Month: May 2025

The last New Moon of spring is going to rock our worlds amazingly. For the first time in a while, we’ll be able to flourish with the Moon’s phases and begin anew. The possibilities to grow beyond our current range will be enormous and exciting. This lunation pushes us to think beyond ourselves and to give TLC to others who need our support. We are interconnected beings who require compassion and love. Isn’t that special?

May 26th’s New Moon in Gemini emphasizes self-expression, curiosity, and learning. At this moment in time, we can reflect upon the past to see where we’re going while offering ourselves a fresh start. The positive side of this lunation is that it allows us to discover and reinvent ourselves as we progress into our most valid form of being. The duality of the New Moon in Gemini urges us to shed the facade we show to the public by letting them see our unique and unfiltered qualities. There is beauty in being raw and pure. Allowing people to get deep with us will be a fantastic experience and adventure.

Communication planet Mercury in Gemini, responsible Saturn in Aries, visionary Neptune in Aries, and transformative Pluto in Aquarius all meet up with the New Moon. This promises to be a lunation that can change our being — for the better. We need to find a way to stop overthinking in the present and be in the moment. The moment we start feeling as though we are in alignment with the flow and rhythm of the universe is when we connect to our true selves. There is no more hiding behind the version of ourselves that we want others to see. The mask we’ve been wearing is coming off. The energy and persona we embody will be acknowledged and loved.

Around the same time as the New Moon, Mercury in Gemini harmonizes with Neptune in Aries. This magical transition will push us to dream big and assert our visions in the world. Mercury and Neptune are giving us the strength to do so. The caveat is that we may not be clear about our intentions, so it’s best to write them down ahead of time and think them through clearly. Then, we can easily assert our hopes and aspirations into the universe and allow them to take flight. Pretty soon, they’ll come true. We can attain our desires as long as we believe in our goals and give them the energy to come true in the physical world.

The fixed star Hyadum II gives the overall sentiment a zest of fierceness. Hyadum II is said to embody the characteristics of the action planet Mars, “Great Awakener” Uranus, and inspirational Neptune. These energies can elevate our spirit and make us want to take a humanitarian stand. Regarding our personal lives, it’ll be complicated to understand what we’re fighting for and looking to bring in before gaining clarity — which we will find once the fog clears. The only foreseeable consequence of Hyadum II is that we might get a little power-hungry and selfish if we don’t consider helping others along our journey.

We’ll feel a sense of confidence resulting from the celestial vibe. Looking forward allows us to walk on the “right” side of the street. As we’ll soon notice, there is no better avenue to hang out on since every path is coming up roses. Even if we choose to explore the trails, they’ll lead to the same road, guaranteeing a destined ending (we can thank Neptune and Pluto for this). Since we are guaranteed personal success, we should pay it forward by trying to make a difference in the lives of others. Once we comprehend these soulful passions, it’ll be hard to keep quiet when speaking on behalf of others. After all, what good is having a voice if we don’t intend to make some noise?

As we embrace the lunar vibes of the New Moon in Gemini, it’s important to savor the day. Bask in the joy and glory that you may feel. Enjoy the rush of optimism and good emotions that are brought to our consciousness and the world at large.

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A low-back one-piece swimsuit is one of those classic silhouettes that cues confidence. It’s unfussy but has just the right amount of visual impact — and this season’s best versions come with trend-forward updates that make the staple feel fresh again. From sculptural hardware and subtle metallics to Hunza G-inspired crinkle textures, these suits add interest without sacrificing ease.

Retro references are also making waves: high halter necklines, gingham prints, and dainty florals deliver charm, while tile and toile motifs bring that coveted European summer energy. Even mariner stripes are getting reimagined with a modern, fisherman-inspired twist that feels more sea-swept chic than preppy throwback.

Whether you’re scooping one up from Anthropologie, Free People, Nordstrom, or Zara, this season’s low-back one-pieces strike the ideal balance between functional and cool. They stay put when you dive in, but still give you that breezy, back-baring drama. Basically? They’re the swimsuits you’ll want to wear on repeat. Ahead, our favorite styles.

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It’s been a heavy week online as stories of abuse involving high-profile men and Black women in the public eye have resurfaced and unfolded in real time. On May 13, singer Cassie Ventura took the stand in the federal trial against Sean “Diddy” Combs, detailing the horrific abuse she experienced during their 10-year relationship. Combs faces charges of racketeering and sex trafficking as prosecutors allege that Combs ran a criminal enterprise built on control, coercion, and exploitation. Cassie, who previously filed a civil lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, is now a key witness in the criminal case. In the same week, news broke that Halle Bailey has been granted a temporary restraining order against her ex-boyfriend, rapper DDG (real name Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.), following allegations of domestic abuse. She’s now been given temporary sole custody of their son, Halo Saint, with images from her police report circulating online. Also, after rapper Tory Lanez was reportedly attacked in prison this week, Megan Thee Stallion’s case resurfaced. In 2022, Tory Lanez was convicted of shooting Megan in the foot after a party in 2020 and is now serving a 10-year sentence, bringing back memories of the years of public scrutiny, victim-blaming, and online abuse she faced in the aftermath.

While the bravery of these women has been widely applauded, much of the online conversation that has followed is deeply triggering, especially for those who have been victims of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Social media platforms such as X have become forums for some, men in particular, to dismiss, downplay, or even justify the abuse allegations at hand. As a result, many have been confronted with harmful opinions from partners, family members, and friends as these stories of abuse have unfolded. As one X user shared: “Emphasizing to women, especially the young ones, that a basic litmus test for a man you’re considering dating is to ask him his thoughts on Tory, Diddy, R Kelly, DDG, etc.” ​​

The internet has become an increasingly unsafe space for mature, empathetic discussions about the dynamics between an alleged victim and their abusers. When news broke about Halle Bailey’s restraining order against DDG, the response online was full of skepticism and ridicule. One man on X wrote, “She lyin on him, I don’t even believe this shit. DDG don’t even give off women-beater energy.” This wasn’t an isolated comment. Across social media, similar posts pointed to past allegations by DDG’s ex, Rubi Rose, to argue Halle “should have known better.”

The unspoken message here is clear: because she chose to enter a relationship with someone previously accused of abuse, she should have expected — and therefore deserved — any abuse that followed. Victim blaming always shifts accountability away from the alleged abuser and suggests that a woman’s decision to love or trust someone somehow invalidates her right to safety.

Another X user wrote, “I love Halle, but she’s not perfect. She’s constantly using her female privilege over him, and it’s beyond visible at this point.” It’s a telling comment, one that twists concern for a woman’s safety into an accusation of manipulation. “Female privilege” seemingly implies that women can weaponize their victimhood or control the narrative to their advantage. But the reality, as ironically proven by this tweet, is quite the opposite.

These reactions mirror talking points found in the online manosphere, the network of forums, podcasts, and content creators who frame women, especially Black women, as manipulative and deceitful. As we know, these ideas don’t just stay online; they’re echoed in comment sections, barbershops, and group chats, shaping how some men justify abuse.

Another common theme in online reactions this week is the belief that women somehow invite abuse or shame upon themselves because of their choices around sex and relationships. This kind of thinking frames women as sexual deviants who have brought trouble on themselves. We’ve seen the tweets from men questioning whether Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine, should leave her, as if surviving abuse makes her unworthy of love. Others shame Halle for having a child outside of marriage, as though that decision invalidates her right to safety and dignity. These reactions reflect a deeper, insidious belief: that “good” women don’t end up in these situations, and if they do, it’s because they somehow deserve it.

People online are all too excited to score gotcha moments and throw around moral judgments meant to humble women. It’s really just victim-blaming, and a lot of this is reminiscent of red pill ideology, a belief that paints women as using sex and emotions to control men. In this vein, a woman’s right to safety is always up for debate, conditional, and depends largely on how she behaves.

Many of the online responses that have been so disappointing are, unsurprisingly, rooted in misogynoir — a form of misogyny directed specifically at Black women, shaped by both anti-Blackness and sexism. Misogynoir casts Black women as less innocent, more sexually deviant, and ultimately more deserving of harm. These ideas can be traced back to colonial narratives that hypersexualized Black women, stripping them of the femininity, vulnerability, and presumed victimhood that are more readily extended to white women.

Sona Barbosa, Head of Therapeutic Services at Woman’s Trust, says this kind of language online has real-world consequences. She explains how public narratives can fuel longstanding patterns, telling Unbothered: “The language we are observing reflects a long-standing pattern of idolizing successful Black men, while quickly doubting, diminishing, and demonizing women—especially Black women—who stand up for themselves and reclaim their power in the face of violence and abuse.”

She says this situation puts Black survivors at a “double disadvantage”. In abusive relationships, already-complex cultural and economic pressures are compounded by narratives that sow doubt and shame. According to Sona, “this trend poses an even greater threat, as white men observe the responses of Black men and feel empowered to treat Black women in similar ways.”

All of this has reiterated the need to support women and girls, build a society that’s actually safe for us, and make sure victims get justice, because one person’s success should never come at the expense of others in our community.

Back in 2020, I read Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates and it opened my eyes to something I’ve since seen for myself; misogyny online don’t just stay hidden in obscure corners of the internet like incel forums, Reddit threads and 4chan. A lot of toxicity has filtered into the mainstream, influencing how the boys and men around us talk in group chats, among themselves, and when commenting on high-profile cases like the ones that have filled our news feeds this week.

What we’re seeing online is making many of us look more closely at the men in our lives; listening carefully, side-eyeing, correcting, and for some, even rethinking a friendship or two. For me, the way the men around me speak about or dismiss abuse tells me where they stand, how safe and supported I really am, and whether I can trust them. So it’s no surprise to see Black women online saying they’re cutting ties when certain friends show who they truly are.

To my fellow Black women, this week has been a lot. It’s okay if you need to step back, log off, and take care of yourself.

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

This article was originally published on Unbothered UK

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