From The Heart: 
Bela Crowder embraces her whole self

Astrologer Bela Crowder, originally turned to the stars to find ways to fix herself. Now she chooses to embrace her whole multi-faceted self and supports others to do the same.

While studying Architecture in her early twenties Bela Crowder was drawn to astrology as a way to make sense of her life at that time. “I grew up around astrology, but it wasn’t until my early twenties – during a profoundly challenging time – that it truly found me.”

Bela’s early exploration of Astrology was underpinned by a desire to fix herself, but soon she realised she was grasping for an outcome or sense of arrival at a feeling of wholeness. “I was using astrology as a way to fix myself, to make sense of what felt unresolved in me”. She realised she needed to change the intention of her practice. “My focus shifted from interpretation to embodiment – from seeking clarity in the chart to feeling my life directly, in my body, in my heart.”

Our founder Danielle painting Bella’s nails in Wilderness, finishing with the Celestial Top Coat

“Astrology offered me a way to see myself, my patterns, my humanity – not as something broken or needing to be fixed, but as part of a vast, intricate unfolding.”

Working with clients in one-on-one and group retreat settings, Bela’s passion is to guide people into deeper intimacy with themselves. “My work is about supporting them in returning to their naturalness, their realness, their capacity to be fully present with life.” This work is about unraveling the ways we have learnt to shape or suppress ourselves in order to fit into modern society. “We learn to perform, to suppress, to contort ourselves in ways that keep us safe, keep us included, keep us from risking too much. But there is a cost. When we abandon ourselves in favour of what is familiar or externally approved, we fracture internally.”

Bella sipping ceremonial tea, fully present in the stillness

“For me, loving myself has not been about achieving some perfected state of self-acceptance; it has been about choosing to stay. To stay with myself when I want to leave. To soften where I have been hard. To meet myself where I am rather than where I think I should be.” 

Bela’s hope is that, through her work, others can discover a deeper connection to their true self, and to learn to simply be who they are. “I wish for people to find the courage and safety to release the constant need for control, to step away from the mental chatter, the pressure, the overthinking, and the habitual self-judgment that keeps them stuck in cycles of striving.” And the easiest place to start is to simply slow down.  

Hands in the water. Bella grounding herself in the creek’s gentle flow.

“We live in a world that keeps us moving too fast, because in that speed, we stay separate from ourselves. Slowing down is a radical act….This is where authenticity begins: in the choice to stay, moment after moment, with yourself. It’s a practice, a commitment, and a return to the most natural part of who you are.”

Looking astrologically at the year 2025, Bela sees an opportunity for us all to collectively surrender and release. “With the North Node entering Pisces, we are collectively being drawn toward surrender – toward a deeper trust in the organic flow of life….In contrast, the South Node in Virgo urges us to release the over-analysis, perfectionism, and hyper-vigilance that often define our relationship with the world.” 

A peaceful paddle on the creek outside Bella’s home.

“Ultimately, this nodal shift asks us to surrender to the wisdom of the universe, to trust that we are always held, and to rest in the knowing that we are enough – just as we are.”

Let us all slow down and surrender to who we are.

You can find out more about Bela’s work on her Instagram and website.