How Astrology Keeps Me on the Right Path

This all started with my sister-in-law Joelle. If you’ve read about her in my blog before, this should come as no surprise. We’re the duo in the family that’s fully on board with the so-called “woo-woo” side of life. Energy, intention-setting, full moon rituals, the occasional crystal (okay, more than occasional). Astrology was just one of those things we naturally fell into together.

It began with figuring out our Big Three: sun, moon, and rising signs. If you’ve been in my life for more than 7 minutes, I’ve probably already explained this to you. But if you’ve never heard of that before, here’s the quick version:

Your sun sign is the heart of who you are, your identity, your essence, and the traits that stay consistent throughout your life. It’s the “I’m a Virgo/Leo/etc” sign most people know and the one that shapes your overall personality and life direction.

Your moon sign represents your emotional self. It governs how you feel, nurture, and respond to the world around you on an instinctual level. It’s your inner world and the part of you that might not be obvious to others but drives your emotional needs and reactions.

Your rising sign, also called your ascendant, is how you show up in the world. It influences your outward behavior, your physical presence, and the first impression you make. It’s not who you are deep down, but it’s often how others initially perceive you, especially before they get to know the real you.

Once I found mine and started reading into them, a lot of it just made sense. It gave words to things I had always felt but never really known how to describe (I love when that happens). It felt a little like reading a personality test written by someone who’s been quietly observing my life since birth. I definitely felt a little “called out” in moments, but at the same time, I felt super validated.

I downloaded the Co–Star app to follow my chart, and I still use it to this day. I’ve also strong-armed half my family into downloading it, purely so I can psychoanalyze our relationships with the backing of the stars (listen, no one’s perfect). It gives me daily astrological insights and shows how things are moving. Some days, the messages feel oddly specific. Other days, I read them like I’m skimming a horoscope in a grocery store magazine from 2004. That’s fine. It’s not supposed to be magic. It’s a guide, not a guarantee. And honestly, in those moments, I think it’s more of a me problem. Where my head is at for the day really impacts how I interpret my horoscope.

A Word to the Skeptics

I know not everyone’s sold on astrology. And honestly, that’s okay. I’m not here to convince anyone.

But one thing I will say, astrology isn’t just “random guesses” or fortune cookie wisdom. It’s based on real celestial movements, planets, moon phases, timing, and geometry. How you interpret all of that is the personal part. That’s the you part.

When I read my horoscope or plan my intentions around the moon cycle, it’s not because I believe the moon is going to do the work for me. It’s because I believe in the power of belief itself. And astrology, for me, is a beautiful and structured way to focus that belief.

It gives me perspective. It invites me to pause. Sometimes it reminds me of something I’ve been avoiding, sometimes it sparks new clarity, and sometimes it just makes me laugh. Either way, it brings me back to myself.

If you’re curious and want to check out your chart:

• Use Co–Star (free version)
• Or try Astroseek (for a quick calculator)
• You’ll need your birth date, time, and location (set an alarm to ask your mom, it’s tradition)

Start with your Big Three. Read a little about each. See what clicks. Or don’t! There’s no cosmic homework here. Just some light soul-searching, a few “wait… that tracks” moments, and maybe a new fun fact to bring up at brunch. Take what speaks to you. Leave the rest to the stars. They’re not going anywhere.

With love & light,
Jessica ♡