Ten Things this Psychic Empath Learned From the 2026 United Astrology Conference
At the Conference
1. Stick to the Perimeters
In terms of the actual workshops themselves, I tended to sit toward the side or back of a room. My first choice was to be near a door or exit route, but I noticed I chose places to sit that were at the edges even if they weren’t near an exit. Especially in the longer pre- and post-conference workshops, I liked to be able to get up, walk around, and even move to see the slides better.
2. Low Traffic Areas to Hang out
I poked around the common areas to find the spaces with the least people. I liked to find a low-traffic area with good seating where I could sit between sessions to regroup and clear my energy.
3. Let People Come To You
My low-traffic area plan had an added bonus. I could sit quietly but be visible enough that people would come to me. They might want to say hi because they’d knew my blog or YouTube. I enjoyed getting to know these people and hearing their stories.
room and board
4. Get Your Own Room
If you can afford it, get your own room. I agreed to be roommates with a friend, but she wanted to save money and filled the room to capacity—four people in two beds. I should have gotten my own room—the conference rate was shockingly reasonable—but I didn’t do it soon enough. As a result, being part of this dorm situation was the only thing available to me. I couldn’t even go to the room in between events to have a moment to myself, because there was always someone there.
5. Consider staying Off-Campus
For the first two nights, I had the opportunity to stay with a friend of the family in nearby neighborhood. I had a quiet, dark, comfortable room to myself, pleasant company in terms of the person I was staying with, a nice neighborhood to walk through and explore (right on the lake!), and an easy bus ride into the conference. If in the future I don’t book my own room in time, I might consider looking for alternate options, such as an AirBnB. I was hesitant to do this in Chicago not knowing the neighborhoods and what was considered safe. But probably a little research would have cleared that up. Staying on campus is for extroverts, they’re the ones taking advantage of late night events and socializing. I was usually in bed by 9 or 10.
6. Eat by Yourself
I think most introverts already know this trick, but some of my favorite times were finding out-of-the-way restaurants (or slow times in popular restaurants) and enjoying a meal by myself. Sometimes I would write or read, sometimes just sit and people watch. The meals I had with more than four people were the most stressful, particularly in loud, crowded restaurants. As much as I enjoyed the company of a couple of other people—one or two companions seems to be my happy place—I think I was equally fulfilled on my own. A side note: A walk to Whole Foods also provided healthy food to keep in the room for quick meals.
Straying from the Schedule
7. Play Hooky
I was conscientious about trying to use my time wisely and take advantage of the presentations in every time slot offered. However, I’m not sure that was the best plan. We finally got an afternoon off and I was ready to do something different. Although I really wanted to visit the Art Institute, one of my all-time favorite museums, they were closed that particular afternoon. I ended up at the Museum of Contemporary Art and thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits followed by a tea and treat on the back patio. In retrospect, I wish I’d played hooky more and not been such a stickler about attending every session. Doing something different really sheds a lot of light on and opens a wide perspective on your main adventure. If you’re an introvert, you tend to naturally synthesize or integrate dissimilar things. Adding contrasting experiences tends to open profound insights for you.
8. Take Care of Yourself
You’re already highly sensitive. Getting enough sleep, moving your body, eating well, and staying hydrated are necessary. Extraverts seem to revel in the extremes of denying themselves this kind of self-care. Not introverts. Be kind to yourself.
9. Connect with Nature
Probably my least favorite event was the Lake Michigan “unforgettable moonlight cruise.” Watching the moon rise one night as I was on the train ride from Seattle, I realized that there was no way the last quarter moon would be rising before the conclusion of this mini cruise. I was disgusted that the astrologers in charge of planning this would allow the event to be thus titled. Being trapped on a boat overcrowded with people was a nightmare—there was no place to escape.
But, in contrast, my walk along Lake Michigan near my friend’s house was one of my favorite experiences. Just being near the water and hearing it lapping against the shore does something to reset my nervous system.
Discover the Surprising Truth as To Why You’re Really Here
10. Have Deep Conversations Wherever They Show Up
I got to talking more than once with people at bus stops, waiting for delayed buses, for some very interesting conversations. Introverts like to listen and are interested in almost everyone’s story, and I found some fascinating and very friendly people in this big city. They weren’t part of the conference, and so perhaps they didn’t provide the sense of belonging that so many people find important in large conferences of people all aligned with the same interests. But being reminded of the unique journey that each individual is on is one of the best experiences I had.
Interestingly, two non-conference people, when I replied to their queries that I was attending an astrology conference, assumed I was interested in space. I tried to explain the difference both times between astronomy and astrology, but both times the person insisted I was interested in space. I went with it. Their ideas that I was probably interested in space travel, exoplanets, and colonization of planets or moons in the solar system at first frustrated me because they didn’t get it. But not wanting to fight them about it, I acquiesced to their vision. Eventually I marveled that I was truly making a home among the stars, in my own way, but with so many others like–and sometimes not so very much like–me.
