How I Quit Smoking with Astrology: Understanding Planet Cycles for Health Habits
- Shanae Smith
- Dec 17, 2021
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 10
🚬 How Venus Helped Me Quit Smoking (And What That Means for You)
I didn’t quit smoking through sheer willpower. I didn’t struggle and fight through cravings. In fact, by the time I actually quit, smoking had already started to disgust me. The desire to smoke just… dissolved.
It wasn’t until later that I realized what happened: Venus—who resides in my 6th house of health and habits—was guiding me the entire time.
While you will still need to be disciplined and hold yourself accountable (like anything in life), you can absolutely work WITH the cosmic cycles to minimize the difficulty in taking on a hard challenge like quitting smoking.
🔥 Here’s how I unknowingly set myself up for success—and how you can do the same:
Why Read This? - Quitting Smoking and Making Lasting Change with Astrology
Before we get started, let’s be real. I can’t promise that reading this post will make you put down your last cigarette or vape for good. But what I can promise is that astrology offers tools that make quitting more intuitive, aligned, and possible—when used correctly.
By reading this post, you'll learn how to:
Leverage Astrological Timing so you can use planetary transits—like Saturn’s discipline, Pluto’s transformation, and key personal planet activations—to determine when you’re most aligned to commit to meaningful changes in your health and habits.
Strengthen Your Commitment so you can align your goals with astrology-backed insights, making quitting a natural, supported transition instead of a forced struggle.
Enhance Self-Awareness so you can identify the root causes of your habit, uncover subconscious triggers, and use astrology to navigate emotional and environmental factors that influence cravings.
Break the Cycle of Habit-Based Cravings so you can separate environmental triggers from chemical addiction by tackling situational cravings first, reducing the overall struggle when you quit completely.
Prepare for Unexpected Cravings So you can recognize when astrological transits—like Uranus shifts, Saturn cycles, or annual Sun/Moon patterns—might reintroduce cravings, helping you stay mindful and resilient in the long run.
So let’s get into it!
Step 1: Work WITH the Energy, Not Against It
I had tried quitting before. In November 2019, I gave it a shot—but within a week, I picked up a cigarette again. I felt like I had failed, but looking back, Venus was in a challenging opposition to my natal Venus—her "full moon" phase. The tension was there. The energy wasn’t ripe for quitting.
Then, in December 2019, about a month after I had tried to quit previously, something shifted.
A Full Moon was conjunct my Venus in the 6th house (daily habits, health).
Transiting Venus was conjunct Saturn and Pluto in my 1st house (identity - 1st house, discipline- Saturn, deep transformation - Pluto).
Even though I wasn’t tracking Venus transits for quitting at the time, I felt compelled to do a release ritual. I wrote that I wanted smoking to become unappealing. I wasn’t forcing myself to quit—I was just planting the intention.
👉 What You Can Do:
Look at Venus transits—especially if she rules or is located in your 6th house—but for everyone she is a helper planet.
Look at your 6th house and any planets there, and if you have no 6th house planets check the ruler of the sign that rules your 6th house.
Need help deciphering your houses? Check out this post Astrology Houses Explained
If your 6th house is empty, check out this post for information on how Empty Houses are Still Important
Look to your Chart Ruler (the planet ruling your rising sign) to see when supportive transits are available to you. More on that below!
Check Saturn for discipline and perseverance. Not everyone can wait for the immense discipline and transformation of a Saturn-Pluto conjunction (which only happens every 30 years), but Venus meets Saturn every year—offering structure and commitment in a more accessible way.
Use full moons (especially 12th house/6th house full moons) to release habits and set subconscious intentions
Don’t force it. Work with the cycles instead of against them.
Step 2: Let the Process Unfold (Even If You Don’t See It Yet)
For months after my ritual, nothing obvious changed. I still smoked. But then something strange started happening. By April, cigarettes started making me gag. The idea of smoking felt… wrong.
I didn’t have to "battle" cravings or force myself to quit. It felt so much more natural than any other attempt. The shift had already happened inside me.
On the day I finally put down cigarettes, I wasn’t even really trying to quit—it just happened. I smoked one before I went to bed saying "this is my last one". And when I woke up, I stayed with that resolve.
When I checked my transits later, I saw the pattern. My 6th house Venus was activated, and the same degree points from my previous attempt were being triggered again.
👉 What You Can Do:
Trust that transits don’t work on a single day—they unfold over time.
Notice when habits start to feel different. That’s your signal that change is integrating.
If quitting feels impossible, don’t panic. It might just mean your timing isn’t right—yet.
Step 3: Find YOUR Planetary Timing for Habit Change
For me, Venus ruled my 6th house, so her transits played a huge role in breaking my smoking habit.
For you, the story might be different.
If Mercury is located in or rules your 6th house: Habit change happens through mindset shifts, journaling, or studying techniques.
If Mars is located in rules or your 6th house: You might need a physical challenge to redirect your energy.
If Saturn is located in or rules your 6th house: Structure, discipline, and accountability will be key. (And before you groan—everyone needs these to quit something difficult, but you are especially wired to thrive with them. Lean into this, and quitting will feel like a well-executed plan, not just a test of willpower.)
How to Find Your Own Timing:
Check which planets live in your 6th house (habits & health).
Track major transits activating that planet. (I show how to locate transits in Astrology Transits for Beginners here.)
Set intentions during key transits (full moons, conjunctions, retrogrades).
Your Chart Ruler: Transforming Identity at the Core
Your Chart Ruler (the planet ruling your rising sign) is the key to how you see yourself and how others perceive you. Quitting smoking isn’t just about breaking a habit—it’s about no longer identifying as a smoker. If you still see yourself as someone who smokes, your subconscious will find ways to reinforce that reality.
🚨Your subconscious doesn't care about you having a "better life"! Check out this post on Astrology and Shadow Work for more.
Look at transits to your Chart Ruler:
Are supportive planets helping you shift your self-perception?
Are there transits that challenge old patterns and push you toward a new version of yourself?
Not sure how to tell? Heres a post that's geared toward transit beginners.
Example: If Mars is your Chart Ruler, quitting might require an active challenge—a goal to push yourself physically or mentally, replacing smoking with movement. If Venus is your Chart Ruler, focusing on beauty, self-worth, or pleasure could help you detach from the habit.
👉 Want to understand how your identity plays into your habits? Read Redefine Yourself with Astrology to shift your self-perception and make lasting changes.
Personal Planet Insights: How to Find a Rewarding Replacement
Your personal planets shape how you interact with habits, comfort, and routines. Once you quit, it’s not just about removing the behavior—it’s about replacing it with something that meets the same underlying need.
When I quit smoking, I still did the good half of the smoking habit. I still went outside (without other smokers!) and walked around a little, breathed in the fresh air, and took a short break from work. This was so impactful! Sitting there and staring at my work and struggling through a craving was NOT an appropriate replacement for a cigarette.
Sun: Identity & Willpower
Your Sun sign defines who you are becoming in this transition.
Example: A Leo Sun might need a strong personal motivation or reward system to stay committed.
Example: A Virgo Sun might do better by tracking progress and optimizing routines to reinforce success.
Moon: Emotional Needs & Comfort
Your Moon sign shows what truly soothes you on a deep level, which is critical when cravings hit.
Example: A Cancer Moon may need cozy rituals like tea, warm baths, or comfort shows to replace smoking.
Example: A Sagittarius Moon may feel better with physical movement, travel, or adventure-based distractions.
Mercury: Mental Habits & Stimulation
Your Mercury sign impacts how you process cravings and distractions.
Example: An Aries Mercury might need quick, short activities that provide stimulation—like going outside for fresh air, walking, or doing a short task.
Example: A Pisces Mercury might struggle with mental discipline and need grounding exercises like journaling or meditation.
Venus: Pleasure & Relaxation
Venus shows what actually makes you feel good—so you can replace the "reward" of smoking with something that satisfies the same need.
Example: A Taurus Venus may benefit from luxurious sensory experiences (cozy blankets, great-smelling lotions, high-quality snacks, listening to a song).
Example: A Gemini Venus may do better with variety—switching up locations, having multiple distraction options, or socializing in new ways.
Mars: Taking Action & Staying Engaged
Mars tells you how you sustain action and willpower.
Example: A Scorpio Mars may need a deep, emotional all-or-nothing commitment—viewing quitting as a personal transformation rather than just breaking a habit.
Example: A Libra Mars may stay more engaged with an accountability partner or social challenge.
The Hidden Triggers: Why Cravings Show Up Later
Many people expect cravings only in the early weeks, but astrology reveals why they can return unexpectedly even months or years later.
Seasonal Triggers → If you quit smoking in February, you might suddenly get cravings in summer when you start your garden if you’ve always smoked while gardening.
New Life Stressors → You’ve heard of people quitting for years, only to start again suddenly? This often happens when Saturn or Uranus change signs, bringing new challenges or disruptions. Beware of the 3 and 7 year itch, as they say. ;)
💡 Proactive Tip: Notice if an habit is linked to a specific environment, season, or activity and find a new ritual to replace it before the craving hits. For example, if you always smoke while driving, start carrying a drink or gum with you in the car.
For more repetitive activities like after eating, driving, or before bed, try quitting in those situations first—before quitting completely. Handle the environment and habit-based cravings before tackling the chemical cravings. If that approach works for you, it can make the transition smoother and more manageable.
Quit Smoking With a Plan That Aligns With You
Breaking a habit like smoking isn’t just about willpower—it’s about understanding your deeper motivations, triggers, and timing. And that’s where astrology can give you an edge.
If you’re serious about making this the year you finally quit, my 5-Day Creating Aligned Goals Mini-Course will help you set up a plan that actually works for you. Using your natal chart, you’ll learn how to create sustainable habits, work with your natural strengths, and identify the best times for change. This isn’t about forcing yourself into a routine that doesn’t fit—it’s about finding a quitting strategy that actually sticks.
And if you’re looking for a personalized roadmap to breaking free from old patterns, I also offer 1:1 astrology consultations where we can map out the cycles influencing your habits and pinpoint the most effective way to move forward. Whether you need a game plan, deeper insight into your triggers, or astrological timing for your transition, we’ll craft an approach designed specifically for you.
If astrology is a brand new concept to you and you'd like someone to hold your hand as you get started my Natal Chart Tour is an awesome place for you to start. You'll get a 10+ minute video of me guiding you through what the heck a natal chart even is, where to find things, and how to get started on your journey of uncovering what the planets are saying about your personality, priorities, goals, and tendencies.
Ready to take control of this habit for good? Start with the free mini-course or book a session for a personalized approach.
No matter where you are in your journey, real change starts with clarity and intention. Take what resonates, trust your timing, and know that every step forward counts.
Now, let’s wrap things up—here are the key takeaways:
Key Takeaways
Astrology can provide insight into your quitting journey. Your natal placements—especially your Chart Ruler, Venus, Mars, Mercury, the Sun, and the Moon—reveal personal motivations, challenges, and healthier alternatives that align with your energy.
Timing matters when breaking habits. Using astrology, you can identify powerful transits—such as Saturn’s discipline, Pluto’s deep transformation, and supportive Venus or Mars cycles—to choose the best moment for long-term success.
Addressing identity shifts is key. Quitting smoking isn’t just about stopping—it’s about stepping into a new version of yourself. Your Chart Ruler can guide you in redefining your self-image, making the change sustainable and fulfilling.
Habit and environment-based cravings can be tackled before chemical addiction. By quitting situational smoking first—like after meals or while driving—you can gradually dismantle triggers before fully quitting, making the process easier.
Unexpected cravings can resurface due to astrology cycles. Transits like Uranus and Saturn shifts—or annual habits tied to the Sun and Moon—can reactivate old cravings. Awareness of these cycles helps you stay prepared and maintain long-term success.
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