astrology

i see astrology as a mystical fusing of math and myth. i think all humans have orientated themselves in space and time through the sun, moon, planets and stars.

aside from understanding these celestial movements as a both calendars and navigational tools, most peoples have also prescribed meanings, interpretations and stories to these movements. in this way, we have also used the sky to orientate ourselves in narrative.

ascribing meaning is a powerful thing, both personally and politically. i think astrology has the potential to be an empowering lens that can enable conscious participation in both individual and collective narratives.

i approach astrology as a method to acquire self-understanding as well as a creative way to connect you with your own agency. in my practice i value critical thinking, kindness and common sense.

if you book a reading with me: i will interpret your birth chart in a way that centers your needs. some people come into a reading with a specific question or issue. some folks are looking to understand a specific phase of life or discuss an event or pattern. others don’t really know what they want out of the reading, and that’s also okay.

however you arrive, we co-create the reading together with plenty of space for questions and exchange. i tend to emphasize practical advice for working with your chart or the transits, alongside open and collaborative interpretations over prediction.

whatever i interpret will be coming from my own context, which is probably very different to your context. i will see our session as a success if our different contexts can meet each other kindly and you walk away with useful insights into the magical and complicated being that is you.

about my astrology education: i have been studying and practicing astrology since 2018. i practice “western” astrology and use a mix of modern psychological astrology and traditional Hellenistic astrology.

i use the tropical zodiac and read charts with the whole sign housing systems, but i always look at charts in quadrant sign housing systems, too.

i am currently enrolled in Year Two of Austin Coppock’s Three Year Fundamentals of Astrology Course and i have take a number of workshops and courses with astrologers such as Jessica Lanyadoo, Renee Sills, Diana Rose Harper and Blair Bogin.

i am an active member of the astrology community in berlin, and engage regularly with fellow professional astrologers to share, exchange, critique and develop our different client practices in community.

i am also informally reading and learning about Vedic astrology. through my involvement with The League of Stars, i also integrate amateur observational astronomy and sky-watching to influence my practice and philosophies around astrology.

i follow OPA’s ethical guidelines, which you can read here.

if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at: nicola.van.straaten@gmail.com

here’s what some people have said about working with me:

thank you nic!

jujubee

“my experience with nic and their readings of my birth chart have been eye-opening and have prompted me to think more clearly about where i am in life right now. they are attentive and focused, listen, and offer useful suggestions. nic contextualises their astrology practice from a very specific place, and that attention to detail is greatly appreciated and brings a sense of trust. i would highly recommend booking a reading with this wonderful human!”

A lot of joy to feel so seen

Daphné Sarpyener

“What I really appreciated in Nicola’s reading is how careful they are at what they say and especially at how they put it into words. Always aiming at making it supportive, empowering or inspiring. Some astrologers in the past expressed some aspects of my chart as if I was doomed, like I’m born like this and I can’t do anything about it. This is really not the case here. And also the reading was very accurate : I learned a lot about my timing (both past and future) and felt a lot of joy to feel so seen. Thank you so much!”

Wow

Vinu K.

“For me, it was a co creative experience. We entered the frame of exploring the birth chart in response to my interests and wishes. First of all, thanks to the hospitality and for highly prioritizing our needs, comfort and agency. The humility in holding space and truly listening for my long responses,which was sometimes interruptive, is a quality in itself. They (Nic) used these responses and knitted them along with their thread of narrative, with ease! As they pointed out the aspects and how they could play out, they aligned accurately with what I am doing now and how I am doing it – leaving me with a lot of ‘Wow’s. I heard the ‘Wow’s in the audio recording of the session and wowed again after listening to the Audio. Truly reaffirming, strengthening and kind. It was as if we were making a movie together, completely involved in this world of exploration, diving into this screenshot of my birth chart and fleshing out rich and relevant details. I enjoyed the recording of the session, as an audience, being able to understand the insights and guidance,more clearly. Thanks Nicola!