Love has always found me the way it does in movies: unexpectedly, effortlessly, perfectly timed. (What can I say, I’m a Libra?) There was that meet-cute at a poetry reading that led to a three-year relationship, the hand-brushed-along-the-elbow moment on a flight, the flirtatious conversation over lattes that lingered just a little too long. For years, love seemed to have a way of finding me, no matter where I was.
But from 2021 until now, I’ve been single. Like, really, really, really single. Call it my reset era after a bad pandemic breakup and a stressful move to New York City, a town that — while romantic in theory — will chew you up and spit you out.
Don’t get me wrong: NYC has been good to me — ambition thrives here, and I’ve certainly achieved career milestones I once only dreamed about — but something had to give in my pursuit of professional success amid a global pandemic and recession. And that something was love.
Since the day I tapped out of the dating game, I’ve been learning to enjoy my own company. For nearly four years, I’ve asked myself daily what I really want — both in life, in love, and in everything in between — then proceeded to do just that.
It’s been grounding, even transformative. But as 2025 loomed, I realized it’s time to open my heart to the possibility of love again.
And what better way to do that than by consulting the stars?
The cosmic map of love—my introduction to astrocartography
Enter Noah Frere, a talented astrologer and friend who’s great at showing how astrology connects to real-life decisions.
Frere’s been reading my astrology for years, but in December 2024 I asked him to help me figure out where to travel in 2025 based on astrocartography, a fascinating tool for understanding how the energy of the planets at the time of your birth connects to different places on Earth.
According to some astrologers, studying astrocartography can help you decide where to vacation, where to build a home, or where to move to thrive in your career. Here’s how it works and how you can apply these lessons to your own vacation plans in 2025.
What is astrocartography?
Astrocartography expands on the concept of your natal chart, which is essentially a snapshot of where the planets were at your time and place of birth.
It imagines lines stretching around the entire globe that show where you might thrive or face challenges in specific areas like career, relationships, or personal growth.
You can see your natal chart for free on Chani Nicholas’s website. Once you identify the lines associated with key planets, you can start to see how certain locations might support your goals or help you grow.
Lessons from my chart
Here are a few examples from my own astrocartography map that highlight universal lessons about how planetary energy can play out in different locations:
Jupiter influences career and growth
Jupiter represents expansion, luck, and success. In my case, Jupiter, the planet of luck, growth, and success, was peaking in the sky when I was born. “Jupiter high in the sky means good fortune for your career; it’s a strong placement,” Frere said. On my map, Jupiter’s line runs through Pittsburgh, meaning that the city naturally supports career opportunities and professional recognition (which is great because I was born there!). Bottom line: Jupiter lines often indicate places where you can expand, whether it’s in your career, education, or personal growth.
Chiron challenges and teaches us
Near my Jupiter line is Chiron, the asteroid of wounds. While Chiron can bring setbacks, like betrayals or career hurdles, it also highlights areas where you can learn and grow. Frere reminded me that even supportive placements like Jupiter might come with lessons to strengthen your skills. Bottom line: Think of challenges in your chart not as roadblocks, but rather opportunities to build resilience and confidence.
The Sun and Mars deliver ambition and intensity
In Paris, my Sun line, which Frere says represents vitality and success, is almost at its peak, making the city of love an ideal place for professional advancement in my life. However, my nearby Mars line amplifies ambition and energy, which can also spark conflict in public or professional life. “Mars isn’t bad,” Frere said, “but it’s intense and can bring challenges in the workplace.” Bottom line: Sun lines are great for visibility and recognition, but if Mars is nearby, be prepared to channel its energy constructively to avoid burnout or tension.
The Moon taps into our bodily emotions
The Moon governs emotions and relationships. As Frere put it, “The Moon is what makes you feel at home.” In my chart, the Moon moves into a calmer, more personal position in Paris. This placement balances the intensity of my Mars line, creating a more harmonious environment for personal connections. Bottom line: Moon lines often point to places where you can feel emotionally grounded and nurture your relationships.
Astrologer Noah Frere showed me on a map where my planetary lines were based on the planets’ positions at the moment I was born.
Use these astrocartography lines to pick your feel-good love spots
To narrow down where I should travel in 2025, we looked at two key planetary lines that help people feel the love
1. Venus lines
Ideal for love, creativity, and beauty; locations on this line make for great environments to recharge and find inspiration.
2. Moon lines
These offer emotional fulfillment and grounding, making them great for self-discovery and relaxation.
My astro-love hotspots for 2025
According to Frere, there are places on this planet where my energy aligns so perfectly with the cosmos that they’ll make me vibrate with possibility. For love, career, and personal growth, these are the cities he suggested for me in 2025:
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona came up as a beacon of romance and creativity. My Venus-Neptune midpoint — an alignment Frere uses that merges personal love and cosmic love — rises here. Frere says Barcelona is where I could integrate the romantic and spiritual aspects of myself, maybe even attracting a deeper, more soulful connection. As Frere describes it, the Venus-Neptune midpoint suggests a place where you could find someone you see as both cosmically divine and personally beautiful at the same time.
And, it doesn’t hurt that Barcelona is almost painfully gorgeous, its architecture bathed in warm, golden light.
Paris, France
Paris might seem like an obvious choice, but for my natal chart, it’s not just because it’s the cliché City of Love. Frere pointed out that my Sun and Mars lines converge here, making Paris also a city of ambition, vitality, and personal power in my life. He says it’s a place where I could shine, and where my drive and charisma could peak. Personally, I feel like Paris feels less cozy than Barcelona but no less enticing. Maybe in 2025, I’ll find myself walking along the Seine, lost in thought, or debating philosophy over a bottle of wine. And maybe — just maybe — meet someone who shares my Venutian passion for beauty and meaning.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, my birthplace, holds a special place in my heart and, apparently, in my astrocartography chart, too! According to Frere, my Jupiter Midheaven line intersects here, which supports growth, career success, and a touch of magic when it comes to public achievements. Even more compelling, my Venus in Scorpio placement shines here and attracts a deeply transformative energy hinting at the potential for love and meaningful relationships.
While I don’t see myself moving back to Pittsburgh permanently, knowing its powerful alignment with my chart gives it an undeniable allure. Who knows? Maybe I’ll one day consider it a city where I can recharge, rediscover my passions, and explore love in its most profound and transformative forms.
Mérida, Mexico
Mérida caught my attention after I noticed a pink and blue line running through its location on the map in Frere’s software. He explained that Mérida is close to the direction lines representing my Neptune-Venus midpoint and Pluto in my chart. He described it as a place where “personal love and impersonal love come together” and where Pluto’s influence encourages “a psychological mastery of integration” in how I approach love and connection.
How to use astrocartography for yourself
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Identify your goals: Are you looking for career opportunities, emotional balance, or creative inspiration? Different planetary lines support different aspects of life.
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Explore the map: Consult with Frere or use an astrocartography tool on your own to see which planetary lines pass through the locations you’re considering.
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Balance the energy: Most locations bring mixed energies, like ambition paired with intensity (Mars) or success with challenges (Chiron). Understanding these dynamics can help you navigate them effectively. If you’re a Libra like me, you’ll know the balance game well!
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Experiment and reflect: If you visit or live in a place aligned with your planetary lines, notice how it feels and what opportunities or challenges arise.
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Don’t try to predict the future: Think about astrocartography like creating awareness, not like it’s your fate. It’s like reading a barometer or looking up the humidity ratio when deciding whether to straighten your hair or leave it curly. The planets (and the energy they give off) are just a factor in your life’s decisions, but they don’t govern us.
2025: A year of possibilities
As I plan my travels for 2025, I can’t help but feel the drama and beauty of it all. Each city on my list offers a chance to peel back another layer of myself, to learn what I truly need, and — hopefully — to stumble upon the kind of love that feels like destiny.
Whether I’m sipping wine in Barcelona, wandering the streets of Paris, or reconnecting with my roots in Pittsburgh, I’m ready to embrace this journey with an open heart. And as for the question, “is Barcelona the best place for love in 2025?” — only time (and maybe a whirlwind romance or two) will tell. But one thing’s certain: I’ll be following my astro map and my heart to find out.
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