On Astrocartography

Have you ever moved somewhere and everything just went wrong? Let me tell you about London. 

I went there for a glamorous job, to start a new life with my fiancé. Within a year, the relationship imploded, leaving me with a broken heart. I worked like a drudge, I could not adapt to the heavy drinking culture, and found myself within a glamorous but backstabbing group of friends. And while they were some very fun parties and other highlights, I’ve never been so inexplicably miserable in my life. 

London is where I had my eyes opened to the world of astrology and astrocartography, in a meeting with an investment banker turned vedic astrologer in a Starbucks in the most touristy part of town. 

After giving a mind-blowing natal reading, she asked if I was considering a move. “Yes. Why? How?” I sputtered. “Well, London is really terrible for you,” as she turned around her software to show me. “See, you’ll just work and work and never get anywhere and feel like you are under someone’s thumb. If you move to San Francisco, everything becomes more open, more possible. Lighter.” She was right - I waited 9 more months out in London, more terrible things happened. Then I moved to San Francisco, and while that is another chapter or perhaps book, I did find the version of myself I love best and met my husband there. 

No visiting, no fun, no good vibes. No. Photo by Lex Guerra on Unsplash

Why was London so bad for me? Why did San Francisco work better? And how was she so accurate with the broad themes of my life? 

Pluto & mercury crossed nearby, mars squared my ascendant - or rather, the paths of planets over that city - cause a certain set of events based on my natal chart to come to bear. Translating those movements into themes specific to one’s own natal chart is the role of an astrologer. Helping to pin down why some places make you shine and others make you feel like hiding under the covers and talking to no one for as long as possible.  

In my practice, I’ve found astrocartography a versatile tool for helping to unleash promises of a natal chart, help clients unlock their path to abundance, and understand why some experiences just suck no matter how hard you work otherwise. Like most intuitive practices, astrocartography is most helpful the more clear one is on a desired goal, outcome or experience. 

So let’s explore together. 

WHAT IS ASTROCARTOGRAPHY

Astro- celestial bodies, positioning of the stars. Cartography- the science of drawing maps.

In its simplest form, astrocartography is the practice of analyzing your birth chart lines as they align to specific geographic locations, revealing what those physical places can mean for you in the spiritual and material sense. At the time of your birth, your chart can be overlaid on a map of the world to better understand where you can find both better alignment/energy for success - or impose greater challenges on yourself.

Applying location-based astrological techniques to a person’s nativity, with an emphasis on angular planets at the moment of birth, enables astrocartographers to analyze and explore parts of your chart that can be amplified or muted.  

Astrologers look at the paths of the planets as well as using parans - where planets cross one another and bring their different energies together. 

But why use Astrocartography? What does it reveal that traditional astrological readings don’t?

Astrocartography can be used as another way to maximize our potential and opportunities in life. I have used it a number of times to analyze and explore my personal wealth development, the progression of my marriage, even to better understand where I might find more resources for our growing son. But it’s not limited to that - you can use it to explore where to vacation and holiday, or where abroad might open work successes for you, where to find love, where to raise a family, etc. Its applications are very broad.

Ok, I’m willing to give it a shot. How does it work?

Unfortunately, employing astrocartography for one’s self can be a difficult challenge, as it requires employing many different systems to achieve accurate and consistent results. So it’s to the benefit of those new to this concept to work with an established practitioner. Why? As always, it is about synthesis - of knowing how your natal chart works with the planets, the energy they hold for you, and where you can find the most fortuitous growth. 

The more specific a question or goal you have in mind, the more astrocartography can help. I suggest considering the kinds of energy you want to explore, as proximity to planetary lines is one of the major functions of this practice. These lines bring you energy, both good and bad, and there’s no escaping them.

HOW TO BEST USE AN ASTROCARTOGRAPHY SESSION

Use the following ideas to help guide your questions:

Goals - what are you pursuing at this time? What is the consideration of uprooting your life anywhere in the world in service of? 

Criteria & Restrictions - I’ve got deep waters in my chart that translate to an intrinsic need to be near a sea. Like a mermaid, I cannot go too long without being in saltwater - and I’m never more content than with the sound of the ocean crashing at my door. 

There are considerations of being near family, being where one could find employment, having activities you love, a culture that mirrors your values, etc. Not to mention climate - I’ve never been a fan of seasons. 😂

Intuition-Led Questions - I like clients to give a short list of places that call to them. Whether cities, states, regions or countries. We are always being pulled towards growth. 

Realism - if we are solely looking at maximizing potential, you may have an odd list. For example, if I was purely going off my chart potential, I would live on an island very far off the coast of Japan. While my first desired profession was an oceanographer, that isn’t really feasible (or desired) at this time. Or Russia. 

If you want to explore on your own, there are a variety of services out there that can create maps for you. Solar Fire has the best software in my experience. But more than software, remember that your chart is unique to you - for example, I have a weak Venus in my chart but a very strong moon. So I discount any Venus lines (good or bad) as they have a weak influence overall.