The Social

Welcome to Gathering In, a seasonal column (think Scorpio Season vs spring) all about the inner workings of the astrological world and what that means for the way we gather – or should gather – that month. Written by The Fish and the Goat, a Pisces and a Capricorn who formed a friendship over their self-taught astrological abilities and desire to identify the zodiac signs of their fellow coworkers, each column will serve as your trusty gathering guide for the forthcoming astrological season. First up is Pisces and we’ll see you on March 20 for Gathering In Aries. 😉

Are you ready for the astrological equivalent of a chill pill? Look no further than our dear friend, Pisces Season, who’s ready to give us a much needed dose of relaxation and the urge to Zen-ify all parts of our lives. Break out your candles, crystals, and essential oils and get ready for some deep connection – socially distanced, virtual, or otherwise – with yourself and those you love.

This year, Pisces Season brings many sweet treats with it: First, the end of Mercury in Retrograde (Praise be!). If you have found yourself slowed down, easily irritated, or encountering miscommunication after miscommunication, look no further than this transit. Mercury in Retrograde is about sitting back and reconsidering where you put your energy rather than making moves or big plans. As Mercury goes direct, we will see an end to delays, things will seem to move forward at a quicker and sexier pace, and you may make some headway with friends, family or co-workers who you just couldn’t get on the same page with for the last few weeks.

In early March, Mars moves into Gemini. Goodbye basic bitch, boredom. Hello exciting new ideas and hobbies! This is some dilettante realness energy so now is the time to take that virtual art seminar or declare reading all of Proust as your lockdown opus. Whatever intellectual pursuit you make yours, plan on sharing your insights with your friends. Gemini, the social butterfly of the zodiac, is all about exchanging ideas in fun ways. If you can arrange a safe gathering or virtual meet-up, it could be a good time to restart that book club or writing group. With this strong mix of Pisces and Gemini energy, it’s time to get real about the insanity we’ve all experienced this year while remembering it’s ok to have fun (responsibly!).  

There is a nostalgia to this moon but rather than let the ghosts of astrological past haunt you, welcome the intuitiveness the water brings by lighting incense, journaling or going on a long walk by the water. This would also be a great time to plan a manifestation party with a few friends. Charge that amethyst and rose quartz, take a salt bath and set your intentions regarding what you want to bring into your life in the next six months.

While this is all riveting, will there be some motherf’ing romance? Is water wet? Venus will be conjuncting multiple planets in March and will ALSO be entering Pisces. Venus in Pisces is the Charlotte York of astrological placements so re-download Bumble, there is a lot of magic in the air! You might encounter “the one” or at least “the one right now”. This a lucky time for partnerships so plan a romantic date night, a socially distant wedding, or wear something seductive for that first date (even if it is over Zoom).

To get the most out of this Pisces season, just take a note from Rihanna – THE Pisces queen – and SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND. Recommended Looks for Pisces Season: Wonder Woman, Broken Beauty, NSFW and Essentials Sage.

In her downtime, our Co-Founder and CEO Jess Latham cooks. This is how she unwinds and finds joy. Whether testing, perfecting or inventing recipes (to national acclaim), she’s in her element. Jess’ unique ability to whip up delicious dishes using accessible ingredients – ones often found in her pantry – left us inspired. As a result, we asked five of our own to share their favorite sweet and simple desserts for you to create, serve and enjoy.

Cocktails and entertaining go hand in hand and because of this, we make sure to carefully follow the goings-on in the spirits world. Bacardi Limited recently released its 2021 Cocktail Trends Report and we’re excited to share with you some of their findings and a trio of recipes to try.

Celebrating From Home & Experimentation

Over the past year, our living room floors have become dance floors, to-go has replaced dine in, and nights out on the town have made way for at-home gatherings with our pods. Bacardi Limited credits this shift in lifestyle for inspiring many of us to experiment with cocktail-making ourselves.

Whether you’re new to the mixology game or consider yourself a pro, we highly recommend adding the GREY GOOSE® LE FIZZ to your next at-home celebration’s drink menu. Recipe below!

Make It Mindful

The rapid rise in popularity and assortment of low-alcohol and alcohol-free beverages shows no signs of slowing and quite frankly, we’re here for it. These alternative drinks have made the world of “adult beverages” accessible to everyone.

Whether you’re seeking mindful consumption options, choose not to drink or are not of-age, there are plenty of tasty no- and low-alcohol alternative drinks for you to explore and indulge in. The ST~GERMAIN® SPRITZ is one of our favorite low-ABV cocktails. Recipe below – enjoy!

Nostalgia & Escapism Rule the Day 

Sentiments of nostalgic comfort and escapism are driving our collective desire for extreme flavors and twists on classic cocktails. We’re gleefully playing outside of our cocktail comfort zones by exploring new, more intense flavors, perhaps subconsciously as we seek to “spice up” our day-to-day lives in lockdown. If this trend is news to you and you’re intrigued, consider adding spicy, smoky, supersweet, and/or bitter sensations to your drink the next time you play bartender.

The BACARDÍ Ocho Old Fashioned with Chocolate Bitters comes highly recommended…

If you’d like to read the full report, you can find it HERE!

In honor and observance of Black History Month, the team here at Social Studies committed to some “MUST ______” with the intention of celebrating – and continuing to celebrate, beyond 2/28 – Black voices, accomplishments, culture and contributions, to name just a few. Read on for five team member’s musts…

Elise’s MUST DO

“I’m all about showing major love to Black creators on social media and beyond. This month, I’ll continue to discover and support Black creators and communities on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc. Following, liking, saving and subscribing all go a LONG way. Some of my favorite accounts are @blackownedeverything (pictured), @seeinblackproject, @rickeythompson, @tytyrone, and @raisaflowers.

Also on my MUST DO list? Finally tracing my African American lineage!!”

Veronica’s MUST READ

“Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain is on my nightstand and it’s a #1 New York Time’s Bestseller for good reason.”

Everton’s MUST SEE

“Miss Juneteenth! An incredible production with powerful performances by very powerful and captivating people. I think Miss Juneteenth is a must see for sure. Also be sure to check out more from the director, Channing Godfrey Peoples. She has some very interesting projects/works under her belt.”

Dana’s MUST LISTEN

“NYT podcast Still Processing. Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham, two culture writers for The New York Times, get into the pleasures and pathologies of America in 2020. They talk all things TV, movies, art, music and the internet to find the things that move them.

And in light of Michaela Coel being snubbed for her amazing show, I May Destroy You, an important listen is her interview with Trevor Noah where she discusses the importance of telling sexual assault stories and the definition of consent.”

Ashley’s MUST HAVE

“This month, I’m embracing some self love by keeping focused on what I need both physically and emotionally. That means regular yoga practice to help me wind down and quiet my mind.
I recently invested in a bolster and yoga blanket. I love this blanket from bolé road textiles [Ed. Note: an amazing black-owned home decor business].”

BONUS: If you’re interested in discovering more works by Black artists across the cultural landscape, we strongly recommend you read TIME’s “The 25 Defining Works of the Black Renaissance” – a list curated by some of the era’s most influential figures including Ava DuVernay, Ibram X. Kendi (featured in this Round Up!) and FKA Twigs.