Oh yes, Mercury retrograde is here again. Can you feel it? This week's energy has been all about digging deeper and transforming what's kept us small. And women globally are channeling it into revolutionary wins that would've seemed impossible just a few years ago. With Cynthia Erivo being named "Man of the Year", divorce rates rising in the deep south, and Albania passing a historic gender equality law, we're activating the divine feminine on a whole new level.
Let's dive into how women are creating massive change this week.
Cynthia Erivo Named GQ's Man of the Year: Cynthia Erivo has been named British GQ's "Man of the Year," a groundbreaking recognition for the actress who transformed herself completely for her role as Elphaba in Wicked. The 38-year-old Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winner (who's now one award away from EGOT status) has released deeply personal albums about queerness and desire, performed barefoot in slip dresses at solo concerts, and is preparing to play all 23 parts in a West End production of Dracula. Erivo is choosing radical vulnerability over self-protection, showing us that the most defiant thing you can do is stay soft in a world that wants to make you hard.
Divorce Rates Rising in the Deep South: While national divorce rates have been falling for decades, conservative states like Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia are seeing divorce rates rise, with Alabama now having higher divorce rates than New York. Women who married young to men they barely knew are now working outside the home, gaining financial independence, and questioning the traditional Southern teaching that they should submit to their husbands and never divorce.
Iran's Social Revolution: Iranians are increasingly ignoring government social restrictions on a massive scale—women are out without hijabs wearing crop tops, mixed-gender crowds are dancing at concerts, women are singing solo and riding motorcycles despite being denied licenses—and authorities aren't consistently cracking down anymore. Since the Woman Life Freedom protests in 2022, this defiance has become so widespread that even some regime insiders are saying they can't control it and need to ease restrictions to prevent more protests. We're watching a society transform as people simply refuse to follow oppressive rules, forcing even authoritarian governments to reconsider their grip on power.
Arizona Democrat Finally Sworn In After 7 Weeks: Adelita Grijalva was finally sworn into Congress after a seven-week standoff with Speaker Mike Johnson, who refused to seat her during the government shutdown despite her winning a special election to replace her late father. Democrats claimed Johnson was preventing her from becoming the 218th signature on a petition to release the Epstein files, which she signed as her first act in office.
EU Parliament Approves Maternity Voting Rights: The European Parliament voted 605-35 to allow pregnant members to delegate their votes for three months before and six months after giving birth. Currently, reps must physically be present in Brussels or Strasbourg to vote, but this change would let pregnant legislators maintain their democratic duties without choosing between recovery and representation.
Albania Passes Historic Gender Equality Law: Albania just passed a law requiring that women hold between 30-50% of all government positions. This means that when appointing cabinet ministers, department heads, or forming government committees, they can't just pick mostly men anymore; they must ensure at least 3 out of every 10 positions (minimum) go to women, restructuring how political power is distributed in the country. Instead of waiting decades for gradual change or hoping men will voluntarily share power, they're mandating that women get seats at the decision-making table now.
Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Same-Sex Marriage: The Supreme Court rejected Kim Davis's attempt to overturn the 2015 same-sex marriage ruling. The former Kentucky county clerk was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, losing her appeal after a jury awarded $100,000 in damages to the couple she denied.
Welsh Drag Queens Play Rugby for Charity: Welsh drag queens competed in their annual charity rugby match, raising over £3,500 for Dreams & Wishes, a charity that grants wishes for ill children. The drag queens swapped their heels for trainers but still went full force with tackling and sprinting, with videos showing them giving it their all on the pitch after getting ready at a local bar and entering to "Eye of the Tiger." It's a perfect example of how LGBTQ+ communities can bring people together for good causes (and Wales is here for inclusive sports)!
China's Solar Farm Ecosystem: China built a massive solar farm in the Gobi Desert to harness its 3,000+ hours of annual sunlight, but the shade from panels and water from cleaning them accidentally caused grass to grow so fast it started blocking the panels. They brought in sheep to eat the grass, but then the sheep thrived in this new ecosystem with shade from panels and abundant food, turning a barren desert into land that now powers 2 million homes while sustaining thousands of sheep with vegetation coverage jumping from 0 to 80% in three years. Technology and nature can work together in unexpected ways—sometimes our "mistakes" become the blueprint for the future.
Nikalie's Bridge of Light Idea: The gal who's been running a social experiment asking churches for baby formula and getting turned away, is now creating a website/app called "Bridge of Light". People in need can create profiles with their stories and donors can directly connect with and "adopt" individuals or families to help year-round. Instead of donating to big organizations where you don't know where the money goes, donors can scroll through profiles, choose who to help based on specific needs (medication, housing, food), and build personal relationships with those they're helping. This could revolutionize charitable giving by cutting out the middleman and creating direct, transparent connections between those who want to help and those who need it.
Debbie Bolton's Airport Kindness: When a father couldn't afford a $749 ticket for his daughter, Debbie Bolton stepped up. The father had bought the ticket when his daughter was under 2 thinking she'd fly free, but by travel time, she needed her own seat. He was about to miss the flight because he couldn't afford the unexpected cost. Debbie, who's the founder and CFO of Norwex, overheard everything and paid for the ticket without a second thought.
Obama Surprises Honor Flight Veterans: Former President Barack Obama surprised 87 veterans on an honor flight at Reagan National Airport, speaking over the plane's intercom to thank them for their service and personally handing each veteran a Presidential Challenge Coin as they deplaned. The veterans, who served in Korea and Vietnam, were on a free trip to see the memorials built in their honor. Obama posted later, saying their sacrifices will be honored "today and every day."
With Debbie Bolton stepping up for those in need, Nikalie creating new ways to support communities, and the EU providing new maternity voting rights, we're starting to see a complete systemic transformation.
This retrograde, it's time to reclaim what was always ours. Our power. Our autonomy. Our right to exist fully and freely without permission.
How will you shift this week?
