The History and Evolution of Astrocartography: Finding your Ideal Place to Live.
Astrocartography is where astrology meets geography, a fascinating system that lets us see how planetary energies interact with specific locations on Earth. It’s a relatively modern practice with ancient roots, yet it owes its structure to one visionary: Jim Lewis. In the 1970s, Lewis revolutionized astrology with his creation of astrocartography, mapping the points on Earth where celestial influences are strongest in our lives. His system became the go-to for anyone seeking clarity about where to live, travel or even find love.
Earlier astrologers had explored elements of locational astrology, though it remained largely unstructured. Jim Lewis may have drawn inspiration from figures like Cyril Fagan, who delved into celestial mechanics and sidereal astrology, as well as from the mid-20th-century revival of traditional astrological methods.
What makes astrocartography so groundbreaking is its use of angularity. In astrology, planets gain prominence when they’re angular—on the Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven or Imum Coeli. Angularity refers to the way planets exert their strongest influence when aligned with these key points in the sky. In astrocartography, these alignments are translated onto a global map, showing where each planet’s energy resonates most strongly for you. Lewis took this principle and mapped it onto a global scale. Imagine your birth chart stretched across the planet, with your personal planetary lines marking locations that hold unique energy for you. At the time of your birth, the position of every planet is recorded in relation to the Earth and the way these positions influence you can change depending on where you are in the world. This was Jim’s genius: turning a static chart into a dynamic, interactive map.
But the story doesn’t end there. Enter Bernard FitzWalter, who brought another layer of depth with his work on paran lines. Unlike Lewis’s system, which focuses on individual planetary angles, FitzWalter highlighted the power of parans—when two planets are simultaneously angular at a specific location. Parans weave a richer, multidimensional tapestry of planetary energy. While astrocartography tells us where planetary forces resonate, parans show us how these energies interact, creating a more nuanced narrative about our connection to place.
Astrocartography owes much to the past too. The idea of mapping celestial events onto the Earth isn’t new—it harks back to the ancient paranatellonta of Babylonian and Hellenistic astrology, where rising and setting stars were connected to earthly events. As Lewis once said, “Astrology is not just about time—it’s about space too.” That space, the one we inhabit, becomes a reflection of our cosmic blueprint.
The beauty of astrocartography lies in its blend of the scientific and the mystical, the personal and the universal. Whether you’re chasing career success, adventure or a healing respite, it’s a tool that connects you to the world in an entirely and exciting new way.
From Jim Lewis’s groundbreaking maps to Bernard FitzWalter’s deeper layers with paran lines, this practice shows us how location can influence the way we live, love, and grow. It’s like having a guide that points you toward the places where life might feel just a little more aligned. Whether you’re thinking of moving, planning a trip or just curious about where you might thrive best, astrocartography offers a unique and fun way to explore the world—and yourself.
Bridging Astrology, Coaching and Personal growth
Astrology: Your Cosmic Map for Life
Astrology is an incredible tool to use alongside coaching. It can help illuminate what might be holding you back and how you can move forward. Struggling in relationships? Feeling stuck in your career? Wondering why things feel “off”? Astrology can help us map these questions and work toward solutions especially when we can’t figure them out on our own. Your birth chart is like a personal map and it goes far beyond your sun sign. While your sun sign might explain some parts of your personality, it’s only one tiny piece of the puzzle. Your chart includes all the planets, their positions and how they interact, forming the blueprint of who you are.
If astrology gives us the map, coaching helps us figure out how to navigate it. Astrology might highlight a fear of being vulnerable, while coaching provides practical tools to address this—whether that’s ways of improving communication, setting boundaries or finding fresh ideas to connect with others— It’s a beautiful marriage of two complementary practices. For example, if relationships never seem to work out, we might start traditionally—exploring patterns from childhood or recurring dynamics in your choices of partners. Then we can take it further by looking at your birth chart. This unique snapshot of the moment you were born can reveal struggles you might not even realize, like challenging aspects to Venus for instance. These insights often shed light on why certain cycles repeat and how to break free of them.
Astrology also extends to the physical world through Astrocartography, which maps the planetary influences in your chart onto the globe. This technique shows how different locations carry specific energies for you. For example, you might feel confident and empowered near your Sun line in Paris, experience heightened romance and creativity along your Venus line in Singapore or face challenges and growth near your Saturn line in London.
Have you ever felt inexplicably drawn to a place—or found that a city just didn’t vibe with you? Astrocartography often has the answer. It’s particularly useful for relocation decisions, planning travel or even understanding why certain places have played a significant role in your life. Let’s say your Jupiter line runs through a city. That place might bring abundance, optimism and expansion. Meanwhile, a Mars line might inspire ambition and action but could also feel intense or overwhelming. These insights can be incredibly helpful for making practical decisions about where to focus your energy. There’s another dimension when we add Paran lines, which make the locational experience more nuanced. For example, I’m currently living on my Pluto line, which has been both challenging and isolating. However, it’s also a powerful place for making significant changes and reevaluating relationships—exactly what I’m experiencing right now. My Mercury Paran lines cross Pluto here, which enhance my clarity of thought, so while I may not be communicating with others as much in person, I’m channeling that energy into writing. If you’ve ever felt unsettled in a particular place, understanding these influences might be the motivation you need to make a move or at the very least, use them to your advantage.
Astrology isn’t about fate—it’s about possibilities. Paired with coaching, it’s like having a cosmic roadmap and a co-pilot to help you navigate it. Whether you’re figuring out love, career or where to call home, astrology brings clarity and coaching turns that clarity into action. Together, they help you connect the dots and move forward with confidence and purpose.