On December 4th, the New Moon Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius will carry the energy of your typical New Moon - times 100. Fresh starts and new beginnings as they relate to the things that expand your consciousness are featured by this transit. Now is a great time to explore yoga, make long-distance travel plans, or check things off of your bucket list that will lead to a deeper and more fully rounded you.
The Full Moon in Gemini taking place on December 18th will bring closure to ongoing conversations. In astrology, the Full Moon is a period of reckoning, manifestation, and culmination. Gemini is a sign representing duality and communication. Expect any pending contracts and agreements to be completed at this time. On the following day, Venus will move into retrograde in Capricorn. Venus Retrograde is not a time to move forward or to begin anything new.
Instead, use this time to pause and reflect on your romantic relationships, beauty regimens that you may want to update in the near future, and the way you approach money! If you send or receive a “hey big head” text at this time don’t be surprised. You are likely to revisit - or to be revisited by ghosts of relationships past! Chiron turns direct for the first time since mid-July on December 19th. Any issues that you’ve been in denial about or sweeping under the rug will have to be dealt with now, no matter how painful or inconvenient.
On December 21st, the Sun enters Capricorn, shining a light on the way we collectively approach work, business, tradition, structure, and rules. On December 24th, Saturn in Aquarius forms its third and final square to Uranus in Taurus. Look back at what occurred in your life around the time of the first two squares that took place on February 17th and June 14th. They will clue you in to what you can expect during this month’s square.
Collectively, the events that this transit will create tension in our desire for freedom and our need for stability.
Jupiter will enter Pisces on the 28th, closing out 2021. This phase will usher us into an era that highlights the need for intuition, introspection, philanthropy, selflessness, sensitivity, and deep spirituality.
Here’s what you can expect for your zodiac sign in December.
Aries
AriesLaci Jordan for xoNecoleWelcome to a better and bolder you this month, Aries! The New Moon Total Solar Eclipse taking place on December 4th will highlight your 9th house of expansion, luck, and higher consciousness. Expect new beginnings as it relates to anything that will broaden your horizons intellectually and physically. You may finally begin planning that dream getaway, enroll in college courses, or begin exploring a new discipline like psychology or philosophy. The Full Moon in Gemini on the 18th will bring closure to any ongoing negotiations or discussions that you may have been experiencing since mid-June. You may receive or upgrade a tech item or receive insights and closure as it relates to a matter dealing with your siblings or neighbors.
Chiron heads direct in your sign on the 19th for the first time since July. Unhealed wounds as it relates to how you look or are perceived by others may be triggered in the coming weeks. Acknowledge your insecurities now so that they can be released and healed permanently. Venus heads backward in Capricorn on the 19th of this month where it will remain until late January. During this time, any career progress that you’ve made since early November may begin to stall. Now is an excellent time to focus on your work, but don’t expect to receive accolades for your actions until Venus retrograde ends on January 29th.
On the 24th, Saturn in your 11th house of friendships will form a tense aspect with Uranus in your 2nd house of value and self-worth. Do you feel like a friend has been taking you for granted? Have you outgrown your friend group and feel that you no longer share the same interests or values? Have your relationships with your work colleagues been a little tense this year? Look back at the events that took place in mid-February and mid-June of this year. They will clue you into what you can expect during this time.
Finally, on the 28th of the month, Jupiter enters your 12th house where it will remain for much of 2022. This marks the beginning of what will be an incredibly introspective 12 months for you. Take this time to reflect, and introspect. Begin a meditation, yoga, reiki or spiritual bath regimen that will serve you well for the remainder of this year into next year. Get ready for a deeper, more intuitive you, Aries!
Taurus
TaurusLaci Jordan for xoNecoleThings are about to get pretty intense for you, Taurus! The New Moon Total Solar Eclipse taking place on the 4th of this month will illuminate your 8th house. Look out for new beginnings as it relates to sex, death, investments, and other people’s money. This month’s Full Moon takes place in Gemini on December 18th. Any matters relating to the things that you value, your sense of self-worth, and what makes you feel safe and secure, financially and otherwise, will reach a boiling point in order to be permanently resolved.
Chiron heads out of retrograde motion on the 19th, forcing you to address any deep subconscious wounds and unhealed trauma that you may have been negatively impacting your life and your relationships. This is an excellent time to engage in shadow work. Acknowledge and address the sides of yourself and any negative past experiences that you usually try to deny. Venus heads backward on the 19th in your 9th house. You are likely to find that new habits you’ve embarked on early last month will temporarily come to halt. Perhaps the pandemic is getting in the way of your upcoming college courses or travel plans.
Venus retrograde is not a time to embark on anything new. Instead, take a moment to reflect on when and how you’d like to go about expanding your physical and mental horizons.
On the 21st, the Sun enters Capricorn, lighting up the area ruling luck and expansion in your chart. Don’t shy away from pondering on any bold moves at the end of this month, Taurus, but don’t make them until after January 29th, otherwise, you are likely to experience inconvenient setbacks! Saturn will square Uranus for the last time this year on the 24th. Expect to experience tension in the way you present yourself publicly and your career reputation. Make your IG private, especially if you are interviewing. Now is not the time to assert your individuality at work. Be extra careful of keeping your social personality separate from your work persona now.
If you feel like your career path doesn’t really align with who you are as an individual, issues will be brought to the forefront for you to reflect and ponder on now. Look back to the events that took place during the Saturn-Uranus squares in February and June of this year for a sense of what you can expect during this time. You’re going to receive a preview of what will be a bustling year for you socially, Taurus! Expect your social connections and friendships to grow beginning on the 28th of this month into the majority of 2022. Cheers to a popular new you, Taurus!
Gemini
GeminiLaci Jordan for xoNecoleAre you looking to get booed up, Gemini? Love is likely to find you around the 4th of this month when the New Moon Total Solar Eclipse lights up the area in your chart dealing with long-term partners and relationships. Get ready to take romance to the next level! The Full Moon takes place in your sign on the 18th. Have you been contemplating a new look, persona, or how you choose to present yourself to the public? This is likely to be solidified now. Maybe you have finally decided to debut a new look or to refine your social media presence in some way. If so, the stars are on your side at this time.
Chiron heads direct on the 19th in your house of friendships. Any sensitive issues related to your social circle may crop up now. No matter how uncomfortable or painful, they will be brought to light in the coming weeks in order to be resolved. Venus goes retrograde on the 19th in your house of sex, death, and other people’s money. Don’t embark on any new investments now if you can help it, Gemini! Your sex life may take a backseat to more pressing issues between now and January 29th.
Take this time to properly vet any and all prospective sex partners so that you don’t experience any regrets later! Expect old lovers to come out of the woodwork now as well - if they do, enjoy it while it lasts. They are likely to head back out of the picture once Venus heads direct again. On the 21st, the Sun will light up this area of your chart as well, shuffling up any feelings of deep sexual desire. Get ready for the intensity to be dialed up, Gemini! December 24th ushers in the third and final Saturn-Uranus square, creating tension in your urge to make bold moves, and your desire to self-isolate and introspect.
Look to the events during the first two Saturn-Uranus squares that took place in mid-February and mid-June of this year for clues as to what you can expect at the end of this month. On a positive note, Jupiter is going to bless you with career luck beginning on the 28th and into much of 2022. Expect bigger and better opportunities when it comes to your job. Promotions or a new, higher-paying job are in the cards for you over the next 12 months, Gemini!
Cancer
CancerLaci Jordan for xoNecoleGet ready to embark on a new health journey, Cancer! The New Moon Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius offers the perfect opportunity to start a fresh new diet or exercise regimen. The Full Moon on the 18th will illuminate your house of subconscious and hidden feelings. Trust your intuition and gut instincts now. Any hunches or revelations you experience at this time are likely to have deeper significance than you may initially realize.
Chiron goes direct on the 19th in the area of your chart ruling your career. Job insecurities are likely to crop up now and in the coming weeks. Venus goes retrograde on the same day which may temporarily stall any relationship progress as well. If so, don’t take it to heart. If you or your boo have seemed a bit distracted lately, give it space. Things will return to normal and will receive an extra boost to boot when Venus heads direct on January 29th.
The Sun will light up this same house two days later indicating that you will spend a lot of mental energy on your relationship. Even if you are forced to be temporarily apart or to hold off on taking things to the next level, your relationship will remain on your mind. But worry not! You will get creative in remaining connected. Single? Take this time to scratch up your Tinder profile. How can you make yourself a more desirable partner? Reflect on that during this period.
Saturn will form a tense aspect with Uranus for the third and final time this year, creating friction between your lover and a friend. Or perhaps there will be an issue with yourself and your friend’s lover. Does a friend owe you money? You may finally decide it’s time for them to come up out of those pockets! Whatever pops up now is the result of a deeper, ongoing issue that will need to be resolved at this time.
Jupiter enters your 9th house of expansion, giving you a double whammy of luck, boldness, and blessings as you expand your horizons and gain newfound courage to try bigger and better experiences than what you’ve been used to.
This is a sneak peek into what will be quite an adventurous 2022 for you, Cancer! Whether you decide to travel more, gain new experiences, or expand your knowledge in some way, you are likely to take a less conservative approach to life than you have previously. Get ready for a bold new you!
Leo
LeoLaci Jordan for xoNecoleAll work and no play make Leo a dull girl! This month will show you that more than ever. December 4th’s New Moon Total Solar Eclipse will illuminate your house of dating, soulmates, sex, creativity, and fun. The three days leading up to and proceeding this New Moon is the perfect time to swipe right on Tinder and meet up with a new cutie - taking into account any and all safety precautions of course! Not on the market? Expect a boost in creativity, your artistry, or to give a new sex toy a fun whirl! Now’s the time to express yourself in a fun and authentic way, you’re certainly going to feel the urge and spark to!
The Full Moon in Gemini on the 18th brings a culmination or epiphany to an issue related to a friend. Perhaps you find a solution to a problem your friend has been dealing with, or you decide to have a heart-to-heart in order to finally address the elephant in the room of a matter that has been affecting your friendship. Chiron heads direct for the first time since July on the 19th. Any wounds that you’ve experienced relating to religious upbringing and moral conditioning will be brought to a head now.
Venus goes retrograde the same day, slowing down the progress you’ve made on new health habits. Has your weight loss hit a plateau since early last month? Don’t lose hope. Keep at it. Progress will more than likely resume when Venus turns direct on the 29th of next month. The Sun will light up this same area of your chart two days later, giving you the extra boost to patiently deal with any health setbacks. December 24th brings the third and final Saturn-Uranus square, creating tension between your career and your long-term partner. Has work been getting in the way of time spent with your partner? Are you contemplating whether to relocate, with or without your boo?
Whatever issues came to a head during the first two squares that took place in mid-February and mid-June of this year are likely to come up again for resolution and conclusion. On December 28th, Jupiter will begin its journey to expand your 8th house of sex, transformation, death, and other people’s money. Expect to reflect on matters relating to investments, inheritance, new lovers, and mortality beginning now and into much of next year. Sex that you experience over the next several months is likely to be intense and transformative. Get ready for a sexy new you this year and beyond, Leo!
Virgo
VirgoLaci Jordan for xoNecoleYour foundation and what you call home are about to shift, Virgo! Make room for new beginnings on the 4th as it relates to your family or living arrangement when the New Moon Total Solar Eclipse lights up that area in your chart. The Full Moon in Gemini on the 18th will bring career matters to a culmination. Whether you finally receive well-deserved recognition, decide to make a career change, or decide that you actually aren’t happy with your career, you are likely to experience a sudden revelation when it comes to this area of your life.
The following day, Chiron heads direct in your house of sex, other people’s money, death, and investments. Any sensitive issues relating to the death of a loved one, your own mortality, the way you engage in sex, or anything else is likely to be exacerbated. This will feel uncomfortable and you will feel triggered, but these issues need to be addressed so that you can finally heal and move on from them.
Allow yourself to experience this pain so that you can release it and so that it doesn’t manifest in heartbreak, emotional turmoil, or ill health down the line. This is the crux of what shadow work is all about. Engage in it now.
Venus heads retrograde in your house of fun, sex, dating, creativity. You may notice a bit of a slow down in these areas of your life in comparison to the boost you received early last month up until now. Whatever setbacks you experience will resolve themselves by the time Venus turns direct on January 29th. Now is a time to study, reflect on and read up on all of the ways you’d like to enhance your creative expression. December 24th brings the third and final Saturn-Uranus square of the year, creating tension between your job and your daily habits. Are you feeling boxed in at work? Do you feel like your daily responsibilities are preventing you from living life to the fullest? Are you living to work instead of working to live?
This frustration is likely to come to a head for you now and you may find that you are not able to tolerate feeling so restricted by your job or lifestyle any longer. Look back to the events of the first two Saturn-Uranus squares (in mid-February and mid-June) for a sense of what’s to come! Get ready for a period of new love, partnerships, and serious relationships, Virgo! Jupiter enters your 7th house on December 28th and will bring relationship blessings now into much of next year. If you’ve been looking to take intimacy to the next level, now’s your chance, Virgo!
Libra
LibraLaci Jordan for xoNecoleDecember 4th’s New Moon Total Solar Eclipse will light up your 3rd house of siblings, communication, technology, and short-distance travel. Your inclination to put the past in the past and to let bygones be bygones regarding any lingering sibling issues is likely. Expect to wrap up negotiations, contracts, or legal agreements now. On a fun note, you may also get a new gadget or decide to spruce up your social media presence around this time. Chiron heads direct on the 19th in your house of long-term relationships.
You may encounter a painful but healing discussion with your partner in the coming days and weeks. Whatever relationship issues you have been trying to sweep under the rug will come to the forefront. Address them now, as uncomfortable as it will be so that you can finally release and heal from them. Venus also heads retrograde from the 19th until January 29th. Now is not the ideal time to move, purchase a new home or make any major decisions as it relates to your living or family arrangements. Whatever new decisions you make now will experience delays and setbacks.
Instead, take this time to deeply reflect on any upcoming decisions that need to be made relating to your family and home so that you can hit the ground running and move forward when Venus heads direct late next month. Although you won’t necessarily be able to move forward on any plans, family, and home will be on the forefront of your mind as Sun enters this area of your chart on the 21st to remain until late January. You will be spending a lot of time and energy on looking for a new place, house hunting, family planning, deciding to expand your family, moving in with your boo, or splitting up altogether.
Saturn and Uranus form its third and final square, creating tension in the way you approach sex and relationships. Are you experiencing an unfulfilling sex life? You may decide that something needs to finally be done about it. Do you feel as if you have to suppress your individuality and your creative expression? Are you looking for opportunities to channel your artistry into your business or side hustle? The relationship between your sexual or creative expression and the way you use it to earn money will transform. Look back to the events of the first two Saturn-Uranus squares in mid-February and mid-June of this year for a hint of what’s to come.
Jupiter enters Pisces on the 28th to remain there for much of 2022, expanding the area in your chart relating to work and health habits. Any new diets, workout regimens, or health habits that you engage in now will positively affect your work and your overall health in a significant way. Here’s to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled you, Libra!
Scorpio
ScorpioLaci Jordan for xoNecoleGet ready to dial up the fun and intensity, Scorpio! The December 4th New Moon Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius promises fresh new beginnings in financial opportunities and in the things that boost your self-esteem and make you feel valued and secure. The Full Moon in Gemini taking place on the 18th will bring a culmination point to your thoughts on mortality and the way you approach sex, other people’s money, and transformative experiences.
Chiron heads direct in Aries the following day. Any wounds or unresolved issues relating to your coworkers or your approach to eating, working out, or daily responsibilities will need to be addressed now. For example, if going to the gym has been a sore spot for you, or if you have an unhealthy relationship with food, you will be faced with and forced to address and reckon with these issues now, as uncomfortable as they may feel.
Venus heads retrograde on the same day, stalling any progress made in contracts, negotiations, or communication. Have you been investing in your social media presence? You may notice that your social media following growth is starting to slow down. Sun enters this house in two days further intensifying your focus on these matters. Take this time to plan out and revise how you approach these matters instead of embarking on anything new. Strengthen what you’ve already started early last month. Keep at it. Momentum will build back up when Venus goes direct on the 29th of next month.
On the 24th, Saturn forms a tense angle to Uranus, creating friction between your family and your partner. Look back to the events of mid-February and mid-June for a preview of what to expect during this time. When Jupiter enters your 5th house of dating, recreational sex, creative expression, and fun on the 28th, expect a flirtier new you that will carry you into much of 2022. Spruce up that Tinder profile now Scorpio, you’re in for a fun and fulfilling ride starting now and into the majority of next year!
Sagittarius
SagittariusLaci Jordan for xoNecoleOn December 4th, a New Moon Total Solar Eclipse will light up your personality, persona and public image. This is an ideal time to debut a new look! The Full Moon in Gemini on December 18th will bring a relationship matter to a culmination. Whether you decide to take things to the next level with your boo or to split up altogether, the status of your relationship is likely to shift for better or for worse. Childhood wounds are highlighted the following day, on the 19th. Did you deal with trauma growing up that hasn’t been properly resolved? Expect to pay more attention to these matters in the coming weeks.
Seek counseling, begin journaling, or confide in a trusted person so that you can finally begin to heal any childhood experiences that are standing in the way of a healthy view of yourself or your healthy relationships and self-expression. On the same day, Venus heads backward in your 2nd house of finances, value, and self-esteem. Any progress you made in these areas since Venus first entered this area of your chart on November 5th is likely to slow down or stall for a bit.
Not all hope is lost Sagittarius! The Sun will enter this same area of your chart on the 21st. You will spend extra time and energy fine-tuning your finances and your relationships with the things that you value and that make you feel good about yourself. All the work that you do now and all the time spent here will not be in vain. You will enjoy the fruits of your labor in a month’s time when Venus heads direct again.
Saturn and Uranus will form its third and final square for the year on the 24th. Be mindful of your email, virtual and in-person communications with coworkers. You may not come across in the way that you intend and it can create more problems than it’s worth. Slow down before hitting send on that email and be extra tactful in the way you work through any workplace issues. Look back to the Saturn-Uranus squares of mid-February and mid-June for a hint at what’s to come so that you can properly handle it.
Capricorn
CapricornLaci Jordan for xoNecoleDecember 4th’s New Moon Total Solar Eclipse will illuminate your 12th house of intuition and introspection. Use this time to meditate, reflect, journal, or simply spend time in solitude. Whatever insights, hunches, or gut feelings you receive during this time will be spot on. Tune in. The Full moon in Gemini on December 18th will find you deciding to finally move full steam ahead on that new diet or workout regimen that you’ve been considering. When Chiron heads direct the following day, wounds relating to your family and home will be brought up now in order to be addressed and resolved for good. As uncomfortable or painful as this experience may be, it’s necessary in order for you to pave the way for a healthier new beginning.
The same day, on the 19th, Venus will go retrograde on your sign. Have you been contemplating a new look, plastic surgery, getting botox or fillers, or new hair color? You’re going to want to hold off on those until Venus heads direct again on the 29th of next month. Otherwise, things may not go according to your vision and you are likely to experience serious regrets and setbacks! Ready for the spotlight? The Sun enters your sign on the 21st.
Although you won’t be able to move forward on making any new moves in the way that you appear or present yourself to others, you can still expect the spotlight to be on you in some form or fashion until late next month. Shine on Capricorn - just don’t do anything new for now! Saturn and Uranus will form their third and final square on the 24th of December, replicating themes experienced during the first two squares that took place in mid-February and mid-June of this year.
How has your sex life (or lack thereof) been affecting your self-esteem? Do you feel like you are able to express who you are sexually and otherwise? Does your dating life feel stable? These are all matters you are going to be faced with during this time. Jupiter enters your 3rd house of communication on the 28th to remain there for the majority of next year. Get ready for your writing, social media presence, public speaking, and general communication opportunities to begin ramping up this year, Cap!
Aquarius
AquariusLaci Jordan for xoNecoleGet ready to get more social, Aquarius! December 4th’s New Moon Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius will breathe life into your friendships. The Full Moon on December 18th will illuminate your 5th house. Expect an epiphany regarding the way you approach dating, children, sex, recreation, and creative expression. Any insecurities relating to the way you communicate with others and your sibling relationships will come to a head for you when Chiron heads direct on the 19th.
When the Sun enters your 12th house of subconscious, reflection, and intuition two days later on the 21st, expect that you will want to spend more time alone, introspecting on your past and upcoming life decisions. Get in tune with yourself and your emotions by engaging in a solo yoga practice, meditation, or a spiritual bath regimen.
Saturn will form a tense angle to Uranus on the 24th, creating friction between yourself and your family. They may take issue with the way that you present yourself to the public, or you are likely to find yourself at odds with your family due to a strongly held belief. These issues will echo any incidents faced during the first two Saturn-Uranus squares that took place in mid-February and mid-June.
On a positive note, expect a boost in your finances and self-esteem when Jupiter enters your 2nd house of value and self-worth on the 28th to remain for much of next year. 2022 will be prime time for you to go after that bag, Aquarius!
Pisces
PiscesLaci Jordan for xoNecoleGet ready to make boss moves, Pisces! December 4th’s New Moon Total Solar Eclipse will light up the area of your chart that rules your career. Don’t be surprised if a new job opportunity, a promotion, or new responsibilities and roles crop up at work now! The Full Moon in Gemini on the 18th will bring home and family matters to a head now for closure and resolution. When Chiron heads direct in your 2nd house on the 19th, wounds relating to your self-esteem will be brought to light so that you can come to terms with and finally heal them.
As uncomfortable as this will be, it will pave the way for a better, more confident, and self-assured you. Venus heads retrograde on the 19th and will remain that way until the 29th of next month. You are likely to experience challenges and setbacks in being able to physically spend time with your friends. Don’t worry! You’ll find creative ways to remain connected. Whether it’s through Zoom calls or social media status updates, you can rest assured that your circle will remain tight until it begins to grow again after Venus heads direct again in late January.
December 24th brings a tense square between Saturn and Uranus that will bring you strong gut feelings and spiritual downloads. Pay attention to any messages you receive on social media or via email at this time, they will clue you into information you may need to know at this time. On a positive note, Jupiter enters your sign at the end of the month - get ready to shine, Pisces! Jupiter is going to bestow you with blessings and luck. You will be viewed in an extremely positive light beginning now and for the majority of next year.
Expect to make excellent impressions with higher-ups at work. Engagement, marriage, a higher title, and a better living arrangement may also be in the cards for you. Please note that Jupiter expands, if you don’t want to gain weight, keep those celebratory treats to a minimum and plan to spend a lot more time in the gym this year! Either way, expect a major glow-up in 2022, Pisces!
Featured image by Laci Jordan for xoNecole
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'We Had To Heal To Love': Taja Simpson And Ryan Easter’s Journey To Lasting Love
How We Met is a series where xoNecole talks love and relationships with real-life couples. We learn how they met, how like turned into love, and how they make their love work.
One of my favorite things about interviewing married couples and hearing their diverse “How We Met” stories is the way they affirm true love and integral beliefs. One principle that I wholeheartedly believe is that one must truly know and love oneself before effectively doing it for another human being, and Taja Simpson and Ryan Easter’s story affirms this.
Taja, an actress known most for her role on BET’s The Oval, and businessman/model Ryan Easter tied the knot on July 27 in an intimate and beautiful wedding in LA - surrounded by friends and family. During our 40+ minute conversation, the newlyweds opened up about the inner work journey they both went through individually to become their best selves.
Taja revealed that her grateful and light spirit came after being in a depressive state and doing a great deal of healing and education. And Ryan shared how losing a parent as a youth affected how he showed up in the world and the truths he had to face to embrace who he is wholly.
The pair also chatted about the power of intention, the importance of working through trauma, and the work they do every day to honor their partnership. There’s a reason their glow is so beautiful! It comes from the inside.
“You're meeting me now after I've done all this work, but I had to go through it to get to that space and be in a very happy, healed relationship,” Taja says. Check out the layered conversation below.
xoNecole: I’ll start with the most obvious question: how did you two meet, and what were your initial feelings about each other?
Ryan Easter: We connected through friends. At the time, I was in New York, and she was back and forth between LA and Atlanta. But our mutual female friends were together and decided they needed to set me up. So they confirmed I was looking for something serious and then sent me her picture.
And I was like, "Okay, she looks good - a chocolate drop." But then I thought, "What's wrong with her? So, I called them up, and one of them was messing with me and said, "Oh, she's a little crazy." I was like, "Whoa, I can't do crazy anymore. I've dealt with that before. I’d rather stay by myself than deal with that again." Then she clarified, "No, I'm just kidding. She's crazy in a good way. She's a lot of fun and has her stuff together. That’s how it started for me.
Taja Simpson: I was just going about my life, getting ready for another season of The Oval, when I got a text from my friend Natasha. She said, "Hey, I don't think you're dating anybody, but I have a friend I think you should meet. He's a great guy." She gave me this huge pedigree, saying they had been friends for 19 years. I thought, "Wow, he sounds amazing." But when she sent me a photo, I didn’t like it.
Later, I thought about it and figured it could just not be a good picture. So she sent his Instagram which had all these modeling fitness pictures and stuff. And then I was like, wow - you had my whole husband this time and didn’t tell me - now I told her she could give him my number.
"I was just going about my life, getting ready for another season of The Oval, when I got a text from my friend Natasha. She said, "Hey, I don't think you're dating anybody, but I have a friend I think you should meet. He's a great guy." She gave me this huge pedigree, saying they had been friends for 19 years. I thought, "Wow, he sounds amazing." But when she sent me a photo, I didn’t like it."
Taja Simpson & Ryan Easter
Photo by @jorgemezaphotos
xoN: I love that because, you know, there's all these conversations about the ways people meet, and I still feel like friends and family are one of the best ways. It’s like they know you! What are your thoughts?
Ryan: Yeah, absolutely! You feel a great sense of obligation to be the best version of yourself because you’re not just representing yourself; you’re also representing the person who referred you. I can’t go out there acting like a fool and have them looking at their friend like, "Why did you hook me up with this clown?" It’s like, we're gonna be clear and honest about our intentions. And if it works, great, and if it doesn't, it's okay.
Taja: Exactly. When he called, we spoke that day for like, an hour. The rest was history. We just connected, and it was great. After that, we started talking every day, and now here we are.
xoN: Okay, so tell me about your first date! Do you remember where you went? What did you do? How was the vibe?
Taja: Our first in-person date was two months after we met over the phone. This was during COVID, so we got introduced in July 2020 but didn’t meet until September. From July to September, we were doing video dates and phone calls, building up this excitement about meeting in person. I was really nervous. I thought, "Oh my God, is it going to be like it was over the phone?" We really connected and vibed. I was there to pick him up at LAX, and I felt like this was it. I thought, "God put this brother in my life to be this good, this perfect." It felt too good to be true.
I actually had a friend meet us at the airport to film our meeting without him knowing. I told her to stay in the corner and keep the camera hidden. When he was coming down the escalator, I had this whole plan to run up to him in slow motion and jump into his arms. When I saw him, I froze. I was so nervous that I couldn’t move! He came up to me, gave me a big hug, and swung me around, and I just thought, "Wow!" Everything I planned went out the window.
Ryan: I was really excited to meet her, too. Technically, our first date was at Firestone Brewery. After the airport, we went back to her place to drop off my stuff, and then she said, "I like to drink beer," so she took me to a brewery nearby.
I remember being there, and we were kind of embracing, but not too much since it was technically the first time we were in physical proximity. You still have to play it cool, even after talking for a while. But every time I touched her, it felt good. I thought, "Yeah, this is it." When we hugged at the airport, I felt like, "Yo, this is home." At that moment, I knew she was the one.
xoN: Ugh, I love that. So when did the courtship start to develop into a relationship? Did y'all have that conversation?
Ryan: Initially, we were very clear about our intentions. We were both dating with purpose and had similar aspirations of eventually finding someone to marry, start a family, create businesses together, and live our lives to the fullest. We knew from the beginning that this was our goal and checked in with each other to see if we were on the same page.
After establishing our intentions, it was about having those small conversations. We discussed what was important to each of us—our needs, wants, likes, dislikes, triggers, and traumas. All those details are crucial for building a solid foundation for a healthy relationship. We spent a lot of time getting to know the real person, not just the representative we might present to the world.
Sometimes, it’s difficult because it requires us to be extremely vulnerable. For men, especially in our society, vulnerability is often frowned upon, making it hard to expose that sensitive side. You never know how people will react—some might use it against you, while others might protect you.
I think for her; it took her understanding that mentality that men have and use that to her advantage to make sure she's like, look, this is a safe space for you to allow me to see the full person that you are. I appreciated that because, like, I would tell her, if you really want a man to value you, he has to feel safe with you, right, not necessarily in a physical capacity but more so from an emotional standpoint; I need to feel like I can be safe with you emotionally.
So that courtship was a lot of just having those serious, sometimes difficult conversations about things we're going through in the past to things we aspire to accomplish in the future, to things that we're currently dealing with, and started to gain that understanding about who we are and what we aspire to be, and just continue to flow.
"So that courtship was a lot of just having those serious, sometimes difficult conversations about things we're going through in the past to things we aspire to accomplish in the future, to things that we're currently dealing with, and started to gain that understanding about who we are and what we aspire to be, and just continue to flow."
Taja: I mean, that's exactly right, and a lot of it we spoke about even before we met. Because it was this free thing where we didn’t know each other. We didn't have to be a representative. I was just my authentic self. It’s like - I'm an actor, and I got five or six characters that may come out in our conversation. I'll be funny, then the next moment, I'll be serious. It just happens.
I was very vocal about how I foresee my life going. Also, because I'm in entertainment, that played a part. I had met people before who couldn't handle that. They wanted a woman with a nine-to-five, a teacher, or just somebody with a very strict schedule. But that wasn't me. So I think we were super intentional when it came to dating and making sure we can build and grow together. So, we made that commitment prior to him leaving. He came to LA for a week, and the day before he left, it was like, okay, so this is it.
xoN: I’ve noticed that intention and vulnerability are both powerful words that you two keep using, which I think is essential for any long-term relationship. What are some of your other shared values?
Ryan: Also, we both understood the power of mindset. When you see successful or unsuccessful people, sometimes others will attribute their state to their family or money. And I'm not saying that that doesn't help. But there are a lot of people who have come from very humble beginnings and very troubled past that have gone on to do great things, and it all had to do with their mindset. They had to leave and see themselves doing what they desired to do before it became a reality in the physical realm.
I think a lot of those beliefs and mentalities that we shared was refreshing because, you know, we've all known people that every time you talk to them, something bad is going on. And it's such a drag because they can bring your energy down. We don't subscribe to that. Not saying that we don't go through tough times. But when we do, the question that we always ask ourselves is, what is it that I'm supposed to learn from this? I think those type of elements of just being in alignment mentally about how we view the world definitely help to solidify our relationship and our connection.
Taja: When we met, I was in a headspace of growth. We now call it believe, evolve, become because you have to believe that thing right in order to show up. We both understand that your vibration precedes your manifestation, so you have to vibrate and believe at a certain level. Act as if you have to be in that space, that energy, in order for that thing to come so you can evolve and then become whatever that said thing is. But I was in that headspace before we met, and I was clearing out people in my life.
I was really intentional with finding someone that was in that headspace, too. I was not okay with anyone being stagnant.
Taja Simpson & Ryan Easter
Photo by @jorgemezaphotos
xoN: You two seem so evolved individually and collectively. I'm curious, were there any challenges that you two had to get through together, and what did you learn from that experience?
Ryan: Being parents. And if your partner doesn't have a great pregnancy, then it can be tough, and it stretches you in a lot of ways. But I would definitely say the first five months of being new parents was a lot because we were both exhausted. And she's also trying to heal her body because giving birth puts a tremendous amount of stress on the woman's body. It gives you a different respect for the strength of femininity because I wouldn't want to go through that. And I was there the whole 29 hours.
So during that time I'm getting snappy because I need to rest. I have not been able to rest, and I'm sleep-deprived, and I don't feel like I got my foot in yet. And, and then, on top of that, you have this, this really small human that's completely dependent upon you. They can't do anything for himself, and that, even psychologically, that's a lot to carry. But the thing that I think that has helped us is that we understand that we won't always be on the same page. It's okay to have disagreements, but you always have to lead with love, meaning that if I'm upset with her or she's upset with me, we focus on what the issue is.
Taja: I had a horrible pregnancy and was still feeling like I want to be productive; it’s just part of who I am. And during the newborn phase, like he said, we were exhausted. We were zombies. I'm getting whiny. I need sleep. He's getting snappy and short, and we're having to figure out us. The hardest thing is trying to still learn how to effectively communicate in the midst of this space where you are exhausted; you don't feel good, nothing's going your way.
But I'm a big believer of being accountable, especially for women, because women are not always accountable. But we encourage each other to address the trauma and encourage positive self-thought and talk. Because what you think, speak, and do creates power for better and worse.
xoN: Were there any past traumas you had to heal from in order to love each other correctly, and do you feel comfortable discussing them?
Ryan: For me, the biggest thing was my father’s death at nine. You’re young, and you don’t know how to process the loss. It’s one of those things I thought I dealt with, but when I got into my adult years, I realized it didn’t. I always felt like I had to go above and beyond because I didn’t have my father there to be a man - I excelled in sports and academics, but it was based on an inadequate feeling.
I understand the importance of fathers in children’s life but you still have the power to be the best version of yourself whether your father is there or not. And I believe the almighty Creator will put people in your life to be the best version of yourself. I wanted to be that confident person for her and our children - and I didn’t want to carry that trauma into our relationship or our son. So I worked on it before us and I continue to now.
Taja: Mine was colorism. I grew up where the brown paper bag thing was a thing. There were kids I couldn’t play with because “I was too Black.” I had a family member who called me “Ew.” Like she’d literally say, come here, Ew, you ugly thing. And my family, for a long time, didn’t realize how it was breaking me. But eventually, my mom noticed and taught me more about self-esteem and then I started to do the work. But it still shows its head. I still would have thoughts that I’m not good enough because of how I look. I’ve literally not tried out for roles because of that. One of my friends’ friends has literally called out once that I was the only dark person at an event.
So when I started doing the work, I noticed the ways it showed up, like I just wouldn’t want to be in the sun long. I mean when I was younger, I used to pray to God to make me “better” or lighter. It took a long time to really get over that. There’s a book I wrote called Women Who Shine - where I got my thoughts out about this.
So he knows my sensitive spots and speaks to the little girl in me. It's so interesting how the things we go through when we’re young affect us in adulthood. Mental health is as important as physical health - and I’m grateful that he understands the importance of both of those.
xoN: Thank you for your vulnerability. I hope it helps someone else. Finally, I’ll close with this: what’s your favorite thing about each other?
Ryan: Definitely her mindset. She doesn’t have a victim mindset; she’s empowered. That’s so attractive. I believe that she prides herself on being a good, great communicator. She moves with integrity, you know, I think that's important. And you know, she also understands the importance of taking care of her physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
Taja: There’s so many. Where do I start? My husband is supremely supportive. I absolutely love that about him. Also, I love his intention. I love how effectively he communicates. I love how he fathers our child. I love how he looks. Because, praise God. Okay, I'm just gonna put that out there.
But you know what, my favorite thing about him is that I love that he's a man of integrity.
Integrity was the highest things on my list when I’d write out what I wanted in a partner. Because it’s everything. And so I love that I feel the level of safety that I feel with him, that I can completely be my 100% authentic self. I know that he's taking care of me, my heart, and our family. We're good.
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Feature image by @jorgemezaphotos
'Tis The Season To Stream Black: 15 New Holiday Movies For The Culture
It’s beginning to look a lot like - Black Christmas or whatever Michael Bublé said. As we countdown to Christmas and fully immerse ourselves into the holiday season, we’re overjoyed how, each year, the inclusivity of holiday movies grows. From BET+, OWN, Hallmark, and Lifetime, we’ve got you covered with over 15 Black holiday movies. So grab your favorite holiday snack, put your pajamas on, and get to streaming!
Scouting For Christmas (Hallmark)
Screenshot/ Scouting For Christmas
Angela has been a busy realtor since her amicable divorce a couple of years ago. Now, she is a devoted, if often harried, single mom to a smart and loving 10-year-old girl, Brooklyn. When Brooklyn gets the idea to have William (Marks), the owner of her favorite bakery, cater her scout troop’s posh annual holiday event, she asks Angela to work with him on pitching the idea to the moms in charge. Despite sensing that her daughter might be trying to play cupid, she agrees to help and finds herself enjoying time with him, but is reluctant to open her heart and life to someone new. When Dakota returns, missing her, Angela must decide what is best for her daughter and best for her heart.
Air Date: October 20th
Meet Me Next Christmas (Netflix)
Screenshot/ Meet Me Next Christmas
Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, AND Kofi Siriboe in one holiday film? Sign me up! On a quest to meet the man of her dreams, a hopeless romantic races across New York City to find a ticket to a sold-out Pentatonix Christmas concert.
Air Date: November 6th
A Season to Remember (OWN)
Meet Me Next Christmas/ A Season to Remember
Symone Gibson is a sports reporter in Detroit who's trying to find a story that will take her career to the next level. With the help of a new cameraman, Iggy, she chases down a story and finds romance, courage, and a new sense of direction.
Air Date: November 7th
A Christmas Miracle (BET+)
Screenshot/ A Christmas Miracle
When the Christmas Jubilee at the local community center is in danger of losing funding, the family must band together to make sure everyone, including the kids, have a Merry Christmas.
Air Date: Nov 7th
Style Me For Christmas (BET+)
Screenshot/ Style Me For Christmas
Anything involving Mario’s sexiness and the sound of his sultry voice is a win for me. A boutique owner facing eviction at Christmas gets the fashion assignment of a lifetime when she’s chosen to style a handsome celebrity who’s also a playboy.
Air Date: Nov 14th
Mistletoe & Matrimony (OWN)
Screenshot/ Mistletoe & Matrimony
Olivia Morris (Ashlei Sharpe) is a successful wedding planner who plays it safe in life and love. She is forced to reckon with her timid tendencies when she’s unwillingly tasked with planning her vivacious younger sister’s Christmas Eve wedding. Things get even more complicated when Olivia’s ex-boyfriend, Isaiah (Etienne Maurice), returns from overseas to help with the wedding. When sparks fly with her former flame amidst unfolding family drama, Olivia contemplates if she is finally ready to live life on her own terms this holiday season.
Air Date: November 14th
A Wesley South African Christmas
Screenshot/ A Wesley South African Christmas
When his international business venture comes to a screeching halt, Todd must stick around Durban, South Africa, during the Christmas holiday to close the deal, but not without the Wesley family and all their holiday shenanigans.
Air Date: Nov 21st
The Day Before Christmas (BET+)
Screenshot/ The Day Before Christmas
When two single parents accidentally swap phones and their children’s backpacks on a hectic Christmas Eve, they find themselves covering for each other in a series of chaotic yet heartwarming events, leading to unexpected romance.
Air Date: Nov 28th
Make or Bake Christmas (Lifetime)
Screenshot/ Make or Bake Christmas
With Christmas fast approaching, Leslie, known for her expertise in all things domestic and top lifestyle brands, is looking to expand her business. She sets her sights on the bakery, Sugar Bakers, owned by Denise Sugarbaker and run by her son, David. Determined to make a deal before the end of the year, Leslie sends one of her top employees, Emma, to go undercover as a seasonal employee in order to convince them to sell. Emma unexpectedly finds herself falling in love with the quaint bakery with its Christmas spirit, staff and especially, David.
Air Date: December 1st
Brewster’s Millions: Christmas (BET +)
Screenshot/ Brewster’s Millions: Christmas
When Monica Brewster, a wealthy heiress who has lost her way, faces a Christmas challenge to inherit her uncle Monty Brewster’s grandfather’s fortune, she must learn the true meaning of love, faith, and family by giving instead of receiving, all while navigating the charming chaos, and the true meaning of the holiday season.
Air Date: December 5th
A Very Merry Beauty Salon (Lifetime)
Screenshot/ A Very Merry Beauty Salon
Sienna is preparing for Atlanta's Tinsel Ball, where she will be honored for her charitable work. The annual event takes a glamorous turn with the arrival of Lawrence, whose family's wine brand is now co-sponsoring the Ball.
Air Date: December 7th
Too Many Christmases (BET+)
Screenshot/ Too Many Christmases
Jerome and Kayla are excited to spend their first Christmas together as husband and wife. The only problem is that they’ve never celebrated Christmas without their respective families. This Christmas, instead of deciding on one event, they agree to attend two at the same time to appease their families.
Air Date: December 12th
Queens of Christmas (BET+)
Screenshot/ Queens of Christmas
Doris and Julia, life-long friends and feuding neighbors, learn the true meaning of ‘sisterhood’ and Christmas while hilariously competing for the annual title of ‘Queen of Christmas.'
Air Date: December 19th
24-Karat Christmas (OWN)
Screenshot/ 24-Karat Christmas
When Trish (Samantha Marie Ware), an unlucky-in-love jewelry designer, accidentally sends a set of Christmas wedding bands off with the wrong person, she and the charming best man, Book Mosely (Curtis Hamilton), must work together to track them down and get them to the wedding on Christmas Eve – in the process learning that you can’t wait for love to find you, you have to go out and find it.
Air Date: December 21st
Blended Christmas
Screenshot/ Blended Christmas
After a freak accident, a new bride cancels her tropical Christmas honeymoon to take care of her husband’s ex-wife and kids with a little help from a holiday angel.
Air Date: December 25th
Have you seen any of these films yet? Sound off in the comments, and don’t forget to stream and support each and every one of these films and the actors who made the characters come to life. Happy Holidays xoFAM!
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Feature image screenshot/ A Very Merry Christmas