We had the good fortune of connecting with Puja Robinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Puja, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m originally from a small town of around 8,000 people in Northern Arizona. I was raised Buddhist by my writer and hippie mom. Because we lived in such a small town, there was very little light pollution and I was able to see the milky way most nights. My mom would point out constellations to my brother and I and encourage us to sleep outside under the stars on hot summer nights. Having a strong connection to the sky from a young age made it easy for me to transition into the role of an astrologer. It seemed only natural to study a modality that tracks how the celestial bodies impact us after spending my whole life looking up to the sky when I needed answers and comfort.
Being raised Buddhist helped to give me a deep compassion towards others. When I read a birth chart and connect with the person attached to it, I feel a sense of reverence and gratitude that this person is sharing their life and their story with me. I’m never passing judgement, just listening and acknowledging that we’re all humans doing our best with the circumstances we’ve been given.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an astrologer. When I tell people this, there is naturally a lot of confusion. “What does that even look like?” is the most common question I get.
I work with birth charts. In astrology your birth chart is a map of your soul that is calculated with your birth time, location, and date. It’s the energy of when you took your first breath and contains endless information about you. Your strengths, weaknesses, gifts, and habits. Your connection to home, family, money, romance, and more.
And so, I mainly offer birth chart readings to clients. This looks like sitting down with someone, (99% of the time it’s virtually via Zoom) and talking about life, with their birth chart as a guide and a backdrop of the conversation. Someone might want a birth chart reading to understand themselves at a deeper level or because they’re looking for guidance on a big change in their life (changing jobs, love etc). And sometimes, people sit down with me because they’re trying to put life into context at a spiritual or soulful level. This thing happened to them and they want an answer or interpretation that isn’t just “life happens”.
The consistent feedback I receive from people is that I make astrology accessible and digestible. I’m known for my friendliness, warmth, and ability to reframe a situation or offer a new perspective.
While I absolutely love what I do, working in this role comes with highs and lows. Sometimes I ask myself what the heck I’m doing. An astrologer? That’s crazy! And yet, no matter how many times I want to quit, I receive some form of encouragement from a client, friend, or mentor. It’s work that lights me up like nothing else can, and that’s how I know it’s right for me.
My newest and next adventure in astrology is co hosting a podcast with my friend and fellow astrologer Bitty Fennie. It’s called Mutual Reception and will be launching January 22, 2023. Her and I have different but complementary styles of astrology and this podcast will showcase our thoughts, ideas, and experiences in a way that is fun, engaging, and perfect for both the budding and seasoned astrology lover.
Ultimately, being an astrologer is an unconventional role, but the level of connection and authentic interaction I get to have with strangers is what makes it so rewarding. I’ve given readings to hundreds of people around the world and it feels amazing and humbling to know that I’ve been able to do my part to create a better world, even if just for an hour or two in a conversation about the stars.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My bestie itinerary would definitely include a couple of hikes at Sweetwater Preserve and Catalina State Park. I would make sure to take them on a drive to Gates Pass to watch the sunset. When hunger hits we would eat at Charro Vida or Saffron Bistro or grab a tea from Transit Tea. I would have to make sure we walked around downtown Tucson and visit all the gems on 4th Avenue like the Tucson Herb Store or Portal Bar. And I would hope there was someone cool playing at the Rialto so we could jam out!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to shoutout the women who have been a pivotal part of my astrology journey. Without them I wouldn’t have had the confidence, bravery, and audacity to call myself an astrologer. They have offered me countless opportunities, advice, and love and I am eternally grateful. Thank you endlessly Cynthia Costa, Melanie Esperon, and Frances Naudé!
And of course, shoutout to my mom, who cultivated my love of the stars.
Website: pujarobinson.com
Instagram: @pujarobinson
Other: podcast: Mutual Reception
Image Credits
circle via pinterest mutual reception art by sophie mctear