From horoscope memes to thousands of personal life predictions on social media platforms including TikTok, astrology has taken over internet culture.
If people were willing to go beyond the basic knowledge and understand the complexities of the highly intricate study, there would be far less social defamation of what’s been used as a celestial guidance tool in many cultures for centuries.
According to Merriam-Webster, astrology is the supposed influence of stars and planets, based on their positions on human affairs and terrestrial events.
Your natal chart, also called a birth chart, is a snapshot of the galaxy at the moment of your birth, according to Astrostyle.com, a horoscope website used to analyze your identity.
A birth chart is metaphorically similar to a clock, charts are divided into twelve parts known as “houses” that represent specific areas of life such as communication, self-expression, and pleasure.
Your unique astrological combination on a birth chart can tell you a more personalized overall horoscope.
Your sun sign rules your personality and is determined by your birthdate, while your moon sign rules your inner self and is determined by the location of your birth coordinates.
Finally, your rising sign, also referred to as ascendent, rules your perception or mask to the world and is determined by time of birth.
According to a Dec. 2020 Insider article, the astrology industry was already on the rise but interest has increased with the uncertainty caused by the pandemic which has led individuals to seek stability and personal guidance.
Believing in astrology does not imply you should rely only on daily horoscope predictions or using them as an ultimate deciding factor in every life decision.
I grew up around the concept of astrology with shows such as “12 Corazones,” a dating show based on astrological compatibility and world famous astrological TV personalities including Walter Mercado.
Simultaneously, growing up Catholic I was warned about the “dangers” of astrology.
Astrology is mentioned in ancient scriptures including the Bible and can be traced back more than 5,000 years to ancient Babylon, according to an Oct. 2018 Ancient Origins article.
The Babylonians created the framework for the modern day Western astrology that’s widely popularized today.
Babylonian magi were famous for their ability to read the skies.
“Magi” most accurately translates to “astrologer,” from the Greek word ‘mago.’ The word was inaccurately translated to “wise men” which discredits the usage of astrology even within the birth of Christianity with the three wise men and the star of Bethlehem.
The magi kept records, calculated the movements of the planets, and divided the stars into zodiac constellations according to StarofBethlehem.com.
The relevance of astrology has been prominent and famously referenced in famous literature including Romeo and Juliet, “two star-crossed lovers,” (probably a Taurus and Aries, been there) and even recent works such as “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green.
People utilize astrology, not only for guidance and reassurance, but for the comforting aspect that we as individuals have a larger, more purposeful divine connection with the universe through the stars.
According to data from app economy blog SensorData, astrology-based apps increased in revenue 64% in 2019, up nearly $40 million.
The astrology industry as a whole is worth $2.2 billion, according to a Dec. 2020 Insider article.
Accessibility to astrology apps has also enticed a new wave of amateur astrologers. The social media app Snapchat has even adapted a new, moderately in-depth astrology feature for its users.
Living in such a capitalistic society, it’s no surprise that astrology’s original intentions as a meaningful self-discovery tool have been severely manipulated into a marketing tool.
The most common argument against horoscopes is that readings are “too generic” to be perceived as accurate.
However, astrology requires more than knowing your sun sign to fully understand this complex subject.
Though the mainstream virtue of astrology can be overwhelming at times, it shouldn’t discredit its ancient relevancy or those who choose astrology as a method to better understand themselves and make sense of the world.
If astrology isn't real, then why are Taurus sun signs the best people ever?
