Episode 150: Empirical Observation

If you caught the last episode, Curiosity Killed the Cat, you already know about the power of curiosity—how it’s often stifled by society and how, if you lead with it, you can begin to unravel the optional stories and masks you’ve considered reality.

Today, we’re taking it a step further. Because while curiosity is the spark, there’s a next step that truly transforms your understanding of yourself and the world around you —Empirical Observation.

For my purposes I’m going to define Empirical Observation as—observing and noting your own life in action.

It is the process of turning your curiosity into evidence. It’s about observing your own life, your patterns, your emotions, and your responses—without judgment. This is how you become the expert on you.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s do a quick review.

Curiosity Sets the Stage 

In the last episode, we talked about curiosity as a tool for breaking out of societal expectations. It’s the first step toward reclaiming your personal authority. By asking questions—about yourself, your emotions, your relationships—you begin to see the cracks in the stories you've been told.

But asking questions isn’t enough on its own. Once you’ve started asking them, what do you do with the answers?

That’s where empirical observation comes in. It’s the process of watching—of taking what you’re curious about and observing your life to gather evidence.

Let me give you an example.

Imagine you’re curious about why you feel drained after certain interactions. Maybe you’ve noticed it, but you’re not sure why. You start asking yourself - What happened in those conversations? What was different at that restaurant? You’re being curious.

Now comes the empirical observation part. You start paying attention to when you feel this way, what the circumstances were, who you were with and you document it. You’re gathering data—evidence—from your own lived experience, noticing patterns, and seeing the bigger picture.

That’s empirical observation. It’s curiosity in action.

The Process of Empirical Observation 

Empirical observation is a method. A process. It’s about systematically observing your experiences and collecting information about yourself in a way that no one else can. It’s using the evidence of your own life to guide your thoughts, your decisions, and your growth. It means you stop outsourcing you personal authority  

And let me tell you—this process is revolutionary.

Society tells us that we need experts—doctors, teachers, parents, the media, astrology, gurus, coaches and whoever else—to tell us what’s true about ourselves. And yes, external expertise is valuable. But when it comes to the deep, inner knowing of who you are, you are the only expert.

That’s why empirical observation is so critical. It’s how you claim that authority over your own life.

When you observe your own thoughts, actions, and feelings—without judgment (I’m going to keep coming back to that because it’s so hard for so may people to observe without judging themselves)—you gather the information you need to live authentically, to stop relying on external validation, and to begin trusting your own lived experience.

Let me give you an example from one of my clients. She’d had tummy issues for years and all of the doctors basically treated her like it was all in her head because they never found a test that told them what it was. Instead they tried to manage the symptoms - which caused other symptoms. 

She decided to start keeping track of all the things going on and eventually realized she had an intolerance for a really common ingredient in food - she stopped eating anything that had it and her issues went away. 

All because she was curious and willing to gather data and not settle for what experts told her wasn’t real. 

Astrology as a Tool for Empirical Observation 

You might be wondering—how does astrology fit into all of this?

Astrology, for me, is one of the most powerful tools for empirical observation. It gives us a structure for tracking our experiences, for noticing how certain transits or cycles affect us, and for observing patterns over time. It’s not about predicting your life—it’s about creating a framework for understanding your life as it happens.

Don’t worry, the prediction comes later. 

Let’s take the moon, for example.

We all have days where we feel more sensitive, more energized, more restless. When you start tracking where the moon is during those times—what sign it’s in—you begin to notice patterns. Maybe you feel more motivated to work on your business or at work when the moon is in Taurus. Or maybe you feel a little more anxious when it’s in Gemini.

This isn’t magic and it isn’t the same for everyone. Empirical observation allows you to find what’s true for you instead of trying to make what you’re experiencing fit with what you’ve told should be true.

Another great example is eclipses. Eclipses often bring major shifts or turning points in life. By paying attention to how your life changes during eclipse seasons - and comparing them, you’re gathering data on how these cycles influence you personally. You’re not relying on generic interpretations—you’re observing your life.

Finally, one of my favorite techniques for empirical observation is annual profections—a simple and powerful timing method that helps you understand the theme of each year in your life. I covered this in-depth in Episode 133, where I explained how profections help you focus on specific areas of life based on your age. 

The beauty of this method is that you don’t need to know your birth time or anything complicated—just your age. Each year, a new house in your chart becomes the focus, and by observing the experiences tied to that house in past years, you can start to see patterns and themes emerge, giving you insight into what to expect and how to navigate it.

Through tracking these things—whether it’s the moon phases, eclipse cycles, or even annual profections and transits—you’re engaging in empirical observation. You’re using astrology not to tell you who you are, but to help you discover who you are through your own lived experiences. And gain a little insight into the future as a bonus. 

Claiming Personal Authority through Empirical Observation 

Here’s where it gets revolutionary.

In a world that tells you to follow the rules, to fit into boxes, and to accept the stories you’ve been handed, empirical observation is a way to break free. It’s a way to reject the narratives that don’t serve you and start living in a way that does.

When you start observing your own life—when you become the expert on your own experience—you’re no longer relying on what others think is best for you. You’re stepping into your own authority.

Maybe you aren’t an angry person, you just have meltdowns that look like anger when you have sensory overwhelm. 

What if the reason you’re tired all the time is because you’re actually an introvert who has been told being an extrovert is the box they’re supposed to fit in and it’s just flipping exhausting?

This is what my work is all about—helping you become the expert on you.

Whether it’s through astrology, group coaching, or guiding you to ask the right questions, the goal is the same: helping you reclaim your personal authority. And it all starts with being curious and observing the evidence of your life.

Practical Steps for Empirical Observation 

So, how can you start practicing empirical observation in your own life?

It doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a fancy system. It’s about noticing and reflecting—without judgment. 

Start small. Pick one of the following suggestions and see what you learn.

1. Journal Your Day: At the end of the day, take a few minutes to jot down how you felt. What stood out to you? Did anything surprise you? This doesn’t have to be deep—it’s just about noticing.
2. Track the Moon: Pay attention to the moon phases or signs. How do you feel when the moon is in the different signs? How do you feel during a new or full moon? Just observe, record, and note any patterns over time.
3. Ask Empowering Questions: Here’s where curiosity comes in. Ask yourself questions like, Is this true for me? What about this situation am I reacting to? What am I making this mean? These are the kinds of questions that lead to deeper understanding.
4. Daily SAFARIs - Dedicate a few minutes each day to the SAFARI Process—a self-coaching tool designed to help you observe and shift your thoughts. Start with a Thought Safari by writing down everything you can remember about a situation you want to examine, and then identify the facts and automatic thoughts. You can learn all about it in Episode 146 or by joining us in The Crusade.  By practicing this regularly, you’ll begin to close the gap between what you want and what you have.
5. Identify What Overwhelms You: When you feel upset or drained, take a moment to consider what might have led to that reaction. It could be a conversation, a specific environment, or sensory input you weren’t consciously aware of at the time. Notice how these factors influence your emotional and mental state. Often, it’s not just thoughts but external stimuli that leave you feeling overwhelmed, and recognizing this is crucial for understanding what’s happening beneath the surface. More on this one next week.

These small acts of observation build over time. The more you practice, the more you begin to see the patterns in your life. 

And those patterns? That’s where the magic happens. That’s where you start to understand yourself on a whole new level.

Empirical observation isn’t just a catch phrase or concept—it’s a way of  living. It’s the practice of getting curious about your life, tracking what you notice, and using that evidence to live in alignment with who you truly are, or who you want to be.

It’s how you stop relying on what others think you should be and start trusting your own experience.

So tell me... 

What can you observe in your life? What patterns can you identify? How can you start gathering your own evidence, your own truth, and stepping into your personal authority?

If this resonates with you and you’re ready to jump in, I’d love for you to join me in The Crusade, where we use astrology, curiosity, and observation to uncover who we are—without the masks, without the societal pressures, and without external validation.

Until next time, my wish for you is the audacity to become an expert on yourself.