How Astrology Helped Me Find My Purpose (and How You Can Find Yours Too)
What if your life purpose isn’t something you ‘figure out’—but something you grow into?
We’re constantly told we need to "find" our purpose, as if it’s a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. But what if purpose isn’t a single answer, a job title, or an external validation? What if it’s about evolving into the person you were always meant to be?
The truth is, purpose isn’t about choosing the "right" career or making one perfect decision. It’s about understanding your natural energy, embracing the lessons that shape you, and aligning with the unique path that unfolds over time. That’s where astrology comes in.
Your birth chart isn’t just a snapshot of the sky—it’s a roadmap to your strengths, challenges, and soul evolution. By working with placements like your Midheaven, Saturn, and North Node, you can gain powerful insight into the kind of life you’re meant to build, and the steps that will feel most aligned as you step into it.
Why Should You Read This Post? - Find Your Purpose with Astrology
Understand your astrology chart as a tool for purpose, not just personality so you can move beyond self-awareness and start using astrology to align with your life path.
Recognize the difference between natural strengths and areas of soul growth so you can embrace both the aspects of your chart that feel effortless and the lessons that push you toward evolution.
See why your purpose isn’t just a job—it’s an unfolding process of alignmentso you can stop searching for a single “right” answer and instead build a life that grows with you.
Use placements like your Midheaven, Saturn, and North Node for deeper clarity so you can understand the patterns shaping your career, challenges, and long-term fulfillment.
Reconnect with yourself and trust your natural energy so you can step into confidence, make aligned decisions, and live in a way that feels true to you.
Finding My Path: How Astrology Helped Me Find My Purpose and Align With My Life's Work
Hey thats me! I’m Shanae—an astrologer, recovering perfectionist, serial planner, AI enthusiast, and someone who’s spent a lot of time figuring out what alignment actually feels like...
And like many, I constantly wondered -- how can I find my life's purpose??
My journey has been anything but straight forward, but along the way, I’ve uncovered some powerful truths about myself (thanks mostly to astrology, but also to some incredible content creators, authors, and spiritual teachers) that have guided me toward purpose, fulfillment, and self-acceptance.
This is the story of how I got here to illustrate how you too can use astrology to align with your own path.
The Early Days: Learning Through Experience
I’ve always been someone who thrives in dynamic, interactive environments. Whether it was selling shoes on commission in retail, working as a florist, or photographing women to capture their most empowered selves—my favorite roles were those that allowed me to connect, create, and specialize.
But I also learned a lot from the jobs I didn’t enjoy—like answering phones in customer service or sitting at a desk selling insurance. These experiences taught me what doesn’t work for me: a lack of autonomy, monotonous tasks, and environments that don’t value creativity or connection.
The Photography Chapter: Creativity Meets Fear
In 2016, I started a boudoir photography business, and for a few years, it felt like I was on fire. By my second year, I had broken even—a huge milestone for any small business. I loved helping people see themselves in a new light, and I felt validated by the creative and financial success I was achieving. Everyone told my my photos were amazing - and if you ever wondered why I use the photos I use in my blog—now you know!
But in 2018, a client issue shook my confidence. The fear of failure and self-doubt crept in, and I stopped showing up for my business. I convinced myself that maybe I wasn’t cut out for business after all.
This was a turning point—not just professionally, but personally. My self-perception shifted, and I started playing small. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was leaning too heavily into certain archetypes (like my Capricorn Ascendant’s desire for professionalism and perfection, and my Scorpio Moon's desire for privacy and feeling safe) and neglecting others (like my Taurus Sun’s need for creative self-expression, and my Venus' need to be intellectually stimulated). This imbalance eventually led to burnout.
Where I Am Now - A Never Ending Process Unfolding
Looking back, I can see in my astrology chart what made me feel energized and supported by the jobs and projects I've worked on in the past. I can see it pointing me toward consulting, and connecting with people one-on-one, I can see creativity is important, and retail, fashion/beauty, and intellect is very well supported.
But here’s the thing—none of this happened overnight. I didn’t wake up one day with perfect clarity about my purpose. I spent years questioning, experimenting, and figuring out how to integrate my natural strengths (Sun), my emotional needs (Moon), and my outward expression (Rising), and how I wanted to interact with my public (MC in the 11th house). And even then, purpose isn’t just about who we are—it’s about the direction we grow in over time.
That’s why, when we look at life purpose (or vocation) astrologically, we have to consider both the foundation (who we are) and the expansion (where we’re going). The first step is understanding the personal placements that shape our core identity—then, we can explore the placements that show the bigger picture of our journey.
Step 1: Understanding the Role of Key Planets
Astrology is all about archetypes, and your natal chart holds the blueprint of your cosmic story. By examining specific planets, you can unlock insights into your core identity, emotions, and how you interact with the world. Here’s how I approached mine:
The Sun: Your Outer Purpose - What Gives You Life Force Energy?
The Sun represents your core essence—your driving force, vitality, and what makes you feel truly alive. It’s not just a personality trait; it’s the energy you radiate when you’re fully in alignment with yourself.
Shanae's Placement: Taurus in the 5th House
Taurus + 5H Keywords: Creativity, joy, self-expression, pleasure, beauty, and comfort.
Reflection: My Sun told me that my outer purpose is deeply tied to creating and sharing something tangible and pleasurable with others. I want to shine through work that feels authentic, luxurious, and expressive. For me, that means creative projects that align with beauty and pleasure, such as photography and maybe even luxury astrology retreats as opposed to just traditional consultations.
Try It: Find your Sun sign and house. What does it say about where you shine and what motivates you? Use keywords like "identity," "creativity," or "leadership" to start uncovering your purpose.
Write about it:
Does your current life allow you to express your Sun sign fully?
Are you leaning into the gifts of your Sun house, or playing small?
The Moon: Your Inner Compass
The Moon represents your deepest emotional self—your instincts, needs, and the way you process life on a subconscious level. It’s not just about how you feel—it’s about what makes you feel safe, nurtured, and emotionally fulfilled.
When you honor your Moon sign’s needs, you experience emotional security, inner balance, and intuitive clarity. But when you ignore or suppress it, life can feel unsettled, overwhelming, or emotionally disconnected.
Placement: Scorpio in the 11th House
Scorpio+11H Keywords: Emotional depth, privacy, analytical, transformation, dreams/wishes, friendship, and community.
Reflection: My Moon revealed that I’m nourished by deep emotional connections and the process of transformation. But it also highlighted vulnerability—being seen by others can feel both empowering and threatening. This tension drives my desire to connect authentically while protecting my boundaries. It also reveals that I have the ability to connect deeply and emotionally with my professional network.
Try It: Look at your Moon sign and house. How do you process emotions, and where do you feel most at home? Your Moon can reveal the environment or work that supports your well-being.
Write About It:
Do you allow yourself to honor the needs of your Moon sign, or do you suppress them to fit external expectations?
When you feel most emotionally at peace, how does it align with your Moon’s energy?
The Ascendant: How You Present Yourself
Your Ascendant (Rising Sign) represents how you move through the world, your first instinctive approach to life, and the energy you naturally radiate to others. It’s not just about how people perceive you—it’s about the lens through which you experience everything.
Your Rising sign sets the tone for your journey—it represents your demeanor, your instincts, and helps define your priorities in all areas of life When you’re in alignment with your Ascendant, life tends to feel effortless and authentic because you’re operating in a way that matches your natural rhythm.
When you resist it, life can feel like you’re constantly trying to be something you’re not.
Placement: Capricorn
Keywords: Professionalism, responsibility, and resourcefulness, seriousness, maturity.
Reflection: My Ascendant showed me how others perceive me—someone grounded, hardworking, and capable. Its ruler, Saturn, highlighted the importance of long-term planning and innovative strategies for financial stability, which reinforced my goal of creating a sustainable, fulfilling career. Building a business while flying by the seat of my pants was inherently uncomfortable for me.
Try It: Explore your Ascendant and its ruler. What story are you projecting to the world, and how can you make it work for you?
Write About It:
Does the way you present yourself to the world align with how you truly feel inside?
When life flows effortlessly, how does it mirror the qualities of your Rising sign?
Midheaven, Saturn & North Node - Expanding Out, and Solidifying Lessons
Now that we’ve explored the Big Three (Sun, Moon, Rising) as the foundation of self-expression, we also need to look at some other placements that shape long-term purpose and life direction.
Midheaven (MC): Your Public Role & Career Direction
Your Midheaven (MC) represents your highest expression in the external world. It’s not just about career—it’s about the impact you make, how you're seen, and the legacy you build.
Fire MC (Aries, Leo, Sag): Bold, expressive, driven by leadership & creativity.
Earth MC (Taurus, Virgo, Cap): Practical, structured, seeks stability & mastery.
Air MC (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Communicative, innovative, thrives in ideas & connection.
Water MC (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Intuitive, emotionally deep, purpose tied to meaning & immersion.
Refining the MC themes: Where is the ruler of the MC both in terms of sign and house?
Example: If the Ruler of the MC is Venus and she is located in the Gemini 6H like my chart for example, this shows themes of service, routine, and health/wellness due to the 6th house placement as well as intellect, communication, and learning due to the Gemini sign.
Try it: Look at how your MC fits into the picture of the impact you'd like to make on the world. Where do you feel like you shine the best, regardless of whether it makes you money?
Write about it:
Does your current career or life path align with the energy of your MC?
If not, what aspects of your Midheaven sign & house do you feel drawn toward?
Saturn: Your Karmic Lessons & Mastery
Saturn represents the areas of life where you are tested—where you must develop patience, discipline, and resilience. It’s not your purpose itself, but rather, the challenges you must overcome to fully step into your life’s work.
Saturn’s Sign - Your Life Lessons & Growth Edge
Saturn in Leo? Learning to embrace authentic self-expression.
Saturn in Capricorn? Mastering discipline & self-leadership.
Saturn’s House - Where You’re Meant to Build Resilience
Saturn in 2nd House? Lessons around self-worth, finances, and security.
Saturn in 7th House? Relationships and commitments are key teachers.
Try it: Saturn's placement can reveal a lot of our most difficult challenges through our life. Where we have Saturn we yearn for a break, but very rarely one comes. Its a place where we must develop resilience and learn perseverance. How does your life experience compare to your Saturn's placement in the birth chart?
Write about it:
What themes in your life have required repeated effort and perseverance?
How have Saturn’s lessons shaped the way you pursue purpose?
North Node: Your Soul’s Evolution & Growth Path
The North Node represents what you are learning to embody in this lifetime. Unlike the Midheaven, which reflects external success & career visibility, the North Node is about soul growth—the direction that feels uncomfortable at first but ultimately fulfilling.
North Node’s Sign = The Energy You’re Growing Into
North Node in Aries? Learning independence & self-leadership.
North Node in Libra? Mastering balance, relationships, & collaboration.
North Node’s House = Where This Growth Unfolds
North Node in 4th House? Learning to nurture roots & personal foundations.
North Node in 10th House? Stepping into leadership & public purpose.
Try it: The North Node represents a calling that we are stepping into while the South Node represents our innate skills and talents that come naturally. If we only pursue the South Node skills and talents we end up feeling stagnant, and if we only pursue the North Node's call without using our skills and talents we are unlikely to succeed. This placement requires balance - how does their placements in your chart shed light on your ebb and flow of talent and growth?
Write about it:
Where do you feel called to grow, even if it’s outside your comfort zone?
What fears or resistance come up around embracing your North Node’s themes?
When I looked deeper into my astrology chart, I realized that my purpose wasn’t just about what felt natural (or easy, or painless...) to me—it was also about where I needed to grow.
My Midheaven confirmed the kind of impact I wanted to make in my career, while Saturn’s lessons revealed the exact struggles I needed to work through to build the life I wanted. My North Node felt both exciting and uncomfortable—like a path I was meant to take, even if it didn’t always come easily.
This process wasn’t about “finding” purpose—it was about reconnecting with what had been there all along. Here’s how astrology helped me step back into alignment…
Reconnecting With Myself: Astrology as a Tool for Growth
Understanding my Big Three didn’t just give me personality insights—it helped me see the patterns in my life, the tension between my desires and fears, and the ways I could move forward in alignment with who I truly am.
My Ascendant revealed my natural strengths and discomforts. I present as grounded, hardworking, and capable, and while that may not come easily to me because of my other placements, my chart’s ruler, Saturn, emphasized the need for structure and long-term planning. This explained why building a business with no stability felt so unnatural for me. I wasn’t someone who could thrive in chaos—I needed a strategic, sustainable approach.
My Moon showed me what truly nourishes me—deep emotional connections and transformation. But it also uncovered my core vulnerability—being seen by others can feel both empowering and threatening. This tension helped me realize that authentic connection is important, but so are my boundaries. It also revealed that I’m naturally drawn to emotionally deep, meaningful relationships—including within my professional life.
My Sun clarified what fulfillment looks like for me. My purpose isn’t just about work—it’s about creating and sharing something tangible, beautiful, and deeply personal. I want my impact to feel luxurious, expressive, and artistically fulfilling. That’s why I’m drawn to creative business ventures like photography and the possibility of high-end astrology retreats, and retail options rather than only offering traditional consultations.
These insights helped me understand why I’d felt stuck—and how I could move forward by honoring the different parts of myself.
From Fear to Fulfillment: Building a Life That Aligns
Today, I’m using what I’ve learned from my chart—and my experiences—to create a life that feels authentic and aligned. Here’s what that looks like:
Creativity and Connection Whether I’m working one-on-one with astrology clients or creating content, I’m happiest when I’m using my creativity to connect with others and help them see their own potential.
Dynamic Work Environments I thrive in roles that are ever-changing, where I can balance structure with spontaneity. My Mercury in Aries loves fast-paced, varied work, and my Venus in Gemini craves beauty and intellectual stimulation.
Living in Alignment I’ve learned that living in alignment isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about recognizing the different parts of myself, honoring my needs, and showing up authentically—even when it’s hard.
Your Turn: Align With Your Chart and Your Life
If my story resonates with you, it’s probably because you’re in the middle of your own journey. Maybe you’re feeling stuck, or maybe you’re trying to figure out how to balance your desires with the expectations placed on you.
Astrology can help. By exploring the archetypes in your chart, we can uncover the patterns, strengths, and opportunities that are uniquely yours—and create a personalized plan for living in alignment with your goals.
Your astrology chart doesn’t hand you a career title or a single life path—it reveals the energy you’re meant to embody. Purpose isn’t about forcing yourself into a predefined role—it’s about honoring your nature, working through your lessons, and stepping into alignment with who you’re meant to be.
Searching for your life’s purpose? Astrology can help you uncover the deeper themes and strengths woven into your chart—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
🔹 New to astrology? My Natal Chart Tour gives you a beginner-friendly breakdown of your chart so you can start understanding the patterns and placements that shape your unique path.
🔹 Want to align your goals with your chart? My 5-Day Mini Course: Setting Aligned Goals That Work for You helps you use astrology to create meaningful, purpose-driven progress in your life.
Work With Me: Live Individual Consultation Package
Let’s dive into your natal chart together. In this one-on-one session, we’ll explore your archetypes, patterns, and potential, and create a plan to help you align with your purpose and goals.
For those ready to go deeper, I offer a multi-session package designed to help you unpack the full depth of your chart and integrate these insights into your life over time.
Your purpose isn’t something you have to chase—it’s already within you. Astrology just helps you see it clearly.
Key Takeaways
Your Big Three (Sun, Moon, Rising) shape your identity, emotional needs, and natural approach to life.
Your Midheaven represents the role you’re meant to express in your public and professional life, but more importantly the impact you're seeking to make.
Saturn shows the challenges and lessons you must master to step fully into your purpose.
Your North Node is your soul’s long-term evolution—it’s where you’re meant to grow, even if it feels unfamiliar.
Purpose isn’t a single job or role—it’s about aligning with your natural energy and embracing your ongoing journey.
Astrology helps you validate your instincts, refine your path, and step into a life that truly resonates with who you are.
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