As I've learned more about astrology, one of the biggest surprises has been how much less seriously I've come to take it. I don’t worry that everything is going to fall apart every Mercury retrograde like I used to. I hardly pay attention to Mercury Rx, other than treating it as a reminder to slow down and accept that sometimes things won't pan out the way you hoped. In the worst-case scenario, your dry cleaners will donate the things you left for six weeks too long. I refuse to let the transits stress me out the way they did in the past (don’t even get me started on eclipses), and I don’t fall for the videos that say this is the best year ever for Pisces, because everything depends on our individual birth charts and we will always have free will.
I’ve loved astrology since the days I had a subscription to Seventeen magazine. I later graduated to reading Susan Miller’s monthly forecasts, then Chani Nicholas, until I got my first natal chart reading around 2015. I quickly learned that there was a vast world to astrology outside of sun sign astrology (seriously, it’s the least interesting part of our charts). By 2019, I decided I wanted to learn the ancient texts (coincidentally aligning with Saturn transiting my 9th house of beliefs). I wanted to be able to read my own chart and know what the hell all these retrogrades, eclipses, and cazimis were really about. So, I took an astrology class, and, more importantly, I studied all the books we were assigned and then continued to build a little astrology library of my own.
Now that I’m seven-ish years into this, I don’t let astrology dictate everything about my life. I generally have an idea of what’s happening with the planets on any given day, but that's in the background. I don’t use it to predict anything because one of my biggest takeaways is that we don’t always know how a transit manifests until we live it. I’m still in the driver's seat of my own life.
I use astrology to understand the rhythm of my life and where to focus my energy. The easiest way to do that is to track the moon cycle. The moon’s domain is emotions. So, it’s like checking the weather forecast every day because the moon spends between 2-2.5 days in each sign and will transit all 12 signs each month.
Below is how the moon moves through each sign:
Aries Moon (ruled by Mars): A time to take initiative, trust your instincts, and channel your emotions into decisive action.
Taurus Moon (ruled by Venus): Slow down, ground yourself in comfort and beauty, and prioritize stability, pleasure, and self-care.
Gemini Moon (ruled by Mercury): Stay curious, have meaningful conversations, and process your emotions through learning and communication.
Cancer Moon (ruled by the Moon): Nurture yourself, honor your feelings, and create a sense of emotional safety at home and within.
Leo Moon (ruled by the Sun): Express yourself boldly, embrace joy, and let your creativity and confidence shine.
Virgo Moon (ruled by Mercury): Focus on organization, healthy routines, and making thoughtful improvements that support your well-being.
Libra Moon (ruled by Venus): Seek balance, strengthen your relationships, and surround yourself with harmony, beauty, and connection.
Scorpio Moon (ruled by Pluto): Dive beneath the surface, embrace emotional honesty, and transform by releasing what no longer serves you.
Sagittarius Moon (ruled by Jupiter): Expand your perspective, seek adventure, and reconnect with the beliefs and experiences that inspire growth.
Capricorn Moon (ruled by Saturn): Commit to your goals, take responsibility, and build something meaningful through discipline and patience.
Aquarius Moon (ruled by Uranus): Think differently, embrace your individuality, and connect with innovative ideas.
Pisces Moon (ruled by Neptune): Rest, trust your intuition, and make space for creativity, spirituality, and compassion.
Now, to make it personal: you need to track the moon cycle against your natal chart. Today the moon is in Libra, so which house in your chart is ruled by Libra? Each house corresponds to a different area of our lives and where you’re likely to feel the moon’s energy.
If you don’t know your natal chart, you could use the Time Passages app or Astro.com.
1st house: identity, personality, physical body
2nd house: material possessions, values, self-worth
3rd house: siblings, communication, short-distance travel
4th house: family, roots, emotional foundation
5th house: creativity, fertility, play/hobbies
6th house: health, daily routine, habits
7th house: 1-to-1 relationships (romantic or business), contracts
8th house: shared resources, intimacy, transformation
9th house: long-distance travel, philosophy/beliefs, higher education
10th house: career, public image, reputation
11th house: community, friendship, hopes & dreams
12th house: subconscious, intuition, fears
Of course, the moon will also interact with other planets in your chart, but that’s for a more advanced level, so we’re just going to stay focused on the moon.
If you want to become more familiar with energy, tracking the moon in your chart is a great place to start. Also, to see how well you’re able to tune into the shifts from sign to sign.
I’ve tried to make a habit of referencing the moon transits when I’m planning an event or a launch, or making time to see friends. If the moon is in Aries (my 12th house), I typically don’t feel like socializing those days. If the moon is in Virgo (my 5th house), I know I’m going to feel energized to tackle my to-do list and organize my life. If the moon is in Scorpio (my 7th house), I try to be more social on those days, also it’s a great time for dates. When the moon is in Capricorn (my 9th house), those are the days that I might feel more connected to something bigger than myself, my purpose, and want to brainstorm work ideas.
My best tip: Add calendar reminders for the moon placements you want to tap into. I always mark New Moons and Full Moons. Then I add calendar reminders for when the moon is in my 1st house because I really feel my best those days, when the moon is in my 10th house because those are more career-focused days, and I mark when the moon is in my twelfth house as reminders to take it easy.
My Summer Favorites That Are Worth the Money
Nothing is getting more wear in my closet this season than these shorts. I love pairing them with a more feminine top like a halter. If you want a more seasonless option—try the twill version.
This brand has me hooked! I’ve also been very attached to this dress which is similar to the St. Agni one I bought in the spring. It’s my favorite dress silhouette of the moment.
Moving through the sweaty summer days with a bob is not easy, but bandanas are getting me through. I found a great Etsy shop that sells these hand-dyed bandanas in every color imaginable. I wish I had ordered more.
A white musk with notes of amberwood and marine for hotter days. I’ve been carrying this rollerball version with me everywhere— it’s an easy pick-me-up.
There’s no other brand I go to for quality swimwear. I have lots of different styles from them, but I always come back to the classic Palma top and thong set. I love that it comes in so many different colors, materials, and prints. I size down for minimal coverage for maximum tan.
I’m racking up a lot of miles in my Margaux sandals (the Positano’s too!)—they’re both so comfortable, and they go with everything.
I love mixing metals, and these are perfect for everyday.
Pretty much anything I own from Realisation makes me feel effortlessly sexy from the minute I put it on. When I’m struggling with what to wear in the summer—I immediately go to any of their dresses in my closet. P.S. everything is 25% off right now.
Astrologers to Know
For anyone interested in getting their birth chart read, here’s my short list of astrologers I’ve worked with and trust.
Colin Bedell: His work feels both philosophical and grounded, always centering astrology as a tool for deeper self-awareness, personal growth, and more meaningful relationships. Also, don’t miss his astrology overview for 2026 for the newsletter.
Celeste Brooks: She is the queen of mundane astrology, which explores how planetary transits are reflected in world events. Her predictive skills are remarkably accurate. She also specializes in chart rectification (for those who don't know their birth time), and offers natal chart readings and spiritual coaching. Read her FWD JOY interview here.
Danielle Beinstein: She brings such a compassionate and empathetic approach to her readings. Her master’s in spiritual psychology makes her sessions feel like a therapy session. She does natal chart readings and also offers long-term coaching. Read her FWD JOY interview here.
Jason Fleming: So many of my astrology book recommendations have been influenced by him. I love that his background is in HR, which gives him such a practical, grounded approach to applying astrology to everyday life. He also offers natal chart readings and mentorship for aspiring astrologers. Read his FWD JOY interview here.
Rebecca Gordon: she gave me my very first birth chart reading, and I’ve stuck with her ever since. She’s not only a great reader but also a teacher and offers a variety of astrology courses throughout the year.
