Image via @ValerieMesa, illustration by @_vanivan_

Exploring the Astrology community on Instagram has been one of my favourite ways to connect with my fellow witchy women. I most recently connected with Valerie Mesa, an Astrologer who hails from Miami and has worked with Bustle, Elite Daily, The MVTO, and more.

What made you want to become an Astrologer?

When I was a little girl, my mother and grandmother would stop everything they were doing the moment Walter Mercado would go on TV. He’s a famous Hispanic Astrologer who spoke of the cosmos while wearing flamboyant garbs and shiny robes. I was always attracted to taboo topics like white magic, Astrology, and mysticism overall, not to mention the women in my family were already very spiritual and witchy, to say the least.

Walter Mercado

How did you become an Astrologer?

When I turned 12, we moved into a different neighborhood, and I remember finding a box full of Astrology books written by the greats (Linda Goodman, Susan Miller, etc.) and I immediately dove into the books.  I was always a fan of psychology, and I wanted to understand the way people’s minds worked, and Astrology brought me closer to that. I read all of my mother’s books and continued buying more, and I slowly taught myself how to read and understand Astrology. In 2011, I took two courses back to back, and I was surprisingly one of the nerdiest and most knowledgeable ones in the class because I was so eager to learn more. Today, I’m reading natal charts and still, I take an advanced Astro course once a week where I can dive even deeper into the cosmos, almost esoterically. Astrology is infinite, and I won’t stop studying it until the day I die.

Can you describe your aesthetic for me?

I love black/neon purple/retro vibes – I’m a mix of a psychedelic hippie with a hint of mystery. I also die for the color “blood red, ” and I love red roses – I guess you can blame my Scorpio rising and 8th house stellium for that one.

I’m obsessed with your IG. Who are your top @’s to follow?

Thank you for saying that – I love posting on the gram‘!
I love following people that inspire me on a day to day. I love colors, quotes and anything witchy. My top people to follow are:

@harleyandj – Their ENTIRE vibe gives me life. They are basically witches partying at Woodstock.
@thehoodwitch –  I’m such a big fan of her mission. She is the epitome of an awakened Latina.
@starsignstyle – I love how she combines fashion and astrology, not to mention she’s a brilliant astrologer.

Do you use Tarot cards?

I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have them! I personally prefer reading the Spanish deck because my grandmother gave me her deck when I was very young, and it meant the world to me. She always says the women in our family are gypsies and I never forgot that because there’s something very magical about it.

What is the coolest thing that has happened to you as a result of becoming an Astrologer?

Honestly, the coolest thing for me is the way Astrology has helped me connect with others in such a profound way. Like I said in the beginning, I’ve always been intrigued by the way people’s minds work and what makes them tick, and Astrology has not only helped me understand that, but it’s also really added something extra my life – it’s something I was born to do.

What are some books that aspiring astrologers should read?

Anything by Linda Goodman, Liz Greene, and Susan Miller.

What are your favourite astrology websites?

Cherry is a magical fairy from Australia who 100% speaks my language. She is a huge inspiration to me and a brilliant writer.

The Astro Twins have taught me so much, and I love reading their horoscopes.

Why do you think Astrology has become so popular as of recent?

Whoa. That is a whole other conversation! I feel that many astrological influences, for instance, the Pluto in Scorpio and Saturn in Sagittarius transits (when we were born) play a huge role in what “we” Millennials consider cool today. Our generation was born to rebel, create and transform. Astrology has always been considered taboo for many, and today, huge celebrities like Khloe Kardashian are even going as far as incorporating Astrology into their brand. That in itself is huge. We are the charmed ones.

Why do you think Astrology is important?

Your biggest superpower is that there’s no such thing as another you, and Astrology validates that. Your natal chart is a map of your soul, and what I love the most about Astrology is discovering the unique energies that live in every single chart.  Your natal chart is an exact screenshot of the sky the day you were born, and it doesn’t get cooler than that.