

The New Moon in Aries taking place on April 11 marks a rare opportunity to trailblaze an exciting new path for your life. In Astrology, the New Moon is an excellent period for intention-setting and new beginnings. You are being called to release what's no longer serving you so that you can move on to better and greener pastures.
Since the beginning of time, many have used New Moon phases to set goals and to release what's no longer serving them so that they can move closer to their life's true purpose.
This month's New Moon takes place in Aries. Aries, the take-charge initiator of the zodiac, is amplifying the potent energy of this New Moon. Aries rules action, impulse, initiation, new beginnings, new goals, and adventure. What new adventures are you embarking on at this stage of your life?
Now more than ever is the time to set a clear path and goals for yourself. This will be the strongest opportunity that you have all year to achieve your goals - whether they are financial, romantic or otherwise. Issues that have been stewing beneath the surface may dramatically and impulsively come to a head now in order to be addressed. You may find that relationship, work or lifestyle issues become unbearable. Tune in to what your gut is telling you at this time, regarding certain dynamics in your life that you can no longer tolerate.
In the period surrounding this New Moon, you may find certain aspects of your life fading away with little effort on your part. Relationships may come to an end. You may move on from your job - voluntarily or involuntarily. You may decide and take actionable steps toward relocating to another city. You may initiate a new fitness regimen, make a new friend, or start a new freelance project. These are all occurrences that are very much in line with the energy this New Moon in Aries is bringing into our lives. Whatever passes from your life at this time no longer serves a valuable purpose for you or your future. Let them go and prepare yourself for a better and brighter new beginning.
Shutterstock
Because this New Moon takes place in adventurous and fun-loving Aries, your ability to release negativity, achieve your dreams and to attract good fortune and positive experiences will be at its peak. Take advantage of this powerful energy with a spiritual Moon Bath.
According to ZennBoxx.com, ritual Moon Bathing is rooted in ancient Ayurvedic practice and involves tapping into the powerful energy of the moon to promote optimal physical and emotional health. Gaia.com explains, "Ritual bathing cleanses you from physical grime and negative spiritual grime, thus purifying both your body and your aura."
Taking a ritual bath during a New Moon phase is a powerful way to honor yourself, to get back in touch with your spirit, to set new goals and intentions, and to let go of what's no longer serving your higher purpose. The key to a successful moon ritual bath is through the proper use of healing crystals, herb botanicals, essential oils and salts that reflect the current themes of the moon.
With April 11's New Moon taking place in Aries, you will want to be intentional about releasing negative energy, cutting off dead relationships and embarking on a fresh, positive beginning. Including bath ingredients that carry these themes is critical in effectively tapping into the powerful energy of this month's Full Moon.
Here is a step-by-step guide for how to prepare a ritual bath that honors this month's New Moon in Aries.
Step 1: Select Appropriate Crystals
Bathe with crystals that boost positive energy and encourage initiative. Golden-hued solar-plexus crystals like citrine, tiger eye and carnelian are excellent fits here as are crystals that are highly protective and block negative energy like Black Tourmaline or Obsidian.
Step 2: Use A Variety Of Salts
Use a minimum of two salts - a blend of three sea salts is ideal. You can select from Himalayan Pink Salt, Dead Sea Salt, Epsom Salt, or something more intensely detoxifying and exotic like Black Hawaiian Lava Salt.
Step 3: Use Essential Oils With Energy-Boosting Properties
Take a bath with citrus-y, mood-boosting essential oils like sweet orange, lemon or grapefruit.
Step 4: Add A Dash Of Herb Botanicals
Bathe with your choice of herb botanicals, like dried lemon or orange peels, invigorating peppermint or chamomile to induce feelings of peace and harmony. One cup should suffice!
Step 5: Set The Mood
- Make things steamy. Run the water as hot as you can take it. The heat from the water will activate the healing properties of your essential oils, salts and herb botanicals.
- Use natural light only. Light candles. Let the light and energy of the moon illuminate your spirit, unimpeded by fluorescent light bulbs.
- Stay hydrated. This bath is powerfully healing and will move a lot of energy in your body. Make sure you drink water or tea.
- Achieve peace of mind. Do not use your cell phone. Meditate during this time, read a spiritual book, or journal.
- Play soft, reflective music.
Step 6: Manifest
The final and perhaps most important step to your ritual bath is in setting an intention for the weeks to come. There are a number of ways that you can do this:
- For courage: After everything you've been through, you're still here. Write a list of everything you have been able to accomplish and all of the challenges you've survived throughout your life.
- For positive experiences: Write a list of new things you would like to experience in the weeks and months to come. Be as detailed as possible.
- For setting boundaries: Write a list of deal-breakers you will no longer tolerate in relationships.
- For happiness: Write a list of things you are grateful for today, no matter how small.
- For motivation: Write a list of goals you would like to achieve before next April.
April 11's New Moon in Aries offers the best opportunity this year to embark on a brand new, positive beginning. Use the powerful energy of this moon phase to work toward achieving your wildest dreams.
Read all about astrology and horoscopes on xoNecole here.
Featured image by Shutterstock
- 10 Ways To Achieve Goals In Life - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- October 2021 Full Moon In Aries Meaning - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- 3. Spooning - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- How To Find Courage To Chase Your Dreams - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- How to Heal Based on Your Zodiac Sign - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- How To Make Moon Water - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
Love Is The Muse: How Skylar And Temi Built A Creative Life Together
When Temitope Ibisanmi DM’d the word “muse” to Skylar Marshai, he knew he was shooting his romantic shot. He didn’t realize, however, that he was connecting with his future business and creative partner, too.
“I was the boyfriend,” Temi says. “Everybody out there knows, you’re the cameraman at that point.”
Skylar sees things differently. At the time, she was shooting content on her iPhone. Temi came into the picture with a new perspective, an understanding of tech, and, eventually, a camera. “He doesn't give himself enough credit,” Skylar says. “He wasn't just my tripod. He wasn't just standing behind the camera and going ‘click.’ He was giving advice. He was giving me insight to how I could look at things from a different perspective. And I was like, 'Oh, he’s an artist.' I think it was maybe a heartbeat of that kind of energy of like, ‘Baby, can you take this picture?’ And it turned so quickly into, we're partners. We can work together in a way where we're advancing each other's creative thinking.”
The pair often says they’re two sides of the same coin. Skylar is an Aquarius. She attended art school, paints, and loves poetry. She’s more than happy to let the couple’s management firm and agency, Kensington Grey, handle their admin work. And, she loves to sleep in. Temi, on the other hand, wakes up early. He’s a Virgo. He loves a to-do list and regularly checks in on the couple’s brand partnerships spreadsheet to make sure everything is on track.
Because his storytelling was steeped in his love of technology, he didn’t always think of himself as a creative person. “Where I [am] the dreamer who wants to pluck things out of the sky and spend all day with my head in the clouds, Temi [is] so good at grounding me and helping me figure out how to make things make sense on paper. We just work together in such a complimentary way,” Skylar says.
It’s been more than six years since Brooklyn-based couple Temi and Skylar started dating, and nearly four since they cemented their working relationship. On TikTok and Instagram, the couple’s travel, fashion, and home content regularly rack up hundreds of thousands of views. They’ve worked with brands such as Coach, Aesop, Away, and Liquid IV, bringing their vibrant perspectives to every campaign they execute. Still, nearly two years since both Temi and Skylar committed to full-time content creation and creative directing, the couple says their romantic connection remains their priority.
“We told each other we would much rather go back to full-time jobs and preserve our relationship than to be full-time freelancers, barely getting a night's rest [and] barely kissing each other because we're so busy shooting,” Skylar says.
Working from home can make it hard to separate work from personal life for any entrepreneur. It can be even more challenging when your business partner is also your lover. Temi and Skylar had already used couples therapy as a tool to help them effectively communicate with one another. When they ran into challenges while working together, their therapist helped them set physical boundaries to help combat the issues.
"We told each other we would much rather go back to full-time jobs and preserve our relationship than to be full-time freelancers, barely getting a night's rest [and] barely kissing each other because we're so busy shooting."
“It actually took us doing very specific physical things to create boundaries between work and play in our relationship,” Skylar says. “So, for instance, we will only have conversations about work when we're out of bed or we're at the table or in the office. Initially, when we started, we had to light a candle to say that, 'Okay, this is a space where we're connecting, we’re not talking about work.' We needed really hard boundaries at the top. And then it became a little bit more organic.”
The boundaries have been crucial to implement, especially because the couple began working together so naturally. When the pair first met, Skylar was NY-based a social strategist for BuzzFeed and was using content creation to drive business to her lingerie company. She was shooting her own content. Temi was working for Microsoft in D.C. He’d recently traded in his DJing equipment for a camera. “I've always loved taking pictures,” he says. “Even when I was a kid, my African mother would wake me up at 3:00 a.m. [during a] party, and be like, 'Come take the family picture.'”
Growing up, Temi says he watched his parents support each other and be the true definition of partners. He knew he wanted the same for his own relationship. But, the couple also wanted to make sure they were being financially responsible. The pair didn’t quit their traditional jobs until they’d saved up two years' worth of their cost of living. And, Temi received his Master of Business Administration from New York University with the knowledge that it could either help him advance in his corporate career or be applicable to his business with Skylar.
Today, they say their working relationship is more of a “quiet dance.” They still implement some of the boundaries they learned in therapy, but they also lean into their natural strengths and deep love for one another. When we speak, Temi has planned a date for the couple to see Princess Mononoke in 4K IMAX and added it to their Notion so they can factor it into their busy schedules. “I fully plan to date for the rest of my life,” he says.
Skylar says the couple doesn’t just wait for date nights to check in with one another, though. This often happens in the mornings, after Temi has made her peppermint tea and poured himself a cup of coffee. When they ask each other how they slept, she says, it’s not just a “nicety.” It’s a genuine question meant to foster connection.
“A lot of it happens during the day in the midst of work. We'll stop and we'll hug. Or we’ll slow dance in the kitchen,” she says. “Sometimes it's hard to set a whole date night when you have 7,000 things going on. So, we must grasp these moments and check in when we can. And I think it's become so organic to us that I actually didn't even realize how often we do it. But all day long, we're like, 'Are you good? I felt like your energy shifted,' because we're best friends, we just know. We just feel it happen.”
What’s better than being in love? Building wealth while doing it. Watch Making Cents here for real stories of couples who make money moves together.
Featured image by Cj Hart @hartbreak