Meet Riss Cottrill | Coach, Astrologer, Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Riss Cottrill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Riss, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I feel very strongly about developing emotional intelligence individually, and as a community. My work encourages people to build self-awareness, so they can show up better for themselves and others. I work one-on-one with clients, helping them to move through blockages that prevent them from living a meaningful life. I do this through the lens of astrology and shadow work, while drawing upon the wisdom of the cycles and seasons for symbolism. I also have a product line where I offer ritual tools (mainly astrology based) to help people on their journey to self-development.Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
It was not easy getting to where I am today. I dwell in the world of spirituality, self-development, and magick. However, I was a scientist for a long time, and these two worlds often clashed. I went to school for Biomedical Engineering, and worked in a stem-cell laboratory for about three and a half years. Though a couple of my coworkers were interested in what I do, most of them shrugged it off as a bunch of ‘woo woo’. I felt like I was leading a double-life, and balancing a business with a full-time job was exhausting. I was a scientist by day, and astrologer/creator by night. I rarely had any time to see friends or date, and this had a large impact on my relationships. For years, it was all work and little play. My path has largely been dedicated to following my heart, authentic expression, and intuition. Being in the world of science was societally acceptable, but it felt so inauthentic and painful to stay in it. I became fixated on building a fulfilling life that felt in alignment with who I am, and helping other people do the same. People often end up in situations that don’t serve them out of subconsciously seeking validation, love, acceptance, and the list goes on. When they operate from this place, they don’t make decisions based off of what would authentically feel good to them. This is the result of a society that doesn’t prioritize self-awareness and emotional intelligence. I know this story well. The pain of abandoning myself to pursue a career in science was a gift. It led to a path of building self-love and awareness through the lens of spirituality, shadow work, ritual, and astrology, leading me to a rich life of fulfillment. Through this journey, I have recognized my natural skills and talents as a space-holder, teacher, and coach for others. Now, I help and encourage people transform their lives on a full-time basis. I am most excited about expanding my business, and having my message heard through-out the world. Self study is important, and it should be encouraged to the same degree as going to the gym. Today, I hold astrology sessions with clients looking to reconnect with themselves on a deeper level. I also sell ritual candles, herbs, and the like to help people build self-awareness and a spiritual connection. I recently quit my lab job to go full-time with my business, and plan to host workshops, gatherings, and courses. I can’t wait to deepen my path and see where it takes me. Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I personally love the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Their exhibits are incredible and it’s so fun! True Food in Denver has great quality food, so I would definitely take a friend there. Fresh Thymes is also a great place to eat. I love exploring mountain towns, so I would go to Nederland, Breckenridge, and Keystone. I’d love to take another trip to Manitou Springs, walk around the town and visit the shops. There’s also a museum there called Miramont Castle, which has a fascinating exhibit. The Dushanbe Teahouse in Boulder is absolutely incredible – they serve amazing teas, drinks, and food. There are also really great places to go hiking in local places like Golden and Boulder. Of course, taking a trip into the mountains for some hiking and outdoor activities would be amazing as well. I really love Steamboat Springs, so driving down there with a friend to explore the town and visit Strawberry Hot Springs would be so fun.Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to make a shoutout to the brand, Tamed Wild. They found me when I had little to no audience, and took me on as part of their team. I now write new and full moon articles for them as well as booklets on astrology, mythology, and magick. I have also been interviewed twice on their podcast, and absolutely love working with them. I would also like to acknowledge Chris Brennan from the Astrology Podcast. He helped, inspired, and encouraged me in the beginning of my journey. His direction and feedback was so useful while building my YouTube channel and brand! Lastly, I want to make a shoutout to MintFaery, a YouTuber who collaborated with me in the beginning when I was first starting out. This was so fun and extremely helpful!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllMyAncestors

Instagram: @allmyancestors

Facebook: All My Ancestors

Youtube: All My Ancestors

Other: Tamed Wild Blog Articles: https://magickandalchemy.com/category/rituals-and-intentions/moon-musings/ Tamed Wild Podcast Episodes: https://soundcloud.com/user-243746194-22399360/celestial-musings-with-riss-cottrill https://soundcloud.com/user-243746194-22399360/magick-and-alchemy-celestial-musings-with-riss-cottrill-pt-2