Your Next Vacation, Written in the Stars
AstroCartography with Darryl Gaines will definitely inspire your next trip. It might just change your life.
In 2023, my astrologer strongly urged me to visit Athens, Greece.
To be fair, it was on the list, but near the bottom.
I had amassed a list of options within my budget for a birthday trip. The only requisite, a seaside location. It’s tradition. I’m a Pisces.
Water is my element, but regardless of the stars, water makes me feel connected to the cycle of life. We discussed my chart and where I was geographically and emotionally.
For context: I was reeling from the loss of my mom and a recent breakup. I was still feeling unmoored, struck between Rome and New York City.
I was determined to find an agent to help sell my debut book, but I knew I needed some important author bylines to bolster my credibility.
According to Darryl Athens was it.
Gaines, of Guiding Planet, explained astrocartography, a branch of astrology that treats places like people. It examines their relationship to each other and the celestial forces in motion.
I didn’t fully understand. That’s why he’s the professional, not me.
He explained that during my birthday my own chart had some momentum that corresponded with Athens’ own chart.
Read Darryl’s story here.
Think of it as comparing partner charts for compatibility.
Jupiter is a major ruling planet of Athens (see below).
Jupiter is all about philosophy, knowledge, education and exploration. He didn’t know I had started studying Greek at the time, in part for love, and in part to discuss philosophy with a Greek friend!
Apparently something was happening with Mercury in Athens during my birthday. Mercury is the planet of self-expression and language. Wow.
That trip to Athens altered the trajectory of my whole life from my writing goals to my romantic aspirations and creative inspiration.
Check out Darryl’s take on these world cities.
AstroCartology is still a budding branch of astrology. In his classically Renaissance-style, Darryl identifies aspects of the stars as well as the cities’ respective personalities and potential.
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New York City: Gemini Rising / Sagittarius Sun
Birthdate: Often set at July 26, 1788 (ratification of the Constitution by NY).
Keywords: Communication, commerce, duality, speed.
Planetary Rulers: Mercury and Jupiter.
Why Gemini: The city’s intense media culture, subway veins, financial talk, and diverse voices reflect Gemini’s mutable air. Its global status and publishing/advertising dominance also fit.
Why Sagittarius: (symbolically): Ambition, expansion, cosmopolitanism.
Los Angeles: Pisces Sun / Leo Rising
Birthdate: Often noted as September 4, 1781 (original founding).
Keywords: Illusion, imagination, glamour, creativity.
Planetary Rulers: Neptune and the Sun.
Why Pisces: The dream factory of Hollywood, the blurred lines of reality, and wellness/spiritual subcultures.
Why Leo: The centrality of performance, charisma, and celebrity culture.
Chicago: Taurus Sun / Scorpio Moon
Birthdate: March 4, 1837 (incorporation).
Keywords: Industry, grit, endurance, rootedness.
Planetary Rulers: Venus and Pluto/Mars.
Why Taurus: Deep ties to labor, meatpacking, blues music, and fixed, steady growth.
Why Scorpio: (symbolically): A history of resilience through fire, crime, and reinvention.
London: Capricorn Sun / Virgo Moon
Birthdate: Tricky, but often symbolized with the Norman Conquest (1066) or Roman Londinium (~43 CE).
Keywords: Legacy, structure, formality, tradition.
Planetary Rulers: Saturn and Mercury.
Why Capricorn: The “empire” signature, class hierarchies, governance, and old institutions.
Why Virgo: The obsession with order, etiquette, and service.
Paris: Libra Sun / Pisces Moon
Birthdate: Traditionally July 8, 508 CE (Clovis I made it capital).
Keywords: Beauty, philosophy, romance, revolution.
Planetary Rulers: Venus and Neptune.
Why Libra: The architecture, style, diplomacy, and cultural sophistication.
Why Pisces: Emotional depth, art, a certain elusive melancholy.
Rome: Aries Sun / Scorpio Rising
Birthdate: April 21, 753 BCE (mythic founding by Romulus).
Keywords: Power, conquest, foundation, transformation
Planetary Rulers: Mars and Pluto.
Why Aries: Mars rules, a city of warriors and founders.
Why Scorpio: Religious influence, dramatic rebirths, imperial shadow.
Athens – Aquarius Sun / Sagittarius Rising
Birthdate: Mythic origins, but often symbolically tied to democracy’s birth (~508 BCE).
Keywords: Wisdom, democracy, rebellion, ideals
Planetary Rulers: Uranus and Jupiter.
Why Aquarius: Radical thought, collective ideals, birthplace of Western philosophy.
Why Sagittarius: Exploration, pedagogy, and cosmopolitan spirit.
Tokyo: Virgo Sun / Aries Moon
Birthdate: Symbolically July 1, 1869 (renamed Tokyo).
Keywords: Precision, innovation, structure, resilience.
Planetary rulers: Mercury and Mars.
Why Virgo: Orderly infrastructure, cultural etiquette, technological exactitude.
Why Aries: The underlying fierce independence and energy beneath surface calm.
Shanghai: Scorpio Sun / Gemini Moon
Birthdate: Symbolically November 7, 1292 (Yuan Dynasty county establishment).
Keywords: Power, mystery, trade, dual identity.
Planetary Rulers: Pluto/Mars and Mercury.
Why Scorpio: Deep economic power, strategic location, hidden strengths.
Why Gemini: Fast-moving energy, bilingual/multinational identity.
Sydney: Sagittarius Sun / Cancer Moon
Birthdate: January 26, 1788 (arrival of the First Fleet).
Keywords: Expansion, sea connection, celebration, cultural duality.
Planetary Rulers: Jupiter and the Moon.
Why Sagittarius: Big skies, outdoors, easy-going optimism.
Why Cancer: Oceanfront identity, homesickness in its colonial past, deep ancestral resonance
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