Meet Andre Arellano | Evolutionary Astrologer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andre Arellano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andre, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
While I was in college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in because I enjoyed various subjects and didn’t have clarity as to what kind of career I wanted to pursue. Geography was the major I went with because I was curious about how the world functioned and could also see how I could make money in the real world with a degree in it–which isn’t the number one reason why anyone should pursue a career. Gratefully, I had the opportunity to be part of a research study organized by my school’s psychology department where the researchers were studying the effects that meditation and mindfulness had on the brain. A light bulb went on and knew I wanted to do something where I can help others live better lives. By this time, it was too late to change majors.

After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara, I landed a role at one of my dream companies I wanted to work for (I can’t disclose the company’s name for NDA reasons) doing exactly what I studied in school, which was Geography-related work. Working for this company was one of the top choices I had envisioned for myself, and I got it! I was elated that I would be moving up to Silicon Valley to work for one of the top tech companies in the world. That high came down a few months into the job because I started to realize that I couldn’t see myself in this industry for the rest of my life. Even when I was in college, I knew deep down that I didn’t want to go the traditional route, working a 9-5 doing something I wasn’t passionate about, but I just didn’t know what else to do than to stick to what society says you have to do: go to college, get a stable career, buy a white-picket-fenced home, start a family, etc. When I was offered a supervisor position in the company, I had an ultimatum: do I stick with a secure, but soul-sucking career or do I leave and figure out what I was really born here to do? If you’re reading this article, then you know what decision I went with.

After living a few years away from family, I decided that it was the right move to go back home where I had the security to explore various avenues to discover “that thing” that I was both passionate about and could make a living doing. The next few years entailed me being a graphic and web designer, life coaching, working for a Human Design company, to now me being an astrologer. Although I held various hats while trying to discover my passion, all those positions were useful to explore because one, you are finding out what you don’t want to do, and second, those skills you are acquiring can come in handy in the future. Now, as an astrologer, I don’t have to outsource any marketing or design work because I can do it myself. I created my own website (www.andrearellano.com), do my own graphic design work for my Instagram (@astropadre), and I know how to implement marketing strategies with my business. The skills I learned while studying to be a life coach I now implement when counseling an astrology client where I can create a safe container for the client to feel comfortable when exploring vulnerable subjects that I am picking up from their birth chart.

Ok, so how did I become an astrologer? I like to say that astrology found me. Growing up, I didn’t believe in astrology. Most people think astrology is bogus for the same reason I thought, “How can a system put humanity into twelve categories?” What I didn’t know is that astrology is a complex system that goes far deeper than just the twelve zodiac signs. When people ask what sign you are, what they really are asking is, “What sign was the Sun in when you were born. I always knew I was a Scorpio, but when my friends told me my Moon was in Gemini, I was floored. I felt a deep resonance with hearing, “you have the heart of a storyteller that is highly curious and require fresh experiences on a consistent basis to be happy.” After finding the works of astrologer, Steven Forrest, I couldn’t put his books down. The opportunity presented itself to join his online program and the rest is history.

Once I started doing mini readings for people, I knew this was going to be “my thing.” Not only was it the first time in my life where I couldn’t get enough studying of it, but it helped people feel seen and recognized–I had found my craft where I could be of service to humanity with. To this day I get excited when I get a new astrology book or when I get a new client. Astrology is amazing because knowing what I know now, I can see how this amazing system aligns perfectly with my chart shows. It would’ve been nice if I would’ve received a reading when I was younger because it could’ve guided me to astrology sooner, but everything happens for a reason, and I’m here now!

What should our readers know about your business?
What l love about the branch of astrology I practice known as Evolutionary Astrology is that we take a growth-oriented approach to this ancient language. We, Evolutionary Astrologers, don’t believe that you’re fixed or are doomed because you have certain placements. Evolutionary Astrologers know that humans grow so we view your astrological chart (natal/birth chart) as an ever-evolving tool that represents a spectrum of possibilities. When you receive a reading from an Evolutionary Astrologer, you will learn both the higher expression and lower expression of the placements you have. We want to show you what it looks like when you’re getting it right and how it can look like if you get lazy and allow the shadow of your chart to take over.

The main difference between Evolutionary Astrology and the other branches of astrology is that we believe you have the chart today because of what happened to you in previous lifetimes. We specifically focus on the nodes of the Moon. The south node in your chart symbolizes your karma, whereas the north node symbolizes the remedy to the south node. Using astrological techniques, Evolutionary Astrologers can paint a picture of who you were and what happened to you in previous lifetimes. We joke around by saying, “I’m going to tell you a true story, but I’m going to make up all the facts.” The story we tell may or may have not happened, but the themes and emotions that the story evokes are what matters. Sometimes I tell a client a south node story and they end up repeating the same pattern in the story in this lifetime. That’s the thing with karma is that we still feel the residue of the south node in this lifetime. It’s not a “bad thing” that we repeat our south node story, but if we want to ascend to the next level of our evolution, then we’re going to want to know what the sign and house our north node is in so we can remedy our karma.

Another way to understand the nodes of the Moon is by viewing the south node as the bottle and the north node as the AA (alcoholics anonymous) meeting. The north node isn’t guaranteed to us, only the opportunity is. It’s going to require effort and courage to remedy your karma, but if you’re up for the challenge, you will be grateful that you decided to head towards your north node because it will gift you with one of the greatest feelings of fulfillment in this lifetime.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was born and raised in Orange County, but I enjoy traveling up and down the California coastline. So let me share with ya’ll my favorite spots in the five Southern California counties, starting right at the border.

If you’re heading down to San Diego, then one of the must-go-to cities is Encinitas. This little northern county city is a gem and has some of the best beaches that the golden state has to offer. Make sure to hit up Swami’s Beach for some surf or just to soak up some vitamin D. My favorite farmer’s market is located here in the neighborhood known as Leucadia which goes down every Sunday. And some of my favorite tacos are served right off the 101 highway that goes right through Encinitas at The Taco Stand.

Next up, is my county. Orange County is known for Disneyland, and our sports teams (Angels and Ducks), but something a lot of people don’t know is that we have some of the best coffee shops around. Right in my hometown of Santa Ana is my favorite coffee shop in the world where you can find me working out of on a weekly basis at Hidden House Coffee. The coffee is stellar, the staff is friendly, and the environment is unique. HHC’s Santa Ana location operates out of a big old-school brick building with a big patio in the back, so there’s plenty of seating. Just as the name implies, it’s a bit hidden, but they have a huge parking lot right next to it so you won’t have to worry about finding somewhere to park. Some other Orange County coffee shop favorites of mine are Hopper & Burr, Daydream, and Portola Coffee Roasters.

Driving up the 405, we arrive at Los Angeles County. If I were to ever move to LA, then the only city within LA County I would ever live in would be Venice Beach. It’s popping with eclectic stores, health-conscious restaurants, and the quintessential California beach is right there too. This town is oozing with creativity and you can see it through the art all over the city and the unique shops that this city hosts. You can always walk or ride your bike on the boardwalk up to the Santa Monica pier, or what I usually do, is walk down Abbott Kinney Boulevard where you can find dope clothing stores, great coffee shops, and amazing restaurants. My favorite places to eat here are Gjelina, Gjusta, and The Rose Venice.

Last but not least, is my favorite town in the whole world–Santa Barbara. Known as the California Riviera, this town is as beautiful as California gets. This place has a special place in my heart because I went to the university there, plus it has so much to offer. The geography of this location is quite unique. It’s a town nestled in between picturesque mountains and the Pacific Ocean. I believe a great part of what gives this town a special aura is that its mountains are the only US continental mountains that go from West to East, which means that its coastline is also facing South. Check it out on a map; the greater Santa Barbara region curves as you drive North on the 101 freeway. This city has mountains, beaches, great weather, wineries, breweries, coffee shops, fine dining, spas, and just overall beautiful vibes. Santa Barbara has it all. If you ever find yourself in this Spanish-architecture-enriched city, then make sure you take a stroll through the Funk Zone and up and down State Street.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Even after I had let my guard down with astrology, I wasn’t as enthralled about it as I am now. The missing ingredient to my fascination with this ancient language was finding the right teachers–something I later found out had to do with my north node being in my sixth house. Astrology doesn’t tell you exactly what you’re going to do, but it can illuminate paths for you to take to come into alignment with your nature. The north node in your chart symbolizes where you want to head towards if you want to say you have lived a successful and fulfilled life by the time your hair turns grey and your skin wizens. The north node, however, also represents something that is foreign and will require effort on your part to start making some headway in that direction. Because my north node is in Aquarius and the sixth house, that meant that for me to make progress in my evolution in this lifetime, I had to find meaningful work where I can be of service to others (sixth house matters) no matter how unconventional or eccentric it looked like (Aquarius). In order for me to find the right work, however, involved me finding the right teachers, mentors, and guides that would pass on the torch of the craft that I was born here to learn (also sixth house matters). So it’s not a surprise that finding my passion (my meaningful work) was one of the most challenging things for me to discover. Our north node isn’t guaranteed to us, only the opportunity is, but if you’re willing to be courageous and get out of your comfort zone to pursue whatever it is that you’re desiring the most, then life will reward you. Lucky for me, I didn’t give up trying to find the work that I had set out to discover when I left my corporate job.

So who am I giving my shout-out to? To the man, the myth, the legend, Evolutionary Astrologer, Steven Forrest. It wasn’t until I read his seminal book The Inner Sky that my love for this incredible self-awareness tool known as astrology was ignited. Steven Forrest, his books, and his online school (FCEA) were the teachers I needed to find in order to learn the skills that would help me learn my craft of astrology. Part of having any placement in the sixth house is that you’re part of a lineage. In order to find what lineage you’re a part of, you have to seek them out. Becoming the best Evolutionary Astrologer I can be and passing on the torch to the next generation is how I could ever repay my north node teacher, Steven Forrest.

Thank you Steven and thank you to everyone at The Forrest Center for Evolutionary Astrology for helping me feel like I’m finally on my mission. The couple of years in between leaving corporate and finding Evolutionary Astrology were some of the most challenging and emotional times of my life, but now that I’m making progress towards my north node, I’m am eternally grateful that I mustered up the courage to leave my corporate job to discover what I was placed on this planet to do.

If you have anything you want to pursue, whether it’s finding a meaningful career, a loving relationship, writing a book, creating a retreat center, becoming a teacher, becoming a parent, etc., there’s a reason why you’re feeling that way. You don’t need astrology to let you know that. What astrology can do is give you the permission to go for it and to validate that what you’re desiring is there for a reason.