Arrival Under the Stars

Eight guests—three couples and two siblings—arrive at the Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat, a luxurious Victorian house on Long Island, for a weekend of astrology, self-discovery, and reconnection. Rini, the young astrologer and owner, prepares for their arrival, reflecting on her own struggles and the cosmic forces at play. The guests include Adam, a successful but secretive writer; his sister Margot, a lawyer desperate for a child; their spouses Aimee and Ted; power couple Farah and Joe; and influencer couple Eden and Rick. Each brings hidden wounds, ambitions, and tangled relationships. The retreat promises relaxation and insight, but beneath the curated schedule, old resentments and secrets simmer, setting the stage for a transformative—and dangerous—weekend.

Secrets in the Chart

Rini's personalized readings and compatibility sessions begin, exposing the guests' vulnerabilities and desires. Margot's longing for motherhood, Adam's creative and marital frustrations, Aimee's obsession with appearances, and Farah's doubts about her family and sexuality all surface. The astrology sessions, meant to foster connection, instead stir up anxieties and rivalries. Rini, herself haunted by a prophecy of her own early death, senses the group's energy shifting. The house, with its secret passageways and dumbwaiters, becomes a character in itself, amplifying the sense of fate and inevitability. Tarot cards and cryptic horoscopes left in rooms hint at deeper forces at work.

Sibling Bonds, Fractured Hearts

The close bond between Margot and Adam, forged by childhood trauma and the loss of their parents, is both a source of comfort and dysfunction. Margot's need to "fix" Adam and keep the family together clashes with his growing detachment and secrets. Their spouses, Ted and Aimee, feel the strain, as do the other guests. The siblings' shared history and unspoken pain become a microcosm of the group's larger issues: the struggle between loyalty and self-preservation, and the cost of keeping up appearances.

The Compatibility Illusion

The retreat's focus on couple compatibility exposes cracks in every relationship. Adam and Aimee's marriage is strained by emotional distance and infidelity; Margot and Ted's union is haunted by infertility and secrets; Farah and Joe's partnership is threatened by political ambition and parental anxieties; Eden and Rick's open marriage is tested by hidden betrayals. Rini's readings, intended as guidance, instead act as catalysts, pushing each guest toward confrontation with their own truths and each other.

Old Wounds, New Fears

As the weekend progresses, the guests' unresolved traumas—childhood losses, betrayals, and regrets—bubble to the surface. Margot's fixation on having a baby is revealed as a way to heal her own childhood wounds. Adam's creative block and emotional withdrawal are linked to guilt and secrets from his past. Farah's doubts about her son and her marriage mirror her own insecurities. Aimee's relentless pursuit of perfection masks deep-seated fears of abandonment. The house, with its creaks and hidden spaces, becomes a crucible for these anxieties.

The Dumbwaiter's Message

Margot discovers a network of dumbwaiters and secret doors, finding tarot cards with ominous meanings—The Empress, The Fool—left in her room. These messages, possibly from Rini or her reclusive sister Andi, foreshadow chaos and unwanted revelations. The house's architecture mirrors the guests' psychological labyrinths, and the sense of being watched or manipulated grows. The line between fate and free will blurs as the group becomes increasingly unsettled.

Sun Worship and Shadows

Rini leads the women in a "Sun Worship" ritual meant to confront their fears and masculine energy. The exercise, intended as empowerment, instead triggers emotional breakdowns and confessions. Margot's desperation for motherhood, Aimee's guilt over past actions, and Farah's secret attraction to Aimee all come to light. The men's "Moon Men" ritual, designed to foster vulnerability, dredges up old regrets and moral failings, particularly for Rick and Adam. The group's carefully maintained facades begin to crumble.

Affairs and Confessions

Adam's affair with Eden, Rick's wife, is discovered by Margot, who is devastated by her brother's betrayal and the threat to their family. Eden's own secrets about her marriage and desires are exposed. The group's web of infidelities, lies, and shifting alliances reaches a breaking point. Margot's attempts to control the situation only deepen her own crisis, as she is forced to confront the limits of her power and the cost of denial.

Tarot and Fate

Rini's fear of her prophesied death date, the tarot cards, and the astrology readings all converge as the storm outside intensifies. The guests become obsessed with signs and omens, seeking meaning in the chaos. Margot's discovery that she may be pregnant—or not—becomes a symbol of hope and dread. The group's belief in fate, free will, and the possibility of redemption is tested as the weekend spirals toward violence.

The Storm Gathers

As Tropical Storm Clementine bears down on Stars Harbor, the guests are forced to shelter in place. The house becomes a pressure cooker, amplifying tensions and accelerating confrontations. Old grievances erupt, alliances shift, and the boundaries between victim and perpetrator blur. The storm outside mirrors the emotional turmoil within, and the sense of impending doom becomes inescapable.

Truths Unleashed

In a climactic gathering, Rini and her sister Andi confront the group with the truth about the past. It is revealed that Ted, Margot's husband, was responsible for a traumatic event in Andi's life—a coerced abortion and sexual assault—ten years earlier. This revelation shatters Margot, exposes Ted's true nature, and forces the group to reckon with the consequences of their actions and inactions. The lines between justice, revenge, and fate are blurred as the group is pushed to the brink.

The Drowning

In the chaos of the storm, Ted attempts to silence Andi by throwing her into the water. Rini intervenes, and both she and Ted are pulled under. Farah, Adam, and others attempt a rescue, but only Andi and Ted are saved; Rini is presumed dead. The violence and loss force the group to confront the reality of their choices and the limits of forgiveness. The storm's aftermath leaves the survivors forever changed.

Aftermath and Reckoning

In the months following the retreat, the group disperses, each member struggling to make sense of what happened. Margot, pregnant with Ted's child, must reconcile her longing for family with the horror of his actions. Adam and Aimee's marriage is left in limbo, their illusions shattered. Farah leaves Joe, determined to protect her son and herself. Andi, finally free from her isolation, begins to heal and take over Stars Harbor. Rini, miraculously revived, faces a new beginning.

Healing, Loss, and Legacy

The survivors find tentative hope in the aftermath. Margot chooses to keep her baby, determined to break the cycle of trauma. Adam and Aimee seek a new, more honest relationship. Farah embraces vulnerability and self-acceptance. Andi reopens Stars Harbor, honoring Rini's legacy and forging her own path. The house, once a site of secrets and pain, becomes a place of healing and renewal.

Fate, Free Will, and Forgiveness

In the end, the characters reflect on the interplay of fate and free will in their lives. The astrology, tarot, and omens that shaped the weekend are revealed as both guides and mirrors, reflecting the choices each person made. Forgiveness, while not always possible, becomes a goal. The survivors learn that while they cannot change the past, they can choose how to move forward—together or apart. The Astrology House stands as a testament to the power of truth, the necessity of reckoning, and the possibility of redemption.

Characters

Rini (Serena)

Rini is the young, driven owner of Stars Harbor, whose life has been shaped by abandonment, struggle, and a psychic's prophecy that she will die young. She is both a guide and a manipulator, using astrology to probe her guests' secrets while wrestling with her own fear of death and guilt over her reclusive sister Andi. Rini's need for control and meaning drives the weekend's events, but her compassion and vulnerability make her a tragic figure. Her ultimate sacrifice—risking her life to save her sister—cements her as the story's moral center, even as she blurs the line between fate and free will.

Margot

Margot is Adam's sister, a successful lawyer whose life is defined by loss and longing. Orphaned young, she clings to her brother and the idea of a perfect family, channeling her pain into a relentless quest for motherhood. Her codependency with Adam and denial of Ted's flaws leave her vulnerable to betrayal. Margot's journey is one of painful awakening: she must confront the truth about her marriage, her brother, and herself. Her decision to keep her child, despite its dark origins, is both an act of defiance and hope.

Adam

Adam is a bestselling romance novelist who hides behind a pseudonym and a mask of charm. His marriage to Aimee is strained by creative block, emotional distance, and infidelity with Eden. Adam's relationship with Margot is both a lifeline and a burden. He is haunted by guilt over past betrayals, including his affair with Andi (Miranda) and his inability to confront the truth. Adam's arc is one of reckoning: he must choose between self-indulgence and responsibility, and between the fantasy of love and its messy reality.

Aimee

Aimee is Adam's wife, a social media star whose curated life masks deep insecurities and a fear of abandonment. Her need for control and perfection drives her to manipulate appearances, both online and off. Aimee's journey is one of painful self-exposure: she must confront her complicity in past harms, her denial of Adam's infidelity, and her own capacity for forgiveness. Her eventual embrace of honesty and vulnerability marks a turning point in her character.

Ted

Ted is Margot's husband, Adam's friend, and the story's most shocking antagonist. Outwardly stable and supportive, Ted is revealed to have committed a grave violation against Andi years earlier, coercing her into an abortion and covering up his actions. His need to protect his own interests at any cost, and his willingness to use violence, make him a chilling figure. Ted's downfall is both a reckoning and a warning about the dangers of unchecked privilege and denial.

Andi (Miranda)

Andi is Rini's older sister, whose life was derailed by trauma and betrayal. Living in secret within the walls of Stars Harbor, she is both a ghost and a witness, leaving cryptic messages and watching the group unravel. Andi's emergence and confrontation with Ted force the group to face the consequences of their actions. Her survival and eventual healing symbolize the possibility of redemption and the power of truth.

Farah

Farah is a successful OB-GYN, married to politician Joe, and best friends with Aimee. Her rational exterior hides deep doubts about her marriage, her son's development, and her own desires—including a growing attraction to Aimee. Farah's arc is one of self-acceptance: she learns to embrace vulnerability, advocate for her child, and leave a toxic marriage. Her medical expertise and moral clarity make her a voice of reason amid chaos.

Eden

Eden is Rick's wife, a wellness guru with a complex relationship to monogamy and self-worth. Her affair with Adam, and her own struggles with honesty and loyalty, mirror the group's larger issues. Eden's journey is one of self-discovery: she must choose between the safety of her open marriage and the risk of real intimacy. Her eventual reconciliation with Rick and acceptance of monogamy reflect her growth.

Rick

Rick is Eden's husband, Ted's friend, and a man whose bravado masks deep insecurities. His confession during the Moon Men ritual reveals a past sexual encounter that may have crossed ethical lines, highlighting the story's themes of consent and accountability. Rick's willingness to change and seek forgiveness marks a subtle but important transformation.

Joe

Joe is Farah's husband, more concerned with image and career than genuine connection. His willingness to use his son's struggles for political gain, and his inability to support Farah, lead to the dissolution of their marriage. Joe represents the dangers of performative empathy and the cost of emotional neglect.

Plot Devices

Astrology and Tarot

The novel uses astrology, tarot, and omens as both literal plot devices and metaphors for the characters' psychological states. Rini's readings, the daily horoscopes, and the mysterious tarot cards left in rooms all serve to foreshadow events, reveal hidden truths, and push characters toward confrontation. The tension between fate and free will is explored through these devices, challenging characters to question whether they are victims of destiny or agents of change.

The House as Character

The Victorian house, with its secret passageways, dumbwaiters, and hidden rooms, is both a setting and a symbol. It represents the characters' inner labyrinths, the secrets they keep, and the possibility of both entrapment and escape. The house's architecture amplifies the sense of inevitability and fate, while also offering opportunities for revelation and healing.

Multiple Perspectives

The story is told through the alternating perspectives of Rini, Margot, Adam, Aimee, Farah, and others, allowing for a nuanced exploration of each character's motivations, fears, and blind spots. This structure creates dramatic irony, as the reader is privy to secrets and intentions unknown to other characters, heightening tension and empathy.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The novel is rich in foreshadowing: the storm, the psychic's prophecy, the recurring motif of drowning, and the tarot cards all hint at the violence and reckoning to come. Dreams, visions, and rituals (Sun Worship, Moon Men) serve as both plot devices and psychological triggers, pushing characters toward crisis and catharsis.

The Storm as Climax

The arrival of Tropical Storm Clementine is both a literal and metaphorical climax, trapping the guests and forcing confrontations that might otherwise have been avoided. The storm's violence and unpredictability mirror the group's emotional turmoil, and its aftermath leaves the survivors forever changed.

Analysis

The Astrology House is a sharply observed, psychologically rich novel that uses the trappings of a locked-room mystery and the language of astrology to explore the ways we are shaped—and sometimes trapped—by our pasts. Through its ensemble cast, the book interrogates privilege, gender, consent, and the seductive power of denial. The house itself becomes a crucible, forcing each character to confront the truths they have buried and the consequences of their choices. The novel's central question—are we ruled by fate or free will?—is answered not with certainty, but with compassion: while we cannot change the past, we can choose how to move forward, and healing is possible, even after the worst betrayals. The Astrology House ultimately argues for the necessity of truth, the courage to face our shadows, and the redemptive power of forgiveness.

Last updated: May 23, 2025