Chani Nicholas facts for kids

Chani Nicholas (pronounced CHAN-ee; born in 1975) is a Canadian astrologer and activist. An astrologer is someone who studies how the positions of the stars and planets might influence people and events on Earth. Chani Nicholas is known for her modern approach to astrology, often connecting it with ideas about fairness and helping others.

Early Life and Learning

Chani Nicholas grew up in the countryside of British Columbia, Canada. When she was 13, she learned about Reiki, which is a type of healing practice that uses touch.

In 2004, when she was 29, she moved to Los Angeles to try acting. After some time, she decided to leave the acting world. She then went to the California Institute of Integral Studies to get her college degree. During her studies, she became very interested in writers like bell hooks, who wrote about women's rights and making society fairer for everyone. This time helped her grow her interest in social justice, which means working to make sure all people are treated equally and have the same opportunities.

Career Highlights

Chani Nicholas started her career in 2011 by sending a weekly astrology newsletter to her friends and family. Her work often focuses on helping people understand themselves better and supporting groups who haven't always been treated fairly, such as people who are LGBTQ+.

In 2018, she appeared on the Netflix show Explained, in an episode all about astrology. She was also the main astrologer for the website of Oprah Magazine.

Her first book, You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Acceptance, was released in January 2020. In an interview, Chani said she hoped the book would help people use the wisdom of their birth chart to understand their purpose and help the world. The book became a big success, reaching number 8 on The New York Times Best Seller list.

In December 2020, Chani Nicholas launched her own app called CHANI. This app helps users get personalized astrology information and guidance.

Awards and Recognition

Chani Nicholas has been recognized for her important work. In 2018, the Astraea Foundation in Los Angeles honored her. They recognized how her work has inspired and supported spaces for LGBTQ+ people and those working for fairness for all. Also in 2018, she was honored by the San Francisco Yerba Buena Center for the Arts YBCA 100 Summit.

Personal Life

Chani Nicholas is married to Sonya Passi. Sonya is the founder of Freefrom, a national organization that helps survivors of domestic violence become financially independent. Chani and Sonya live in Los Angeles.

Works

• You Were Born For This: Astrology for Radical Acceptance (2020), HarperCollins; ISBN: 9780062840653