (almost) sprung. And March’s new moon in dreamy Pisces on March 13 signals a time of new beginnings. As we inch toward the Spring Equinox and away from the dreaded winter, this luminary is ushering in the first wave of fresh springtime vibrations — and astrologers are excited about it.

“This month’s new moon in Pisces is a big dose of compassion, dreamy, and positive energy,” says Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer for Astrology.com. “What astrologers are loving about this lunation is that it happens on the exact day of the Venus-Neptune conjunction, which is one of the most positive combinations for love and romance, as well as creativity in general.” But Montúfar says that this moon can bring a renewed energy to any kind of bond we have with others — not just romantic ones.

Leslie Hale, psychic astrologer for Keen.com says that during a Pisces new moon, “dreams can awaken and we can be led to follow the magic of our heart.” Our sensitivity, compassion, and perception will be heightened. “Now is the time to try and express the positive qualities of Pisces, which include creativity, visualization, expressing intuition, and accepting things that are less than perfect — including people in your life,” Hale says. She suggests taking a leap of faith during this moon; Pisces is a mutable sign, which means its energy is always shifting, so it’s a good time to make your own changes.

Although new moons are known for ushering in fresh beginnings, Montúfar says that this moon comes with the opportunity to end something. “It’s the last new moon of the astrological year,” she says, and “in about a week, we’ll be welcoming Aries season and the Spring Equinox.” Because the moon, sun, Venus, and Neptune are connecting with Pluto in Capricorn, Montúfar says that “this moon can open our hearts to the idea of purging something that no longer serves us, so we can attract something more positive into our lives.”

Lisa Stardust, an astrologer based in New York City, says that the alignment of these planets marks a time of personal growth as well as embracing our dreams, but it’s not going to be a piece of cake. “As we shed the past and move towards our new visions, we may feel anxious or emotional. After all, growth is hard,” she says. “Let go of the past now to walk the path that you’re meant to.”

And of course, letting go of something that’s not working in your life is a surefire way to create space for something new. “The fact that Venus is in her sign of exultation [Pisces] makes the energy ideal for manifesting great things in our lives,” Montúfar says. “This makes the days surrounding this new moon the best time to start something new, or at least renew our connection to our spirituality.” Use this energy to try out the 369 manifestation method or work in a daily tarot card pull into your morning routine. Even if you think the spiritual world is a little woo-woo, trying something out of the ordinary with an open mind can’t hurt.

Stardust says that the days surrounding the new moon in Pisces are a wonderful time for love. But, fair warning: “The only caveat is that Neptune will put the blinders on our eyes and hold us back from seeing the reality of a situation,” she says. “Self-deception is the most popular kind of devotion. Being honest with ourselves will be hard to do at this moment in time.” Her word of advice? Be gentle with yourself and others — and let the energy of the Pisces new moon carry you out of the cold.

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?

Obsessed With Astrology? Thank TikTok — & COVID

The Ultimate Gift Guide For The Pisces

How Important Is Your Roommate's Zodiac Sign?