From the Mat to the Moon: Tarot & Astrology Insights
Join Sarah Jane in this Q+A as she shares her journey with tarot, astrology, and yoga therapy—plus simple practices to bring these tools into your daily life.
Sarah Jane Chapman is a yoga therapist, tarot reader, and astrologer who helps people reconnect with their bodies and uncover the wisdom within. With over a decade of experience in integrative mind-body practices, she combines the therapeutic principles of Viniyoga with the symbolic language of tarot and the cosmic rhythms of astrology to create accessible, trauma-informed offerings.
Hola- Can you share how you became interested in Tarot and Astrology?
Sarah Jane- I’ve been reading horoscopes and Greek mythology (what western astrology is influenced by!) since I was a kid. My sister gave me my first tarot deck in college and I have been playing with it ever since! They both were very integral in my healing around an eating disorder. Astrology reminds me to not take things personally and tarot helped me rebuild my trust in my own body.
Hola- How does your background in yoga therapy inform the way you approach tarot and astrology? Do you find overlap in the ways these tools support people?
Sarah Jane- Oh, for sure! Yoga therapy, or Viniyoga, discusses how different areas in the body can affect our experience. Different planets can energetically affect different body parts and systems. So, I will focus on those systems during their seasons. It is so interesting how they can overlap. For example, we are in Virgo season right now, which rules over our digestive system.This also aligns with the Ayurvedic view on Vata season- which also affects our stomachs! This month, I am using Viniyoga tools to support my student’s digestion as it might need a little extra support.
Hola- You’ve even created your own tarot deck! What inspired you to design a deck of your own, and what was that creative process like?
Sarah Jane- Yes! Be With Your Body Tarot was created after years of me using tarot to reconnect with my body. Tarot is an incredible tool to build intuition and trust within oneself. I was using tarot to do that, but wanted to create a deck for others to use, too. Designer Sara Strese did an incredible job capturing the essence of my idea and my guidebook can help anyone dip their toe in or dive into using tarot from a therapeutic lens.
Sara and I collaborated on the creation of Be With Your Body Tarot. It took us nine months for her to design and me to write the guidebook for the deck. We kept each other accountable and we are so proud of how it turned out!.
Hola- For someone brand new to tarot or astrology, it can sometimes feel intimidating. What’s one simple practice or entry point you recommend for beginners?
Sarah Jane- Follow the moon! In Astrology, the moon is the fastest “planet” (it’s actually called a luminary), staying in the same sign and phase for two and a half days. By tracking the moon’s cycle, you will gather insight into your own cycles. In my ritual planner, there will be an opportunity to check in with the moon as you check in with your body. New and Full Moons are also a really great time to do tarot pulls to reflect on how you are feeling.
Hola- How can tarot and astrology complement a yoga or meditation practice? Do you personally weave them together in your own daily rituals?
Sarah Jane- I sure do. Sometimes these spiritual practices can be so cerebral that we forget we have a body! One of my favorite ways to keep up with astrology is implementing it into my daily practice. I focus on a body part or system related to the current transits (then I teach that same class at Hola!), pull some tarot cards and journal. If nothing else, I have cards to reflect my experience.
Hola- You’ll be leading your Tarot Workshop at the studio soon — what can students expect from this experience? Any themes or practices you’re especially excited about this year?
Sarah Jane- This workshop is for total novices and astrology nerds alike. We will break down each season by the astrology signs for that season. I will tell you the tarot cards, body parts and systems associated with those signs, and we will do a short practice. You will leave with four seasonal practices to implement into your daily routine.
Hola- With so much information online about astrology and tarot, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. How do you recommend students build a relationship with these practices that feels personal and authentic rather than just memorizing meanings?
Sarah Jane- Slow and steady wins the race! If nothing else, pull one card a day or a week and reflect on its meaning. Even after years of studying, I still find a new lens for tarot and astrology. Like yoga, there is no “knowing it all”. It is an opportunity of a lifetime of learning and exploration. Simple practices give your mind the space to build trust and curiosity.
Hola- What’s your “go-to” self-care ritual when you need grounding?
Sarah Jane- Nyasa, or simple touch. With my breath, I place my hands somewhere grounding on my body like my chest or my head. I try to get out of my mind and into my body.
Sarah Jane- Do you have a favorite card in your tarot deck right now, and why?
Sarah Jane- Such a great question! If there is a card that represents you or someone you know, it’s called a signifier. My signifier has been The Queen of Feet (Pentacles) for a while. She is nurturing, grounded and in no rush. When I pull her, I know I’m on the right path.
Hola- If you could describe your teaching style in three words, what would they be?
Sarah Jane- Nurturing, curious and kind.
Hola- What’s one book, podcast, or teacher that has inspired you lately?
Sarah Jane- Mythic Astrology Applied by Guttman + Johnson. This is a book that dives into the myths behind astrology and how archetypes can show up in our dreams.
Hola- If your astrology sign had a yoga pose, which would it be?
Sarah Jane- I’m a Libra sun, Libra rising and Scorpio moon. All of these are connected to the low back and hips. I would say supta baddha konasana- maybe with blocks under the knees for added support. Balanced and receptive.
Embodied Seasons: How Tarot, Astrology + Yoga Affect Your Brain and Body
Sunday, October 5 1:30- 4:30PM
In this workshop, we’ll explore how each zodiac season is reflected in the tarot, uncovering the archetypal card and corresponding body part that help us connect more deeply with the energy of the moment. Led by Sarah Jane Chapman
$50 per reservation — or bundle with a Tarot Deck for $90 (save $20!)