Discovering the Infinite in the Everyday: In Conversation with Gisele Plamondon of The Cosmic Laundry
We Talk: Astrology as a Life Tool, Embracing Your Human Design, New Paradigm Living, and the Art of Redefining Branding with Your Midheaven
Meet Gisele Plamondon, the creative force behind The Cosmic Laundry & self-proclaimed “Lover Girl”, who’s blazing new trails in astrology & human design.
Hi Gisele, welcome to Land Journals. Your perspective on astrology and human design is truly fascinating and unique and you have such an interesting take on how these elements translate visually, which I’ve not encountered anywhere else before. For some time now, I’ve also had similar ideas; as to how astrology relates to our own personal style. So, when I came across your work, I felt like we’d both tapped into similar information coming forth, as to how people can live more authentically, specifically eschewing trends and evolving their personal taste. You show people how to apply these learnings to their branding and their lives, communicating quite complex information in such an effortless way that it feels very visual and fun! The way that you approach these subjects in an aesthetic sense, expands knowledge and awareness, allowing your audience to truly understand every facet of themselves, which in itself helps to break the endless trend cycle and instead reach for a deeper understanding of self. I believe that this brings a new era of understanding into the modern age and you’ve coined this ‘New Paradigm Living’. I’d love to hear about this, and some of your insights on Land Journals, so that we can discover more about your mystical and beauty-filled life.
Rachel: Can you describe how a regular day looks for you, are there any rituals or practices that help to nurture you creatively?
Gisele: I typically wake up slowly and ease into my day. I’m really not a morning person, even though I’m usually up around 7 or 8 am. I like to have coffee or cacao and read in the mornings. If I have time before my client sessions I’ll usually head to the gym and workout, followed by a sauna. Of course, there are days (usually during the Luteal phase) when I can lay in bed and scroll through TikTok, but I’ve learned to embrace imperfection and to let myself just show up as I am each day. My afternoons are filled with 1:1 calls with clients and then content creation. I always have a ton of projects on the go, so depending on whatever is most important that day, that’s what will be my top priority. Because I’m a Manifesting Generator I need to respond to my life. I try to create enough structure so that I feel supported, but most of my creative processes come from creating space in my day, to just see what I’m inspired by. I try not to overthink it.
Rachel: How did you get into human design and astrology, have you always had an interest in esoteric teachings, or did you one day feel intrigued to know more, and then, boom, The Cosmic Laundry was born?
Gisele: My background is in psychology and social work and I’ve always been obsessed with human behaviour. If I wasn’t working with Astrology and Human Design, I would be working with some other system of typology: Auras, Meyers Briggs, Attachment Theory, I love anything that helps us understand ourselves better. I feel like I’ve been preparing for The Cosmic Laundry since childhood, even though I had no clue. I found Astrology and Human Design in my twenties when I was working in private practice as a therapist, and it had such a massive impact on my life, that I knew I had to bring it into my work with my clients.
What particular school of astrology do you follow, and why? Do you ever veer off into less traditional methods and if so, why?
Gisele: I blend a bunch of different schools because I’m not the type to follow a system – I’m much more drawn to specific teachers. I love Demetra George and she teaches Hellenistic Astrology, but I’ve also studied Esoteric Astrology, Psychological Astrology, and Archetypal Astrology. I love it all and I think that it’s all so useful. I feel like my approach is uniquely mine because I simply follow what I’m curious about, and then weave it all together.
Rachel: For someone who doesn’t know about Human Design and wants to find out more, what do they need to learn first, and how does it differ from astrology?
Gisele: Human Design is an experiment. It’s less about knowing the information and more about putting it into practice. I would highly recommend working with a coach when you’re getting into Human Design because just having the information isn’t where the benefit is – it comes from embodiment.
Rachel: Can you explain what New Paradigm Living means, and how can we embody it in our lives?
Gisele: I see New Paradigm Living as a path of radical self-acceptance. When we accept ourselves as we are, while also reaching towards our highest potential, that's when we unlock abundance, gratitude, and self-compassion. Embodying your highest potential requires patience, time, and a willingness to love yourself as you are. I find that the process is so different for everybody but the best place to start is with Astrology and Human Design, because they give you a map, that way you don’t have to figure it all out. It’s already laid out for you, in a beautiful and succinct way.
Rachel: Do you believe in personal dharma, and that everyone has particular work or actions to undertake in this lifetime? Or is that an old-fashioned belief at this moment in time?
Gisele: Yes and No. I believe our Dharma is about who we’re being, not what we’re doing. If you are here to be a beacon of Love, then you can do that by working in a soup kitchen or as a CEO. It really doesn’t matter what you choose to do. We change the world when we focus on how we’re showing up for ourselves and others. I also deeply believe in Free Will, which is why I don’t do a lot of predictive astrology. Yes, there may be certain lessons that your Soul desires to learn, but you have a choice in how that story shows up for you. When we learn how to have Faith in something bigger than ourselves while also taking personal responsibility for our lives, that's when the magic happens.
Rachel: How does your knowledge of Astrology and Human Design shape The Cosmic Laundry’s brand and aesthetic, and how have you implemented your learnings into your own work?
Gisele: I use my personal birth chart for our branding and our team (aka me and my sister), are dedicated to supporting each other's energetic needs. I understand how she operates because I know her (human) design, and she understands mine. This allows us to create and work together in a way that is very fun and uplifting. Honestly, we don’t get too stressed or worried about work, because Astrology and Human Design is like a little secret business cheat code.
Rachel: What would you say, a midheaven in Capricorn should do differently in their branding from another earth sign, like Virgo? And then again for fire, air, and water signs, is there a different approach for each element of the zodiac?
Gisele: We have an entire workshop on this because it’s such a big question. I could talk about this for hours. If you want to know the key difference; it’s important to look at what planet rules your Midheaven. This will give you the clues into what is most important for you. Overall I find that Earth Midheavens are here to show us what is possible in the material realm, Water Midheavens help us to trust in the intuitive and emotional realms, Fire Midheavens get us inspired and moving, and Air Midheavens bring connection and communication into the world.
Rachel: When the main signs clash in someone’s chart and are at odds, say a soft water sign like Pisces or Cancer, then a midheaven in Gemini, Aries, etc. How do you advise people to reconcile this in a branding sense?
Gisele: This happens with every single chart because we are all so multi-faceted. When you understand how these different aspects of self show up in different areas of life, it makes it a lot less messy. For example, in my relationships and work, I am a total Lover Girl because Venus is prominent in both of those parts of my birth chart, but with my family, I’m your classic bossy, eldest daughter, because my Moon is conjunct Saturn. Instead of trying to mix these two parts of my personality together, I just let them come out and shine at different times, in different areas of my life. As for branding, my approach is to use your Midheaven, regardless of how connected to it you feel. Your brand isn’t YOU, it's your persona so it's okay if it feels like make-believe sometimes.
Rachel: How would you advise - let’s pick someone from the past, like Marilyn Monroe to brand and market themselves in today’s world? Do you think that she was true to herself, or shaped by society’s viewpoints at that time?
Gisele: I study Marilyn Monroe’s chart a lot because she is such a beautiful example of what happens when we work with our whole chart. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had had an astrologer because she played the Leo Rising/Taurus Midheaven role so well. She presented herself as sensual, passionate, and seductive even though as a Gemini she was likely much MUCH more intelligent than she was given credit for. Her Venus and Chiron were conjunct and unfortunately, because that aspect was also conjunct to her Midheaven, her pain was always going to play out with the entire world watching. If she had lived into her elder years, she would have likely written a gorgeous tell-all book that shattered any illusions or misconceptions that we had about her. Underneath her sexy exterior, she was a perceptive and intelligent woman with lots of wisdom to offer the world and I would have loved for the public to have seen that side of her.
Rachel: And I’d LOVE to get your expertise on this - As a brand, how would you say LAND Journals would line up with my midheaven of Sagittarius, then Cancer sun, Aquarius rising and moon in Leo? I always find consolidating these signs quite visually abstract, as opposing signs are so different.
Gisele: You can definitely see the Aquarius and Sagittarius vibes in your brand, which is perfect. I wouldn’t worry too much about bringing your Moon into the brand, that part of you is for your inner circle. You could bring more boldness and passion into it, to tie the Sagittarius in even further, but overall I enjoy the vibe. It's gorgeous.
Rachel: Are there any specific themes or elements that consistently show up in your work with your clients?
Gisele: Yes, I work a lot with women who know that the life they dream of is possible. I like to say that I’m the astrologer for dreamers, creatives, and lovers. Most of my clients are working on tapping into their inner creator and want to live passionately. Because I have a background in counseling, I also find that people are drawn to working with me when they feel stuck and aren’t sure how to break through it. Overall though, my clients are all very different from each other and I love that.
Rachel: Is there anything coming up astrologically that we should know about this year, or in the coming years?
Gisele: Most of the big stuff is behind us but of course, there’s always something shifting in the Cosmos. 2027 is a year to keep your eyes on because that’s the year we move into a new Global Cycle. We are shifting out of the Cross of Planning and into the Cross of the Sleeping Phoenix and this shift will really usher us into New Paradigm Living. In this new cycle, we are being urged to figure out who we are and to trust ourselves. We’re learning to trust ourselves and I love that for us.
Rachel: How should we be harnessing the current astrological themes this year?
Gisele: Well, Saturn is in Pisces so if you haven’t already gotten sober and quit your vices then now is the time. This is the major theme for the year because Saturn is asking us to get clear on all of the ways we disconnect from reality. We are being called back into our bodies and the present moment so we can develop a deeper connection with Spirit. The more honest, raw, and real you can be with yourself the better. This isn’t necessarily a year of delusion because we’re meant to take inventory of what isn’t working so we can begin to take steps towards our dreams in a real and tangible way.
Rachel: What do you wish people knew about astrology?
Gisele: I’d love for people to understand that astrology is an amazing tool but it's not a miracle cure-all. I think sometimes people are drawn to astrology because they think it will eradicate suffering but nothing can really do that. Grief, challenge, and loss are all natural parts of the human experience and we can’t bypass these things. When you learn to see astrology as a tool for contemplation and self-analysis and not the answer to all your problems, is when the real work begins.
Rachel: What are you reading or learning about right now?
Gisele: I’m the type of person who reads multiple books at once because I’m drawn to different vibes throughout the day. Right now I’m in the middle of The Psychology of Money, The Creative Act, The Astrology of Fate, and a cute little Fiction book called Meet Me at the Lake. I’m also really obsessed with personal finance right now, which is probably very boring to most of you, haha.
Rachel: Is there anything currently inspiring you that you can share?
Gisele: I am always inspired by beauty and the wisdom of the Feminine. I’ve built a life that is pretty soft by most people’s standards and I’m very proud of that. I think that there’s this misconception, that to be spiritual means you need to disconnect from beauty and luxury, but I believe that attuning to Beauty is a spiritual path all in itself. Nothing inspires me more than being outside in nature, filling my house with flowers or finding the perfect shoes at the Mall. I guess you could say that I’m easily inspired most days.
Rachel: What’s next for The Cosmic Laundry, this year and beyond?
Gisele: We’re relaunching our Astrology and Human Design Reader programs which is very exciting and I’ve also got my heart set on doing a lot more writing and podcasting. Eventually, I’ll be a little fairy living in the woods somewhere that only comes out to play when she’s got a book to promote or a speaking engagement. Someday we plan to have a whole team of specialised astrologers that you can hire through our website, but we’re taking that one step at a time.
Rachel: How can someone learn more about your work and book in for a consultation with you? What can they expect to receive?
Gisele: You can find all of the information you need through our website. There are different offerings for different people, but I would recommend starting with our Sol Guide, which is a personalised PDF that outlines all of your most important astrology and human design placements. I spent years designing it and it’s created with the vision of being the perfect coffee table book. Each one is 80+ pages and is individual to you. These are hands down the thing that I’m most proud to offer and share with people.
Rachel: What’s your astrology - sun, moon, and rising?
Gisele: I’m a Gemini Sun, Aquarius Moon, Sagittarius Rising.
To find out more about The Cosmic Laundry: www.thecosmiclaundry.com
& you can follow Gisele here.
The Land Journal Interviews
Welcome to a series of curated interviews on LAND Journals, with the handpicked people who inspire me the most. These are the individuals who have a unique perspective on life and bring something entirely new into the World. They challenge my viewpoint and rouse my thought processes, bringing an enlivening new interpretation of life, and, I’m hoping that their insights will do the same for you. These truthful conversations are important, unfiltered, and mostly unedited. So, if you haven’t already, subscribe for more deep dives into the lives of some of the most fascinating people around.
Oh, and before you ask, my astrological line-up is is; Cancer Sun, Aquarius Rising, and Leo Moon.
If you’d like to be considered for an interview, get in touch via email: hello@rachelholland.co.uk