I released everything I was holding onto from 2023.
How Langkawi offered me space to sink into deep gratitude and reflection; astrocartography and a peak into my travel diary.
My trip to Malaysia changed my life.
I learned a lot about myself, and even more about letting go. Letting go of expectations, pain, and my mask that I didn’t even realise I was wearing until now.
There’s a branch of astrology called astrocartography (also astrogeography), where the planetary lines run along the map of the world based on your individual birth chart, so travelling to certain places will offer a different energy.1
Each line holds a different energy—the two I will touch on in this piece are the ♇AC (Pluto Ascendant) black line, and the ♀MC (Venus Midheaven) green line.
I spent nine days in Malaysia—a nice, light break near my Venus MC line, away from the heaviness of my Pluto AC line (where I’ve been living for seven years… send prayers).
Pluto represents the process of death and rebirth. An image I often associate to this process is the caterpillar to butterfly life cycle. The caterpillar completely turns to goo in the chrysalis before restructuring itself into the form of a butterfly. If you try to help a butterfly out of the chrysalis, it may not be able to fly because it needs to build its strength by using its wings to re-emerge into the world. It needs to struggle in order to survive, and it can only do so in its own time.
This is what it’s like living on a Pluto AC line, in my experience.
In all seriousness, my Pluto line has given me many gifts over the years—the main one being my sobriety and learning more about who I actually am without alcohol, but I think that could be a whole other post—lets put a pin in that one.
When I moved here, I didn’t know anything about astrology, but my soul knew exactly what it needed to evolve.
For weeks leading up to this recent trip to Malaysia, I was pumped because I knew I would get to meet a fellow astrologer and friend
— I couldn’t WAIT to see her in real life!I was also excited to spend some time decompressing at the beach, so I booked a bougie hotel with a sea view room on the island of Langkawi because, why not?
And in all honesty, I was curious to see what being on my Venus MC line would bring now that I’m in a better place in my life; but if I’m being honest, I was slightly concerned because the last time I was on that line I ended up passing out and having a seizure.
That’s not the experience I had this time around.
When I first landed in Langkawi, I went to my hotel, checked into my room, and was immediately greeted by this view:
UM, WHAT?!
I was instantly flooded with gratitude and tears because it was exactly what I needed to feel in that moment; and lucky me, I checked in right before the sun went down over the little island in front of me. I specifically booked this room to sink into 2024 gracefully (and gratefully), while being able to fully access the feeling of abundance.
The second day on Langkawi I realised just how god damn hot it was when I felt the pellets of hydration leaving my body in the form of puddles of sweat just as fast as I was drinking water and 100PLUS (a drink I had never seen until now, and I’m glad I found it when I did).
I spent the second day driving around the island, finding myself in Kuah—the port of entry to Langkawi via ferry. This is where the big eagle is, along with a few other cool sights that really show you what Langkawi is all about.
After catching my breath and rehydrating, I set off to find some food at a cute café before heading back to Pantai Tengah where I retreated to my room for another sunset.
Much like
describes in her recent piece about solo travel, the way I travel is not like most people I know. Her words were refreshing, and I found myself in a lot of what she wrote.I don’t have a set schedule; I walk or drive and get lost on purpose; I make mistakes like paying for scooter parking when you actually only need to pay if you’re driving a car (thanks to the lovely man who told me the difference and went out of his way to reimburse my card for the 1 ringgit I spent, when he could’ve just turned the other cheek and kept walking).
I find myself in situations that most would never imagine to be in, and most times I could’ve never imagined it either; it’s because I dare to explore rather than follow an itinerary that is so rigid I can’t breathe. I’d rather go off the beaten path and laugh with a stranger about the fact I paid for something I didn’t have to pay for because I had no idea what the fuck I was doing.
Day three I woke up exhausted and quickly realised the trip I thought would be relaxing had turned into a series of adventures I didn’t expect. I wanted to see all the sights, but I also wanted to lie on the beach like a whale who took a wrong turn—spoiler alert, my adventurous soul won and I didn’t even see the beach beside my hotel the whole trip because I was too busy exploring the island.
I did, however, get to see a beautiful beach and I was so wrapped up in the moment that I forgot to capture a photo.
I ate breakfast and set out towards the Langkawi Sky Cab, a cable car that spans 2,200m long and lifts you up 708m above sea level. If you want to know what it feels like to have legs made of jelly, this is one way to find out.
On the way back down to the Oriental Village where I started, I stopped in for a little treat of what turned out to be the best ice cream I’ve ever eaten in my life.
It might’ve even been better than the view from 708m high. It was creamy, and the perfect blend of sweet and savoury. I don’t know if it was actually the best, or if it just tasted so good because my feet were back on the ground.
After enjoying my ice cream, I bought a cute sundress at a shop in the village, and scooted back to my hotel room feeling grateful for the amazing day I’d just had.
That evening, I decided I would order room service and sit on my balcony for yet another sunset; it was clearly becoming my favourite activity. I dressed up in my new dress and grabbed my 2024 journal to sit on the balcony—hello Venus2. I sank into the overwhelming feeling of gratitude as tears welled up in my bottom eyelids as I watched the golden sun slowly disappear over the small hills.
While I rode the wave of emotions, I took some time to reflect on the year that had just passed, finally processing all I’ve been through. It wasn’t until that moment on the balcony of my hotel in Langkawi that I felt grateful for the dark parts of 2023.
I gave thanks to the empty relationships I’ve lost because they are making space for true connections.
I gave thanks for my voice, because I was able to stand up to someone who betrayed my trust this year and treated me like I had never meant anything to him.
I gave thanks for the opportunity to be there with my mom as we packed up decades worth of memories, while getting rid of the stuff that we no longer needed or wanted in three short days.
I gave thanks for those who have supported me (and those who didn’t) on this gruelling journey of entrepreneurship.
I gave thanks for knowing when I wasn’t being valued at my job, and for having the courage and self-worth to quit without knowing if I’d make it in my business.
The last day on Langkawi was spent in the mangroves and it was an enlightening end to my time on the island. I learned a lot about the importance of the mangroves and what the community is doing to protect them (and the eagles). I also got to connect with some beautiful humans. There’s something special about connecting with others in a space outside of our home and comfort zone. I love listening to stories of how people found themselves where they are now, while offering pieces of my heart along the way, too.
My first four days in Malaysia left me speechless, and while it was an amazing time basking in my own energy and exploring on my own, I was excited to get to Kuala Lumpur where I knew I would be meeting my friend—and I could’ve never anticipated what would happen next…
I’m looking forward to sharing it with you soon!
Venus is the planet of love, money, and our desires. It represents beauty and grace, so it’s fitting that I wanted to spoil myself and give myself all the love during this trip. I leaned into my need for beauty, and the need to make myself feel beautiful, as well.
This inspired me. ☀️
Absolutely loved reading this adventure and I desperately want that ice cream!!