How This Disney Screenwriter Broke into the Entertainment Industry

If you’ve been secretly working on a screenplay, TV pilot, or a novel while manning a day job, you know that writing is tough. While you dream of becoming a professionally paid writer, you’re not sure how to get started. One Scandal TV writer shares that the best writing advice she got was from her boss, Shonda Rhimes, who told her, “If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.” True that.

In this week’s How to Quit Your Day Job series, we chat with Victoria Strouse, a screenwriter who penned Finding Dory and is currently working on the upcoming Disney live-actionTinker Bell, starring Reese Witherspoon. Strouse shares her journey as a working screenwriter and offers creative advice for women who want to make it in the entertainment business.

Meet the Screenwriter: victoria strouse

victoria strouse finding dory

Growing up in an entertainment family, Strouse always knew that she wanted to work in the industry. Strouse’s father, Charles, is a prolific Emmy Award-winning composer who has written the music for Shrek 2, Annie, School of Rock, and many more films and shows. When applying to graduate schools, she applied to a bunch of playwriting programs and one film school. She was rejected by the playwriting programs but got into the University of Southern California’s prestigious film school. “I was so humbled and blown away that I couldn’t believe it. I was so excited to go. It set me on the path to be in screenwriting and I’m so grateful,” says Strouse. Since graduating from USC, she’s spent the past 18 years working as a screenwriter and TV writer. (Photo via Jason LaVeris/Getty)

The Tips

1. Film school is helpful (but not necessary). For Strouse, going to film school was invaluable for her. “As a fairly anxious person, I needed a set of rules and community. As a bit of a loner, I needed other people around and someone to tell me how to do it. For me, I needed to learn the structure of screenwriting,” says Strouse. Everyone’s journey is different, so film school isn’t the only way to make it as a screenwriter, but Strouse mentions that school helped her understand the laws and rules in the structure of screenwriting.

2. Be comfortable in the mess. A month after landing the gig to write Finding Dory, Strouse had a panic attack. “I thought, this can’t be done. You can’t have a main character who can’t remember anything. It’s not like Memento where she [Dory] can tattoo things on her fins. What are we doing to do?” says Strouse. Finding Dory was her first animated feature, and her first time working with Disney-Pixar. “I was fortunate to work with a group of people, the director especially, who had been through breaking an animated movie before. We had great minds thinking on the problems, and who were comfortable in the mess. You’ve got to be comfortable in the mess and enjoy spending most of your time problem-solving or discovering problems,” says Strouse.

3. Love the craft of writing. When sitting down to write a movie, the whole world is open as a potential landscape, says Strouse. “It’s incredibly difficult. I think a lot of people start it and then give up because, like all artistic pursuits, you can’t do it unless you love it.” Even Strouse admits that after 18 years in the business, she still finds the work hard. “But thankfully, I’m so grateful I love it as much as I do.”

4. Write what matters to you. The script that landed her Finding Dory had nothing to do with animation, but instead, focused on a road trip movie about a family. Strouse shares that the Pixar executive who brought her up to meet the director read that script and liked it. “She essentially finds Pixar’s writers,” says Strouse. “What I admire about Pixar is that they genuinely look for quality. What they look for are scripts where they respond to the characters, relationships, themes, and the story. If you talk to other writers who have worked at Pixar, I think probably 99 percent of them had never done a family movie or an animated movie. Writers are really the only job at Pixar that is outsourced, so you’re walking into a community as the writer and you’re bringing your own experience to it all.”

5. Enjoy the slow-motion process. She started working with the Pixar team in June 2012, and four years later, Finding Dory came out. During that intense time period, Strouse likens the writing process to playing a complex tennis match over and over again for four years. “If you’re playing that tennis match in slow motion a hundred times, you’re better prepared for any other match. You do this exploration that strengthens your muscles,” says Strouse. (Photo via Disney-Pixar)

6. Love working for yourself. Most days, Strouse works solo. She’s in charge of her schedule and she loves spending her days coming up with solutions to story problems. Part of her job also involves collaborating with partners on projects or rewriting someone else’s movie that’s on a certain schedule, but overall, being her own boss is a dream job for Strouse.

7. It’s okay to fail. Strouse stresses that she’s failed a lot in her career. “I have failed in scene writing. I have failed an entire script. I have failed selling scripts. I have failed getting movies made. I’ve failed pitching shows. I have failed so much that to say it’s part of the job is almost laughable,” says Strouse. “The expression ‘writing is rewriting’ is true. To make something good, you have to hone it and hone it and hone it.”

8. Don’t judge your first draft (or second or third). One thing that Strouse wants other writers to know is not to judge your first draft. “Probably don’t even judge your second or third. Certainly, analyze it and learn from it, but do not let that be your standard,” says Strouse.

9. Look at how other artists work. Growing up, Strouse would wake up hearing her father writing a song and later at the dinner table, heard him working on the same song. “It was very natural for me to hear somebody playing wrong notes all day as they struggled to try to find something. I saw how much my father loved it. I think that’s where my tolerance for creative mess came from,” says Strouse. Seeing how her father adored his daily work and how he struggled to find the right notes allowed Strouse to see the creative process for all of its realities, not just the glamorous final finished product.

Perfect Your Skills

1. USC Cinematic Arts Summer Program (tuition fees vary by course credits): During two separate six-week summer sessions, you’ll take classes with industry pros on filmmaking, editing, animation, writing, computer graphics, interactive game design, and the business of the industry.

2. Screenwriting: The Art of the First Draft ($49): If you’ve been wanting to finish that movie idea you’ve had and take it from idea to a first draft, take this Creative Live online course with Hal Ackerman, the screenwriting co-chair of the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television.

3. Write a Story ($59): If the fear of writing is stopping you from actually writing, this online course with author Joshua Mohr can help you clear that hurdle. You’ll learn how to grow a scene to its full potential, develop your writing skills, and create a strategy to build plot and characters.

What’s your dream career? Tweet us @BritandCo to let us know, and we could feature it in the next column!

(Featured photos via Disney-Pixar)

Betsey Johnson turned 75 last year, and her feminine hippie style is famous in fashion. The designer has dished on how to nail your own personal style, rents out her stylish Mexican home via Airbnb, and knows how to rock a red carpet with her signature split. In this week’s How to Quit Your Day Job series, we chat with the fashion maven herself, Betsey Johnson, who blazed a path for herself, starting in the 1960s, to create a whimsical style that is uniquely hers. Here, Johnson shares some hard-earned wisdom for future fashionistas and creatives with all the sparkle and wit you’d expect from the pretty in pink powerhouse.

MEET THE FASHION ICON: BETSEY JOHNSON

In 1964, Betsey Johnson won a Mademoiselle magazine contest to become a guest editor and charmed editors at Mademoiselle with her home-sewn t-shirt dresses. A year later, she became the top designer for Paraphernalia, a clothing boutique in New York City, that catered to a younger clientele that offered silver mini skirts and neon bikinis, and had go-go girls dancing in the store windows. It was London-style by way of NYC, and Johnson was one of the first employees. After her experience at Paraphernalia, Johnson wanted to branch out on her own. Now, with 50+ years working in the fashion industry, the style icon gives an inside look at how she built her empire and what she hopes other creative women implement in their own career journeys.

Brit + Co: What’s your morning routine?

Betsey Johnson: Lately I have been crawling out of bed at 8:30am, which is quite late for me because I am usually a 7am girl. I really enjoy spending time in my backyard, so once I’m up, I drift into the kitchen and have my one cup of black coffee. I often take my coffee to my birds-of-paradise garden in the backyard and sit among my flowers. I’m all about fruit for breakfast, and I’ve been on a grape kick recently. Once I’ve eaten, l call my assistant and we will go over what I am up to for the rest of the day. My schedule usually changes from day to day, so I never know what the day will bring!

B+C: What inspired you to start your brand?

BJ: I worked for 10 years in the industry before starting my namestake brand, and between the ’60s and ’70s, I realized that I wanted to be my own boss, have my own company, do my own thing. I simply just didn’t want to work for anyone anymore.

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Sparkle in our step ✨ Dancing on our minds 💃

A post shared by Betsey Johnson (@betseyjohnson) on

B+C: You are a pioneer in the fashion industry and celebrated diversity like casting transgender models in your runway shows. How were you able to trust your inner voice in your business life and beyond?

BJ: Sometimes you have to keep your blinders on and move full speed ahead without distraction from what others are doing/saying. I cast my shows to represent the world I see around me, and that is the most important thing to me.

B+C: You’ve got a book in the works about your life, a boutique hotel in Mexico, and continue to be involved in your company. What keeps your creative spark alive?

BJ: Nothing can keep you creative, you either live it and you have it, you either do it or you don’t. There is no time zone, season, or reason for you to be creative. You just have to motivate yourself and be your own biggest source of energy! No one or anything should be able to make you do something if you don’t have passion for it.

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No such thing as too much pink 💖

A post shared by Betsey Johnson (@betseyjohnson) on

B+C: What have you’ve learned from a failure or mistake you made?

BJ: Your past, the mistakes you’ve made, and the failures that follow you are only going to help you direct how you want to live your future. I am always looking back to my past to inform the way I want to do things now. We should never be ashamed of our mistakes. They make us who we are!

B+C: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

BJ: “Love it or it will leave you.” I feel you have to love what you do, and be connected to the whole business, then the best results will happen.

B+C: Your clothes, design style, and personality are iconic while remaining true to who you are as a person. What would you tell future female fashion designers about how to blaze their own trail?

BJ: Always be true to yourself. It’s the most important thing you have. Be kind, respect others, and fight hard for the things you want.

B+C: Name two female heroes who you think should get a shout-out.

BJ: First, I want to give a shout out to [my daughter] Lulu and my grandkids. I’ve been with them more than anyone else in my life, and I don’t know where I’d be without them. Also, women like Tina Turner, Madonna, and Janis Joplin have always been huge inspirations for my clothing and in my life. I can’t just pick two!

B+C: If you could tell aspiring creative women anything, what would it be?

BJ: You have to work really really really hard, but you should want to work hard. I think you make your own luck. I’ve been lucky in my life, but that is because I’ve worked hard. I believe the same thing can happen for any other young women out there.

RELATED: Insta Icon Eva Chen Dishes on Her Career, Fashion, and Her Latest Dream Collabs

(Photos via Betsey Johnson)

The only thing keeping me from being upset about A Court of Thorns and Roses TV show being canceled is how well Hulu handled it's newest thriller, Paradise. Created by screenwriter Dan Fogelman (This Is Us) and starring Sterling K. Brown, it's a murder mystery with dystopian undertones that explores what could happen if states become uninhabitable.

Besides feeling relevant to our current timeline, Paradise has a soundtrack that rivals Strangers Things and leaves viewers wanting more. Fortunately, Hulu got the memo and renewed it for Season 2 — thank goodness!

Here's everything to know about Paradise season 2!

Has 'Paradise' Season 2 began filming? 

I'm pinching myself because Paradise Season 2 has started filming! Dan Fogelman shared the amazing news on his Instagram a few days ago and his comments are buzzing with excitement! "We’re baaaaaaaack. #Paradise#S2," he wrote which means we could see Sterling K. Brown and Julianne Nichols on our screens sooner than anticipated.

This comes after an update Fogelman shared with a hopeful fan on X. In response to a fear viewers would have to wait a long time to see more action from our new favorite characters, Fogelman put all fears aside. "we start shooting in just a few weeks. It won’t be 2 years I promise! #Paradise," he said.

When does 'Paradise' season 2 premiere?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Filming just started for Paradise Season 2, so a premiere date for it hasn't been shared yet. But at the rate Fogelman's going, we could possibly see the thriller series on Hulu towards the end of the year or at the beginning of 2026!

For now, fans can rewatch Season 1 on Hulu or when it appears on ABC April 7 at 10:00 p.m. (via The Hollywood Reporter).

What is 'Paradise' about?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Paradise begins in an idyllic community where homes are picturesque, streets are clean, and everyone lives in perfect harmony. However, it doesn't take long for the peace to be disturbed when the President is discovered murdered by his trusted Secret Service agent Xavier Collins.

Before long, he begins questioning the world he and his children live in while also searching for clues about his missing wife.

Who's in the 'Paradise' cast?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Paradise Season 1 has a stacked cast! Besides Sterling K. Brown, there's other familiar faces who help with the show's equilibrium.

  • Sterling K. Brown as Xavier Collins
  • James Marsden as President Cal Bradford
  • Julianne Nicholson as "Sinatra"
  • Krys Marshall as Robinson
  • Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi
  • Jon Beavers as Billy Pace
  • Nicole Brydon Bloom as Jane Driscoll
  • Aliyah Mastin as Presley Collins
  • Percy Daggs IV as James Collins
  • Charlie Evans as Jeremy Bradford
  • Richard Robichaux as Carl

What's happened in 'Paradise' so far?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Wow, where do I begin?!

After it was revealed that the community he and everyone else lives in has been artificially created due to a disaster, the brief moments of unease Collins shows begins making sense. It's clear he and President Cal ended on bad terms before his death, but it doesn't seem like he was responsible for murdering the man he was sworn to protect.

What's odd is that Sinatra, the mastermind behind the beautiful community they live in, has been playing puppet master. She ordered the deaths of scientists sent to the surface to test the air quality AND she made sure Agent Billy was blindsided by his love interest's manipulation. Upsettingly, his murderer is none other than seemingly docile and clueless Agent Jane.

Viewers were also introduced to President Cal's father and were able to see how much he never wanted to be the face of the country. Though his father appears to have dementia, it's clear he feels guilty about something and may have seen who killed his son.

When did the season finale of 'Paradise' season air?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Paradise left off on several cliffhangers on Hulu March 4!

How many seasons of 'Paradise' will there be?

Disney/Brian Roedel

Dan Fogelman already knows what he wants to do with Paradise! He said, "I have a plan for three seasons of the show. Without giving away too much, each season of the show is a slightly different show, within the same show with the same characters," (via The Hollywood Reporter).

For more exciting entertainment news, be sure to follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!

This post has been updated.

If your sweet tooth is your calling, why not learn how to turn your dessert dreams into a full-time passion from women entrepreneurs who took their inspiration beyond an idea? One movie date with her future husband to see Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory prompted Sugarfina co-founder Rosie O’Neill to wonder why grown-up candy stores didn’t exist. Food blogger Katie Higgins flipped her side gig of writing healthy dessert recipes into a career, and food scientist Natalia Butler found her ideal job creating new flavors for the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream empire. In this week’s How to Quit Your Day Job, we chat with Kim Malek, the CEO and founder of Salt & Straw — a popular West Coast chain of ice cream parlors focused on local flavors — about how she turned her idea for a community-based gathering spot for good times into a sweet success story.

Meet the Ice Cream Pro: Kim Malek

Years before Salt & Straw founder Kim Malek started her company, she worked at Starbucks Coffee, Yahoo!, adidas, and Gardenburger in marketing, community outreach, and product management and development. But inspired by the time she lived in the foodie paradise of Portland, Oregon, she had a vision to create a local eatery where friends could gather. Fourteen years later, she and her cousin Tyler, now head ice cream maker, started with an ice cream cart in Portland. Their unique flavors, like Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper and Pots of Gold & Rainbows (a mix of colorful marshmallows and cereal milk-flavor), garnered fans and graced Food Network’s list of the Top 5 Ice Creams in America.

With brick-and-mortar scoop shops now open in Los Angeles, Downtown Disney District, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle, the neighborhood ice cream dream Malek had 14 years earlier is now a thriving company. This year, Salt & Straw is gearing up to open its 19th location, and the team will be releasing its first cookbook, the Salt & Straw Ice Cream Cookbook (out April 30).

Brit + Co: What’s your morning routine?

Kim Malek: I have three kiddos, and I try to always take them to school when I’m not traveling. My mornings are all about them. I wake up around 5:30am, take our new puppy out for a little walk, make coffee, and pull myself together over a morning dose of NPR, and then wake up the littles and get them rolling. I’m big into ensuring they have a well-rounded breakfast, so I’m always dreaming up new things to serve along with a large plate of fruit daily. We dash out the door to be sure they have some time to play before school starts (essential to burn energy before sitting all day), which also gives me time to connect with other parents and teachers. Having accomplished all of that before I arrive at the office by 8:30am makes me feel like I’ve already packed in a lot. It’s great momentum for my busy day ahead.

B+C: What inspired you to start your company?

KM: I’d spent most of my adult life in Seattle but lived in Portland for a brief period in the mid-’90s. While there, I was struck by the incredible sense of community and collaboration that I experienced, and I was convinced that an ice cream shop would be the perfect way to reflect that. I wanted to create a place where people could run into their neighbors and spend time with friends and family. I started to work on a plan to open a shop and even looked at real estate. But I got cold feet and retreated back to my safe corporate job for the next 14 years, until the stars aligned for me to move back to Portland in 2010 and dust off my plans. Now, when I see the lines and groups of people who come together at our shops, it’s really gratifying to know that my original inspiration of creating great neighborhood gathering places has come to life in so many wonderful places up and down the West Coast.

B+C: How do you challenge yourself as an entrepreneur?

KM: I heard [football quarterback] Joe Montana speak several years ago and identified with a statement he made about being motivated by fear. As a classic entrepreneur who is motivated by the possibilities with a great appetite for risk, also being motivated by fear seemed ironic to other people when I described it. I had the opportunity to sit next to Joe at a dinner a few months ago and let him know that his statement had stuck with me all these years later and asked him if he’d explain a bit more what he meant by that. He said that he was generally pretty confident that he’d succeed at whatever he was doing, but he was motivated by fear to create contingency plans, be more ready than seems logical, and work harder than anyone else. I loved that!

B+C: Tell us about how your family and friends help support your business.

KM: My family has been instrumental in the company. I founded the company with my cousin Tyler. He wanted to join me to make ice cream when I was getting the company started, but he’d never made ice cream before and just started culinary school. He lived in my basement and experimented with ice cream making on a machine he got at Goodwill. It quickly became apparent that he was really talented, and he became the head ice cream maker right off the bat. It turned out to be a terrific partnership, and his culinary sense has made the company what it is today. The other person I have to mention is my partner Mike. Before I started Salt & Straw, I lived in Seattle and was about to move to NYC. I came to Portland for a birthday and met a guy in a bar, which doesn’t usually end well, but we are still together with three kids. And so I moved to Portland instead of NYC for love. I began working on the business but didn’t really have the funding needed. I cashed in my 401(k), sold my house, and had a garage sale to raise money, but was still $40K short. Mike put his house up as collateral for a small loan from the City of Portland to secure the final funds needed. He’s been an incredible support ever since.

B+C: What have you learned from a failure or mistake you made?

KM: One mistake that most growing companies make is around hiring. I’ve learned what a costly mistake this can be. I’ve found that spending more time on scoping roles to be sure we understand what the company needs over the next two to three years and collaborating with the team on core competencies associated with the position are key to ensuring that we find the right person. It slows us down at the start but allows us to move forward with everyone aligned on what we are looking for in a candidate.

B+C: What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

KM: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten: not to take advice! Stay clear about your original vision and mission, and come back to that when making decisions. I find it most helpful for others to share their experiences versus offering advice. I’ve learned the most that way and have been able to choose how to incorporate that experience into my decision-making.

B+C: What do you love about your job?

KM: I’m most inspired by working side-by-side with people who have been with Salt & Straw since the beginning and have had a long career, continuing to push the company and others to new heights. It’s incredible to see how people have grown and taken the idea of this company far beyond what I could have imagined. I popped into a meeting recently with folks from all over the company working to figure out how to introduce a new product. It blows my mind to see these super-smart, passionate people creating a new future together.

B+C: Name two female heroes who you think should get a shout-out.

KM: First, Maggie Weissman, a principal at Billings Montana High School where I grew up and who went on to own Great Harvest Bread in Seattle. Before that, she was in the Peace Corps. I remember going to the drug store with her to buy toiletries for someone she was hiring who was recently released from prison. She worked on a plan to help him be successful in the job. Watching her go through the process changed everything I knew about what creating jobs could mean for others.

Second is RBG [Ruth Bader Ginsburg]. One story I love about her is that when her son’s school called about her son’s behavior, she said, “He also has a father. Please call him from now as the first point of contact for issues pertaining to our son.” Since they both worked, it didn’t seem fair that the school always contacted her first. Funny enough, she said when the school now had to interrupt a man at work, they stopped calling so frequently. As a household with two working parents, it was a good reminder to be sure the systems and institutions we work with are supportive of co-parenting. It’s an ongoing struggle to make it all work.

B+C: If you could tell aspiring creative women anything, what would it be?

KM: Find your voice and use it. You have terrific ideas that the world deserves to hear. I think women tend to be too conservative in sharing their thoughts, dreams, and plans, and wait until they have things perfect to speak out. One of the biggest gifts someone can give you is to underestimate you.

RELATED: How Two College Roommates Turned a Food Allergy Into a Superfood Ice Cream

(Photos via Leela Cyd Ross)

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Pop culture lovers definitely remember all the buzz surrounding Anyone But You — and the affair rumors circulating Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney. The actors ended up admitting they played into the rumor for the movie's marketing, but fans can't quite let this duo go. Well, after Sydney allegedly postponed her wedding to fiancé Jonathan Davino, even more rumors surfaced that the actress allegedly stayed at a hotel on her own and called off her wedding. And this weekend, Sydney was spotted with none other than Glen Powell at Glen's sister's wedding. Which, if you remember, is literally the plot of Anyone But You.

Here's everything we know about Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell at that wedding this weekend.

Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell were spotted grabbing Tex Mex.

Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney were spotted this weekend in Dallas, Texas — and DeuxMoi reports it was for his sister's rehearsal dinner at Joe Leo Fine Tex Mex. In the photos, Glen stands at the bar in a polo shirt while Sydney wears a black scoop neck top and long waves.

Fans of the duo immediately flooded the comments to join the conversation, with some Instagram users asking, "Can't they be friends?!" with others pointing out, "People are saying good friends but idk if I'd bring a friend to my SISTER'S wedding." (And this tweet referencing Taylor Swift's "Fresh Out The Slammer" made me laugh). DeuxMoi also reported Sydney had her own invitation to the wedding, but that the pair was "real close" at the Park House members-only club.

A source did tell TMZ that Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell did not attend the wedding as a couple, and that Syd is "very good friends with the Powell family," and that she's been "very close" with Glen's sister Leslie Powell "for a long time."

Did Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell have a relationship?

There were rumors surrounding Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell having an affair while filming & promoting Anyone But You, but Sydney shut those rumors down after the movie's release.

"Once [the movie] did become a success, a lot of the interviews were just questions about [the rumors], so I don’t know if we necessarily were planning on ever talking about the strategy behind any of it," she told Vanity Fair. "We just had very specific questions and when you say no to a question, people think that you’re a b—ch, so."

"I wanted to make sure that we were actively having a conversation with the audience as we were promoting this film," she added in an interview with the New York Times. "Because at the end of the day, they’re the ones who created the entire narrative."

Why did Sydney Sweeney call off her wedding?

Sydney Sweeney and Jonathan Davino reportedly called off their wedding because of "major" problems, and a lot of work stress.

"Sydney and Jonathan have been having major issues but are not fully split," a source told MailOnline. “Things are not great right now, but they aren’t throwing in the towel yet. They are working on their relationship but have called off the wedding for now.”

The sources adds that “the wedding is not happening, and they aren’t having further discussions about it. Sydney wanted to cancel everything and couldn’t handle the stress...A lot of their issues stem from Sydney being extremely busy with work commitments."

What is the age difference between Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell?

Sydney Sweeney was born in 1997, making her 27 years old. Glen Powell is 36 and was born in 1988. There's 9 years between them.

Stay tuned for the latest news on Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell — and congrats to the Powell family! Check out Sydney Sweeney Is A Total Bombshell After Postponing Her Wedding for more on the Euphoria actress.

Get ready for this week's weeklyhoroscope, because Aries season just got a whole lot more interesting. Not only is the Sun still blazing in this fiery sign, but we're welcoming Neptune into the Aries party – and trust me, this is a game-changer. Think less daydreaming, more doing. This week's astro-weather is all about turning those big, beautiful visions into tangible realities, not just for us, but for the whole planet. Get ready to channel your inner warrior for good, because the universe is giving us the green light to make some serious magic happen. Let's dive into your weekly horoscope!

Scroll to see your zodiac sign's weekly horoscope for March 30-April 5, 2025.

Taryn Archambault

This weekly horoscope is all about Aries— not only because the Sun is in Aries, but because Neptune has just entered the sign. Neptune, the ruler of Pisces, embodies peace and ethereal wisdom, while Aries is bold, courageous, and a warrior. This shift presents a powerful opportunity: instead of just dreaming of a more just and equal world, we can take real steps toward making it a reality—not only for humanity but for all species and ecosystems. It’s a big task, but history offers inspiration. The last time Neptune entered Aries, in 1864, the International Red Cross was founded to provide aid to war-wounded soldiers, regardless of which side they fought for. That altruistic mission has endured for 161 years.

Neptune spends roughly 14 years in each sign, shaping the collective outlook of an entire generation. Moving from Pisces, the zodiac’s final and most intuitive sign, into Aries, the first and most action-oriented sign, marks the start of a new cycle. While Neptune may take time to adjust to Aries’ fiery energy, we have an opportunity to manifest the highest potential of this pairing—using Aries’ drive to actively pursue Neptune’s vision of peace.

This week also brings other planetary movements that support positive action. On April 4, Saturn sextiles Uranus, blending Saturn’s discipline with Uranus’ inventive, out-of-the-box thinking. This energy encourages us to take calculated risks and work hard toward meaningful goals, transforming chaos into order.

Mallory Vandervelde

Adding to the momentum, Mars sextiles Uranus on the same day. This alignment delivers an extra push to innovate, experiment, and pursue what makes us feel free and authentic. Trust your instincts—if there’s a move you’ve been considering to bring more fulfillment into your life, this is a great time to make it happen.

On April 6, Venus trines Mars, blending love and beauty with action and drive. These two planets will continue this harmonious dance for months, sparking creativity and passion. It’s a great time to expand social activities and embrace the fresh, inviting energy of spring. Assertiveness and affection will be well-balanced, making it easier to connect with new people and strengthen existing relationships. Advocate for yourself and take charge of your life.

For a deeper and more personalized look at how these and other transits affect you, visit SevenSistersAstrology.com for a reading.

Read Your Zodiac Sign's Weekly Horoscope Here!

Brit + Co

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Ensure your projects are grounded in reality. If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Conserve your energy for attainable goals and refine your ideas before taking action. This dreamy phase is excellent for creativity, so carve out a space where you can freely create. Prioritize your artistic or personal passions and allow fluidity in the process.

Brit + Co

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

You stand at the edge of profound personal growth. Take time for quiet reflection, deepen your spiritual practice, and open your heart to intuitive insights. Use any tools that help you expand your understanding of the universe and your place in it. Patience is key; setbacks should be viewed as opportunities for cleansing and realignment. Release anything that no longer serves your highest evolution.

Brit + Co

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

It may feel like you’re the only competent one, and doing everything yourself seems easier than waiting for others to catch up. However, be cautious—this can lead to resentment. Instead, evaluate your role within your group or community. You are a natural leader, so set boundaries and teach others rather than shouldering all the work. Empowering others lightens your load and strengthens your influence.

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Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

This may be a confusing period. Ask yourself: does your outward persona truly reflect who you are? Reflect on the different aspects of your personality and whether you’ve been limiting yourself. Explore new interests beyond your daily routine. You might find that career ambitions shift once you connect with other facets of yourself. Avoid impulsive decisions; instead, organize your life to accommodate both stability and growth.

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Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Trust the universe and your intuition. Let go of ego-driven desires, power struggles, and the need to control. Mystical insights will emerge when you surrender to the flow. Explore art, culture, or travel to broaden your horizons. Seek out experiences that challenge and expand your understanding of the world. Engaging with diverse perspectives will lead to exciting and meaningful interactions.

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Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

You are entering a deeply introspective and spiritual phase. Peel back the layers of ego, dive into your subconscious, and strengthen your connection to the cosmos. This period offers a chance for self-transformation, leading to a more peaceful, authentic version of yourself. Establish rituals that nurture your higher self. However, don’t neglect daily responsibilities—especially financial matters, which require extra attention now.

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Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Clear, direct communication is crucial, particularly in your relationships. Honesty and transparency will serve you best. If conflicts arise, practice Nonviolent Communication (as taught by Marshall Rosenberg). Keep your eyes open and scrutinize agreements carefully—have contracts reviewed by a professional before signing. Take a cautious, discerning approach in your interactions until intentions become clear.

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Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Listen to your body’s signals. Seasonal transitions can make you more susceptible to illness, so prioritize self-care. Strengthen your immune system with healthy habits. You may also be more sensitive to substances like alcohol or processed foods—moderation is key. Your heightened intuition will guide you when assessing new opportunities; trust your instincts and be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true.

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Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

You are entering an exceptionally creative phase. Push beyond your current perceptions of what creativity means to you. Experiment with new methods and techniques while ensuring that the process remains enjoyable. Inspiration can strike from unexpected places, so stay open. However, avoid speculative risks for now. Instead, channel this ethereal energy into artistic and imaginative pursuits.

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Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

The comfort of home may be especially appealing, but ask yourself whether you’re using it as an escape. If so, redirect that energy into creative activities that soothe your soul, such as gardening, tending to your houseplants or growing kitchen herbs. Establish meaningful rituals to connect with your inner self. If emotions feel overwhelming, seek guidance from a counselor or trusted advisor to gain perspective.

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Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

Communication requires extra care. Before expressing heartfelt emotions or presenting ideas, take time to clarify your thoughts. Negotiations are especially delicate—pay close attention to details, and seek legal counsel before signing agreements. This is also an excellent period for writing or refining creative projects. Diligence will pay off, allowing you to produce some of your most compelling work.

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Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Be mindful with finances and possessions. If something promises quick riches, be skeptical. You may feel slightly disoriented, so detach from rigid expectations. Approach material matters with a spiritual mindset—do your belongings bring joy and elevate your energy? Take time to assess what truly adds value to your life and let go of anything that no longer serves you.

For more insights on how these and other planetary transit impact you, visit SevenSistersAstrology.com for a personalized reading.

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