Tears, Transformation, and the Tides: Lessons from My Favourite Ocean Movies
How it aligns with my Astrology and Human Design
The ocean has always been a source of fascination, mystery, and transformation. It’s no wonder two of my favourite movies—My Octopus Teacher and Moana—centre around the sea as both a setting and a metaphor for personal growth. These films aren’t just stories about water; they reflect themes deeply connected to my astrology and Human Design.
As someone with strong water energy in my chart (Sun, Moon, Mercury, North Node, Saturn, and my Ascendant!) Add my Sagittarian Jupiter—a seeker of truth and expansive journeys, with the ruler being Neptune, you could say I’m basically a Mermaid who likes the warmth of the sun…
To find your elemental mix, go to Astro.com and add your date of birth to see which placements are in which - below is a screenshot showing F for Fire, A for Air, E for Earth, W for Water, and the C, F and M on the top are the Modalities (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable).
I also look at my 6/2 Manifesting Generator profile in Human Design, which speaks to experimentation, embodied wisdom and being-ness (not DOING)… so it’s easy to see why these movies resonate so deeply with me - they both capture the call to adventure, connection, and self-discovery, themes that shape how I navigate life.
The Ocean as a Mirror for Growth
In both My Octopus Teacher and Moana, the ocean is more than a setting—it’s a character in its own right, reflecting the protagonists inner journeys. In Moana, the ocean is an active guide, choosing her for the mission to restore balance to the world. In My Octopus Teacher, the kelp forest becomes a sanctuary, where film maker Craig Foster reconnects with nature and his own humanity, after going through depression, with an unlikely bond with an octopus.
For me, the ocean resonates with my watery energy and evokes emotional wisdom, nurturing energy, and the flow of intuition. Both films evoke a sense of surrender to the water and nature’s power, teaching us to trust its lessons and embrace its cycles.
Themes of Exploration and Purpose
Sagittarius energy shines brightly in both films, with their emphasis on exploration, truth-seeking, and a calling to venture beyond the familiar. Moana’s journey across the ocean to find Maui and restore the heart of Te Fiti mirrors the well known Hero’s (Heroine’s) Journey, one that aligns perfectly with the expansive, adventurous spirit of Sagittarius (and one I write about a lot, as my own coaching methodology is based on it!) Similarly, in My Octopus Teacher, Craig Foster’s exploration of the underwater world is a literal dive into the unknown, where he uncovers truths about life, death, and interconnectedness (very Piscean/Scorpio vibes as I’m a Pisces Sun and Moon and Scorpio Ascendant).
I’m drawn to this sense of purpose-driven exploration. Both stories highlight how stepping outside your comfort zone often leads to profound growth and self-realisation—a theme that resonates deeply with my own journey as a 6/2 Manifesting Generator, where experience and wisdom are meant to be shared with others.
Connection, Nurturing, and Neptunian Themes
Neptunian energy—the realm of dreams, intuition, and the mystical—flows through these films. In My Octopus Teacher, Craig’s bond with the octopus is almost otherworldly, as if the ocean itself facilitates this profound connection between them. It touches me deeply every time I watch it (probably at least 8 times now). It’s a meditation on the wisdom of the natural world, a deeply intuitive and emotional experience. Similarly, Moana’s relationship with the ocean feels guided by a spiritual and ancestral force, one that encourages her to trust herself and her instincts as she faces her fears.
For me, this aligns with my Cancer North Node’s call to nurture and heal, and with the 6th-line energy in my Human Design profile—a wise role model archetype that learns through emotional and spiritual depth. Both movies remind me of the importance of trusting my inner compass, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
The Emotion They Evoke: Revealing My True Values
Both My Octopus Teacher and Moana make me cry every time I watch them. It’s not just because they’re beautifully crafted, but because they touch on values I hold most deeply: connection, courage, and the beauty of transformation.
In My Octopus Teacher, it’s the quiet intimacy of the bond between Craig Foster and the octopus that overwhelms me. The way he honours the fragility of life, learns from her intelligence, and ultimately faces her mortality feels like a direct call to what I value most—respect for nature, the power of quiet observation, and the courage to feel deeply, even when it hurts.
In Moana, I’m moved to tears by her unwavering determination and her moment of realisation that she is the one she has been searching for. The scene where she restores the heart of Te Fiti with compassion rather than conflict encapsulates everything I believe in: the power of gentleness, the courage to confront fear, and the strength found in staying true to yourself. Yes I know it’s cheesy and it’s made for kids, but there is something much deeper to it than a simple kids cartoon.
These emotional responses are revealing. As a Cancer North Node, nurturing and emotional connection are central to my path. The themes of these films reflect the kind of life I strive to live—one where I value relationships, the natural world, and the inner courage it takes to follow your purpose. As a 6/2 Manifesting Generator, the emotion also speaks to my role as a guide and role model, reminding me that the most meaningful wisdom often comes from the heart.
Manifesting Generator Energy in Action
I resonate with both the adventurous curiosity of these films and their emphasis on mastery through experience. Moana’s restless spirit and determination to chart her own course in her own way combining different skill sets are quintessential Manifesting Generator traits. Her journey reflects the energy of following multiple passions until finding her true purpose. Similarly, Craig Foster’s immersive experience in the kelp forest reflects the 6-line’s gift of learning through lived wisdom and then sharing those lessons with the world - in a very calm, grounded way. There is no trying to impress people but simply sharing and trusting those who are meant to receive the message will receive it.
Both movies highlight the importance of trusting the process, even when it feels like you’re being pulled in different directions. For me, this feels like a call to embrace my multi-dimensionality, exploring my passions while trusting that the threads will weave together into a meaningful story.
Beyond the Screen
My love for the ocean goes far beyond the screen—in my early 20s in 2006, I spent three months in Mexico on a scuba diving conservation project and trained as a PADI Divemaster - my alternative life plan was to be an instructor in the Caribbean. During that trip I had the privilege of exploring the sea most days and experiencing the same awe and reverence for the sea that My Octopus Teacher evokes.
Time by the sea is grounding and healing for me, and I’m always seeking ways to share that connection with my son Leo. We took a trip to the Jurassic Coast earlier this year as he’s really into fossil hunting at the moment. It was a lot of effort to plan and execute—a long drive, bags packed with tools and snacks—but the moment we stood on the shore, listening to the waves and combing through pebbles, sand and rocks in search of treasures, it was all worth it. Watching his eyes light up when he found a fossil, and feeling that serenity that only the sea can offer, reminded me that these experiences aren’t just activities—they’re gifts. They connect us to nature, to each other, and to something far greater than ourselves.
Final Thoughts: Water as the Ultimate Teacher
My Octopus Teacher and Moana are both love letters to the ocean, showcasing its power to transform, guide, and connect. Whether it’s through a literal bond with an octopus or a metaphorical journey to restore balance, the sea becomes a mirror for the characters’ inner worlds. For me, these themes resonate not just because of my astrological and human design influences but because they reflect universal truths about growth, connection, and purpose.
Both films remind me to trust the tides of life, embrace adventure, and nurture the connections that help us grow. And, like the ocean itself, they hold endless depths to explore—and often bring tears to my eyes, reminding me of what truly matters.
What about you?
What are your favourite movies and how do they reflect your Astrology and Human Design profiles? Are you a water baby like me or are you more air and earth? Or if you don’t know, I’d love to have a look at if you tell me your fav 2-3 films and your date of birth, I’ll share my insights…
