Habits and Hustle – Episode 481
Aliza Kelly: Why Astrology Is Actually a Data-Driven System (And How Accurate It Really Is)
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Jennifer Cohen
Guest: Aliza Kelly (Astrologer, Spiritual Coach/Expert)
Episode Overview
In this insightful episode, Jennifer Cohen sits down with renowned astrologer Aliza Kelly to dig deep into the real mechanics and misconceptions of astrology. Together, they explore why astrology is far more data-driven than most people realize, how it should fit into broader wellness and self-growth journeys, the nuance of chart readings, and the interplay between spiritual systems like tarot, astrology, and manifestation. The conversation is candid, at times humorous, and packed with practical takeaways, myth-busting, and even a few on-the-spot chart interpretations for Jen’s kids.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Aliza’s Title and Professional Identity
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Aliza shares her evolving comfort with being called a "spiritual coach," despite her reservations about the trendy, overused nature of the term.
[01:50 – 03:21] -
Quote:
“Recently I have given myself permission to say spiritual coach, which feels like a big undertaking.” – Aliza Kelly (01:50)
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Jennifer suggests alternatives like “expert” or “advisor," leading to a laugh about cheesy modern mystic labels.
[02:26]
2. How an Astrologer Works With Clients
- Aliza describes her client process—some are on retainer for years, others drop in for one-off sessions, and she also offers insights through AMA sessions and her podcast.
[04:27] - Key takeaway: Astrological work is both ongoing (due to changing planetary cycles) and situational.
3. Birth Charts: Blueprint vs. Life’s Dynamism
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The birth chart is described as a foundational “blueprint,” but it becomes activated and shifts as planet positions change—offering new “narratives” over time. Aliza notes the impact of accurate birth times for precise readings.
[05:15 – 06:13 | 13:54 – 15:31] -
Quote:
“The chart is sort of your blueprint... but planets in the sky activate different things... so there’s different cycles that we go through.” – Aliza Kelly (05:25)
4. Astrology’s Accuracy & Comparison to Psychic Work
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Jen questions if astrology is really accurate or just about perception.
- Aliza distinguishes astrology (which uses time, date, and location data) from psychic readings (subjective intuition).
- She emphasizes astrology’s objectivity: interpretations derived from fixed data points.
[07:28 – 10:35]
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Notable Quote:
“Astrology is incredibly accurate and pointed... for my interpretations, I use a date, time, and location of birth. Based on that, I can see everything I need to know about who someone is…” – Aliza Kelly (08:58)
5. Why Exact Birth Time Matters
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The episode features a humorous live attempt to track down Jen’s son's exact birth time, highlighting the detail required for accuracy.
- Aliza refuses to proceed with a chart reading for Jen’s son when the time given is not precise, explaining that even minutes can shift core chart points.
[11:00 – 15:20]
- Aliza refuses to proceed with a chart reading for Jen’s son when the time given is not precise, explaining that even minutes can shift core chart points.
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Memorable moment:
“I think that it would be... I don’t want to share things with you that wouldn’t be... Then you’re gonna pull it up and it would be something else... Two hours apart is a huge difference in astrology.” – Aliza Kelly (14:00)
6. Surface-Level Astrology vs. In-depth Work
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The duo discusses popular astrology content on social media, such as “top three signs for money,” which Aliza dismisses as entertainment rather than real analysis, but acknowledges it can be a “gateway" to deeper study.
[16:01 – 17:40] -
Quote:
“That’s not really the way to work with astrology... but I recognize it’s a great gateway.” – Aliza Kelly (16:23)
7. Compatibility and the Complexity of Charts
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Aliza breaks down basic sun-sign compatibility rules, but stresses that true astrological relationship compatibility goes much deeper, involving moon, Venus, Mars, and rising signs.
[17:40 – 20:37] -
She provides an on-the-fly mini-reading of Jen’s chart, highlighting how her Virgo sun and Aquarius moon reveal a blend of practicality and community focus—attributes tied to her podcasting success.
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Quote:
“Podcasting is so great for Aquarians because we’re thinking about the community, we’re thinking about how can we make a difference in the world...” – Aliza Kelly (19:14)
8. Aliza’s Personal Journey Into Astrology
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Transitioned from art world to astrologer/founder of an astrology dating app.
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Discusses her initial skepticism and fear of social stigma, particularly around dating—men often dismiss astrology, a theme explored in detail.
[21:11 – 23:47] -
Quote:
“I was afraid of the stigma around it. I was afraid of not being taken seriously, of not being respected. I was afraid of people judging me… and men are horrible about astrology, broadly speaking.” – Aliza Kelly (21:18)
9. Gender Bias & Astrology
- Jen and Aliza discuss why astrology seems to attract more women, with Aliza positing that it’s an “emotional language” less encouraged among men via socialization.
- They also toy with examples of men leveraging similar systems in business when branded differently, noting gender double-standards.
[23:47 – 27:09]
- They also toy with examples of men leveraging similar systems in business when branded differently, noting gender double-standards.
10. Astrology as a Life Optimization Tool
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Jen recounts a friend who advises VCs with an alternative "card" system based on birthdays, and Aliza notes it “optimizes your life”—underlining astrology’s practicality versus new-age stereotype.
[27:31 – 28:09] -
They warn against obsessively using astrology/mantras as a crutch or excuse for poor behavior.
[28:27 – 29:47]
11. Manifestation: Action vs. “Wishing”
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Jen expresses skepticism of manifestation, associating it with vague wishing. Aliza reframes manifestation as a purposeful feedback loop between intention (the “astral realm”) and real-world action, stressing the need for clear purpose and self-knowledge.
[40:28 – 44:22] -
Quote:
“Manifestation is the intentionality around your action... when you work with both of these realms... that's when things really, really happen.” – Aliza Kelly (41:44)
12. Fun Astrology Questions: Money, Power, and Famous Charts
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Jen asks which signs are associated with money: Taurus and Capricorn are said to be stereotypically most abundant, with Capricorn as “the hustler, businessman, Monopoly man.”
[45:40 – 46:37] -
Aliza breaks down Donald Trump’s chart (“the perfect manifestation of his birth chart... we’re all living in Donald Trump’s Leo Rising reality,” 48:44–49:00), and discusses Elon Musk as a Cancer sun with Gemini influences.
[46:43 – 49:36]
13. Live Mini Chart Readings for Jen’s Children
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Using the newly discovered (still somewhat uncertain) birth time for Jen’s son Dylan, Aliza reads for a sensitive, empathetic Capricorn boy, and for Jen's daughter Sydney (with limited info), she spots a “force of nature” with an Aries sun and possibly Taurus moon, highlighting her need for comfort and stability.
[50:03 – 56:00] -
Notable moment:
“Her being born by a solar eclipse in Aries is absolutely a big deal... you have that... high highs and low lows are embedded into your DNA.” – Aliza Kelly (56:55)
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
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On chart authenticity:
“If it feels like that doesn’t describe me, then something is amiss. That’s how much I believe in this work... You should feel like you are being understood for the first time.” – Aliza Kelly (15:31)
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On astrology as a universal tool:
“All signs are here to live and experience life just through their particular archetype. There’s no signs that are... better or worse than others.” – Aliza Kelly (17:12)
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On men and astrology:
“Because it’s an emotional language, and I think it’s a language that really demands a level of self reflection that unfortunately a lot of boys and young men are not exposed to…” – Aliza Kelly (23:00)
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On Tarot:
“It’s another way of telling stories, right? It’s another way of being able to sort of use a tool to be able to glean insight and information and wisdom.” – Aliza Kelly (37:26)
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On her husband’s astrology acceptance:
“On our first date, he wanted to understand it. He was interested... Next date, I came back with our full charts... The amount of compatibilities and synchronicities we have in our chart…” – Aliza Kelly (32:44)
Important Timestamps
- 01:50 – Aliza’s preferred titles: astrologer, spiritual coach, and the “coach” conundrum
- 05:25 – How birth charts function as blueprints & change with planetary cycles
- 08:58 – The accuracy of astrology vs. psychic readings
- 11:00–15:20 – The (comedic) importance of birth time accuracy
- 16:23 – The reality behind pop astrology lists
- 19:14 – How Jen’s Aquarius moon shapes her podcasting
- 21:11–23:47 – Aliza’s career journey and societal stigma
- 32:44 – Her husband Luke’s receptive attitude and their “electric” chart compatibility
- 40:28 – Manifestation, action, and the astral realm explained
- 46:43 – Trump’s chart breakdown (Gemini sun, Leo rising, Sagittarius moon, born on Eclipse)
- 50:03–56:00 – Mini readings for Jen’s kids (Dylan and Sydney)
- 56:55 – Eclipses and high-drama personalities
Final Highlights
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Aliza’s Book Reminder:
“It’s All Magic: 365 Reflections on Astrology, Tarot, and Manifestation” – follow @alizakelly on Instagram. -
Closing Tone:
The conversation wraps with mutual appreciation, laughs about podcast rituals, and a lighthearted plug for nootropics—capturing the playful, curious, deeply human approach that characterizes the whole episode.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about astrology as a practical tool for self-knowledge and life design, debunking many myths along the way.