Bernie Ashman isn’t the typical Startup Show guest. He’s not here to pitch an app or debut a new fundraising round. But in a conversation that spanned global patterns, past life charts, and the rebirth of invention itself, the longtime astrologer may have offered a different way to see the road ahead.
Ashman, a practicing astrologer for more than 50 years, joined host Jordan French not to convert skeptics, but to map out a landscape where astrology is increasingly being used, not as superstition, but as strategy. And in 2025, he argues, that strategy might just matter more than ever.
A Cosmic Forecast for Innovation
If Ashman’s enthusiasm for astrology sounds unshakable, it’s because the year ahead backs him up, at least astrologically. According to him, 2025 marks a seismic shift in cosmic energy, particularly for those in the tech and entrepreneurial space.
Two planetary alignments form the centerpiece of his forecast: Pluto’s entry into Aquarius and Uranus returning to Gemini. Both are heavy hitters in Ashman’s toolkit. Uranus, which he associates with technology, invention, and disruption, begins a rare cycle in Gemini, known for its ties to communication and information, starting July 7. This mirrors a similar planetary alignment seen in the 1940s, a period that gave rise to the earliest stages of the computer age.
Meanwhile, Pluto’s shift into Aquarius signals a long-haul transformation. Known for its association with power, rebirth, and evolution, Pluto will stay in Aquarius for the next two decades. For Ashman, this isn’t just a celestial footnote. It’s a defining era for unconventional thinking, decentralized systems, and emerging technologies.
Both transits, he says, offer not only momentum but clarity. And it’s that clarity around purpose, timing, and transformation that he believes astrology can help unlock.
Not Just Your Sun Sign
Ashman isn’t one to peddle daily horoscopes. In fact, he sees the popular fixation on sun signs as limiting. True astrology, in his practice, involves interpreting a complex chart based on birth time, location, and planetary alignments. That chart, he says, becomes a blueprint — less a prediction than a psychological map.
He likens it to Myers-Briggs or even a detailed marketing persona. The chart reflects not just who you are, but how you show up, where you feel stuck, and when timing could amplify or stifle your next big move. That’s why he’s consulted by founders, marketers, and creatives alike — people not looking for fate, but for feedback.
Even those who don’t identify with their assigned sign may find deeper truths by looking at the full picture. Ashman, for instance, is a Sagittarius by birth, but Pisces rising in his chart gives him an intuitive, dreamer’s edge. These nuances matter, he says, especially for those looking to break free of old patterns or redirect energy into something more meaningful.
From Skepticism to Strategy
Astrology has long been dismissed as pseudoscience. But Ashman is quick to note that usefulness doesn’t always require empirical validation. He compares it to psychology’s use of archetypes — foundational patterns of human behavior that, while not strictly scientific, are deeply instructive.
In fact, Ashman has co-authored a new book aligning Carl Jung’s 12 archetypes with the zodiac signs, reinforcing his belief that astrology is part science, part art, and wholly rooted in intuition. His clients, who include tech entrepreneurs and even psychiatrists, aren’t seeking fortune-telling. They’re looking for insight into themselves, their timing, and the energetic climate they’re building in.
Ashman’s own career reflects that fusion. He’s collaborated with software companies to develop tools like a past life charting system, blending astrological wisdom with digital infrastructure. For him, the digital world and the spiritual one aren’t at odds — they’re on the same continuum.
A Year of Unlocked Doors
Ultimately, Ashman sees 2025 not as a year of fate, but of invitation. The planetary alignments, in his view, don’t dictate outcomes — they illuminate possibilities. He describes the year as a “show-me” moment, one that will push people to move, change, and invent, even if they don’t yet know what direction they’re headed.
In that way, his message resonates far beyond astrology. Whether you’re building a startup or simply navigating a life pivot, his advice holds: trust your timing, listen to your intuition, and don’t be afraid to tweak the formula if something isn’t working. Sometimes, all it takes is a different perspective to find the opening you’ve been missing.
For those curious to dig deeper, Ashman’s newest book, Astrology’s Magical Nodes of the Moon, is available through major retailers. But perhaps more telling is his simple invitation, one that applies whether you’re a believer or not: when the sky shifts, pay attention. You might just see your next step a little more clearly.
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