Radical Acceptance: The Healing Power of Challenging Chart Placements

Some astrologers view Hellenistic astrology, the main type I practice, as overly dark or negative. It's true that ancient astrologers often gave clear and extreme chart interpretations—either very positive or very negative—to demonstrate the range and nature of chart placements. However, they also expected astrologers to take a more balanced approach when reading charts for clients. Today, astrology tends to be much more positive, with many embracing the idea that "there are no difficult placements." While this perspective is well-intentioned and can be reassuring, I believe it’s most healing to embrace the full range of human experiences as we authentically experience them—positive or negative. Astrology operates best when it reflects that subjective experience. Let me explain why.

First, let’s talk about what I mean by “difficult chart placements.” From an astrological standpoint, I’m referring to the nature of the planets in a chart. Planets can operate in a subjectively positive or negative way. I say "subjectively" because astrology reflects more than just personality traits and life events; it shows how we’ll feel about them. Various astrological techniques—like sect, essential dignity, and mitigation—help me determine whether a planet might be experienced as positive or negative. Planets deemed “difficult” or “debilitated” often correspond to tough life experiences—whether financial struggles, health issues, loss, or trauma. The symbolism can cover everything from minor inconveniences to life’s most impactful traumas.

As humans, we naturally categorize experiences as either positive or negative, easy or difficult. This duality is part of our biological makeup. There may be some who can transcend this duality, but that’s not the norm for most of us here on Earth. (Nor am I sure that’s what’s expected or intended for us.) I believe our souls chose this human experience, and to fully live it and gain what we intended, we can’t dismiss or judge the human condition. Why else would we be here? That’s why, when I give readings, I discuss both difficult and easy chart placements to reflect the range of a client’s authentic experiences. Ignoring challenging placements or reframing them as positive wouldn’t respect the client’s experience, and could limit their self-awareness, self-acceptance, and healing in the long term.

Before moving on, I’d like to distinguish between having an objective vs. subjective interpretation of challenging life events. I don’t believe there’s an objective truth about an experience being inherently positive or negative. I’m not saying everyone should feel bad about losing a job or ending a toxic relationship, for example. What I am saying is that if you experience a situation or event as difficult, it doesn’t help to deny or pretend you didn’t. If the chart suggests you’ll experience a loss, I reflect that back to you—not because I think you should feel bad, but because the chart says you will. And in my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with experiencing something as difficult. Honoring and feeling our authentic emotional responses, whatever they are, serves us.

Some people view labeling any part of life or a chart as negative or difficult as inherently wrong. There’s a well-intended push toward unconditional positivity in U.S. society and spiritual communities, but often it backfires. When difficult feelings arise, we might believe we’re helping ourselves by ignoring, denying, or dismissing them. We "should" on ourselves: "I shouldn’t feel this way," or "I should feel good about this." While this might offer temporary relief, on a deeper level, we’re judging ourselves, which only adds another layer of negativity. We can either offer love and acceptance to difficult emotions or denial and judgement; which feels more positive to you? Furthermore, when we bypass difficult emotions, it can lead to bigger issues, like illness or depression. As the saying goes, "What we resist, persists."

After years of shadow work, reflection, and learning to process emotions effectively, I’ve come to see that there are gifts in even the hardest experiences. Once you’ve integrated this, it’s tempting to skip to the “good part” and bypass uncomfortable emotions. For example, you may say to yourself: “I know one day I’ll feel okay about this… how can I feel that now?” (Notice how that’s still a fear response to difficult emotions?) I’ve learned that real healing only comes after fully feeling and processing those emotions, which starts with acknowledging they exist. It’s not always easy, and I still catch myself resisting feelings at times. But when I do, I return to my practice of emotional processing: breathing, naming the emotion, feeling its sensations, and allowing it to speak before letting it go. This feels like self-love and keeps emotions from getting trapped in my body. It is also this process that naturally leads to me seeing a difficult situation as more positive.

You might have your own method for processing emotions—it could even be in your chart. Check your moon placement, its ruler, aspects, and house. Maybe feeling your feelings while engaging in right-brained, creative activities like painting, dancing or playing music helps you process. Maybe it's journaling, talking to someone, or spending time in nature. Maybe it’s meditation. No matter which method, the I know that “the only way out is through,” and the only way to heal from emotions is to receive their message.

Ultimately, I believe that acknowledging both the positive and negative aspects of our experience leads to growth and healing. By honoring the reality of difficult placements and emotions, we can come to appreciate their role in our evolution. This is my hope for my clients: that through astrology, they can see their authentic experience mirrored for them, and in doing so, cultivate compassion and love for themselves and their journey.