Jay Shetty & Chani Nicholas ON Finding Your Answers

Does the night sky's movement of stars and planets have personal meaning for your life, or are they just random coincidences?

In this On Purpose episode, Jay Shetty's guest is astrologer and author Chani Nicholas. She shared ways to use astrology as a tool for radical self-acceptance and clarity. Nicholas explained that the popular astrology going viral on social media is only a superficial layer; the science of astrology is rooted in thousands of years of human observation and a deep connection to nature, not mere zodiac signs predicting one's future.

The Science of Astrology

Contrary to popular belief, astrology is more than zodiac signs and personal traits based on the day of birth. Nicholas explained to Jay Shetty that astrology is the study of how the sky mirrors what happens on Earth; one can say it's a literal reflection of a person's life, soul, and purpose.

According to Chani Nicholas, an astrological chart captures the entire sky at the exact moment and location of a person's birth, based on the position of celestial bodies and their relationship to Earth. She added that every moment of life has its own unique chart that crystallizes the energy of that specific event. Reading your chart can unveil your nature and life events; however, it's important to know that it doesn't reflect a fixed destiny. So, you can view it as a landscape to navigate using your free will.

Observing the Sky for Millennia

Humans have always been fascinated by the sky, even before technology and even the written word.¹ Chani Nicholas told Jay Shetty that some of the earliest human expressions, such as the cave paintings in Lascaux, France, depict the Pleiades and other star systems that early humans used to track the rebirth of spring.²‍

Before electricity was invented, humans would see the night sky every night, and it was an integral part of their relationship with life and nature. Moreover, astrology taught humans how to navigate space and understand nature's rhythms. Nicolas shared with Jay Shetty that one of the longest-standing scientific records in history is a 700-year-old Babylonian document that tracked planetary movements alongside corresponding earthly events.³‍

The tradition of studying and observing the sky has allowed humans to find significance in their birth moments for at least a few thousand years. However, while astrology was initially used to understand the timing of civilizations and the rules of kings, it has now transformed into a resource for the wider public and individual self-understanding.

Sun Signs Don't Give the Full Picture

Chani Nichols welcomes cynical opinions about astrology because it's important to have different beliefs. She told Jay Shetty that her main goal is for people to find their life's purpose with efficacy, whether using astrology, therapy, or coaching. She believes that people who dislike astrology refer mainly to the mainstream sun-sign horoscopes, which often reduce complex human beings to a handful of clichés.

Sun signs became popular around the time the printing press was invented; it provided an easy entry point for the masses. However, they only represent a 30-day span, and millions of people share the same zodiac sign. Chani Nicholas and Jay Shetty agree that it can feel vague, limiting, and inaccurate, like many personality tests. Instead of reading your horoscope, she suggests looking at the full chart, which contains more specific information than a simple sun sign.

The Rising Sign Is More Important

An important distinction needs to be made between sun signs and rising signs. Nicholas explained to Jay Shetty that, while sun signs are fun to share, the rising sign is the true marker of your life. She explained that the Rising Sign is determined by the exact piece of sky rising over the eastern horizon at the moment and location of birth, which makes it highly specific to an individual.

The rising sign acts as the entry point for understanding your motivations, as it sets up the entire meaning of the chart. Nicholas told Jay Shetty that only by looking at the rising sign can we see a snapshot of a person's reality as an individual, with a unique path ahead.

The Main Celestian Influences

Chani Nicholas told Jay Shetty that the three celestial markers (Sun, Moon, and the Rising Sign) have different functions. She explained it as follows:

• The Sun represents the soul's light and how a person shines or illuminates things in the world.
• The Moon represents the physical body, memory, and the sacredness of incarnation.
• The Rising Sign represents a person's core motivation and their "yes" to life.

According to Nicholas, the Moon is a reflector of the Sun's light; it can be interpreted as us carrying our soul's purpose through our physical form every day. She added that the planet ruling the rising sign acts like a steering wheel for a person's life; for instance, someone with a Leo rising is motivated to show up and shine, but the specific work they are meant to do depends on where the ruler of the sign is located in the chart.

Finding Your Purpose

Astrology identifies purpose as more than a mere feeling, but as specific activities or methodologies. Nicholas admitted to Jay Shetty that she felt like a failure for years because nothing in her life was working. Only when she started studying traditional astrology with a teacher did she realize that her rising sign's ruler was in the third house, which governs writing, speaking, and teaching. As soon as she shifted her actions to align more with her purpose, her career and personal life improved considerably.

Nicholas told Jay Shetty that astrology can point to occupations of greatness; she explained that, for some, it might involve planetary positioning in the 10th house of career, while, for others, a significant placement in the 8th house might indicate a purpose as a grief doula or trauma-informed counselor. She is convinced that things start to open up and fall into place when we act in accordance with these signatures.

The Saturn Seven-Year Cycle

Nicholas explained to Jay Shetty that Saturn is the planet of boundaries, structure, responsibility, and mortality. It moves in seven-year cycles that define human growth: at seven, children begin to distinguish themselves from parents, and, at fourteen, they face a time of challenging expectations, also known as Saturn opposition.

The most famous of these seven-year cycles is the Saturn return, which occurs between the ages of twenty-eight and thirty. According to Nicholas, this is a portal, a time when one must take full responsibility for their decisions and build a solid foundation independent of their family of origin. Instead of approaching this time with fear and seeking instant gratification, she advised the audience to do the hard things that are worthwhile in the long run.

We Still Have Free Will

Chani Nicholas told Jay Shetty that one shouldn't fear a predetermined fate. She believes that humans have significant agency within the landscape of their charts. You can't choose when and where you are born, but you can choose how you live and interact with your environment. If the weather forecast predicts rain, you can choose to cancel your plans or bring an umbrella and rubber boots.

Nicholas encouraged the audience to ponder what life is trying to teach them during difficult times instead of catastrophizing the situation. She even suggests setting astrology aside if it gives you anxiety, because its true aim is to empower people to move forward with their potential with greater efficacy, rather than dread.

The One for Now

We can't know who will come into our lives as a partner, but astrology can help us understand what we need from a relationship, Nicholas told Jay Shetty. She shared that she felt immediate synergy with her wife because she perfectly matched the signature in her own chart, both on a personal and professional level.

When it comes to sun sign compatibility, Nicholas explained that all signs are compatible if the individuals understand their different styles and affinities. She urges the audience to date the human first and only check their chart after getting to know them, so you can avoid the negativity bias.

While some relationships are uniquely special and alter our life paths, anyone can connect deeply. Chani Nicholas told Jay Shetty that finding the one may not refer to forever, but to compatibility in the moment. She believes that our focus should be on evolving into a full, beautiful, and loving person, irrespective of whether a partner has appeared yet.

Mercury Retrograde and New Beginnings

Chani Nicholas discussed with Jay Shetty the controversial phenomenon of Mercury retrograde. She explained that it's a three-week period that occurs three to four times a year. This is a time that invites us to stop, pause, and reflect on our systems and communications. She advises seeing Mercury retrograde as a time to practice mindfulness and check for potential cracks in the system that need long-term adjustments.

2025 was a game-changing year, Nicholas reflected, with major planetary shifts that will impact the collective for decades. She believes that the winter solstice is a time for people to reflect, decompress, and reset. You can plant the seeds for the coming months by setting intentions when the days increase again.

More From Jay Shetty

Listen to the entire On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode “Astrologist Chani Nicholas: Feeling Lost in Life? This Episode Will Help You Find The Clarity, Direction and Answers You’ve Been Seeking” now in the iTunes store or on Spotify. For more inspirational stories and messages like this, check out Jay’s website at jayshetty.me.

Disclaimer: This episode reflects Chani Nicholas’ personal experiences and perspectives. It is not medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Any references to health, diet, or lifestyle practices are her individual choices and may not be suitable for everyone. Results and experiences vary. Always consult a qualified professional before making changes to your health, wellness, or personal care routines.

¹Martin B. Sweatman and Damien A. Edwards, “Prehistoric Cave Art Suggests Ancient Use of Complex Astronomy,” Athens Journal of History 4, no. 1 (2018): 5–22, https://doi.org/10.30958/ajha.4-1-1. 

²“The Astronomical Rock Panels in the Lascaux Cave, France,” in Astronomical Heritage Finder (Paris: UNESCO/IAU, 2008), https://web.astronomicalheritage.net/show-entity?identity=5&idsubentity=1. 

³Francesca Rochberg, The Heavenly Writing: Divination, Horoscopy, and Astronomy in Mesopotamian Culture (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004), 124–50.