On the evening of Saturday, May 17, Puerto Rican-owned Buddies Coffee in Williamsburg, Brooklyn closed its doors for good. The closure came three months after co-owner Rachel Nieves posted a TikTok revealing that her landlord planned to raise rent and open another cafe next door. The post generated an outpouring of support; soon, Buddies had lines out the door, an endorsement from Joe Jonas, and an appearance from Nieves on the Jennifer Hudson Show. Yet it wasn’t enough to save this small business from the perils of gentrification.

Buddies’ story echoes the struggles faced by Latine-owned businesses all over New York City. “We as Latines are facing serious challenges today, many of them created by those in power,” Giovanni Gonzalez, founder of the Latine empowerment nonprofit La Gesta, tells Refinery29 Somos. “They want to hurt our pride and downplay our presence because our light is inevitable and undeniable.”

Gonzalez works closely with Toñita’s, also known as the Caribbean Social Club, the last remaining social club in the historically Puerto Rican neighborhood of Los Sures, South Williamsburg. In 1974, María Antonia Cay — better known as Toñita — opened the space as a refuge for recently-arrived Puerto Ricans. Since then, it’s become an institution among Latines of all backgrounds and remains a homebase for mutual aid efforts, with Toñita cooking for the unhoused population in Los Sures once a week. But as the neighborhood’s demographics change, it’s become increasingly difficult to stay afloat — even as the club counts Bad Bunny among its regulars.

“If our businesses were in a fully Latine community, we would not be struggling,” Kalima DeSuze, MSW, the owner and founder of Cafe Con Libros in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, tells Somos. “Because of the ways our communities are shifting and changing, you could be in a community and somebody could open up the same exact business, right next door. You could be doing the same thing that they’re doing, but their business, depending on their race and ethnicity, automatically gets more credibility.”

According to a May 2024 report from the New York City Economic Development Corporation, new businesses are opening in North Brooklyn faster than any other area of the five boroughs. Toñita has called North Brooklyn home for 51 years. She’s been offered $9 million to give up her Caribbean Social Club, and despite costs reaching an all-time high, Gonzalez says she’s standing her ground.

“It may look like her business is at risk, it being the last social club remaining in a gentrified Williamsburg,” he says. “[Toñita] brushes this off like lint on her shoulder, as if the weight of history she carries makes her immune to pressure. This isn’t just a bar — it’s a living altar of resilience, culture, and community. No amount of money or intimidation can compete with that kind of purpose.”

Gentrification has required Latine businesses to become more active on social media, the predominant business discovery platform for New York City transplants. Marketing-savvy Latines have found creative ways to service the businesses they see as vital to their communities. Paulina Montiel is the co-founder of Migo Events, a New York City-based organization that hosted the city’s first-ever Mexican Restaurant Week in 2024, which provided social media-driven promotion to Mexican restaurants across the boroughs. “When we partner with local businesses, we try to teach them [about] social media,” she tells Somos. “I’ll go to cafes like Xoco-latte Bushwick, and I always tag them and tell people about them. Even if it means one person comes, two people come, they usually come back.”

DeSuze notes that when people of marginalized identities open a business, they’re expected to go above and beyond in ways their white, non-Latine counterparts are not. “I can’t just be a bookstore,” she says. “I have to be fighting to close the income gap, I need to try to close the reading gap, I need to make sure that people learn how to speak English and know their rights. … What then happens for businesses of color is that we take on the responsibility of the world, and then we end up getting burnt out.”

Toñita’s and Cafe Con Libros demonstrate the magic that can happen when a Latine business defies those expectations. Instead of attempting to solve every problem faced by Latines, Toñita and DeSuze focus on the professions they know and love. This allows them to create more genuine connections with regulars and new visitors alike. “Spaces like these are what true community growth is all about, especially in cities where money and selfishness rule,” says Gonzalez. “Businesses like Toñita’s are worth preserving and fighting for because they remind us what it means to be human.”

It can be easy for Latine businesses to fall into the trap of trendy, Instagram-friendly renovations, especially in the cutthroat New York City market. It might attract new customers in the short term, but Montiel sees value in maintaining a business’s original structure and design, whether it’s photos of la patria on the walls or those plastic tablecloths. “That’s what makes us feel like we’re back at home,” she says.

Spending money at these businesses is great, but it’s not the only way to support. “Even if someone leaves us a Google review, do you know how big that is? That’s huge for us, huge for any business,” DeSuze says. She also recommends spreading the word about events hosted at your favorite spots, like the second annual Toñita Fest on Sunday, June 22. Gonzalez calls the block party-style event “an annual celebration meant to keep spreading the word, and help a small club in the heart of Williamsburg become bigger than life.” He’s currently raising money to cover its packed itinerary of cultural programming.

Montiel says Migo Events will continue to show up for New York City’s Latine businesses through its upcoming lineup of events. “That’s the goal, I think, of preserving these businesses: being yourself, pushing yourself into white spaces or spaces that other cultures have broken into, and showing that we have the same capabilities,” she explains. “Investing in us is going to have the same outcome as investing in other cultures.”

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Warning: The following article contains descriptions of sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.

“My full intuition was ringing,” says Jade*, 33, recounting a traumatic sexual assault she experienced while living in Dublin, Ireland, aged 21. “I was leaving work, and normally I’d never feel unsafe but for whatever reason, when I came out of the store, I was on edge.” Jade called her then-boyfriend, and they spoke as she walked home. Just a few minutes into her journey, a man assaulted her. “A man came behind me and grabbed me around the neck and, oh my god, grabbed me there. I screamed really loudly…Then the man ran. I didn’t see his face or anything.” Jade went to the police immediately. Despite CCTV evidence, he wasn’t caught. A year later, a news article outlined the same circumstances with a man attacking a woman in the area, leading Jade to believe this same man was still out there.

Since that incident, Jade has never ignored her gut instinct. “I’m probably overly cautious, but you never can be too careful,” she adds. “It’s a learned reaction.” Women all over the world will relate to Jade’s story and for many, intuition is part of the toolkit they rely on every day to stay safe. 1 in 4 women women have been raped or assaulted in England and Wales. In America, it’s estimated to be 1 in 5. A recent study published by Epowar, a women’s safety organisation, shows that 47% of women in the UK spend money on services and products to keep them safe. For example, that study also found that £420 ($568) is spent by the average woman on taxis (rather than taking public transport or walking), and other money and time go to therapy, self defence classes and rape alarms. Women invest in all of these things for good reason, but often when they recount occasions that they “had a bad feeling”, they are called into question. “Are you sure he wasn’t just walking by? How do you know you weren’t being paranoid?” people ask, making women doubt themselves.

Having spoken on BBC London radio numerous times about women’s safety in the city, I’m always asked about instinct. What does it feel like? How do I know when to listen to it? Why don’t some men understand? The first time I was asked this, it struck me as odd: Don’t we all have an innate sensor that kicks in when something feels off? But men typically don’t have the same thought processes or experiences that keep women hypervigilant, I realized. This might be why some of them don’t take the idea of a “bad feeling” seriously — and why I repeatedly need to explain instinct on the radio.

Karen Whybro, a women’s safety consultant, focuses her work on perceptions of safety and how women feel in their communities. Whybro, whose name feels like a clear example of nominative determinism, says, “Because men don’t have those experiences, they don’t have those same instincts that we do as women”. She adds: “I have to teach men that this is how women feel [because] they genuinely don’t know. They don’t live the same lives as us. They don’t get this constant safety advice.” This isn’t to pit men against women, but the fact is that of crimes against women, the majority are committed by men. One dataset found the figure to be 94.4%. “Women are in tune with their gut instincts because we are taught from a very young age that there is this looming danger outside,” Whybro explains. “We don’t get explicitly told it’s men that we need to be scared of or that it’s male violence, but we learn this.”

One of Whybro’s main concerns is the marginalisation women experience when they avoid things to make themselves feel safer, even though the responsibility should lie with perpetrators. She says, “The easy thing most of the time is just opting out of being in those spaces.”

While that doesn’t seem fair, we should listen to our gut instinct because it’s not just some out-of-the-blue feeling. Smriti Joshi, a psychologist for Wysa, says that gut instinct is your brain’s way of processing information quickly and subconsciously and it’s something early humans evolved for protection and survival. “Long before we had the ability to rationalize or weigh up pros and cons, our ancestors relied on fast, instinctive responses to threats,” Joshi says. “Today, we still benefit from that wiring. Gut instinct helps us respond quickly when something feels off, even if we can’t immediately explain why.”

While intuition is a universal, evolutionary trait, how and when it shows up is different for everybody. “It’s shaped by a combination of biological wiring and life experience,” Joshi explains. “We often think of it as a feeling that comes from nowhere, but in reality, it’s your nervous system picking up on subtle cues — changes in facial expression, tone of voice, body language — and matching them to patterns stored from past experiences. Over time, your brain creates shortcuts based on what has felt safe or unsafe in the past. That’s why gut instinct feels so personal: it’s not just general intuition, it’s your intuition, shaped by your own story.”

This personal nature of instincts is complex, and partly why they often aren’t trusted. It’s not possible to perfect the art of bad feelings. “They’re not always accurate because it’s based on previous experience,” Joshi says. “It can sometimes be distorted — especially if past trauma, anxiety, or unconscious bias is in the mix. It’s also possible for gut instinct to misfire when we’re overly stressed or tired.”

A lot of the time, women are also navigating and contending with a culture that has taught them to be compliant. Both Whybro and Joshi agree that because women are regularly undermined or told their safety concerns are exaggerated, they override their instinct in order to seem polite and agreeable. This can mean they never learn to acknowledge, trust and respond to their intuition. “Rebuilding trust in your own instinct is important — it’s an act of self-respect and safety,” Joshi says, “but it’s also helpful to understand where that instinct is coming from. Ask yourself: is this feeling rooted in fear, in pattern recognition, or something else?” Even if that reflection comes later, Joshi says it can help us finetune our gut feelings.

Yatna Ladwa, 38, who works in healthcare and lives in London, always takes note when her usual instinct of being friendly doesn’t kick in — it’s a sign something is unsettling her, even if she can’t put her finger on why. “I’m a friendly person who will say ‘hi’ if you say ‘hi’,” she says. But when she repeatedly spotted a man staring at her in the gym, her instinct told her to avoid him. “One day I was getting off the train and I spotted him standing at the exit. I kept my gaze down and walked faster. Then I heard someone shouting behind me and it was him. I walked faster to my car — my gut told me to keep walking.” She drove away on edge and fearful, but the interaction left her creeped out and wary of seeing him again at the gym.

Gut instinct isn’t hard evidence of a crime, but that doesn’t mean concerns shouldn’t be reported. Maggie Blyth, temporary chief constable and national policing lead for violence against women and girls in Britain, tells R29, “Gut instinct is a powerful thing and we often hear of women who felt a sense of danger or unease in situations when they were right to listen to their gut and get help.” She urges women to report something “that doesn’t feel quite right” so the police can check it out for themselves. “It’s never wasting police time,” Blyth says, though she acknowledges that trust and confidence need to be rebuilt between civilians and police. “We have been working hard to improve our response to sexual exposure and other non-contact sexual offences,” she says, which includes a new training module focused on non-contact sexual offences (such as sexual harassment, indecent exposure, and unsolicited sexual images). There has been an increase in arrests for these types of crimes, she adds.

So when somebody tells you that your instincts are unfounded or exaggerated, remember that while your gut feelings might not be spot on, they likely have been triggered by something — and that’s worth listening to.

*Name has been changed to protect identities.

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If a brand is lucky, it will launch a product that manages to go viral and make the company a household name. Tatcha, a rare exception, has had nearly too many to count. From The Water Cream to The Silk Canvas to The Kissu Lip Mask, the brand has established itself as a modern-day luxury brand with decadent, effective products to back up the hype. And while we don’t want to jinx anything, something tells us that Tatcha’s latest launch will be another notch in its belt of bestsellers.

Meet The Dewy Milk Moisturizer — Tatcha’s newest hydrator and our current summer beauty obsession. Joining Tatcha’s Dewy collection of products (which includes The Dewy Skin Cream, The Dewy Serum, and Luminous Dewy Skin Mist), Dewy Milk Moisturizer is a lightweight hydrator that turns up the glow, not grease, in your skin. (Call it the Skipper to Dewy Skin Cream’s Barbie.)

The Dewy Milk Moisturizer, $64

As the name suggests, Dewy Milk has a fluid-like texture that quenches skin but absorbs readily. “We heard from so many people in our community — including my clients — that while the original Dewy Skin Cream is a favorite, it can feel a bit rich for some skin types,” celebrity makeup artist and Tatcha’s Global Director of Artistry, Daniel Martin, tells Refinery29. “The brand created Dewy Milk Moisturizer as a lighter option, giving you that signature glow in a more breathable, milky texture.” Milk has become somewhat of a beauty buzzword as of late, with products ranging from toners to lip gloss to cleansers drawing inspiration from the dairy product.

But don’t just take my word for it; Dewy Milk has become the talk of R29’s beauty editor Slack channel, with rave reviews pouring in: “Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream was the only product I bought on my first-ever trip to New York — you couldn’t get the brand in the UK at the time — and I instantly fell in love with its cushiony texture and radiant finish,” says our London-based Beauty Director Jacqueline Kilikita. “But as someone prone to breakouts, it didn’t always agree with my skin on oilier days. It seems the Tatcha gods were listening, though, because the brand’s new Dewy Milk Moisturizer takes everything I loved about the original and transforms it into a lighter lotion that my skin drinks up in seconds, and doesn’t break me out or leave behind a film.”

And if that’s not enough, even fans of the OG have had their heads turned by Dewy Milk. “I genuinely didn’t think anything could top the original, but the new Dewy Milk Moisturizer might just be my new go-to, especially for daytime, specifically during these warmer months,” shares Global Beauty Director Sara Tan. “It feels like a serum-meets-moisturizer: it’s impossibly lightweight, glides on like silk, and delivers serious hydration without ever feeling heavy.”

Thanks to ingredients like Japanese purple rice (which lends a natural, lilac hue to the stuff), green tea extract, and zinc hyaluronate (the salt derivative of hyaluronic acid, which combines the hydrating prowess of HA with anti-inflammatory benefits of zinc) to promote soft, supple skin that’s balanced and radiant. “There’s no pilling and no stickiness — just bouncy skin that’s perfectly prepped for sunscreen and makeup,” says Tan. 
If all that isn’t enough, Tatcha also enlisted a friend of the brand, Olympic gymnast (and R29 Powerhouse) Suni Lee to front this extra-special launch. “I’ve been a fan of Tatcha for a long time,” she exclusively tells R29. “I started using the Dewy Skin Cream during my training days because my skin would get super dry from long hours in the gym. [Dewy Milk Moisturizer] is so lightweight but also so nourishing, and that’s what really stands out to me. It’s like a glass of water for my face.” Hydrated, happy summer skin in a bottle? Sign us up.

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Just as Charli XCX predicted at the end of her Coachella 2025 set, we’ve entered “Addison Rae summer” — a not-too-far departure from 2024’s brat summer. And like Charli, the TikTok star turned pop sensation — who wants to go by her mononym after the June 6 release of her self-titled album Addison — has a fashion sense that’s just as distinctive as her music projects.

From itty-bitty denim shorts and round-toe pump heels to cropped graphic T-shirts and lingerie-as-outerwear outfits, Addison’s retro style is Britney Spears-coded with apparent influences from Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, Madonna, and Marylin Monroe — all of whom she names in her song “Money Is Everything.” The 24-year-old has a knack for Y2K-meets-Old-Hollywood dressing. And it’s inspiring our own summer outfits.

If your hot weather style involves laidback, mismatched (and somewhat chaotic) looks, we promise that you can achieve a look that’s more Addison Rae and less Adam Sandler. So if you’d “rather get high fashion” and “get a taste of the glamorous life,” read on for the top summer must-haves to channel the “Aquamarine” singer. (Spoiler: pearls are involved.) Then, all that’s left to do is crack open a Diet Pepsi and “put your headphones on.”

Addison Rae Style: Low-Rise Jeans & Shorts

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In true Y2K fashion, Addison is known for wearing low-rise jeans and mini shorts as everyday outfits and music video costumes. She specifically called out a pair of low-rise Lucky shorts as a staple in a recent GQ interview. On sweltering days, consider a pair of denim cutoffs (preferably with frayed edges) and on cooler days or summer nights, consider low-rise jeans in a flared or bootcut silhouette. Pair them with a graphic tee or bralette depending on the occasion and how scandalous you’re feeling.

Addison Rae Style: Lingerie Sets

The singer also told GQ that beautiful lingerie is non-negotiable, especially worn under casual outfits to spark a sexy energy and confidence throughout the day. In addition to her sultry 2024 VMAs custom lingerie look, it’s also a staple in her music videos like “Diet Pepsi” (a cone bra and matching bedazzled ensemble), “Aquamarine” (under a sheer outfit), “Fame Is A Gun” (in pink latex), and “Times Like These” (paired with fishnet tights). For your own Addison-inspired lingerie, opt for matching sets with balconette bras, sheer bralettes, and corsets to wear under see-through tops and dresses, or on their own paired with your favorite denim for summer festivals and pool parties.

Addison Rae Style: Pump Heels

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“Walk in the room, my high heels on, I strike a pose / Young, dumb, and cute, nothing to lose,” Addison sings on “In The Rain.” When she’s not barefoot, she’s wearing stiletto pumps (quite different to trending kitten heels, but reminiscent of Y2K pop star style). From performing onstage to running errands, she typically opts for Louboutins and round-toe heels. Look out for designs with retro details like peep-toe cut-outs and slingback straps, which are favored by the singer, and wear them everywhere from summer weddings to rooftop parties.

Addison Rae Style: Graphic T-Shirts

Some of the looks that put Addison on the fashion map were her Y2K Paris Hilton-inspired street style ‘fits, all of which included kitschy graphic tees. From pointed phrases to faux sport jerseys, her T-shirts always make a statement — so much so that Troye Sivan recreated one of Addison’s paparazzi photos for Halloween, wearing a pink “Libra” cropped tee and black pumps, while reading Britney Spears’ memoir. Opt for playful graphics and cheeky phrases when shopping and putting together your casual, throw-on-and-go summer outfits.

Addison Rae Style: Pearl Necklaces

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Elevate your everyday and eveningwear looks with a strand of pearls to have “the heart of the ocean around your neck,” like Addison suggests in “Aquamarine.” Her mermaid-chic style reigns during the summer, whether through red carpet dresses, shell-shaped purses, glimmering jewel tones, or lustrous pearls. Luckily, you don’t have to pay a fortune to get the look. We’ve curated a range of simple pearl chokers, layered strands, and pendant necklaces to channel Addison.

Addison Rae Style: Sheer Dresses

Sheer fabrics are a bold-yet-wearable summer dress trend that Addison does well — from donning see-through sequined gowns in the “Aquamarine” video, to wearing a fluttery tulle frock at Coachella that revealed her album release date on underwear that peeked through. The singer obviously loves skin-baring looks, declaring: “I know you like when I wear this dress, I feel best when I’m wearin’ less” on “Times Like These.” For your own wardrobe, try sheer lace, mesh, and sequined dresses worn over swimsuits, boy shorts, slip dresses, or even over pants for a Y2K touch. Then float on as the ethereal pop princess that you are.

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Another Latina stepped in it — again. This time it was Yulissa Escobar who, checks notes, made it through just two days of filming Love Island USA before getting booted from the villa. The Cuban American saw her dreams of small-screen fame come to an end on June 4 after TMZ and Reddit users shared two clips of her casually using the N-word on podcasts. And if Escobar would say that while being recorded, what is she saying off camera?

Since it all went down, she apologized. “I want to apologize for using a word I had no right in using,” she said in an Instagram post on June 6. “I used it ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it. I wasn’t trying to be offensive or harmful, but I recognize now that intention doesn’t excuse impact. And the impact of that word is real. It’s tied to generations of trauma, and it is not mine to use.”

As the videos of Escobar so casually saying the N-word resurfaced, so did a now-deleted TikTok video where she talked about losing social media followers because of her support for President Donald Trump.

As funny TikTok skits of Love Island USA producers pulling Escobar out of her bed in the middle of the night go viral and as online commentators point to her Miami Cuban roots to minimize her anti-Blackness, it’s tempting to just throw Escobar away, to vote her off the proverbial Latinidad island, but actually we need to reckon with her. After all, 39% of Latinas voted for Trump, in tacit support of his vision of a U.S. optimized for white Anglo men at the expense of everyone else. And no, they weren’t all Miami Cubans.

Escobar is hardly the only non-Black Latina to drop the N-word. Generally scandal-free Jennifer Lopez got in trouble for doing it on her 2001 track “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” with Ja Rule. In 2019, Jane the Virgin (and now Will Trent) star Gina Rodriguez caught heat for recording herself using it. And in Latine neighborhoods across the country, the slur slips out of non-Black Latine mouths as commonly as “mija” or “nena.”

So what’s going on here? There appears to be some confusion about our place in the U.S.’ racial hierarchy. While Latinidad is an ethnic identity, not a racial one, and Latines come in every race, it’s true that the U.S. has attempted to racialize Latinidad in an effort to mark us, even the white Latines among us, as different than the Anglo, gringo, or White-with-a-capital-W people who see themselves as the “real” Americans.

But if you’re not Black, you shouldn’t say the N-word. It’s that simple. And while some Latines are Black, many are not — including Escobar, Lopez, and Rodriguez.

Their Latinidad doesn’t give them (or anyone) honorary Black status. Living in neighborhoods that are majority Black doesn’t give non-Black Latines Black status. Dating someone who is Black doesn’t give non-Black Latines Black status. Having Black relatives doesn’t give non-Black Latines Black status. Feeling a shared struggle with Black folks does not give non-Black Latines Black status.

Oftentimes, those non-Black Latines who throw the N-word around casually, like it’s theirs to hurl, want to have it both ways. When it suits them, they’re “women of color” who want street cred and access to Black communities. But when they see it as more advantageous to align with non-Latine white people, they switch. Think of Lopez playing an Italian woman in 2001’s The Wedding Planner — yes, the same year she released that version of “I’m Real.”

And as the last election cycle has shown, large portions of Latines are aligning themselves with whiteness, including those who are themselves racially white but also many who are not but hope their proximity to whiteness, their allegiance to whiteness, will guard them from the country’s racial war against “the other” — even white “others” with Spanish surnames. And when that happens, we get Trump in the White House, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers terrorizing our communities, and an authoritarian regime that is making Latin American dictators jealous.

And as more Latine Trump supporters around the country are realizing amid massive ICE raids, this white loyalty won’t save them — it never has and it never will.

As a group and as individuals, we need to have a better understanding of what it means to be a non-Black Latine. We need to have the conversations — about ethnicity versus race, about privilege, and about organizing for social justice.

There are plenty of people who think the whole concept of Latinidad is a sham, that either it reinforces white supremacy by marking us as different from Black and Indigenous folks or it hurts us by marking us (even the European-descended people among us) as not-white.

I see truth in both of these takes. But what if we used the Latine marker as an organizing principle to call for change? We could be a powerful force inside the U.S. if we were better organized. After all, we’re the biggest “minority,” we account for most of the nation’s growth, and we’d be the fifth-largest economy in the world if we were counted by ourselves.

But too often we fail to leverage that power to advance our needs. Instead, more than a third of Latines lie to themselves and their communities about what their identity means in the United States today. We need to call them out and call them in. Yes, maybe Chicanas have a different frame than Cuban Americans. Maybe experiences in the Northeast look different from those in the Southwest. Maybe someone who looks like Escobar believes her pretty privilege will carry her through whatever mess her surname and ethnicity might get her into — and maybe, where she’s from, it has.

But regardless of our individual circumstances, we need to get to work if we’re ever going to stop being “sleeping giants” and just be giants.

First, we need accountability. I’m glad Escobar got booted from Love Island USA, but white-led corporations are going to be doing less and less of that stuff as we descend further into Trump’s second term. So what can we do? Escobar has nearly 70,000 followers on her Instagram — if you’re one of them, consider unfollowing her and telling her why: that using the N-word is unacceptable and so is voting against the rights of the racially and ethnically marginalized. When folks online or in your personal life do racist things, don’t let it slide. Tell them it’s unacceptable around you and mean it.

Additionally, follow Black people online and support their work. If you want more examples of why Escobar’s path is so foolish, I recommend Franchesca Ramsey’s feed. Her “I never thought the leopards would eat my fact” bit is a hilariously evergreen diddy about how quickly those who claim proximity to whiteness will see that their allegiance does not protect them.

That brings me to being in actual alliance with Black communities, whether they’re also Latine or not. Stop begrudging their success — Black communities didn’t take anything from non-Black Latines — and, instead, support their artists, marches, and ballot measures without trying to take over or make them about you. Encourage your non-Black Latine friends and family members to do the same.

Finally, let’s learn from them. Black folks in the U.S. have been organizing for a more just society — that benefits all of us — for a long time. They’ve built a community consensus and institutions that we could emulate.

Let’s learn and see where we get. I bet it’ll be a lot better than watching one of ours implode on Love Island USA while ICE disappears people — non-citizens and citizens alike — on U.S. streets.

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The last days of spring will bring a cosmic shift we haven’t felt in almost two years. When Mars moves into Virgo from June 17th to August 6th, we will want to care for ourselves and others, use our power wisely, and find peaceful resolutions to matters. We are picking up the pieces from the end of the 2023 summer season — when Mars was last in Virgo — so pay attention to similar themes from that period that might come back to life.

Mars in Virgo is what astrologers call “peregrine,” meaning it is in no essential dignity or detriment. This means we can take control of our narrative by harnessing the current energy of Mars, the warrior planet. If we leverage Mars being in Virgo constructively, resolving  conflicts and dealing with challenges with a practical demeanor, we can use this current energy to our advantage. Conversely, we can use Mars in Virgo to dominate and be critical — leading to drama. In an ideal world, we all  opt for the first choice, but when people around us use their authority as an excuse to be cruel, we need to counteract it with the rational responses Mars in Virgo provides.

If and when we get angry during this period, we need to express that feeling in a smooth, balanced way, otherwise our frustrations could bottle up inside until we pop off. To avoid that, it’s essential to speak up in the moment rather than letting a feeling fester. Journaling emotions is a wonderful way to release pent up stresses and annoyances. Connecting with nature can also help us embrace a relaxed mindset. Self-care routines are essential at this time to detox our auras and bodies of negativity. Make time in the day for R&R — you’re worth the investment.

IKYK that Mars in Virgo is methodical, but did you know that it is the investigator who susses out information before making a decision and taking action? This can be extremely helpful because while Mars likes to argue, when it’s in Virgo it takes time to discover facts and deal with situations. That means rather than being rash and impulsive, we can take our time to be discerning and carefully choose our defense after we gather all the pieces of the puzzle.

Mars in Virgo takes the fair approach. It allows the people to vocalize their thoughts and for us to comprehend their motives. During this transit, we’ll want to hash things out and diffuse intense moments instead of watching them blow up. Coming to an understanding is vital, no matter how complex the situation is. A middle ground is easy to find, thanks to Virgo being a compassionate sign that makes reasonable assessments, so we tend to be a little softer in our approach.

Because Virgo is a pure earth sign, the correlation to Mars (planet of sex) can make hooking up rejuvenating, experimental and kinky. Mars in Virgo likes to spice it up between the sheets. Never holding back on what we deem pleasurable gives us the opportunity to be our true selves. Say goodbye to  shame and allow pleasure to reign.

This year, Mars in Virgo is going to bring a mixed bag of energy. In the first few weeks, we will be feeling exuberant and full of life. With Jupiter and the sun connecting to Mars on June 22nd and 26th, it will give us a chance to heighten our areas; however, on July 20th Maurice connects with the South Node of Destiny, leaving us with low energy and high tempers. Hard conversations about the direction of relationships are coming our way that might not end well on July 2nd, when Mars squares Venus. Be calm and carry on.

Important Dates:

June 17th: Mars enters Virgo, urging us to take steps toward improving our lives.

June 22nd: Mars in Virgo harmonizes with Jupiter in Cancer, expanding our horizons and options.

June 26th: Mars in Virgo aspects the Sun in Cancer, giving us strength and vitality.

July 20th: Mars in Virgo aligns with the South Node of Destiny, reducing our energy and vigor.

July 23rd: Mars in Virgo squares Venus in Gemini, heightening our romantic sentiments and desires.

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Your June 2025 Horoscope Is Here

Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.

Today: a counsellor who makes $130,000 per year and who spends some of her money this week on a blanket from The Bay.

If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.

Editor’s Note: All amounts are displayed in Canadian dollars. 

Occupation: Counsellor
Industry: Education
Age: 36
Location: British Columbia border town
Salary: $118,000 base salary, plus approximately $12,000 in private practice.
Assets: RRSP: $68,000; TFSA: $57,000; emergency fund: $10,000; short-term savings (sinking funds for Christmas presents, car maintenance and insurance, travel): $3,000.
Debt: $0
Paycheck Amount (biweekly): $2,865.17 (base salary); approximately $ 1,000/month for private practice work.
Pronouns: She/her

Monthly Expenses

Housing Costs: $1,930 (rent).
Loan Payments: $0
Renter’s Insurance: $34.59
BCAA: $10.94
Netflix: $8.95
Cell Phone: $81.54
Life Insurance: $127.58
Disability Insurance: $138.51
Internet: $99.40
Spotify: $20.04 for a couple’s membership that I share with my ex (this is working out surprisingly well — we are friends, but it feels like we’ll share this membership forever, which I’m okay with).
Donation: $50 (to a reproductive health clinic).
Savings: $500 to retirement savings; $500 to tax-free savings account; $300 to emergency fund; and $450 to sinking saving funds ($100 to travel; $100 to car maintenance; $100 to car insurance; $100 to new car fund; and $50 to Christmas presents).
Hydro: ~$80 (bimonthly; varies a little bit)

Annual Expenses

Professional Dues: $436
Costco: $130
Car Insurance: $1724

Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, from my parents and myself. I did an International Baccalaureate program in high school and every one of my classmates went on to university. As a kid, I wanted to be an actress or a hairstylist but my mum told me that my dad would not allow it and wanted me to go to university. (I still contemplate being a hairstylist).

Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances?
My dad was a chartered accountant but we didn’t talk about money. I was generally a saver and would lend money to my mum, which continued into adulthood at different points. Both of my parents struggled with managing money effectively.

What was your first job and why did you get it?
I worked as a grocery store cashier when I was 15 and enjoyed it a lot! I still remember some of the PLU codes for fruits and veggies.

Did you worry about money growing up?
Yes, constantly. I worried about what would happen if my dad lost his job and whether there would be enough money for school. This never happened, but I worried constantly.

Do you worry about money now?
Yes, I still worry a lot. I live in a high cost of living area and although I make a good income and save as much as I can, I still feel behind. I identify as queer and have a female partner, so I think about the cost of fertility treatments if I have biological children (and I am currently on a waitlist to freeze my eggs).

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
22 (when I graduated from university). Currently, I do not think my parents would be able to provide much financial support if I found myself in a situation where this was needed — and I would not want to ask. In a worst case scenario, I would cash out savings or draw from a line of credit. This was a big motivation behind purchasing disability insurance in addition to what I have available through my work.

Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.
Yes, I received substantial support from my parents while attending university for my bachelor’s degree (about $12,000 per year for four and a half years). This paid for half of my undergraduate degree. I paid the other half with various part-time jobs.

Day One: Wednesday

6:50 a.m. — I wake up to the sound of my beloved cat, L., meowing for breakfast. We (cough, me) recently started portioning out her food because the vet says she is overweight. She does not like this and has been demanding breakfast earlier each day. After feeding my queen, I lay in bed on my phone for about an hour before dragging myself out of bed. I put on my “Hold on, let me overthink this” shirt and a pair of black Zara jeans. Brush teeth quickly, wash face, deodorant and out the door.

9:30 a.m. — Arrive at a work meeting to discuss a challenging team situation from yesterday. A lot of people are still feeling it, including myself. I started a new job in December and I’ve been struggling with it. I’ve never made this much money before, but the work itself is slow and the emotional cost of the situation is getting higher.

12:30 p.m. — Leave the meeting site, which is conveniently near Costco. I go in with the immediate task of securing a hot dog ($1.56, thank you Costco for the affordable lunch). I walk around browsing and snapping up samples (most yummy is chocolate mini-eggs). I buy Japanese BBQ sauce that I’ve been looking for and a bag of Sour Patch bunnies, which will be a gift for someone, most likely my sister ($21.88). $23.44

1:30 p.m. — Arrive home for WFH afternoon. I set myself up outside on the patio and my chatty L. meows all of her feelings to the neighbours. I consider whether we need to find an animal communicator. We go inside for quiet time.

3:30 p.m. — My dad calls for a chat. He lives in a retirement home in another province and had to go into a care facility at a younger age (63) for significant physical health and mobility concerns. Cognitively, he is sharp as a tack and wants to talk politics, sprinkled with jokes about his day-to-day life at the retirement home. L. meows to say hi while I talk to him. After the call, we are back to emails.

5 p.m. — I shower off the day, and commence a Netflix marathon viewing of Temptation Island. Hello, reminder from my childhood glory days of reality TV. I think about how different it is now — no waiting a week for the next episode — and I think about how this impedes delayed gratification.

10 p.m. — I make a late-night Girl Dinner of a fried egg, toast, and apple with peanut butter. Dessert is nacho chips and salsa.

Daily Total: $23.44

Day Two: Thursday

8:30 a.m. — Rise and shine from the couch (where I fell asleep watching Temptation Island). L. also slept in. Eat nacho chips and salsa for breakfast. Catch up on emails and messages. Work from home this morning and get distracted by cleaning the oven and microwave (for the first time since I cannot remember when). I try this cleaning product recipe (baking soda, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide) and it is okay, but I don’t think I’ll make it again.

12:30 p.m. — Arrive at a coffee shop to meet my coworker for a meeting — except I arrive at the wrong location. Drive to the right coffee shop and arrive 15 minutes late with a huge line. No coffee, no cookie, but could this be a sign it’s a zero spend day? (Yes, is the answer.)

1:30 p.m. — We check out one of our new office spaces and it has been beautifully decorated by the staff onsite. I am blown away by the shift in energy!

3 p.m. — I arrive home and am ready for lunch. I make two fried eggs, two toasts, stir-fry veggies and fries, plus a spinach, raspberry and banana smoothie. I am a better person after eating.

3:30 p.m. — See a message from my realtor that we can go look at a listing I’m interested in tonight at 6:30 p.m. Exciting! I continue messaging my coworkers and planning things for the week.

4:30 p.m. — The work day is done and I watch Miracles From Heaven on Netflix. So many feels. My sister texts that she is struggling and needs help (she is in another province with my nearly three-year-old niece). We FaceTime and chat through my niece’s evening routine. We brush our teeth together and sing a song over the phone. I tell my niece to give my sis “squeezes” (hugs) and I think this helps her feel better.

6:30 p.m. — Walk to the listing (an apartment down the street). The cherry blossoms are in full bloom! I like the unit and it’s lovely in a lot of ways, but there is this feeling “not quite” as I walk home. I will spend my life savings another day.

7:30 p.m. — Barbecue flavour chips seems like a responsible dinner. Yum. Take a bath, catch up on texts, and book a rental car for my visit to see family later in the month.

9 p.m. — Time for a “proper” dinner: salami sandwich with mayo on sourdough bread. I start reading a new book (my goal is one book a month): Love At First Spite. Stave off urges to go get a McFlurry. Barely.

Daily Total: $0

Day Three: Friday

7 a.m. — Wake up early because I have my last session of training this morning (EMDR — amazing training but emotionally activating). Brush teeth and run out the door. My coworker picks me up and I revel in being a passenger princess. We finish the training around 11 a.m. and drive to work.

12:30 p.m. — Lunch for a colleague’s birthday. We eat sushi, takoyaki, and birthday cake. Big chat with my coworkers and then my coworker drives me home.

3 p.m. — I’m finished for the day and I take a nap to celebrate Friday. Wake up around 4:30 p.m. and go to the grocery store for lemonade, a pepperoni cheese stick, ice cream, and popcorn twists. I am a beacon of health for dinner. $19.33

7 p.m. — In Canada, our oldest department store, The Bay, is closing down. A friend’s girlfriend was able to get two of their logo wool blankets at cost since she works for a supplier. There are three of us and two blankets, so a random draw is suggested. I am not chosen but my friend offers for me to take her blanket to save money. Initially I am excited but then I start reading about the colonial history of The Bay. I went to an Indigenous training recently and I feel ignorant at my lack of ability to make connections. The fact that it is a blanket makes me feel extra sick. I message my friends my concern and offer to pay for the blanket but let them know that I don’t feel comfortable keeping it. We reach an agreement that I will buy it for now with the option of my friend to pay me back when her finances settle or I will resell it. I call my girlfriend J. for support and ask her if we can get bubble tea tomorrow if my friends now hate me. She says we can get it either way. $165.27

Daily Total: $184.60

Day Four: Saturday

7 a.m. — Wake up early (this happens to me a lot when I perceive conflict or feel like I’ve let people down). My friend chat is quiet and I’m convinced they hate me. I force myself to go for a walk to return my library books before heading into work at the private practice clinic. I run into one of my coworkers on my walk and she gives me a hug which is really sweet.

9:30 a.m. — I feel better temporarily after the walk. But on my drive to work, I continue overthinking, wishing I had stayed quiet about my feelings and then dealt with the blanket on my own. My last message to the chat was a bid for reassurance that hasn’t come yet and I know the person I really need reassurance from is myself. I get a gruyère sandwich from an Italian grocery store near my work ($9.40, but I have a gift card). I have several client appointments in a row so this will function as brunch for me and allow me to take my medication earlier in the day. Zoloft + therapy has been so helpful for my anxiety. $9.40 (Expensed)

1 p.m. — My friends are sweet and remind me I’m not hated. I feel better but also because I had three reasonably good sessions. My new job has been super slow and it has been dispiriting to not have enough work to do. Having private practice on the side has been a really big help. I have a break between my third and fourth sessions and look at mistint paints (I want to find one to paint wooden deck furniture). No luck at the store, but I do leave with ideas. Go back to work and lay on a beanbag chair until my last client comes.

4:30 p.m. — Get gas on my way home because it is 20 cents cheaper a litre (gas has been varying so much here). Usually I am a fill-it-up-when-it’s-almost-empty girl, which my friends justifiably tease me for, but this feels so adult. $45.46

6 p.m. — J. comes over. I make us a vegan dinner of sweet Korean lentils, okra, and rice. J. is vegan and it was easier than expected to learn how to cook for her. It’s my first-ever relationship that has felt healthy and secure. We both had hard weeks, so our evening is really simple. After dinner, we walk to get bubble tea. J. treats since I treated last weekend. She gets oat milk tea with pearls and I get a taro slush with pearls (it is phenomenal and J. seems really into mine, too). When we get home, J. traces my back with her fingers for a looong time (one of my fave things and I feel so taken care of when she does it) and then it’s her turn. This leads to sex and then we fall asleep snuggled up for a little bit. At midnight, J. goes home and I go back to bed.

Daily Total: $45.46

Day Five: Sunday

6:50 a.m. — Wake up to my cat’s demands for breakfast. Feed her and struggle to go back to bed. Look up cat auto-feeders, then read erotica for about an hour and before falling back to sleep.

11:25 a.m. — Wake up for good and realize the time — wild for me, but nice. Respond to messages and buy a ticket to my friend M.’s comedy open mic show which is later in the week. Start reading Let Them by Mel Robbins (aptly timed for me). Stay inside too long but eventually get out for a short walk. $17.31

4 p.m. — Order a super belated birthday gift for my friend M. It is a notebook with raccoons that says “Trashy Thoughts”, and a multicolour click pen with dogs. We do small gifts and I think she will like these. $17.90

6:30 p.m. — Meet friends for hotpot. There are five of us and it takes a while to get a table. This restaurant serves individual hotpot bowls. I order the veggie bowl and it is just okay for me. But I am glad to see everyone and catch up. My friend B. orders a very spicy hotpot and lets me try his broth. I immediately start coughing and this seems to cheer him up. $25

8:45 p.m. — Drop by J.’s place to chat (I asked her if I could come chat about my feelings and she is very gracious to make time for me). She had a hard day and I find out that she experienced a family loss. We talk and then hold each other. I love her a lot and she is a gem. But I worry that I will overthink things in a misperceiving way or self-sabotage (this is probably down to past bad relationships experiences and a tad too much relational anxiety).

Daily Total: $60.21

Day Six: Monday

6 a.m. — I wake up to my cat’s readiness for breakfast. Feed her and go back to sleep until 7:30 a.m. Wake up with a zest for cleaning (where did this come from?) and tackle the bathroom and the mountain of clean clothes on the floor.

10 a.m. — Meeting in person with colleagues until 1 p.m. I get McDonald’s afterwards (McDouble, small fries, small iced tea) and it is delicious ($6.22). I get Timbits for dessert ($3.19). $9.41

2 p.m. — I was supposed to meet up with my friend and her daughters, but she loses her phone and doesn’t reply back in time. I catch up on emails before seeing a private client at 4:30 p.m. I listen to a webinar on my way home from work called The Case for Taking Sides in Couples Therapy and I wonder if I am the problem in my relationship. I still feel unsettled, even though J. is amazing. I asked my best friend K. if we can do a call tomorrow and we confirm a time.

7 p.m. — On my drive home, I stock up on snacks from the dollar store (three flavours of chips). Today feels extra unhealthy. Then I find out that a friend of mine has moved five hours away without the chance to say goodbye. Her husband was in police training so I knew this was coming, but I didn’t know exactly when. I adore her baby boy and I feel sad I couldn’t say goodbye to them. I debate saying something to her, but decide not to and find peace in that. I know she had to move super quickly after her husband’s grad and think that maybe I can visit her in the summer. Mercury was supposed to come out of retrograde today, but the residual yuck still feels there. $6.04

8 p.m. — I force myself to make dinner, which is spaghetti and meatballs. I clean my kitchen and journal. I play ball with L. and she demonstrates her athletic prowess. I think she was a soccer player in a previous life.

10 p.m. — Phone call with J. for about an hour and then a night-time walk. I check my mail (I love mail!) and realize something for another person down the street was delivered to me. I walk down to the correct building to deliver it. Give L. extra food as a deterrent to a 6 a.m. wake up call — let’s hope!

Daily Total: $15.45

Day Seven: Tuesday

8 a.m. — Wake up and today will be a WFH day. L. wants to play ball again, so we do. My first meeting is at 9:15 a.m. for about an hour. Today is really quiet without anything else scheduled after. I have readings I can do and catching up on emails, etc., but I am struggling with the lack of work right now. I ask my colleague who lives nearby if she wants to take a walk.

11 a.m. — Meet with my colleague to check out a nearby fundraiser book sale. She brings me soup made by her husband. It’s the last day of the book sale and it’s $10 for a bag of books. We each get a bag and lunch (the yummiest egg and cheese sandwich ever; $8 including tip). On my way out, I buy three 50/50 tickets ($10). $28

1:15 — Phone call with my best friend K., who is validating and supportive. She listens to me and we do a quick catchup, but will connect later in the week for a Zoom book club (we meet with another friend and are working through a workbook called Be Kind to Yourself).

4 p.m. — Take a nap. Be lazy and spend a lot of time on the couch this evening. I definitely need to up my activity levels.

9 p.m. — Heat up the soup from my coworker’s husband — his food is magical, too — such a good food day! It’s a lentil veggie soup and I eat it with buttered sourdough toast. I am craving chocolate so I walk to the store to get mini eggs which is the perfect end to the day. $2.63

Daily Total: $30.63

The Breakdown

Conclusion 

“It was really interesting to track my spending this week and made me more aware — not only of money, but also what I eat, my activity levels and mental wellbeing. I don’t feel great about the blanket but I see it as a good learning moment to become more aware of what I buy and how sneaky colonialism can be (in many different forms). I’ve decided that when I get it from my friend, I will re-sell it and donate the proceeds to a local Indigenous organization, and that feels right for me. Reviewing the week makes me feel so grateful for the people in my life, who are so special to me, and for all that I have.”

Money Diaries are meant to reflect an individual’s experience and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29’s point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.

The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more Money Diaries, click here.

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A Week In Toronto On A $335,000 Household Income

Cosmic beings, if you’ve been following my work for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about the 2020 ascension, especially in my article for Refinery29 back in 2020 about what the world could look like by 2032. Now here we are, five years later, and the astrology is catching up to the prophecy. Pluto, the planet of transformation and revolution, officially entered Aquarius in January 2025, where it will remain until 2044. This is major. Aquarius rules revolution, community, rebellion, and systems designed to benefit the people: think of Bob Marley, Huey P. Newton, Angela Davis, and Alicia Keys. The age of illusions is dissolving and the age of awakening is upon us.

We’re also feeling the rumblings of another generational shift: Uranus, planet of disruption and innovation, is at 28º Taurus, preparing to enter Gemini on July 7th after seven years of shaking up our relationships with money, land, food, and ownership. The final degrees of any Uranus transit bring chaotic revelations — buried truths coming to the surface. This week, expect that energy to intensify. Whether we’re talking about the U.S. government, the humanitarian crisis in Congo or gentrification and housing crises in cities like Los Angeles. This is global, and it’s astrological. The system is revealing itself (and it’s crumbling). Will we look away or lean in?

On June 15th at 10:36am EST, Jupiter in Cancer forms a tense square to Saturn in Aries, bringing tension between our desire for care, community, and safety (Cancer) and the need to uphold boundaries, structures, and discipline (Aries). It’s giving “protect the people at all costs” energy. Jupiter wants to expand love and nurture, and Saturn demands we get serious about how we do it. Whether it’s family drama, government repression, or collective exhaustion, this square asks us: What are you willing to stand for? And what systems do we need to dismantle or rebuild to protect what truly matters?

Then, on June 18th at 11:16 p.m. EST, Jupiter squares Neptune in Aries, creating fog and confusion, but also a deep spiritual reckoning. It’s like the rose-colored glasses finally fall off and the grief sets in, but so does the resolve. We may feel emotionally raw, even disillusioned, but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. On the contrary, this square is here to help us get clear about what’s worth fighting for, and what delusions or distractions we must release to live more aligned lives.

Luckily, Mars enters Virgo on June 17th at 4:31 a.m. EST, just in time to bring some much- needed grounding. After weeks of pride-fueled theatrics with Mars in Leo, Mars in Virgo wants us to clean house, quite literally. All signs will be feeling a desire to organize, declutter, simplify, and start fresh. But beware: Mars in Virgo can bring out our inner perfectionist. Don’t get stuck trying to do everything “right.” Do it with intention. Start where you are, and let progress be the new perfection.

Finally, we wrap the week with the Summer Solstice on June 20th at 10:42 p.m. EST, when the Sun enters Cancer. The longest day of the year brings a moment of pause and celebration. Cancer Season is a time of emotional nourishment, family reunions, and ancestral remembrance. We’re being asked to return home: not just physically, but spiritually. What does safety feel like in your body? What communities make you feel loved? This solstice, let your answers guide your next chapter.

Read your horoscopes for your Sun and Rising signs for the most in-depth forecast.

Aries Sun & Rising:

This week, Aries, the tension between your inner and outer world becomes impossible to ignore. With Jupiter now in Cancer, activating your sector of home, roots, and emotional security, you may feel a deep urge to create more nurturing and stable foundations. But on June 15th, Jupiter squares Saturn in your sign, which is activating your sector of identity, self-worth, and autonomy. It’s a cosmic tug-of-war: your desire to care for or be cared for clashes with your need to assert your independence.

Whether it’s family, roommates, ancestral ties, or even the concept of “home” itself, this transit asks: where are you overextending emotionally, and what boundaries do you need to fortify? Then on the 18th, Jupiter squares Neptune (also in your sign), making it easy to spiral into self-doubt or guilt. You may wonder, “Am I doing enough?” But this square is not here to shame you, it’s here to help you forgive yourself, soften your inner voice, and reimagine what it means to belong.

Luckily, Mars, your planetary ruler, enters Virgo on June 17th, helping you find focus through functionality. This transit activates your sector of health, work, and daily routines. After the ego-saturated drama of Mars in Leo, you’re ready to tune out the noise and return to the rituals that keep you grounded. It’s giving “clean the house, drink the water, mind your business” energy — not out of avoidance, but as an act of self-respect. If you’ve been avoiding a conversation, a doctor’s visit, or a commitment to your body’s needs, now’s the time to create a plan you’ll actually stick to. Start small and stay consistent.

By the time the sun enters Cancer on June 20th, you’ll feel an emotional softening. Cancer Season activates your sector of roots and family even further, making this solstice a turning point in how you relate to care — both giving and receiving it. There’s power in learning to mother or reparent yourself. There’s power in telling your family what you need, or in creating chosen family where your truth is safe. This solstice, come home to yourself.

Taurus Sun & Rising:

Taurus, this week’s astrology hits your soul like a plot twist you felt coming but still weren’t fully prepared for. Jupiter is now in Cancer, activating your communication sector, and on June 15th, it squares Saturn in Aries, which is in your sector of healing, surrender, and the subconscious. This transit may stir up hidden fears or blockages that have lingered unspoken. Maybe a truth you’ve been holding in out of fear of judgment or rejection now wants to be released. Then, Jupiter squares Neptune in Aries on the 18th, making your dreams feel extra vivid or your intuition eerily on point. But be mindful: this isn’t about spiraling into worst-case scenarios or over-explaining yourself to be understood. It’s about trusting that your voice has power, even when it trembles.

When Mars enters Virgo on June 17th, you’ll get a confidence boost in your sector of creativity, romance, and play. If Mars in Leo had you stressing over what others think, Mars in Virgo says: “Cool story, but how do you feel?” Use this transit to reconnect with your inner child. Make art that’s messy and sacred. Say what you mean in love, even if it’s awkward. This Mars transit can help you heal self-doubt that’s kept you playing it safe, especially when it comes to pursuing joy just for joy’s sake.

The solstice arrives June 20th, and Cancer Season officially begins. For you, Taurus, it’s a cosmic green light to express yourself more freely. Let this be a season of softness and connection — with your audience, your friends, your loved ones, your ancestors. You’ve been listening closely to the universe. Now it’s your turn to respond.

Gemini Sun & Rising:

Gemini, this is the week you’ll realize that your worth isn’t up for debate. With Jupiter now in Cancer lighting up your money and self-esteem zone, you’re being asked to slow down and take stock of what (and who) you give your energy to. The squares to Saturn and Neptune in your career sector may feel like a reality check… maybe that gig you thought would take off is dragging, or maybe you’re realizing you’ve outgrown your own expectations. Instead of spiraling or overworking yourself to “fix” everything, ask: what actually feels nourishing right now? Your values are evolving, and so is your relationship to success. Let your worthiness lead the way.

Mars enters Virgo on the 17th, charging up your home and family sector for the next six weeks. You might suddenly feel the urge to deep-clean, redecorate, or set stronger boundaries in your personal space. Try not to project your perfectionism onto the people you live with — this Mars transit is more about finding inner order than forcing outer control. Be patient with what needs to shift slowly.

By the time the solstice hits on June 20th, the Sun joins Jupiter in your sector of values and income, officially kicking off Cancer Season. This is your cosmic green light to stop downplaying what you bring to the table. Get clear on your financial goals, but also your emotional ones. You don’t have to grind to prove your worth — what’s already inside of you is enough.

Cancer Sun & Rising:

Cancer, can you feel that? You’re getting the cosmic memo to vibe and thrive. With Jupiter newly in your sign, your self-worth is bubbling up. But this week’s squares to Saturn and Neptune in your romance and creativity sectors may feel like they’re raining on your parade… maybe you’re second-guessing your latest pitch or doubting if that passion project will land right. Instead of spiraling, breathe into it: these growing pains are expanding your creative integrity. You’re learning that even the most authentic ideas can take time to bloom. This is a week to be radically honest with yourself about where fear of failure or rejection may be holding you back from glowing fully. You don’t have to water yourself down to be accepted. You just have to keep showing up.

Mars enters Virgo on June 17th, activating your communication sector. For the next six weeks, the universe is giving you homework: refine the way you speak to yourself. Catch your inner critic mid-sentence and choose compassion instead. You’ll also be more discerning in how and with whom you share your thoughts. This is your season of building mental discipline, whether that’s journaling, working on a manuscript, or finally sending the email you’ve been avoiding.

As Cancer Season begins on June 20th with the solstice, it’s time to take the throne. You’re entering your solar return with a fresh dose of divine authority. Celebrate the journey you’ve been on and get clear about what kind of story you want to write in this next chapter. You’re not who you were last year. Let that be your power.

Leo Sun & Rising:

Leo, this is the part of your story where you realize your legacy starts with your inner world. Jupiter in Cancer has entered your sector of rest, healing, and closure, urging you to slow way down. But this week’s squares to Saturn and Neptune in Aries — in your sectors of travel and expansion — might have you feeling major FOMO or restlessness. Maybe plans get delayed, or your desire to “do more” clashes with your soul’s craving to simply be. Instead of pushing past your limits, what if you honored your need to unplug and recalibrate? You’re not lazy… you’re integrating. You’re releasing timelines and embracing divine timing.

Meanwhile, Mars makes its shift out of your sign on the 17th and enters Virgo for the next six weeks, activating your money sector. This earthy transit helps ground you in your worth. Financial discipline gets easier when you’re focused on why you’re doing what you do. Set clearer intentions around your hustle. And if you’ve been afraid to raise your rates or launch something that truly reflects your value — now’s the time.

As the solstice arrives on June 20th and Cancer Season begins, your emotional awareness gets supercharged. You may feel more nostalgic than usual, or find yourself reflecting on what (and who) you’re willing to leave behind. The more you create space for spiritual cleansing, the brighter your solar return season will be next month.

Virgo Sun & Rising:

Virgo, this is the week you’ll remember: just because you can do it all doesn’t mean you should. Jupiter in Cancer lights up your community sector, helping you attract aligned collaborators and friends. But this week’s squares to Saturn and Neptune in your intimacy and relationship zones may expose relational patterns that no longer align with you. Are you overextending yourself to be liked or included? Are you being vague about your own needs to keep the peace? Jupiter is reminding you that boundaries are a love language — especially with yourself.

Meanwhile, Mars enters your sign on June 17th, and that’s big news. For the next six weeks, the Universe is putting you front and center. This transit is about embodied action: the version of you who shows up boldly, unapologetically, and with precision. Just don’t let perfectionism paralyze you. Consistent progress over polish, always.

As the week comes to a close, Cancer Season and the June 20th solstice invite you to soften into connection. You’re being asked to lead with your heart, not just your to-do list. Share your wins, celebrate your people, and let yourself be poured into. You’ve got nothing to prove, just everything to be.

Libra Sun & Rising:

Libra, this is the week your inner compass says: pivot. Jupiter in Cancer is elevating your career sector, and big blessings are on their way. But with Jupiter squaring off with Saturn and Neptune squaring in your health and routine zones, the first thing you may feel is tired. These transits are your cosmic red flag: your body is asking for a new strategy. You don’t need to burn out to succeed. In fact, the more you trust your rhythms and rest intentionally, the clearer your path to purpose becomes.

On the 17th, Mars in Virgo begins its six-week journey through your spirituality and subconscious sector. Expect your dreams (both literal and metaphorical) to become more active. You may want to deepen your rituals or spend more time in solitude. This is your chance to rewire your inner beliefs and dismantle limiting self-talk that’s been on loop for too long.

By the time the solstice arrives and Cancer Season begins on June 20th, you’ll be more aware of what’s worth your energy and what’s just a distraction. Give yourself permission to climb your own ladder — not the one society built for you. Your success story is already being written… make sure it has your name on it.

Scorpio Sun & Rising:

Scorpio, this is the week you realize expansion doesn’t always look like more — sometimes it looks like truth. With Jupiter now in Cancer, your sector of wisdom, publishing, and long-term vision is activated for the next 13 months. This week, however, Jupiter squares Saturn and Neptune in Aries, which govern your health, work, and wellness. You may feel torn between a deep desire to pursue big dreams and the sobering realization that your daily habits and energy levels don’t yet support them. Instead of spiraling, use this friction as motivation to redesign your systems. You’re not stuck, you’re being recalibrated.

Your planetary ruler Mars enters Virgo on June 17th and activates your community sector, helping you call in more aligned collaborators and friends these next six weeks. But with Mars in this detail-focused earth sign, you’ll also become much more discerning about who and what gets your time. No more fake support systems or draining group chats… this transit empowers you to say no without guilt.

The week ends with the June 20th solstice and start of Cancer Season, which anchor you in spiritual softness. You’ll find yourself reflecting more deeply on your role in the world and how your voice or story could help others. Whether through writing, mentoring, or traveling somewhere you’ve long dreamed of, let your heart guide you into the second half of the year.

Sagittarius Sun & Rising:

Sagittarius, this is the week you realize your heart has its own timeline, and you’re finally catching up to it. Jupiter in Cancer is activating your sector of intimacy, soulmates, and deep emotional transformation. This can feel exhilarating and unsettling — especially with Jupiter forming tense squares to both Saturn and Neptune in your sector of romance, fate, and creativity. You may feel torn between surrendering to a magnetic connection or playing it safe out of fear of disappointment. Childhood wounds or past heartbreaks may resurface, asking to be acknowledged. But this isn’t a test; it’s a reminder that your heart is wiser now. Let it lead with discernment, not defense.

Mars in Virgo begins a six-week activation of your career and legacy sector starting June 17th. This is your time to sharpen your focus and refine your vision for what long- term success looks like. Don’t get caught up in comparisons. Every little step you take now matters more than you know.

Cancer Season begins on June 20th, activating your sector of depth, merging, and outside resources. You’re being pulled inward this season — into healing, pleasure, and release. Let the solstice mark the shedding of self-sabotage and the welcoming of emotional reciprocity.

Capricorn Sun & Rising:

Capricorn, this is the week you realize commitment is more than showing up… it’s being seen. Jupiter in Cancer is spotlighting your relationship sector, and the squares it forms to Saturn and Neptune in your sector of home and roots might bring up generational wounds or family patterns you’ve outgrown. You may be grappling with where your loyalty lies, with who you’ve been, or with who you’re becoming. If you’re partnered, conversations around safety, space, and emotional labor could arise. If you’re single, this is about breaking free from unconscious scripts about who you should love versus who truly feels like home.

Mars in Virgo enters your travel and exploration sector on June 17th, bringing six weeks of clarity about what lights your fire. You’re craving more meaning right now… not just in your career, but in your everyday experiences. Let curiosity gently guide you.

With the sun entering Cancer on June 20th, relationship energy deepens even further. Whether you’re calling in new love or recommitting to yourself, this solstice is about emotional integrity. No more performing, Capricorn. Focus on cultivating presence.

Aquarius Sun & Rising:

Aquarius, this is the week you realize burnout is not a badge of honor — it’s a sign to pause. Jupiter is in Cancer now, supercharging your sector of health, work, and daily rhythms. But this week, it forms two sharp squares to both Saturn and Neptune in your sector of communication, information, and tech. You might feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of messages, tasks, or mental chatter. It’s time to unplug from the chaos and refocus on the essentials. Don’t believe every critical thought your mind throws at you, especially if it’s rooted in scarcity or urgency. Prioritize your mental peace.

On June 17th, Mars enters Virgo, activating your sector of emotional depth, sex, and transformation. This six-week period invites you to take your power back — not through force, but through strategic boundaries and honest self-inquiry. If it’s not growing you, it’s draining you.

Cancer Season begins on June 20th, encouraging you to build new routines that support your nervous system. This solstice reminds you that caring for your body is spiritual work. Slow it all the way down as the week comes to a close, and be intentional about what you’d like the second half of 2025 to look and feel like.

Pisces Sun & Rising:

Pisces, this is the week you realize that your worth is not up for negotiation, no matter who’s watching. With your ruler Jupiter now in Cancer lighting up your sector of joy, creativity, and romance, you’re being asked to let yourself shine, even when it feels vulnerable. But Jupiter’s squares to Saturn and Neptune in your sector of money, security, and values may stir up insecurities around being “too much” or not enough. You might be reevaluating how you price your work, how you advocate for your needs, or how you speak about your talents. This tension isn’t here to break you — it’s here to help you claim your space louder and prouder.

Mars enters your opposite sign of Virgo on June 17th, sparking six weeks of energy in your relationship sector. You’ll crave more clarity and structure in your partnerships — whether business or personal. It’s a good time to co-create something beautiful, but only if it’s mutual, and if you allow yourself to pace yourself instead of rushing into it.

The solstice on June 20th opens the door to even more heart-centered expression as Cancer Season begins. As the week comes to and end, make room for more play, more softness, more joy, Pisces. You don’t have to earn your happiness — you just have to consistently let it in without trying to make it last forever.

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Your June 2025 Horoscope Is Here

Zara’s latest arrivals are the kind to make you rethink everything in your summer wardrobe. The silhouettes are fresh but familiar — think classic staples with a twist, like lightweight dresses with sculptural volume, crisp co-ord sets that go from city to escape, and airy separates that wear as well on the plane as they do poolside.

The new summer drop is packed with vacation-ready pieces: gauzy pieces fit for the swampiest days, sleek thong kitten heels, and low-back swimsuits that double as bodysuits when paired with flowy skirts or linen trousers. And if your calendar is filling up with nuptials, stunning summer wedding guest dresses abound in everything from splashy prints to right-now butter yellow.

The best part? These new arrivals don’t demand a full wardrobe overhaul. They’re the kind of effortless upgrades that instantly elevate what you already own, making even a simple tee or pair of denim shorts feel styled with intention. Whether you’re building vacation outfits, refreshing your weekend looks, or just ready to shake things up for summer, consider this your cue to start with Zara’s latest.

Zara New Arrivals: Dresses

From sculptural one-shoulder styles to breezy cotton midis, these dresses are designed for heat-drenched days and golden-hour dinners. Whether you’re going coastal or staying in the city, they’ll carry you through the season.

Zara New Arrivals: Tops

Crochet, denim, bright colors, and delicate details — this season’s tops are all about texture and uniqueness. Pair them with cutoffs, wide-leg pants, or anything vacation-ready already in your suitcase.

Zara New Arrivals: Pants & Shorts

The perfect summer pant? Laidback, breathable, and ready for anything. From floaty linen to Bermuda shorts, these bottoms bring the comfort and the vibes.

Zara New Arrivals: Vacation Clothing

Summer calls for a few new vacation pieces (even if it’s just for the relaxed mindset). First, they need to be airy — it’s hot, function matters. Second, they should veer just outside your comfort zone to feel fun and playful.

Zara New Arrivals: Matching Sets 

Nothing makes packing (or getting dressed) easier than a good set. These matchy-matchy pieces go from city to escape — and back again — with zero effort.

Zara New Arrivals: Swim

Zara’s swim lineup is serving this season. From Y2K-inspired floral embellishments and bold cut-outs to ultra-low backs and fresh takes on classic stripes, these suits are made for vacay and Instagram (because, duh) — whether you’re poolside or oceanside.

Zara New Arrivals: Shoes

The summer shoe theme this year? Ease. From trendy boat shoes to thong kitten heels and gladiator-style leather sandals, these are the kinds of picks you can happily wear for miles.

Zara New Arrivals: Bags

Light, sleek, and incredibly versatile — you’ll carry Zara’s new-in bags everywhere. From summer workwear to beach-day essentials, they truly go with everything.

Shop all Zara new arrivals

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In ancient times, the summer solstice was marked as a period of spiritual arrival for one’s soul. It was a symbolic announcement of one’s light reaching its peak glory, in alignment with the sun arriving at its highest elevation in the sky. This was viewed as a time when people displayed bold passion, were encouraged to be visible, gained immense clarity, and basked in pure joy.

The summer solstice, which occurs on June 21, doesn’t just announce the arrival of the summer; it announces the arrival and liberation of your own free spirit after months of hibernating in the winter’s cold. It is a portal that encourages you to consider: How am I dimming my own light and what can I do to bring more of it out into the world?

The tarotscopes I write aren’t about vague predictions. These channeled messages are crafted to help you course-correct where needed, get you to tap into the momentum that’s already building beneath, and align you to your highest self.

Dive into your sign’s tarotscopes or read your moon, rising, and venus signs for additional direction. Use these summer solstice scopes to conjure your most magnificent life.

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