Back in my early twenties, a composer friend told me he’d written a piece inspired by me. At first, I was deeply honored (I mean, how cool is that?) until he explained his inspiration:

My monotone voice.

Ouch.

Later, as an elementary school teacher, my principal told me I needed to be “perkier.” They even said the kids didn’t understand me because I didn’t smile enough.

It wasn’t remotely true, but it still stung.

Recently, I was walking into a metaphysical fair when someone saw me and commented, “It’s going to be okay!”

I wasn’t even in a bad mood!

Even though I see myself as a quirky, playful Gemini, people see me as a serious, monotone, Saturnian person. (Thank you Capricorn Rising and Saturn at the top of my chart. 🙄)

And for a long time, I felt like this meant there was something really wrong with me. I saw the perkier people as more likable and somehow better than me.

Here’s the thing – we all have parts of our chart that we’ve been taught to see as “difficult” or “challenging.”

But what if these “challenging” parts are actually our greatest gifts…and a GPS directing us to a life that’s designed for us?

There’s probably a part of your chart (or your personality) that you’re not a fan of.

✨ Maybe it’s your Cancer moon that makes you “too sensitive.”

✨ Or your Scorpio placements that make you “too intense.”

✨ Or like one of my clients, your Virgo stellium that makes you “too perfectionist.”

But here’s what I’ve learned after reading hundreds of birth charts:

Those parts of us that feel like curses? Turn them around and they contain our greatest strengths.

That Capricorn rising energy that made me feel like the odd one out as an elementary school teacher? It’s the exact same energy that helps me stay grounded when clients are navigating their biggest transformations.

Those “serious” vibes that made people tell me to smile more? They’re what make clients feel safe enough to share their deepest struggles with me.

The “monotone” quality that inspired that musical piece? It’s become my signature way of bringing calm to chaos.

Your birth chart isn’t a cage – it’s a map to help you grow. —

And those parts you’re trying to tone down or hide are actually pointing you toward your most authentic life.

I’m on a mission to help people see the magic in their “difficult” placements, and to fully accept themselves for the glorious, complex beings they are.

That’s why I’m back on Instagram, sharing daily insights about turning your chart’s “challenges” into your greatest strengths.

Follow me @danielauslan for:

🌙 Astrological insights (without the doom and gloom)

💫 Personal stories (yes, including more tales of my decidedly un-perky journey 😉)

✨ Practical wisdom for loving ALL parts of yourself – especially the ones you’ve been taught to doubt

Because you weren’t meant to be anyone else. You were meant to be exactly who you are, in all your complex, beautiful, perfectly imperfect glory.

With love and zero forced perkiness,

Daniela

P.S. When you follow me on Instagram, drop a 👋 on my latest post or send me a DM! I’ll do a single card pull just for you. 😘