I can't believe I'm doing this

Who does she think she is?

I’ve been doing astrology and tarot readings in the background, as a side hustle, for about a year now. But it’s time for me to bring this work to the forefront—which is equally oh-em-eff-gee thrilling and about-to-vom scary.

I present to you, dear reader, my first official business, my baby, my heart and soul and dream: astral pathways.

Even though I’ve been working on this for awhile, a big reason I’ve held back (aside from launching a business being a shit ton of work!) is because of the voices in my head telling me I can’t possibly choose this path: People won’t take me seriously. I can’t do that for a living. My timing is terrible.

Let’s unpack this a little.

I was an editor for a social justice magazine for six years. Even though I didn’t love the actual day-to-day, I loved how my title made me sound and appear to people. It felt like living a childhood dream—except it didn’t actually feel as good as it sounded. I was never in love with my job. It just looked good on paper.

Now that I’m going through my Saturn return (iykyk), I’ve realized this is a major theme I need to reckon with: caring about how things look on the outside more than how they feel to me on the inside. Using “how I appear to other people” as my compass for most of my life has had major consequences: depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder, to name a few.

So, I’m trying to stretch myself to do things differently; to center my own feelings, dreams, and joy.

And when I tell you it feels so right to start this business, I mean that with my whole body.

I’m still navigating my insecurities about opening and running a business, especially one in this field where people may not take me seriously. That’s OK. Everyone’s allowed to have their own opinions, and I’m trying to be more comfortable with not being for everyone.

Opening a business is vulnerable, and opening one during such wild and uncertain times feels even more scary and risky. But part of what’s made this work so fulfilling is that I get to help others be more present and more engaged in their own lives, which in turn impacts the collective, and how we all show up for the enormous responsibility of making the world a better place for everyone.

astral pathways is a love letter to everyone who feels overwhelmed, undervalued, and stuck; for the endlessly curious and sensitive people who care deeply about the world and how they fit into it; for little Ayu who dreamed of being seen and sharing my magic with the world. This is for you.

I can’t wait for us to get to know each other.

P.S. If you are endeared or even slightly interested in my work, it would mean the world to me if you sign up for my biz mailing list. You’ll get alll the juicy horoscopes and more. Big love to you always <3