My interest in astrology was sparked in 2018 after reading an online article that came across my Facebook feed. The article went into more detail than I’d ever seen before in terms of astrology. I found out quickly we all have more placements than the Sun sign and that my natal (birth) Moon is in Libra. As I was reading the description for Libra Moon natives, I immediately resonated with it much more than I ever did with my Taurus Sun up until that point. The sense of being seen was overwhelming. Until I read the article, I hadn’t given astrology much stock. Growing up in an evangelical Christian house meant all things mystical was wrong and ungodly, so reading my horoscope in Tiger Beat or Seventeen was more for shits and giggles than anything else. 

Running parallel to my introduction to astrology was the downward spiral my life was becoming. Battling mental illness, feeling directionless, and some poor attempts to find the spirituality I once felt as a teenager; everything was too much. My serious case of chronic identity crisis, along with generalized anxiety, was reaching a fever pitch. Without thinking how my lack of faith and spirituality could be a source of my problems, my interest in astrology was placed gently on the back burner. 

In late 2019, I had to move back home. My feelings were mixed, but I was hopeful this change would get me on a better track. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was about to meet (and reconnect) with some of the best friends I could ask for. Their unique perspectives on life and what it means to be human enabled me to keep searching for my truth. 

I’m not quite sure what inspired it, but I picked astrology back up like an old book I had read a thousand times before in 2020. My life felt like it was picking back up and moving upward from the seemingly bottomless pit I was in. Then, in early 2021, I experienced the deep grief that only comes when you lose someone you love all too soon for the first time. 

Though I’ve always been told we are never promised tomorrow, my mortality had never truly been challenged like it was after my dear friend passed. I was pushed to a place where I could no longer ignore what my soul was begging for – a connection to the divine and my own way of making sense of my human experience. So, I chose to lean into astrology as it was the only spiritual outlet that resonated with me at the time. 

In true Mercury-ruled native fashion (shout out to all the Virgo and Gemini risings reading this), I eagerly studied astrology through books, articles, blogs, podcasts, pretty much any content I could get my eyes or ears on. This intense studying didn’t fulfill what my soul craved though – connecting to something greater and defining spirituality for myself. I was on the brink of the beginning of a spiritual breakthrough, but didn’t quite know it yet. 

With impeccable timing in Spring of 2023, Jupiter and Saturn began a collaborative effort to shift my major spiritual revolution into high gear. It was no secret my spiritual being was in disarray. After growing up in a spiritually restrictive religion, I didn’t know what my individual spirituality looked like, much less how to express it in an affirming way. I only knew what I was raised with no longer aligned with how I view and move about this world. 

Throughout 2023, I began experimenting with how I connect to the universe and its infinite wisdom. I reconnected with my intuition – something I had grown not to listen to or trust and was a major component in my religious deconstruction. I learned that most of the anxiety I felt day to day was never mine to begin with. Like a sponge taking in water, I took on energy from everyone – even people I only brushed shoulders with. With this new understanding of myself, I was able to develop healthier ways to release any negative energy and anxiety I created or picked up along the way. I finally began to feel a sense of inner stability and more connected to myself than ever before. 

I continued to delve deeper into my astrological studies while trying to jam the puzzle pieces of my teaching career together that simply didn’t match. After devoting over a decade of my life to public education, walking away seemed to be in the same ballpark as insanity. Being a teacher was my calling – who am I if I’m not an elementary school teacher? Thankfully, I have come to realize my title of teacher or educator will never go away; it will only evolve.

Sometime in mid-2023, as I was working to deepen my relationship with my spirit guides and higher self, I began to feel “the nudge.” Like an annoying earworm, I was being told it’s time to share the beautiful language of astrology with anyone curious enough to learn. As most gifted people, I let imposter syndrome and the “what ifs” run the narrative. I knew I couldn’t continue teaching, but I was terrified of “the nudge,” too. I had come to a standstill on my life path. 

The stand-off with my future (and current calling) was the theme of most therapy sessions I had at the time. I would sit on my therapist’s comfy couch, cradling a pillow as if it was going to whisper everything I wanted (not needed) to hear in my ear, and go on and on about how I had no clue as to what I was supposed to do or where to go. I applied for countless jobs, yet nothing would come of it. One day in January 2024, after continuing my pleas for direction, my therapist pulled out a box of cards from her bag and offered to ask the tarot. After a few moments and what felt like a third of the deck, she turned to me, looked me directly in the eyes and said, “You know what you’re supposed to be doing.” My soul buzzed, and I finally said it out loud – “I’m supposed to be an astrologer.”

Many things changed after that fateful day. Finally, I turned around and faced the path that had been calling for quite a while, yet I remained frozen in place. I had no clue how to start a business. I didn’t even believe I was qualified to be an astrologer thanks to my annoying companion, imposter syndrome, and the societal belief that one must go through some sort of official schooling to do anything that requires skill. I finally said, “yes,” to my future, but wouldn’t take my first step towards it for several months to come. “All you need to do is take that first step. Something simple like creating a logo and doors will begin to open,” my therapist would say encouragingly. (Bless her heart, I’m sure she felt like a broken record and wondered when I would get it through my thick skull.)

I kept my calling to be an astrologer heavily guarded. For a while, the only person besides my therapist that knew was my incredibly supportive boyfriend. I’m sure there are an abundance of men and women out there I could have been dating who would have laughed at the prospect of me being an astrologer which certainly would have shut me down – or at least put it on pause until the break up. I say this to bring up this important point: the right partner for you will always support your dreams and goals, and if they don’t, find someone who will. 

Claiming any identity that is not widely accepted by society or the communities you grow up or live within takes immense courage. Telling the people in my life, including those I knew would be supportive, about my goal to be an astrologer felt like coming out of the closet. As does anything one does repetitively though, it became easier, and I began to truly feel and believe it. 

Even though I finally accepted my calling, I still had a pretty big hurdle to jump. I couldn’t continue to teach – not only was it taking an immense toll on my mental and emotional health,  it simply wasn’t feasible for me to start a business with the demands of public education. So, I did what I would recommend to anyone who is stuck between a rock and a hard place, I took a leave of absence. (Of course, I understand taking a full leave isn’t always possible. However, I truly believe if you have a little bit of faith, a decent support system, and are on the right path, you will always be taken care of.) 

After nearly two months of doing a hard reset on my mind, body, and spirit, and having space to breathe and think, doors not only opened, but were paved with lighting like the glow of the tape running down the aisle of an airplane leading me to my closest exit from the life I had been living. On the daily, I would get little winks from the universe to know I was heading in the right direction. I began a new job I had always wanted but never believed was in the cards for me. More importantly, this job would free up enough of my mental and emotional energy to be able to pursue my newest calling.

Between the ongoing tug-of-war with imposter syndrome and my natural determination and curiosity, I began making small steps towards launching Mercurial Minds. Early on, the steps consisted of taking notes on the stories of how the modern mystic entrepreneurs began their businesses and analyzing what made them successful. I continued studying the vast conceptual landscape that makes up astrology and how it has played out in my life and those closest to me. 

Months passed and I felt like I hadn’t much to show in regards to launching Mercurial Minds. I began to grow concerned that my poor executive functioning skills (thanks, ADHD) were going to win over my ambition and dreams. One day in early March 2025, something clicked and I hit the ground running in a way I hadn’t before. A short three months later, Mercurial Minds Astrology was officially born – and the best thing about birthing something into the world, is to watch it grow, evolve, and take on a life of its own.

If you have made it this far, thank you for letting me share my story with you. I hope it will encourage you to continue forward on the path you’re called to take, seek the guidance from within at any crossroad you may be at, and to always persevere – you will never see the beautiful rainbow on the other side if you don’t! The ancient wisdom of astrology has been an invaluable tool for me; and I firmly believe it can be for you as well, no matter who you are, where you are in life, where you come from, or where you are going. I would love nothing more than to help you actualize the life of your dreams using the road map to you and your life – your astrological natal chart. 

With all the love and light,

Kaylee