Ask an Astrologer #3: How do I find purpose in my work?

When you don't have a Stellium in your chart, where do you look for your calling?

Welcome back to another issue of ‘Ask an Astrologer,’ where I read your chart to answer your questions about life. If you have a question you want Astrological perspective on, you can ask anonymously here.

my question is a lot of my friends charts who have stelliums seem very connected to their calling and their ‘work’ seems very clear. My chart is SO spread out! Whilst I do feel connected to have Venus in my big 3, I perhaps don’t feel as connected to what my chart might be showing me about ‘my work’. So the question, can my chart tell me that or am I looking for answers externally when I really should be going inward to find the answers?

I really relate to this question. I endured very similar feelings a few years ago, so I hope to share a few things that helped me while also shedding light on some areas of your chart that will help you move forward.

You are a strong-willed, harmony-seeking individual who has the confidence to enact huge forces of will on your life. That’s amazing! It also could be driving the frustration you’re feeling about discovering your purpose. When people talk about their calling, it’s often frustratingly elusive. Most of the time, I think they’re drawing a narrative in hindsight. They feel happy in their careers right now, so it’s easy to thread their past decisions together to understand how they got where they are now. Some people may feel confident throughout their pursuit of work, but I think most people experience bouts of uncertainty.

Your chart reveals you’re someone with immense agency, so it makes sense that you're searching for answers to focus your energy and make progress. But this phase of your life is about discovery, not direction. Discovery asks you to participate, not control. As difficult as it may be to relinquish control, releasing the pressure to “figure it out” right now might be the most healing thing you can do. Your purpose isn’t a destination, it’s a thread that weaves through how you love, how you work, and how you serve others. Ask your close friends how they see you show up in the world and you’ll likely be moved by what they say. You are already fulfilling your calling by showing up as yourself.

Let’s dive into your chart…

You’re correct in noting that those with Stelliums often feel more directed than others. However, there are other Astrological elements that are better indicators of your relationship with work.

Your Midheaven is in Aquarius, which indicates that your work will always oscillate between stable and unstable. You might spend years in one position only to abruptly be thrust in an entirely new direction, whether by your own will or unforeseen circumstances. Your ability to innovate will always catch you when you feel like you’re freefalling out of stability into the unknown. The more you can trust yourself, the easier it will be to ride the waves. 

You have several placements that involve the ego and, more specifically, how you set expectations for your life. Venus in the tenth house shows a particularly intense relationship with work in that you tend to weave your entire identity into what you do.Work is deeply personal for you, and you often tie your self-worth to your career success. You want to love what you do, feel proud of it, and have it reflect your identity. It’s important to find work that feels values-aligned, and creatively expressive. Those with Jupiter in the sixth house often have incredibly high standards for the business they conduct. You expect a lot of yourself in terms of discipline and contribution, which can lead to burnout or feeling like you’re never doing enough. Sun in the eleventh house means that you are linked to something larger than yourself, and put tremendous pressure on yourself to be honest, ethical, and a force of good in the world. All of these placements suggest that you are drawn to powerful work, especially work that helps others, but they also show that the expectations you put on yourself and your work can be debilitating, preventing you from accomplishing the values you seek to embody. 

Your Saturn in the ninth house placement might be playing a role here. It suggests that crucial lessons and challenges in your life revolve around faith, beliefs, ideals, and ethics. Prone to cynicism, it is necessary for you to cultivate the ability to trust and have faith in life. 

These particular placements might be contributing to your wanting to feel connected to your work and provide answers as to why you don’t. Here are some of my previous posts regarding the house system which you might find useful in your research!

Your planetary placements are quite playful. Mercury in Gemini indicates a love of research, information, and collaboration. Venus in Aries suggests a love of competition, movement, and humor. Jupiter in Sagittarius means that you feel most aligned with your purpose when you lead with curiosity and exploration and are generous with others. You have so many wonderful qualities to draw from as you continue to explore your work. Take the pressure off of yourself. You’re figuring it out, even if you feel lost. Continue to take things day by day; observe what lights you up and what discourages you. Give yourself grace. Don’t resist the impulse to play, discover, and try something new. Let your interests guide you instead of applying pressure onto yourself. 

Thanks for reading! If you have advice for the questioner, feel free to leave a comment. If you have a question that you’d like Astrological perspective on, you can ask anonymously here.