Meet Lia Sabbatini | Astrologer & Youth Guide

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

Hi Lia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

When life throws a curveball at you, or you start questioning what you are doing in your life, like your relationship, work, purpose etc.  I have found Astrology to be the best empowerment tool. It helps us understand the Time we are in, what cycle is ending or beginning, and how to navigate the energies flowing, versus fighting them. Astrology has been in my life since birth, 43 years now, as my Mother is an Astrologer as well, and I grew up hearing what aspects were happening for me each time I was going on a trip, a sleepover, campout or before a big weekend. Sometimes these aspects were accompanied with “beware” or “be careful”, so during my earlier teen years I tended to shy away from Astrology as I felt it to be more restricting. Then in my later teens and early twenties I began to pay more attention to it again and I realized that I didn’t have to worry about an upcoming transit, if I was aware of it, and could channel the energy in a useful way.

For a few decades I just used Astrology for myself, friends and family, and then in 2017 a friend I had taught how to use Astrology, back in 2007, asked me to help her create an Astrology School. This rocketed me to a whole new place of learning and using Astrology daily. As my friend’s passion was actually for becoming a YouTube and Instagram star, I decided to start my own Astrology practice in January 2020: Alexandria Consulting Services. I felt ready to embark on my own journey as an Astrology Entrepreneur and bring the language of the Cosmos into more relatable terms for my clients to help themselves and feel empowered to be in charge of their lives.

Another business I have helped create, launch and manage is the Bolinas Stinson Young Stewards of the Land program. This fiscally sponsored non-profit was dreamt up by my fellow co-worker Veena Lucas and myself, while we watched some middle school boys climbing dangerously on top of an old building in our town.  Together with a few other parents, we started the program in the fall of 2018, for 5th-8th graders. The program is still currently running, and has grown to include a sister program Earth Allies, for 2nd-4th graders. We created the program to offer an alternative after school program for youth which brought them outside playing, eating healthy foods, without devices, and learning about stewardship of self, land and community. This program has been the keystone for offering exciting educational experiences for the youth in our town, everything from making healing salves to kayaking, aikido, dyeing with plants, camping overnights, river rafting and junior mentorship opportunities.

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

There are so many different ways to read and practice Astrology, from ancient Hellenistic, to Modern, Jyotish, Ayurvedic, Medical, Herbal, Mundane, Electional, Vocational and more, that I have realized I will always be a lifelong student of Astrology!  I am interested in learning more about the different practices, new and ancient techniques. For my own consultations: Natal Chart Analysis, Year Ahead Forecasts, Solar Return and Partnership Readings I stick mainly to what I know: Archetypal Humanistic and Psychological Astrology. In other words, my practice is human-centered, with psychological explanations that can be often described through archetypal myths. It is mind-boggling how the planets in the Universe affect us individually here on Planet Earth – and they most certainly do – even if it is merely through the power of synchronicity.

Once you understand the language of Astrology the charts begin to tell their stories and they are living and changing with the Cosmos daily. The only thing in life that is constant is change, so being able to spot where the changes are happening, or about to happen, and for how long we expect them to be shifting, all brings clarity to who we are and what we are doing here on Earth.

It is always exciting to share what I find in a chart with a client, and to be able to give important information on timelines, helping them find alternate ways of releasing energy, and sharing about potential possibilities and growth opportunities coming their way. I am very careful about choosing my words in a consultation, so I actually spend significant amounts of  time investigating charts. I will easily take up to six hours of prep so I can be mindful of how to share the toughest and hardest aspects in the most useful manner. I always ask myself ‘is this information useful?’ before I share it with clients.

Another offering I do is small business consulting. Over the years I have helped launch five Bay Area businesses and I was on a team responsible for taking a struggling non-profit business and turning it into a profitable one by reducing expenses and increasing income, as well as improving the business’ reputation in the community. My consulting offerings include: Business Plan Overview, SWOT analysis, Business Filings, Human Resource Management, Training of Staff, Fundraising, Mailing List Compilations, Budgets, P&L, Light Bookkeeping, Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Video and Text Editing as well as Website Updates.

Business-wise, I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Restaurant Management, from the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, from Finland. I grew up living half my life in Europe (Finland, Sweden and a few years in Spain) and half in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I’ve been mostly here in California, since 2004. My husband and I had a few catering companies 2010-2020 and I have worked in management and the nonprofit sector for most of my adult life.

In 2019 I studied with the well-known fantastic Astrologer Frank Clifford and received a Professional Forecasting of Astrology certification through The London School of Astrology. Each year I continue to take classes deepening my astrological knowledge through Astrology University classes and through my memberships with both San Francisco Astrological Association and OPA (Organization of Professional Astrologers).

Starting the Astrology business was easy, but it has been harder than I thought becoming an Astrologer and identifying myself as one. It is incredible to notice there are people out there that think Astrology is somehow demonic or that none of it works or matters. Ironically, most of those people just have never had an actual reading from a real astrologer, or studied how it works, so there really isn’t much to debate about. I invite skeptics to at least test how it works out before condemning it, as most Astrologers have been skeptics once themselves, only to realize: “Wow, it really does work”!  Not arguing about belief systems is an important lesson we all should learn while cohabiting Planet Earth together. If we can just live, and let live, perhaps there can finally be peace on Earth.

On a personal note, I am very excited and proud to be working on my own Astrology Fundamentals class, with the Humanistic Psychological and Archetypal methods I use, as well as an upcoming Astrology Retreat, which both will take place here in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2025. Both offerings initially are in-person, so that we can all learn to be together again in a beautiful  grounded environment, enriched with each others’ presence, good food and memorable times. If you would like to be added to my mailing list, just send me an email at lia@alexandriaconsultingservices.com and I’ll be sure to let you know more details as they come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc. In your view what are some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places or things to check out?

There are so many fun places to visit in the San Francisco Bay Area! I guess I would mix in together city time with beach, hiking and relaxation! Here are some suggestions:

Day One

As I live in Marin County, I would have us leave the car in Sausalito, and take the ferry over to San Francisco. From there we could hop on the bus (the ferry ticket offers a free bus run) to Market Street and Powell Street. We would walk around Union Square and head to ChinaTown.  There are great tea shops, beautiful artwork, and lots of souvenirs to look at and purchase. We would probably go have some delicious lunch at China Live on Columbus Ave, filling ourselves with dumplings and other Chinese specialties.

Then as we have entered North Beach, the Italian section of the city, filled with trattorias and cafés, we will head to Café Trieste, the original beatnik stomping grounds for some cappuccinos and tiramisu. Most likely we will hear some live music off the street corner! We would have to visit City Lights Bookstore and then we could walk through North Beach, and if feeling energetic, walk all the way up to the top of Coit Tower, where you get a fantastic view of the Bay and parts of the city.

Then we would probably hop in a taxi and visit Pier 39 to see the sea lions and the street performers, before heading back on the ferry across the Bay. We would probably go to The Buckeye for dinner, as it is on the way out from Sausalito, and they have fantastic Oysters Bingo!

Day Two

I would take my guest to Stinson Beach, with a packed lunch that we arranged at the Mill Valley Good Earth. We would leave the car and head straight up Mount Tamalpais on the Matt Davis Trail, that takes us to the very top of the mountain. Incredible views, wildlife, peace and quiet will feel good after the day in the city. We will eat lunch overlooking the whole San Francisco Bay Area. Then, we will ascend to the ranger station and find our way to the Steep Ravine Trail, that takes us down the mountain, and through the luscious redwoods back toward Stinson Beach. Once we get to the beach we will relax, enjoy the sun, waves and have a good stretch and nap on the beach. We would go have dinner at the Parkside Café and head home for sleep.

Day Three

We would drive to the wine country: and book a room at the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs for a day of relaxation and spa treatments, after two long days of walking and hiking. We would bring some yummy sandwiches from Tagliaferri’s Delicatessen in Novato, and eat them up poolside. Then, after a day of playing at the pool and spa treatments, we would go for a little wine tasting, before heading out for dinner at Solbar.

Day Four

We would drive out from Calistoga toward Highway One, and go to have a seafood lunch at Nick’s Cove in Tomales Bay, followed by a trip to Brickmaiden Bakery in Point Reyes Station to get our daily cappuccinos and the best baked goods on the West Coast! We would walk around town and definitely visit Point Reyes Bookstore, a great independent bookstore with many hidden gems, waiting to be found.  Then we would continue our journey, and take Sir Francis Drake towards Inverness, and drive to Shell Beach parking lot. From there we would walk down the trail to Shell Beach, while tasting some huckleberries along the way, and spend the later afternoon investigating the shoreline and having beach naps. On the way home we would stop and have dinner at the Saltwater Restaurant in Inverness, tasting their fresh oysters and other local delicacies.

Day Five

This time driving to San Francisco, we would stop before the Golden Gate bridge to take some photos, then drive across the bridge, and head off towards 19th avenue, and straight to Haight and Ashbury to visit where the hippie movement started back in the day! We would check out the second hand treasures and probably have lunch at Cha Cha Cha, which has the best sangria in town and tasty Latin fare. From there we would head into Golden Gate Park for a walk, and then the De Young Museum. After a few hours of enjoying art, we would go visit the Japanese Tea House and have some cookies with Jasmine Green Tea.

Then we would continue to Japan Town, walk around and checkout all the cool little shops they have there, and dinner would be at Benihana’s, a Hibachi-style Japanese restaurant. We would probably then hit up a comedy club like Cobb’s Comedy Club or Punchline, for a night of laughs, before heading to bed.

Day Six

I would probably take my guest to visit Berkeley in the East Bay. First we would visit the UC Botanical Gardens, spending a good few hours enjoying the plants and flowers. Then we would head to Imm Thai Street Food restaurant on University to have a delicious lunch. We would walk around on Telegraph avenue, stopping into the thrift shops, music stores, and of course Moe’s Books. If we planned correctly, and made reservations a few weeks before, we could go to Kokko Wellness and have acupuncture visits with John Kokko, followed by avid tea drinking and conversations with other interesting Bay Area personalities. For dinner we would head to Lemat Ethiopian Restaurant and to finalize the evening we would go listen to live music at the Ashkenaz.

Day Seven

Would fully be up to my guest for what they would like! 🙂 Back to San Francisco for some crab or sushi, the Asian Art Museum or a dance performance in the Mission District or possibly another fun all-day Bay Area hike up on Mount Tam or the Point Reyes National Seashore. Maybe the redwoods in Muir Beach! We would have to see.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?

My shoutout goes to Veena Lucas for believing in us to be able to create an amazing program for the youth in our community and for encouraging me to become the Astrological Entrepreneur I have become. Veena with Body Continuum is very creative, pioneering, intuitive, and cares deeply for her clients and her friends’ wellbeing. Anyone who has Veena on her team will have an Angel watching their back and will find deeper connections and transformational opportunities coming their way. Checkout www.bodycontinuum.com to connect with Veena and get ready to clear out the obstacles in your life!

Another incredible woman who deserves a Shoutout is Amber Hines, a fantastic Bay Area Artist who brings community together through dance, drumming and song. Amber offers Soul Soup to the youngest community members, her Diaspora Dance Class is like church for some women in town, and the Elder Woman Diaspora Dance brings the elder ladies out to gather, stretch, dance and find their bodies. Check out www.amberchines.com for more information on Amber’s offerings.

Website: www.AlexandriaConsultingServices.com

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