Gaining popularity on TikTok in recent months is the practice of astrocartography: a branch of astrology which supposedly can be used to make key life decisions, such as choosing where to travel or find work. This form of ‘locational astrology’ uses lines corresponding to the planets which cross the world, such as the Venus line and Jupiter line, to identify geographical locations which may (or may not) hold significant future meaning for the chart reader. Astrologer Meghan Rose has described this information as ‘unique energetic coding’; in other words, finding the locales where one might enjoy the most luck in their career, friendships and relationships – or just somewhere to go on holiday. 

Perhaps what gives astrocartography much of its appeal among TikTok audiences is the complex nature of the system itself; aspiring chart-makers may have a lot of material to study before they can truly feel connected to the community. This is not your standard form of astrology, but rather, ‘the astrology of place’. According to Helena, an online astrologer ‘specialising in travel and relocation’, astrocartography is intended to reveal the countries which are best suited to you as a cosmic individual. Helena advises not to plunge straight into an astrocartography map, but rather to first learn about the functions of the different planetary lines – longitudinal lines mapping the path of planets on the day you were born. Apparently, the closer you live to a planetary line such as Mars or Saturn, the stronger the influence of that planet’s energy on yours. Different planets represent different purposes and challenges, allowing decisions about travel to be made dependent on what the chart reader wishes to encounter, and what they wish to avoid. The ins and outs of how the system works are even more intricate, which is perhaps why a crowd of astrologers is on hand to explain it to TikTok audiences.  

Astrology has classically been linked to ideas of feminisation and female-centred spaces; its identity of introspection means that even its valid criticisms may be channelled through a prism of resentment for women who express emotionality. Further to this, perhaps astrocartography is popular among young women on TikTok because its arrival heralds a new, practical dimension of astrology, whose uses are perceived by many as abstract and intangible. Many social commentaries will point out that we live in times of political and economic uncertainty, particularly for young people who find themselves hurtling towards a future which feels unknowable. Therefore, it may be an attractive prospect to rely on a planetary map or astrologer’s chart in order to make the boldest life decisions, such as, for example, whether to do a study abroad year, or whether to switch career paths. Doing so absolves us of some of the responsibility for the choices we make. I am someone who does not ‘believe’ in astrology, but I find its historical origins fascinating – while it can be fun to sort character traits into categories, the practice is perhaps more intended for this purpose of responsibility dilution.

TikToker creators who have attempted astrocartography have produced mixed reviews about its effectiveness. Content creator Jacquelyn Son used an astrocartography map to plan a holiday to Mexico, which is placed neatly between her Sun line and Jupiter line – however, she reports feeling disappointed, and looking back, feels that the location she chose was ultimately too far from either line for her to feel any positive effects. Whether the insights of astrocartography are real or not, its existence alone may provide comfort to those who feel overwhelmed by the need to make key life decisions in these uncertain times. Rather than deciding for themselves whether to change their surroundings, young people may instead choose to hand responsibility over to the planets.

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