Astrology Informed Therapy with Elisa

I have been studying Astrology since 2020; and have found it to be a very helpful tool in the therapeutic space for those that resonate with it. Astrology has been studied for 4,000-5,000 years, and is built upon centuries of pattern recognition. I do not view astrology as a “personality assessment,” I use it as a tool for deeper self-understanding, as it is more of a “forecast” for our lives. We can learn just as much from descriptions of our birth chart that do NOT resonate with. I use a mixture of Placidus and Whole Sign charts; and we can use either or both based on your preferences. I also use a blend of traditional and modern astrology descriptions.

A common “problem” that can bring folks to seek out therapy, is identity exploration. Over the course of my career thus far I have explored many tools/modalities to walk along side folks who are doing this work. The astrological birth chart is the most thorough identity wheel. It can also be helpful to explore themes that can pop up in life seemingly “out of nowhere” when we look at current transits. When working with a birth chart in therapy, we can use it as a tool to better understand what therapeutic modalities and coping skills will be the most effective.

Astrology can be used alongside a variety of therapeutic modalities:
-CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): we can use elements of astrology in behavior experiments and looking at several placements how one tends to think
-Parts Work: Astrological placements are used as parts
-Somatic Therapy: through understanding astrological placements, identify ways to better connect with one’s body to process emotions
-Narrative Therapy- Tracking transits to better understand one’s story
-EMDR/Trauma Work: Explore trauma themes that are identified by Chiron, identify resources to “tap-in” to expand readiness for trauma processing.
-Attachment/Interpersonal Effectiveness: use some of the relational houses/placements to uncover coping skills
-Identity Exploration: build a stronger “sense of self”

What is needed if you want to explore astrology in therapy:
-Date of birth
-exact time of birth (needed to know rising sign and accurate houses, can be found on birth certificate)
-location of birth

Examples of placements and what therapeutic material we can gather:
Planets/Luminaries (Personal placements):
-Sun: general personality/ego
-Moon: emotional processing, mood/instincts
-Mercury: communication/thinking styles
-Venus: self-care/aesthetic/creativity/relationship styles
-Mars: motivation/passion
-Jupiter: luck/expansion
-Saturn: discipline/challenges (can also be used to explore/plan for a Saturn Return)
-Chiron: Point of Healing

Generational placements:
-Uranus: change/rebellion
-Neptune: dreams/intuition/spiritual awareness
-Pluto- transformation/evolution/generational

Houses:
-1st House/Ascendent/Rising Sign: identity/physical body/sense of self 
-2nd House: Values/possessions/security
-3rd House: communication/siblings
-4th House: Home/family patterns/inner world
-5th House: creativity/pleasure
-6th House: health/daily routines 
-7th House: Committed relationships (personal& business)
-8th House: Transformation/death  
-9th House: Spirituality/religion/higher education 
-10th House: public image/ career 
-11th House: group activities/friends 
-12th House: unconscious/introspection/self-sabotage 

Other aspcets we can explore:
	-Aspects within a birth chart (how our placements "work with eachother")
	-Current Transits/Planitary Returns 
	-Degrees of placements 
	-Moon Cycle 

If you would like to learn more, we can schedule a free 30-min consultation!

Book Recommendations for personal exploration:
-”The Art of Chart Interpretations” by Tracy Marks
-”Astrology- Using the Wisdom of the Stars in Your Everyday Life”- by Carole Taylor
-”You Were Born For This” by CHANI Nicholas
-”Astrology For The Soul” by Martina & Hans Thom Durefelt
-”The Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care” by Stephanie Gailing
-”Astrology, Psychology and The Four Elements” by Stephen Arroyo, M.A.
-”Queer Cosmos” by Colin Bedell
-”The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need” by Joanna Martine Woolfolk
-”I Don’t Believe in Astrology” by Debra Silverman, MA
-”Planets in Transit” by Robert Hand