Podcast Summary: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Episode: Astrologist Chani Nicholas: Feeling Lost in Life? This Episode Will Help You Find The Clarity, Direction and Answers You’ve Been Seeking

Release Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

Jay Shetty sits down with astrologer and author Chani Nicholas for an in-depth conversation on the true purpose of astrology, how it can help us gain clarity and direction in life, and how understanding our charts can contribute to radical self-acceptance. Together, they explore what astrology is (and isn’t), how it can empower us, the difference between fate and free will, and offer practical advice for anyone feeling lost or seeking transformation. Chani shares wisdom from her practice and her book, "You Were Born For This," guiding listeners to reconnect with their inner agency and the cycles of their lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is Astrology? (02:14-05:08)

• Definition: Astrology is the study of how the sky mirrors what happens on Earth.
• Chani: “Your astrology chart is a mirror of your life, of your life’s purpose, of your soul. It's a map of your potential, your problems, your growth edges.” [03:44]
• The chart is a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment and place of one’s birth; it acts as an “amulet of you.”
• Humanity’s relationship with the sky goes back thousands of years, and astrology originally served to make sense of the world’s cycles.

2. Skepticism and Misconceptions (10:11-13:42)

• Skepticism is valid and welcomed. Chani: “Great, I love it. You should be cynical... I just want you to find yours. If you don’t like astrology, great.” [10:19]
• Most skepticism focuses on sun sign horoscopes, which represent only a fraction of true astrology.

3. Sun Sign vs. Birth Chart (11:49-14:03)

• Sun sign horoscopes: Created for mass accessibility, based on only the day of birth.
• Rising sign: Far more important for personal insight; calculated based on birthplace and exact time.
• Chani: “Your sun sign is like something you share with people that are born within a 30-day span… only your rising sign can tell us your entry point.” [11:54]

4. How Birth Charts Guide Us (14:46-17:20)

• The birth chart reveals the quality of each area of life—where we’ll face challenges, where we’ll find ease, and our unique growth areas.
• Astrology shouldn’t reduce us to stereotypes—it’s a resource for understanding nuance and working through struggles.

5. Astrology, Agency & Free Will (18:47-22:53, 37:37-43:30)

• Astrology provides a framework, but we must engage actively.
• Weather analogy: “If I know it’s going to rain tomorrow, as an adept person… I know tomorrow I’d better take my umbrella.” – Jay [17:30]
• Empowerment: “If astrology isn’t empowering, I don’t think you should use it… It should help you to feel like you’re more located and better prepared.” – Chani [20:12]
• Purpose is an invitation, not fate: “Our chart isn’t our fate, it's an invitation.” – Jay [37:37]

6. Sun, Moon, and Rising—The ‘Big Three’ (21:31-22:53)

• Chani's breakdown:
  • Rising Sign: “Marker of your yes to life, your motivation.” [21:40]
  • Sun: “How your soul illuminates things… what lights you up.”
  • Moon: “Your body, physical world, the keeper of memory.”

7. Finding Clarity in Your Chart (25:22-29:35)

• The ruling planet of your rising sign “steers the ship of your life.”
• Chani shares her personal breakthrough: discovering her ruler in the third house (writing, teaching) and aligning with her calling transformed her life.
• A guide or teacher can reflect what we can’t see for ourselves.

Notable Quote:

“When you’re not living in accordance with your purpose, everything is going to feel wrong and everything’s going to feel misaligned.” – Chani [27:24]

8. Growth, Challenge, & Timing: Saturn’s Lessons (35:00-43:30, 72:10-85:06)

• Saturn’s cycles mark major growth pivot points every 7 years.
  • Saturn Return (ages 28–30): “You cross a threshold into adulthood. If you miss that, the next period will be harder.” – Chani [36:35]
• Growth is critical; astrology looks at the setup, but it’s up to individuals to engage and mature through challenge.

9. Fate vs Free Will (37:53-43:30)

• Astrology gives a landscape, but “what you do within that landscape is up to you.”
• Jay compares birthplace and later choices as a metaphor for the birth chart and life’s choices.

Notable Quote:

“It’s always about distancing yourself enough from the thing, from your astrology chart… so you can understand what life is trying to teach you.” – Chani [39:21]

10. Astrology and Relationships (41:01-47:21, 55:49-59:10, 62:44-65:53)

• Astrology describes what qualities you need in a partner, not specific names/timing.
• Chani: “You can see the quality and nature of the person that you need.”
• Red flags, incompatibilities, and harmonious aspects show up in the chart, but shouldn’t replace getting to know a person.
• There isn’t one single ideal partner for all—everyone’s chart may show multiple significant possibilities.

11. Misconceptions: Predicting Outcomes (47:45-55:02, 66:10-69:52)

• People often ask for specifics (e.g., “When will I meet my person?”), but astrology’s deepest value is in affirming your gifts and guiding growth, not making firm predictions.
• Astrologers have a responsibility to support and empower, not doom or limit.

12. Cycles, Timing, and Rituals (53:00-54:27, 97:13-103:38)

• Chani recommends honoring seasonal/cosmic cycles, especially around solstice, for setting intentions and resetting after challenging years.
• Year-end reflection and taking time to process transition is as important as “go time.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Agency:
  “Your agency is the greatest power that you have.” – Chani [43:18]

• On Skepticism:
  “I don’t want to live in a world where we all believe in astrology… diversity is really important.” – Chani [10:19]

• On Saturn Return:
  “Saturn is the planet of responsibility and of adulthood… it’s the time to put your money where your mouth is.” – Chani [72:11]

• On Relationship Compatibility:
  “I think you should always come to a first date… and really, again, try to feel what it feels like to be with them. What is the energy between you?” – Chani [93:43]

• On Letting Go:
  “If this year has been disappointing, do what you can to fill yourself back up at this point.” – Chani [101:29]

Timestamps for Key Sections

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |------------------------ |------------------------------------------------------------ |-----------| | Opening & Astrology Definition | Chani introduces astrology as the sky’s mirror | 02:14–05:08 | | Skepticism & Sun Sign Horoscopes | Dispelling myths, role of the sun sign | 10:11–14:03 | | Purpose & the Birth Chart | How charts guide growth, not fate | 14:46–17:20 | | Agency, Blame, & Growth | Free will, weather analogy, empowerment | 17:30–22:53 | | The Big Three | Sun, Moon, Rising explained | 21:31–22:53 | | Purpose in the Chart | Finding the “ruler of your ascendant” | 25:22–29:35 | | Saturn Cycles & Return | Growth, discipline, and structure across life | 35:00–43:30, 72:10–85:06 | | Fate vs. Free Will | Agency in interpreting one’s ‘landscape’ | 37:53–43:30 | | Relationships & Compatibility | How astrology supports love, myths about “the one” | 41:01–47:21, 55:49–59:10, 62:44–65:53 | | Misconceptions & Responsibility | Practitioner’s role, predictive pitfalls | 47:45–55:02, 66:10–69:52 | | Rituals, Solstice, Year-End Reflection | Practices to close and begin the year intentionally | 97:13–103:38 |

Actionable Takeaways and Practices

• Use astrology as an empowerment tool, not a fate decree.
• Seek adept guidance or education if you want to go beyond sun sign horoscopes.
• Your rising sign and its ruling planet reveal much about your life’s direction.
• The Saturn return (around 28–30 years) is a major period for embracing responsibility and personal agency.
• At year’s end, prioritize reflection, rest, and intentional intention-setting, especially around the solstice.
• Relationships require presence and self-awareness; astrology can help clarify needs and dynamics but should never replace genuine human connection.

Final Five (Rapid Fire) Highlights

1. Best Advice:
   “If you choose it, do not feel sorry for yourself about it. Your agency is your greatest gift and your greatest power...” – Chani [104:35]

2. Worst Advice:
   Being told by an astrologer: “I don’t know how you’re ever going to find love.” [105:13]

3. Death Prediction:
   “There are ancient timing techniques that do (predict death). I do not dabble in those arts.” – Chani [105:28]

4. Astrology Misconception:
   “That there are certain signs that are good or bad. Everyone’s a problematic fave.” – Chani [106:09]

5. One Law for Humanity:
   “Everybody’s child is yours.” – Chani [106:58]

Tone & Approach

• Warm, wise, and practical: Both Jay and Chani are honest about limitations and strengths, inviting curiosity and openness.
• Empowerment-focused: Central message is about agency, self-understanding, and using astrology as a clarifying—not deterministic—tool.
• Reflective and nuanced: The discussion balances the technical with the deeply personal, rooting esoteric concepts in lived experience.

For listeners who haven’t tuned in:
This episode is much more than an astrology Q&A; it’s a guide for anyone feeling lost or seeking clarity, using ancient wisdom to illuminate modern struggles around purpose, love, timing, and self-acceptance. Whether you’re curious or skeptical, Chani and Jay’s conversation offers practical frameworks, reassurance, and plenty of “aha” moments.