Meet Maris Holland

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

Hi Maris, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It wasn’t so much an exact “process” of starting my business, rather my passion finally found the right moment to shine. Having been an ER nurse for seven years, five of which I was in the Navy, I realized I was experiencing quite a bit of burn out with healthcare. I trialed part time initially just for a breather, but I’ve really enjoyed having extra time to work on my personal astrological research. The flexibility comes with a dip in income, but I feel so much lighter. It’s also allowed me to reassess how and where I’m spending my time, energy, and money. It’s been a welcome, wonderful change where I get to spend more time chatting and writing about what I love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For starters, I am an astrologer! My background stems from a traditional, hellenistic lens. I attended Kepler College, and received my certificate of natal fundamentals in 2023. I did additional study with Mychal A. Bryan of Oraculos School of Astrology, where I first delved into medical astrology. Having a nursing background made medical astrology a special interest, and my long term goal is to find a position that taps into both my medical expertise while combining my passion for astrology and research. Outside of client work, I’m an active member of the National Council of Geocosmic Research and I co-host a monthly astrological book club through zoom, which you can find on Instagram @Jupiterrisingbookclub

In the day to day, I offer a variety of consultations to clients, ranging from natal charts (reading the star alignments that were present during your exact time of birth and examining what that has to say about your life and experience) to synastry (comparing and contrasting two people’s individuals charts to understand relationship dynamics) to more niche astrological topics like astrocartography (using your time of birth to ascertain geographical “hotspots” of activity for vacation, travel, or living). I do predictive year ahead reports examining planetary transits and solar return charts (solar return being the astrological way to say “birthday”) for individuals where we discuss the upcoming year’s themes and expectations.

The readings listed above are only the concepts I feel capable speaking with clients about proficiently and accurately; but in truth, there are so many interesting topics and ways of approaching this kind of celestial data! It’s one reason why I became so obsessed with astrology; every time I learn more, I have more questions! Astrology makes me a forever student, and as a gemini venus, I couldn’t ask for much more.

There are two things I would want people to know about astrology: 1) Sun-sign astrology, isn’t really astrology as practitioners like myself use it. Whenever you ask someone, “what’s your sign”, you’re highlighting just one, solitary aspect of a chart, and it doesn’t have much, if anything, to say about you as a complex, real person. It takes this wonderful faceted thing that is astrology and chops it down to a single, rudimentary point. It’s more than a little depressing to me when that is someone’s opinion or understanding of what I do as an astrologer.

2) While I do have my own opinions about fate, free-will, and astrology’s role between that dichotomy, I do not believe in a black-and-white, fated determination, and find this quote by Enid Newberg apt,

“Just like a weather forecast may predict a chance of rain in your area, that does not mean you are ‘fated’ to get wet. How you respond to the weather reports makes all the difference to the outcome.”

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?
Easy day! I’m a little bit of a gym rat so I don’t eat out as much as I used to, unless there’s a friend in visiting. My favorite dinner location is The Red Door in Mission Hills. I actually had my birthday dinner there this year, and I had my favorite dish, the orecchiette. Seriously divine, and I’m not even that big on pasta. The location is super cute too; smaller place, intimate, and the head chef, Luciano, always walks around and chats with the guests. Its such a sweet little spot.

For lunch, I like the Gratitude Cafe in Little Italy, coffee from Holy Matcha or La Costa Coffee Roasters. Yum.

For drinks, I’m a gin girl. Thankfully, San Diego has a pretty great gin scene. A personal favorite of my boyfriend and I’s is Huntress in Gaslamp, If the girls are going out, we’re hitting Vin de Syrah or Bang Bang. There’s a jazz musician who plays at Vin de every once in a while and he’s STELLAR.

Morning hangovers are cured by a breakkie at Swamis. I love their smoothies so much.

Outside of eating and drinking, I love a good walk in nature. Admittedly, I’m a little bit of a hiking snob, so immediately skip Cowles Mountain, it’s always crowded with people and their overheated dogs. I would recommend Cucamonga, Torrey Pines, or South Fortuna. They’re a little longer, but you certainly don’t have to do the whole thing and they’re so peaceful.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have a few shoutouts; Lauren Westmoreland, my dear friend and colleague from Kepler College. We completed our astrological certificate together at Kepler and ever since she has been a constant source of knowledge, encouragement, and earnest friendship. My small understanding of the world is made so much brighter and fuller with her in it.

Secondly, I want to shoutout Brenna Lew, who has repeatedly encouraged and supported me in getting my tiny business up and running. She gasses me up to everyone she knows and is the first person I go to when I need a laugh, an opinion, or a sense of direction. She is nothing sort of a stellar friend and human. She is also the CEO of Avari Travel Agency @travelavari, so if you’re in need of a vacation she is your girl!

Lastly, my brother, Pierce. He is my absolute best friend, my goofy goober, my mood lifter. I have never asked for help or a hug and not received it. He has been there thorough all the ups and downs and I am eternally grateful to have such a compassionate, intelligent, and honestly hilarious human as my brother.

Website: www.marisholland.com

Instagram: @saturninedreamgirl

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/saturninedreamgirl.bsky.social

Jupiter Rising Book Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1987593288282630

Image Credits
Anastazia Brown