How to Get Started with The Astral Planner
Originally published Aug 16, 2020. Updated Jan 3, 2024.
Whether you've recently purchased The Astral Planner or contemplating whether The Astral Planner is the right planner for your organizational and spiritual needs, you're in the right place! In this comprehensive blog post, we will delve into the introspective and educational content featured at the forefront of The Astral Planner, illustrating its role as a wise guide for self-exploration and catalyst for self-improvement and transformation. Beyond its identity as a daily planner, consider The Astral Planner as your personal celestial roadmap, ushering you through the unfolding chapters of your life.
By the conclusion of this blog post, you will have a clear understanding on how to get started with The Astral Planner before you venture into its core—the daily pages, which have been meticulously designed to foster holistic organization and daily connectedness between your mind, body, soul, and purpose.
The content within this blog post is structured as a 6 day ritual. For those who have secured their planner well in advance of the new year, consider engaging in one planner set-up ritual per day leading up to January 1. Alternatively, if you acquire your planner at other times throughout the year, you can carve out a couple of dedicated hours for a deep dive, completing the entire process in a single sitting.
DAY 1 planner set-up RITUAL:
Self-Reflection to Identify the Hidden Joys for Purposeful Living
If you’re an existing planner holder, begin by reviewing the “My Favorite Moments and Accomplishments” section in last year’s planner edition. Typically we don't realize just how much we experience in 12 months. When it comes to year end reviews, we tend to focus on the things we didn't do or goals we didn’t achieve, overshadowing the wealth of joy that exists within the seemingly insignificant moments that exist within each day.
As you analyze the kaleidoscope of people, events, and experiences that brought you genuine contentment and a sense of purpose, take note if a theme emerges? Which people, events, line of work, or moments left an indelible mark on your heart? How can these insights guide your decisions in the coming year? Allow these reflections to steer you in discerning the true sources of joy and purpose in your life.
As you analyze the kaleidoscope of people, events, and experiences that brought you genuine contentment and a sense of purpose, take note if a theme emerges? Which people, events, line of work, or moments left an indelible mark on your heart? For instance, are majority of the noteworthy moments centered around family and friends? Then you’re someone who values a simple life with quality time spent with loved ones. Do most of your cherished moments revolve around career achievements or business milestones? Then you’re someone who receives the most fulfillment from professional success. Do most of your favorite moments consist of spending time in nature or advocating for the innocent and the voiceless? Then you may be someone whose soul comes alive being a shepherd for the natural world and Earth’s creatures.
How can these insights guide your decisions in the coming year? Allow these reflections to unveil the authentic sources of joy and purpose in your life. Keep these themes in mind as we transition to the next section—it will be fascinating to discover if these revelations are mirrored in the unique tapestry of your natal chart as well.
day 2 planner set up ritual:
Unlocking Cosmic Wisdom
Today is dedicated to the expansion of our spiritual knowledge by immersing ourselves in the educational content at the forefront of The Astral Planner. Alternatively, if you’re an avid astrologer, the content in front can serve as a valuable refamiliarization and reference tool. We encourage you to find a serene and distraction-free area in your home to allow yourself to absorb the insights presented. When it comes to spiritual content, intuition is an essential factor in recognizing wisdom that resonates with your spirit. The content has been thoughtfully structured in an order that would deliver the most natural flow of information. However, if you prefer to begin with a section that is of particular interest to you, you can reference the Table of Contents inside your planner.
Considerable time, thought, and research were invested in crafting The Astral Planner's copy, ensuring that esoteric content was enriched with supportive material, transcending basic surface-level information found in other planners on the market. Our aim is to cultivate an encompassing awareness of astrological and numerological symbolism by incorporating historical references, anecdotes, mythological roots, and scientific explanations. This integration places ancient wisdom within the context of our modern world.
At the end of each section, you will find an Optimal How To Guide providing additional insights and examples on how to apply the acquired knowledge within the daily pages of your planner. The purpose of these guides is to transform the illuminating wisdom into practical guidance, genuinely benefiting you on your spiritual journey in our contemporary world.
Day 2 Homework:
Complete the Personal Astrology Worksheet
Complete the Personal Numerology Worksheet (available in the Executive Daily Planner only, not the A5 Daily Agenda)
day 3 planner set up ritual:
Crafting Your Path BY Setting Purposeful Goals
Now that we have reflected on the passing year and completed introspective exercises to uncover our innate strengths and inclinations through the wisdom of astrology and numerology, it's time to shape the goals that will steer us in the upcoming year. Setting goals is a pivotal step in fostering personal evolution, obtaining self-mastery, and ensuring you are living up to your potential.
For existing planner holders, begin by revisiting your goals in last year's planner edition. What goals did you achieve? What goals do you need to roll over into the next year? Have your priorities or values shifted? What goals need to be re-evaluated, tweaked, or abandoned altogether?
Next, proceed by answering the two journaling prompts in the Purpose and Legacy section and complete the Life Assessment exercise. The assessment's results will pinpoint life areas that are lacking and in need of attention, which will be helpful to know when you move onto the next section.
The Goals & Aspirations section will provide a roadmap for growth in ten major areas of life. If you’re not used to high-level goal planning, a strategy to make goal setting less overwhelming is to treat it as a journaling session and consider the holistic overview assigning one goal per life area will provide. Once complete, you will have a comprehensive understanding of your ambitions, dreams, desires, and the values important to you.
Once you fill out the Goals & Aspirations section, we recommend to select 3-4 goals to commit to and focus your energy on for the coming year. This essentially breaks down to one major goal per calendar quarter and ensures 3-4 major life areas are in constant intentional growth, evaluation, and improvement.
Need inspiration? Join our private Facebook Group and connect with fellow planner holders for valuable suggestions and get inspired by how our community optimizes their goal setting pages. Find the link on the copyright page inside your planner.
day 4 planner set up ritual:
Nurturing Wellness: Cultivating Sustainable Self-Care Habits
As you embark on the journey of self-improvement and pursuing your dreams, it’s important to develop a health plan. Simply put, you will not feel well or perform well (if at all) if you don’t cultivate sustainable habits and practices that promote living life with energy and passion. Prioritizing your health is essential for regulated emotions, clear thinking, and decisive action—be it for achieving your aspirations, making sound decisions in work and in life, or fostering healthy relationships. Your health is valuable. Remember, your body is the only vessel entrusted with carrying you through the profound experience called life.
In the Self-Care Habits and Practices section, we present a structured framework encompassing six vital areas of wellness—Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Practical, and Social. This framework is designed to empower you to cultivate sustainable habits in each dimension of your well-being, providing a clear and actionable plan for daily, weekly, or monthly practices.
To spark creativity and inspiration, we've presented a brief excerpt from the complete health regimen inspired by The Astral Planner Founder's approach to physical well-being. The page formatting inside your planner will guide you in developing your own personalized practices, ensuring a holistic wellness plan that nurtures your body, mind, and soul on your journey to self-improvement and achievement.
Physical Wellness:
Activities that improve the vitality and well-being of your physical health.
10-15 minute Morning & Evening Stretch Routine (Daily Practice)
Health Benefit:
Improves flexibility and posture.
Reduces muscle tension and tightness.
Maintains joint health.
Improves blood circulation.
Strengthens the mind-body connection.
20 minute outdoor walk within the first half hour of waking up and before breakfast (Daily Practice)
Health Benefit:
Kick-starts metabolism, leading to increased energy expenditure throughout the day.
Improves mood by triggering the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood enhancers.
Helps regulate the body's internal clock (circadian rhythm) contributing to better sleep quality.
Strength training x4 a week (Weekly Practice)
Health Benefit:
Improves insulin sensitivity, positively impacting blood sugar regulation.
Increases bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Promotes the growth of lean muscle mass, enhancing overall strength and aiding in weight management and fat loss.
No screen time past 9pm. Bedtime by 10pm. (Daily Practice)
Health Benefit:
Avoiding screens past 9pm supports the body's natural melatonin production, leading to better sleep.
A bedtime of 10pm aligns with the body's natural circadian rhythm, promoting overall health and well-being.
Consistent, quality sleep positively impacts mental health, reducing the risk of mood disorders and enhancing cognitive function.
Swedish Massage (Monthly Practice)
Health Benefit:
Reduces stress hormones, promoting relaxation and mental well-being.
Contributes to better sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing insomnia symptoms.
Aids in improved blood flow, facilitating the delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
day 5 planner set up ritual:
The Healing Power of Nature
Nature possesses a remarkable ability to heal, rejuvenate, and inspire. Whether it's the calming rustle of leaves, the soothing sounds of flowing water, or the revitalizing touch of a gentle breeze, the natural world holds therapeutic qualities. Scientifically proven to reduce stress, elevate mood, and enhance overall mental health, spending time in nature strengthens our connection to Earth's rhythms and fosters a sense of grounding and harmony.
In the Living in Alignment with Earth’s Cycles section, we invite you to create an adventure wish list that will allow you to enjoy the uniqueness of each season. Having occasions to look forward to, specifically in nature, has been scientifically proven to:
Stress Reduction: Spending time in natural settings helps alleviate physiological stress responses, such as lowered cortisol levels and reduced heart rate.
Improved Mood and Happiness: Anticipation of nature activities triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can alleviate the impact of daily stressors, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.
Enhanced Creativity: Spending time in nature has been associated with improved cognitive function and creativity. Nature exposure fosters a state of mind conducive to problem-solving and creative thinking.
Boosted Immune System: The positive emotions associated with spending time in nature have been correlated with improved immune system function.
Increased Physical Activity: Outdoor activities often involve hiking, walking, or exploring. Regular physical activity is associated with numerous health benefits, including cardiovascular health and weight management.
Restoration of Attention: Spending time in nature aligns with attention restoration theory, suggesting that exposure to natural environments can replenish cognitive resources and improve concentration.
Social Connection: Planning nature outings often involves social interactions, contributing to a sense of community and social well-being. Shared experiences in nature can strengthen relationships and foster a sense of connection.
day 6 planner set up ritual:
Mastering Life Admin: Streamlining Your Year with Essential Planner Features
Congratulations! You're on the brink of completing the final steps to ensure your planner is primed and ready for the upcoming year! Our last planner set-up ritual centers around filling out the indispensable life admin pages strategically placed at the forefront and back of the planner.
At the start of your planner, you’ll find the Yearly Overview and Important Dates sections. These pages are designed to serve as a visual roadmap of your upcoming year. The Yearly Overview is a great tool for planning ahead, especially if you prefer to look 12 to 24 months into the future. It will help you quickly pinpoint which day of the week a certain date falls on. Similarly, you can record birthdays, holidays, vacation plans, deadlines, upcoming appointments on the Important Dates page. Then transfer these key events onto your Monthly Dashboards or Daily Pages at your convenience.
At the back of your planner you will find a Password & Username Log, Monthly Finance & Budget Pages, a Refund & Returns Tracker, and ample Notes Pages.
The Password & Username Log provides a secure repository for your digital credentials, ensuring they're easily accessible in one place.
The Monthly Finance & Budget Pages will help you keep a firm grip on your financial landscape with these pages. Organizational benefits encompass comprehensive budgeting, tracking income and expenses, and cultivating a proactive approach to financial well-being.
The Refund & Return Tracker is not a section that you can fill out in advance but is a vital tool to have inside your daily planner in the era of online shopping. As the title suggests, this planner section is to help you keep track of returned items, the store involved, anticipated refund amounts, a checkbox for initiated refunds, and a place to confirm the refund has been posted back on your credit card.
Lastly, the abundant Notes Pages at the back of your planner offer a canvas for your thoughts and ideas. Utilize them in a way that aligns with your needs, whether it's jotting down notes, brain dumping ideas, or list making.
Your planner is now poised to be your steadfast companion on your journey through the new year!
further reading
Excited to dive into your Daily Pages? Uncover a wealth of valuable tips in our blog guide:
How to Make the Most of The Astral Planner Daily Pages