Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Santos.
Hi Danny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was a little boy, it was my dream to become a healer. I follow a lineage of healers and am blessed to wake up every day to do what I love most in life – help people. My parents are both doctors and I grew up with my great grandmother who was the healer in her local village in Spain during the Spanish Civil War. To this day, she’s still my greatest inspiration because of her profound faith. She used to pray the rosary for hours every day. On days that it rained, she would stand at the window with her beads, swaying back and forth and praying. Protecting. My great-grandmother Bresilla is my guiding light in this lifetime.
I began studying astrology at 11 years old. Back in those days, nobody talked about astrology. My mom offhandedly mentioned to me one day that I was an Aquarius. I had no idea what that meant until I searched it online to find out she was wrong: I was a Pisces (and later came to find out I’m a Pisces moon, too!) Little did I know this incredibly small moment in my life would open up the gateway to my destiny as a professional astrologer, spiritual life coach, and healer. What started out as a hobby quickly became my favorite new icebreaker: “What’s your sign?”
As a child and young adult, I was obsessed with learning about the psyche and the soul. I can remember having deep philosophical thoughts at three years old asking myself, “What is the meaning of my life?” and “Why am I here?” In my free time, I would listen to hours of lectures on astrology or TedTalks about psychology and the human brain. Eventually, I came across the works of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud. I was also studying near-death experiences and supernatural phenomena that can occur around people dying in hospice or living with grief. At the same time, was heavily influenced by music, including the psychological storytelling of Regina Spektor’s most experimental early music.
In college, I joined a psychic meditation circle led by two mediums and a Wiccan elder. On Wednesday nights, I began my studies of spirituality. We learned how to read the Tarot, properly bless and cleanse a space, how to lead past life regressions, and practice transcendental meditation. We also explored psychometry, palm reading, and how to properly use and bless an Ouija board. On occasion, we took field trips to local places that were haunted, such as the Star House in Royal Oak.
My studies with Tarot began at 18 and paired fabulously with astrology. When I learned that Freud used Tarot with his patients as a way of drawing out the unconscious mind, I practically backflipped. I later found out that Carl Jung loved astrology and studied his theories on synchronicity. I delved deeper into the world of psychoanalysis in my studies at Oakland University, where I majored in Critical Studies in Film. This is where I learned about French New Wave film, the history of middle eastern cinema, German Expressionism, and my personal favorite: Avant-Garde cinema. My absolute favorite was Maya Deren’s “Meshes of the Afternoon” for its emphasis on the unconscious mind and dreamlike states. I eventually was able to transfer to USC’s School of Cinematic Arts with some help from an essay exploring Ryan Goslin’s performance in “Drive” through Lacanian psychoanalytic theory.
I was already into my ‘SC studies when I discovered archetypal astrology. Archetypal astrologers utilize the astrological birth chart as a gateway into karmic destiny. This is done by understanding the human soul and the psyche as it relates to what I like to call “The Medicine of The Cosmos.” With the tremendous background I had in studying psychology and psychoanalytic theory, I was able to apply archetypal psychology, astrology, and tarot to create a unique blend of healing and spiritual life coaching.
When called upon, I’d coach friends using their astrological birth charts. Based on their own personal star maps, I’d make suggestions as to how they could move towards deeper fulfillment in romance, career, and self-actualization. Due to my own personal interest in finding love in my life, I voraciously studied birth chart compatibility so I could decipher whether or not the guy I was crushing on any given day was compatible with me. I got a lot of practice, because I was consistently crushed by every new crush. While none of the relationships worked out, I gained extensive knowledge around the astrology of sex, love, romance, and intimacy.
When I was 24, I’d already been studying astrology for 13 years. It was time to begin offering professional readings. I was dating a guy whose mom loved astrology. She began introducing me to her friends, who were eager to explore my offers. During appointments, I’d offer birth chart sessions, tarot readings, and other spiritual counsel. I ended up quitting a talent agency job I had just started – it was literally Wednesday of my first week – to pursue my passion. It caused some friction in my personal life, but I had to go with my gut. Though my time in that industry hadn’t been the right fit, some of the relationships I’d made along the road were integral. An old coworker invited me to sit in on a plant medicine ceremony with a shaman. This was my introduction to Ayahuasca.
Over the past three years, I’ve been studying under the same teacher, learning the customs, traditions, and medicine songs (known as icaros) from the Shipibo Tribe in Peru. This began my deepest work of delving into the shadow and facing my demons head-on. During the course of my work with Ayahuasca, I have healed an eating disorder, completely recovered from severe sexual trauma, and healed sexual addiction stemming from the shame of growing up gay in a conservative religious environment. While studying under my shaman, I began learning the ways of sound healing and how to use drums, chimes, the voice, and my signature rainbow crystal singing bowls as tools to help alter states of consciousness, with or without plant medicine.
While searching videos on healing sexuality, I came across Anthony Padilla’s YouTube video “I Spent A Day With Sex Therapists.” This was where I found The Erotic Doctor, Dr. Stephanie Hunter-Jones, PhD in Human Sexuality. Initially, Dr. Stephanie helped me cure my own sexual trauma; after learning about my studies with astrology and psychology and working with couples on sexual astrology, she began mentoring me. Dr. Stephanie taught me how to run a healing business and began referring clients to get their sexual and relationship compatibility astrology sessions done.
I spent the first year of the pandemic building up my client list, officially registering Santos & The Crystal Visions, LLC, on December 21st, 2020 at 11:33am in Los Angeles. I chose this date and time as it was the exact conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, also known as The Grand Conjunction or The Transit of The King. When I started out, my readings were only $50 an hour, and I would offer free readings on Facebook live as a way of attracting business.
The last year has been filled with incredible expansion in my business. All of the work I was doing between human sexuality and plant medicine has lead to me partnering with my favorite collaborators and best friends: sex scholar Nadège from Pleasure Science and behavioral therapist and breathwork instructor Lisa Reider of Genius Loci. Together, the three of us have partnered to offer events around sex, love, relationships, and intimacy under what Nadège has coined “The Erotic Wellness Series.” We’ve done events such as The Erotic Rose Rebirth – a workshop around sex and boundaries, as well as The Erotic Cosmos, exemplifying the connection between human sexuality, psychology, and astrology.
One of our fellow collaborators (and host of the podcast Sluts & Scholars) who we do events with Nicoletta Heideggar eventually introduced me to Leya Tannit of Pineapple Support. Pineapple Support provides mental health services to members of the adult entertainment industry. I became a mental health advocate working with the men, women, and people in the industry, helping others chase away some of the same demons I’ve faced myself. My work with this organization includes advocacy for suicide prevention and awareness as well as spiritual counseling and life coaching.
Apart from being featured with The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for my work with sound healing and BuzzFeed for my work with spiritual life coaching, I’ve been featured on a number of popular podcasts as a returning guest. First, I was featured on Dates & Mates with Damona Hoffman, the dating coach from The Drew Barrymore Show. I initially met Damona during my nine-month stint of driving Uber back in 2017 where I offered free tarot card readings to my passengers. Two years later, I started my weekly astrology newsletter and Damona featured me on her podcast! I’ve also been seen on Broke Girl Therapy with Stefanie Maegan and The Double Teamed Podcast with Cami Rodriguez + Niki Rankin. The response from these podcasts was completely unexpected, and thanks to these women, I was able to start my own TikTok page where I garnered 33k followers in the course of 4 months.
All of these guest stints inspired me to get into podcasting myself and I launched The Astro Daddy Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts in October. The show focuses on featuring different members from my spiritual community through discussions about astrology, archetypal psychology, and human sexuality. Thanks to the mentorship of Damona, Stefanie Maegan, and Cami + Niki, I’ve been able to bring the podcast to life!
In just the past month, I’ve begun my training toward master-level reiki certification with Maria Dominique Lopez. I also continue my monthly podcast feature with Krystal Kennedy from The W.I.T.C.H. Podcast and have several Ayahuasca retreats on the horizon to prepare myself for one day being able to serve the medicine. As for now, I’m simply doing my best to keep up with all the Crystal Visions.
My next ambition is to gain a greater following for my podcast Astro Daddy and to finish recording my first studio album of original music. You can hear my first single on Spotify, titled “Poppies for Edwin,” produced by LA’s finest music producer, Brad Hooks.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the greatest struggles I’ve experienced along the road has been the number of times I’ve been impersonated on the internet. For anyone reading this, please know that I will never message you offering a reading! Always confirm my identity with a voice note where I say my name, your name or user handle, and the date! I’ve been impersonated over 15 different times from the massive amounts of scam accounts that have been taking Instagram by storm. The worst part is that Instagram does nothing about it and has no system in place to stop the scammers.
The scam profiles will replicate my profile by taking screenshots of every photo and video on my profile and upload them to a new instagram account. Then they will go through my followers list and follow every single one of my followers and message them asking for money or soliciting that spirit has an important message for them that must be given (for money) immediately.
It also pains me to see clients of mine fall victim to charlatanism. The number of times I’ve had people reach out to me and say they went to a tarot reader or medium who claimed that my client had a curse on them is ridiculous. This claim is then followed by a request to buy a candle for a large sum of money (I’ve heard anywhere from $900 – $2000), and people WILL fall for it! If anyone is putting people under curses, it’s the fakers who are preying on the innocent people who are looking for answers.
Please, if you are reading this and someone is trying to up-sell you something for your own atonement or removing a curse, this is simply not true! Please reach out to myself or my reiki master teacher Maria Dominique Lopez to schedule an hour reiki session to clear any negative energy. Paying for an hour of time with a legitimate healer will be far more beneficial than spending thousands of dollars on someone saying you have a curse.
We’ve been impressed with Santos & The Crystal Visions, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Above all else, I am a professional astrologer. Santos & The Crystal Visions was founded because I believe in the wisdom of the Cosmos. I am a student of the stars: an astrologer and spiritual life coach. The heavens are my passion, helping people is my promise, and healing is the offering. No matter where you are on your journey, I am devoted to understanding your story as it relates to the karmic harmony of the soul as it dances with the universe.
Paired with astrology, I would then describe myself as an integrative healer. My work focuses on the soul and the psyche, human sexuality, and spiritual life coaching. My tools of choice include psychoanalysis through archetypal astrology, the tarot, and one-on-one counseling. I also utilize breathwork, guided meditation, reiki, and sound healing to help integrate what is unearthed in my sessions with others. The ultimate goal is to eventually lead people who have done my spiritual life coaching program in Ayahuasca and plant medicine ceremonies.
My services include astrological birth chart readings, transit readings where we compare where the planets are today versus where they were when you were born, and astrological relationship compatibility readings. I also offer weekly spiritual life coaching programs, and soon I will be beginning weekly breathwork classes. Reiki and past life regressions make frequent appearances in my spiritual life coaching program, and sound baths are a frequent offering in the Erotic Wellness Series with Nadège and Lisa. All of these services can be offered a la carte or paired with another service.
As for my spiritual life coaching program it’s titled the Shapeshifter Program #222. In this program, I educate clients through the 12 archetypes of the zodiac, teaching the basics of life. Together with the astrological birth chart, we review what stars and gifts you’ve been born under, and I help people shapeshift into whatever their soul’s destiny is in the birth chart! It’s cheaper than therapy and the sessions are timed at 90 minutes. The first 30 minutes is counseling and coaching, followed by 30 minutes of education around the astrological archetype of the week, and then a 30-minute integrative healing session with breathwork, reiki, guided meditation, aromatherapy, and sound healing.
What sets me apart from other healers is probably the variety of services that I offer and how I’ve learned to integrate them all into each other. Pair that with my quirky personality and you can be sure that you’ll never meet someone quite like Danny Santos. I’m most proud of actually creating a full-time job as a professional astrologer, healer, and spiritual life coach, as well as seeing my clients’ lives change within a matter of months!
What matters most to you? Why?
I want to be absolutely clear that everything I do in my business is of complete integrity. I might not always deliver the message that my clients want to hear, but I certainly always will deliver the truth. As for my work with Ayahuasca, I’ve been sitting in a lineage and tradition that dates to over 5000 years old, learning the ancient medicine songs with as much integrity as possible.
I believe in respecting all people and cultures, the law, and the boundaries and privacy of my clients. I (and the Santos & The Crystal Visions brand as a result) always believe in doing your best and striving to do the right thing – especially when it comes to fixing or improving from mistakes. I, like everyone, have made my fair share of mistakes, so I’m dedicated to helping others who have found their way into the darkness return back to the light.
One of the intentions closest to my heart is that I’m a big advocate for sobriety and healing addiction. Having healed an eating disorder, sex addiction, and a few other intimacy disorders, I have a special place in my heart for anyone who struggles with addiction of any sort. While my work with Ayahuasca and plant medicine may not be considered sober due to the psychoactive effect, I do intend to get certifications in addiction recovery and substance abuse.
It’s my mission to heal as many people as I possibly can in my lifetime, and I want my message and offerings to be available to anyone who needs to heal. You can help others reach enlightened states of consciousness through breathwork just the same as you can with any plant medicine. As one of my mentors used to say, “There’s 1000 ways to skin a cat.” I would never pressure anyone to do plant medicine against their will and would be sure to have anyone properly psycho-evaluated before offering plant medicine to ensure the utmost safety and care.
Pricing:
- Weekly Coaching ($125/week, 90-minute sessions)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/show/40nDFbjDnsCw3pyDXm6hxp?si=8f147ee45a1f45a0
- Instagram: @SantosCrystalVisions + @AstroDaddyPodcast
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCZckBoh_MBLBPaeWKjEQcA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/santos-and-the-crystal-visions-hollywood
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/7cpCxheiL5iwQtCi8TtLiu?si=svTXg75rTlagj9Bacp0EcA
Image Credits
(For the two images in studio 1. me holding the tarot card and 2. the spotlight). @dominantarts.design – Jonathan Morgan
