DORÉ

At the studio, I sit across from the bubbly and talkative Mary. When she realized it was March 1st last week she exclaimed, “Oh my god! I have a new horoscope to read!”

It made me chuckle a bit on the inside because I never expected Mary to be someone who reads their horoscope. But, that moment also reminded me what it is I love about astrology. It’s used in big ways and little ways, by people you would never expect, to gain a bit of insight about themselves. I believe this insight is never not already known by them, but rather, validation on something they might have been dancing around for awhile, and have finally been given the permission to run with.

Despite all these ruminations on astrology (and a DEEP pride of being a scorpio), I’ve never had my birth chart read until a week ago when the lovely Nadine Jane broke it all down for me, and made me fall in love with astrology all over again.

For those who aren’t familiar with the term, a birth chart notates where all the planets were at the exact time and place of one’s birth. This chart then gives insight into one’s character, as based on the influence of planetary alignment. One’s “sun sign” is probably the part you know about your birth chart. But obviously, there were a ton of other planets orbiting around the sun when you were born! So, the birth chart explores what the position of all those other planets might have to say about you.

Could I give you another 2000 words about my specific birth chart reading? You betcha. But, that seems very personalized and not at all helpful. So instead, I enlisted two astrologers, Nadine Jane and Tashi dos Santos (who accompanied us to Chile for the Art of Self Discovery!!!), to share a bit more about what astrology means to them.

What sparked your interest in astrology?

Nadine: I always knew that I was an Aquarius, but I had met so many other Aquarians who were nothing like me. Why was I such a romantic? Why was I shy when conversations revolved around me? Why was I so rebellious as a teenager? Reading my birth chart for the first time affirmed everything I had always known about myself. And for the first time, I felt like it wasn’t just okay to be me, I was meant to be me.

How do you suggest people use astrology as a tool?

Nadine: Self-reflection is the key to self-actualization. If you know what your strengths are, you can maximize them. If you know your weaknesses you can be aware of your blind spots. This allows you to come into any situation, personal or professional, and know exactly what you can offer the room and what you will need from them in return. Your birth chart is your one-of-a-kind astrological thumbprint. It is the blueprint of who you are and how you function. It is the key to unlocking your ultimate potential and purpose.

Are there any books or resources you suggest to people who want to learn more?

Nadine: I think studying yourself is the best place to start, so I would begin by downloading an app that explains your own birth chart, like Co-Star or Time Passages. From there, if you’re hooked enough to start studying, my favorite beginner books are The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology by April Elliott Kent and Parkers’ Astrology by Julia and Derek Parker.

You come from a long lineage of astrologers. Can you tell us a bit about your family’s history and how it informed your pursuit of astrology?

Tashi: Yes, it is true that I come from a long line of Seers, Mystics, Healers, Astrologers and Gypsies. My Athenian Greek Mother and Alrgarvian Gypsy Father eloped for the very reasons I practice all that I do today. This reason was their quest for truth. When I say truth here, I am referring to the knowing that there is more to life and then the act in seeking out that very knowing.

For them, the search was complimentary to their own lineages, and connecting through this quest gave birth to me. I feel supremely fortunate because my generation is witnessing the acceptance of all that my parents and parent’s parents had to hide.

Do not think that in the time of my grandparents Astrology and Divination was accepted, because it was not. I grew up being told to never repeat the moments I got to see my grandparents conduct healing ceremonies, coffee cup readings, divinations and starry forecasts. Not even my father would want me to praise him and our family’s shamanic charms.

My mother, on the contrary, was one of the ones who managed to take her divine responsibility out into the open. I believe that her also being an Australian played a big role in that freedom. Through the courage that came from my mother’s steps, I too trusted that accepting what I was born with and using it was the only way to serve this life supremely. This doesn’t mean however, that the rest of my family didn’t work their magic or support mine, they truly did (and they still do). The only difference is, for the most part, they had to hide it.

It was my lifelong teacher, Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, who gave me the golden nudge to take practices such as Astrology and Divination professionally. Even though I have been practicing all of these for my entire life, it was only in 2010, during a Monlam Ceremony in Bodhgaya, India, under his care, where my beloved TarotbyTashi was born.

From then on, I have completed professional Astrological readings and Divinations for innumerable beings, from all around the world, from business leaders to royalty, to exalted spiritual teachers, and to beings from all walks of life. In the process, I have embraced the Gypsy wanderer in me, a citizen of a world without boundaries, always traveling and taking my beloved work with me wherever I go.

How do you use astrology as a tool in your everyday life?

Tashi: The main purpose of my commitment towards Astrology is just how vast it is in its capacity of assisting others.

For me, living is living with the cosmos! Every day and night is a communion with their messages and I cannot awake nor fall asleep without saluting our skies.

I also work with the cosmos intimately to prepare Mystical Sojourns and create many of the TarotbyTashi Sacred Scents.

Can you explain the concept of a birth chart and how you use it to talk to people about their past, present and future?

Tashi: Human beings have always shared a deep interest in the sky, and an ever-flowing care for Astronomy, Astrology, the patterns of weather, and the means to calculate calendars was woven into us since the very beginning.

To the Ancients, Astrology was a supreme kingdom of clarity, a support to our understanding of all that is written above, so below, as well as a means to foresee even more!

It is said that Astrology antedates all of recorded history, and its roots reach way before even that time when the gods walked on earth alongside man.

A divine study in interconnectedness is Astrology, which does not treat any one person as a totally separate entity; it is rooted in the understanding that we are all made up of elements, stardust and infinite universes.

In Astrology, we do not think in terms of a fate or destiny that is “written in the Stars” in a fixed sense, but rather in the power of our own ability to work with the fates through acquiring such knowledge.

The concept of a Birth Chart is a complete outline of where the Stars, Asteroids and Planets were positioned during the time, date and place of our birth. Through knowing this position and with the help of a skilled Astrologer, a complete analysis of our personalized Star Maps can take place.

As the Ancient Greek/Delphic aphorism states: “Know Thyself.”

The importance of this practice cannot be expressed in a few paragraphs. To put it simply, it assists us in making the most of our precious human lives by providing us with a very wise compass!

The wisdom that can come from an Astrological reading is limitless. Through this fascinating practice, we can pinpoint our life’s purpose, where we came from, where we are heading, take a look into our most significant karmic tendencies, and the malefic influences and dangers we face too. It can support us in knowing what career we will excel in, and what is destined for us in terms of our relationships and family. It can also help us in better understanding our body, our health, our healing needs and our overall persona.

My favorite however, is the altruistic key that comes from the quest of self discovery through the getting to know about your cosmic prophecy process, which was generously designed at your very own birth.

Are there any do’s or don’ts with astrology that you think people should know before immersing themselves in it?

Tashi: It is important that we check our motivation before embarking on an Astrological path. We should ask ourselves questions like, why does such a path interest us? If we are approaching this tool with a grand heart and a wish to better ourselves and others, then yes…just dive right in! Do not proceed if your intention isn’t about evolution and growth because Astrology should provide just that.

….and of course, take your time. The more time and precious communion you bring into this pathway the better. Astrology is incalculable and within every subject there are universes awaiting to be unravelled by you.