Stars are Mirrors That Illuminate Life — Astro-Maps and Memories of My Travels —

Today is the final day of my 30-day consecutive note posting challenge.

I suddenly remembered the astro-map I obtained several years ago.

At the time, I just picked it up thinking, 'This looks interesting!', looked at it for a bit, felt satisfied, and then left the star map to sleep quietly.

But, as more time has passed since then,
the number of countries I have visited has increased,
and as my encounters, scenery, and inner fluctuations have grown,

'How would I perceive that map now, as I am today?'

That feeling suddenly welled up, and with a sense of going to search for forgotten travel memories, I decided to gently open it once more.

What kind of map is an astro-map?

An astro-map is a map created by overlaying the positions of the stars at the moment of your birth onto a world map.

It is a map that shows 'in which regions the energy of the sun, moon, and planets is likely to work strongly,' and it is a slightly mysterious and romantic form of astrology that allows you to view the 'relationship between life and place' as a single map, such as:
• Where you feel comfortable
• Where learning and growth are likely to occur
• Where turning points in life are likely to happen
Of course, it is not about correct answers or making assumptions, but rather a guidepost to enjoy by thinking, 'There is this perspective, too.'

For me, a lover of travel, it was a tool that gave me the feeling of my inner journey and the world map quietly overlapping.

Stars are not things to 'predict,' but things to illuminate

There is a phrase that left an impression on me.

Rather than 'the results being accurate,' it is 'becoming a mirror that reflects your life back to you'—that is the most wonderful thing, isn't it?
The moment I heard those words, I quietly understood that this star map is not a fortune-telling tool that binds the future, but a light that gently illuminates the person I have become through my journey.

When the journey and the stars overlap

While looking at the star map, I was told this:

Your map is very well suited to the phrase 'traveling expresser.'
The keywords of life that emerged were—
• Travel

• Culture
• Living
• Stories
• Words
• Photography
• Inner journey
When I heard that, I felt the depths of my chest grow warm.
Because it overlapped surprisingly well with the way I have lived my life until now.

There was also a story in how I relate to places

What the star map indicated was—
• Japan → A place of emotional support and a base for expression
• Asia/Oceania → A place of travel where the heart unwinds
• Africa → A place connected to the themes of my soul
• North America → A place of challenge and growth

Africa, which I have written about before, was indeed a place where my outlook on life changed, the doors to my inner self opened, and I touched the essence of living—what it means to be 'rich.'

Memories of my travels and life in those lands came back one after another like a revolving lantern, and I found myself nodding quietly.

With the stars, from here on out as well

The path I have walked is one guided by the stars, and also one I have chosen for myself.
Perhaps, it is both.

The time spent experiencing life in distant countries, the days spent writing down my quiet daily life, and the moments when my heart grew warm from encounters.

Everything is a chapter in the story of who I am today.
And perhaps the stars were just quietly smiling from a little distance away.
The stars are not an existence that instructs you to 'do this,' but a guidepost that gently shows you, 'This kind of door is easy for you to open.'

The freedom to choose has always been in my own hands, and just a little further ahead, there is a faintly shining star.

I believe that from here on, I will continue to travel, live, weave words, and quietly face the world.
While being guided, just a little, by the light of the stars.

It seems that as a way to utilize this astro-map, going to that land is not the only thing that matters.
It is said that you can also gently connect by incorporating food, music, and customs created in that land into your daily life.
When I think of that, the world feels much closer. ^^

If you felt even a little bit of 'like' for this article, I would be happy if you could press the 'Like' (♡) button. ^^