gratitude is the antidote

if you don't feel lucky, read this ⌇ how to *actually* work with Jupiter 💫

Welcome to

The Asian Astrologer 🪐

. I’m so happy you’re here.

This might sound strange to say, but gratitude is an emotion I struggle with.

I tend to get stuck in my head or caught in the moment. It’s hard for me to be present and mindful. That is why I write — and why I’m so thankful for this space. When I write, I pay attention. And I find so many things I’m grateful for.

First of all, thank you for 700. 🌸

I gasped in delight when I saw this number¹. 7 has always been my lucky number, and true enough, we had the luckiest day of the year over the weekend — when Jupiter, the great benefic, kissed the Sun.

Many of you messaged me after I posted this video saying, “I don’t feel very lucky.” To be honest, I felt the same way.

I’d been struggling quietly with my mental health in the weeks leading up to this cazimi. Luck and abundance and gratitude were far from my mind. But somehow, the milestone of my 1st anniversary here crept up.

I felt like I needed to commemorate this milestone. I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t. So, I threw a party.

It was everything I dreamed of, and more. 8 readers showed up — readers who paid for access to my words, and were taking time out of their busy schedules to celebrate with me.

The part that took me off guard — and filled my heart to bursting — was when I’d asked them what they loved about

The Asian Astrologer 🪐

as one of the breakout room ice-breakers.

Cassondra Elizabeth

spoke up,

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather we hype you in the main room, Gwen?”

My cheeks flushed bright red. I’d historically struggled with receiving. But, something shifted in me in that moment. I wanted to know what they loved.

I nodded my head. And out poured a geyser of love beyond my wildest dreams:

“Your sunshine essence is so evident in all that you do.”

“I see myself in what you’re going through and what you write about.”

“You have insights that no one else touches on. You will hit something on the head that I don’t see in other astrologers’ perspectives.”

“You’re so vulnerable in your stories. This is the first time we’re speaking, but I feel like I *know* you.”

“You’re SO funny! You make the funniest references. It’s like reading an email from a friend, it’s enjoyable and makes Astrology fun!”

Want to watch the full recap? It’s available for paid subscribers here 💫

on a picnic with my girls to celebrate the jupiter cazimi

We are feeling Jupiter’s presence so strongly now. 💓

• We had the Jupiter cazimi, “luckiest day of the year”, on May 18;

• On May 23, we’ll have the Full Moon in Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter;

• That same day, Venus will kiss Jupiter in Taurus, at the critical 29º mark;

• Finally, Jupiter will enter Gemini on May 25, kickstarting a year-long cycle.

To work with Jupiter, we must first understand him.

Jupiter is known as the Great Benefic, one of the luckiest planets in the solar system. This is because he rules over things like travel, higher education, new possibilities — he helps us expand our worldview, so in modern society we’ve started to associate him with capitalistic connotations like “manifestation”.

The truth is, Jupiter is merely an expander.

He grows anything he touches. And if we are feeling down, sluggish, or unworthy, those feelings are going to be amplified right now.

“But Gwen, what if I don't feel lucky?”

Fascinatingly, there were other things going on astrologically that colored our experience of this ‘lucky time’ ⤵

1. Venus was kissing Uranus, lord of electricity. There might’ve been big shake-ups happening regarding your values, finances or relationships. ANXIETY or TURBULENCE = normal.
   

2. Mars was kissing the North Node, shedding light on our karmic destiny. This might’ve brought back themes from the solar eclipse in April. You might have felt ANGER or CHALLENGES come up!

This is why we always zoom out when it comes to Astrology.

We are complex, nuanced beings, and so is Astrology as a practice.

So if you’re not feeling the ‘lucky vibes’, you’re not alone.

Give yourself the space to feel all the feels — the good, the bad, everything. Jupiter, at its core, is about Wisdom. There is something this season is asking you to learn, a final lesson before Jupiter moves into Gemini. ♊️ What is it?

Gratitude is the antidote now.

Sometimes, astrology mirrors life — but most of the time, it’s the other way around. On Saturday, the luckiest day of the year, I found myself swept up in lush vistas and chirping birds, dragonflies abuzz, as I went on my first picnic of the year with my girlfriends.

As we soaked up everything Mother Nature had to offer, I was struck with the most overwhelming sense of peace.

I didn’t want for anything. I wasn’t trying to ‘manifest’. I wasn’t anxious, or grasping. I was just… here. Lying on a picnic blanket, chomping on cherry tomatoes, wriggling my toes, snapping silly overhead selfies. Listening. Celebrating. Holding space.

Without realizing it, I was living the true meaning of the ‘luckiest day of the year’:

Luck is what you make of it. 🍀

A long walk. A picnic basket. A meandering, sweet day out with friends.

So much of life is out of our control. But we get to choose what we give our attention to. Just like Jupiter, we get to choose what we expand.

So choose the things that make you feel lucky. Choose to feel joy. Choose to feel grateful.

As we flit on into Gemini season, let us not forget the lessons we’ve learned from Taurus:

On how to slow down, soak up every sense,

And be fully, lovingly, gratefully, here. 🧚‍♀️

Reflection Questions ♡

1. What is one thing you are grateful for, now that Taurus season (April 19 – May 20) has come to an end?

2. What is your relationship with luck? Do you feel lucky? Is there something you do that tends to make you ‘luckier’? (For me, it’s giving up a parking spot or being nice on the road! 🙊)

3. If you were Jupiter, and you had to shine a spotlight on something in your life right now… What would you choose to expand? 💫

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1. Thanks to all the lovely folks who joined us from

Caroline Cala Donofrio

! 🤗 You can read my interview with her for free here.