Many people come to astrology for clarity, to understand themselves better or navigate life’s challenges. I did too. There’s comfort in seeing our complexities mirrored in our birth chart placements and the larger sky above.
But after a while, I realised that understanding the placements in my chart wasn’t always enough. Sure, it was insightful to know what a certain transit meant or how my Venus might show up in relationships, but that insight often stayed stuck in my head. I’d intellectualise the meaning without fully feeling or living it.
Traditional astrology can be like that. If you go back to the ancient texts, you’ll find plenty of technical descriptions (and the occassional problematic statement—let’s just say those writers lived in a VERY DIFFERENT time). And reading those ancient texts sometimes feels super technical too, too: abstract, heady, and, at its worst, overwhelming
But astrology can be more than an abstract understanding of the self. For me, it has become a practice deeply intertwined with the body. True transformation happens when astrology isn’t just something we think about, but something we experience somatically.
My journey to somatic astrology
I didn’t come to this understanding overnight. As a recovering academic, I’ve had to unlearn living solely in my head. There’s been a push and pull between abstract knowledge and embodiment. Even my birth chart reflects that tension.
In the early days of my practice, I often felt torn between astrology (the abstract) and somatics (the embodied). I’d go all-in on astrology, studying charts for hours, following transits daily, and then I’d find myself feeling mentally exhausted, disconnected from my body. I’d swing back to embodiment practices to ground myself, forgetting about astrology altogether.
When I first realised that astrology could be embodied, I thought I’d hit the jackpot! Something new! Something unique! And while that’s true in a way (I mean, each astrologer has their own way of blending their toolkit) it really shouldn’t be that mind-blowing.
Because at its essence, astrology is embodied. It’s not something “out there” to believe in, like ghosts or any version of “god.” Astrology simply exists, whether you believe in it or not. Those things called time and seasons? They’re based on the Sun’s and Earth’s relative positions. You’re already living by the Sun and planetary alignments—it’s all there for you to experience and take advantage of, if you’re smart.
This realisation led me to develop my version of somatic astrology, a blend of traditional astrology, somatic practices, storytelling and parts work. In all of my work, but especially my Constellate sessions, this blend comes to life, where it gets the space to live and breathe.
Astrology as a living practice
Astrology, for me, is more than a system of symbols or predictions. It’s a living practice. The planets and signs aren’t just symbols. They represent archetypal energies that show up in our emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. When we engage with these energies through the body, they become real, tangible forces we can work with.
For example, experiencing a challenging Saturn transit might not just mean external struggles. It can feel like tension in your shoulders or jaw, or a sense of heaviness. Instead of just observing that from a distance, we can tune in and listen to what these sensations are communicating, moving with them rather than against them.
This leads to lasting change. It’s not just insight. It’s lived, felt experience.
What physical sensations arise when you think about a specific planet or placement in your chart? How might your body be expressing the astrological energy?
Astrology and parts work
In a way, astrology can be seen as the original form of parts work. In therapeutic models like Internal Family Systems (IFS), we work with different parts of ourselves, getting curious about their needs and desires while staying grounded in an observing self. Astrology does something similar.
The planets represent different “parts” of us. Our Venus may crave connection while our Saturn part demands boundaries. When we practice astrology in an embodied, experiential, and curious way, we engage with these parts directly. Each planetary energy becomes something to relate to and work with, instead of just an idea in our head.
When we ground these astrological insights in the body, it deepens the work.
Why somatics matter (especially in astrology)
Astrology is rich with insight, but if we only engage with it on an intellectual level, we miss its full potential. Embodiment connects the dots between mind and body, offering a holistic understanding.
Research shows the power of working somatically in therapeutic settings. In the practice of Focusing, clients who tune into their felt sense of emotions have more positive outcomes than those who simply talk about their issues. It’s the same with astrology. When you engage with planetary energies as living forces in your body, astrology becomes more effective in creating real, lasting change.
Somatics ground astrology in the present moment, turning abstract ideas into something tangible.
For example, when you’re navigating a challenging transit, instead of intellectualising it, ask: How can I physically embody this energy? What does this planet feel like in my day-to-day movements and emotions?
The power of somatic astrology
Somatic astrology isn’t just about understanding your chart—it’s about living it. Knowing that Mars is linked to your drive and passion is one thing. Feeling the fiery energy of Mars in your body and working with it, even transmuting it, is another.
When we combine astrology with somatics, we open new pathways for healing, growth, and awareness. It bridges personal and collective healing, too. As we work through our experiences of shame or struggle, we become more attuned to the larger systems that shape our lives. Healing ourselves creates space for collective liberation.
We start to experience ourselves and our birth chart as a living ecology. Something that interacts with the world and its many (human and more-than-human) companions. Somatic astrology is an example of what some astrologers call “relational astrology“, a way of recognising and remembering our connection with all things and beings within the universe.
Somatic coaching and astrology
In my work, astrology and somatic coaching come together to offer a holistic approach to self-discovery. Whether you’re navigating a challenging transit, exploring your birth chart, or working through specific life questions, I guide you in connecting with the astrological energies in a grounded, embodied way. Together, we use somatic practices and astrology to tap into your body’s wisdom and create real, lasting change.
If you’re curious about working with me, my Constellate sessions are a great way to dive deeper. These packages combine astrology, parts work, and somatic coaching, giving you the space to explore your chart while staying connected to your body. If you want a meaningful and embodied exploration of your birth chart, let’s work together.
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