Photo: Rickie Rizza
If I got half a dime every time someone asked my astrological sign, I’d be writing this blog out of a castle in Cyprus. Somehow, ownership of luxury property on a Greek island sounds more probable to me than the stars affecting mine – or anyone else’s – temperament and destiny. But, the world loves astrology and, despite its rejection by the scientific community as a pseudoscience and superstition, you’ll have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t indulge in it every once in a while. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, even politicians identify themselves as Virgos, Cancers, Capricorns. People around the world wake up every morning to eagerly consume their daily horoscopes from the back of a newspaper, on the radio, delivered straight to their email. Some read it just for fun; others’ daily plans are hinged upon the predictions. With the world frantically trying to decide whether Aries is really compatible with Taurus, I found myself thinking:
What is it about astrology that evokes such fascination?
Astrology is an ancient system which attempts to understand human personality and interactions based on the relative locations of the celestial bodies. It claims to explain the past, the present and even predict the future by the same principle. It was called a symbolic language, an art form, a form of divination. By examining celestial patterns throughout history, astrology resembles theism – both look for a greater purpose in apparently chaotic events.
As far as the Zodiac goes, it’s a mechanism of self-identification: if you were born and know your date of birth at least approximately, you are instantly given a sign which you display proudly for life – sort of like that gold star you got in preschool. My sister says that talking about birthdays – and by extension astrology – helps her bond with other people. It’s sort of like a universally-accepted religion that everyone knows and understands.
Astrology: a modern-day religion?
It sure feels like it sometimes. Last week I was in a line to get a muffin with two fairly intelligent 20-something women in front of me. One was ruminating on the wonderful relationships she seems to have with the Pisces, while swearing off the Sagittariuses for being ‘heartless, avoidant jerks’ (I couldn’t help but feel a little offended for all my December-born friends). I don’t know about Cyprus, but in New York City it is not a socially acceptable behavior to tell a stranger to stop being a whiny Libra and try judging people on merit, not an astrological sign. It’s like telling a Muslim to lose the burka and go find Jesus – you just don’t do it! So I fulfilled my civilian duty by fuming silently, and eventually accepting the fact that to some people, being a Leo means something, god damn it!
Is it too narrow-minded of me to refuse to be pinpointed into a category based on my date of birth? I was born in the month of June, which makes me a Gemini. I prefer to think of myself as a human with an array of merits and shortcomings, but astrologists insist that I am a “communicative, witty person who can be inconsistent at times and have trouble making decisions”. Most of these are too vague to qualify as personal characteristics (who hasn’t been witty, chatty, changed their mind and had a hard time making a decision every once in a while?). But, insofar as my defining traits go, I wouldn’t use any of the above with a possible exception of wit – however intermittent.
After reading about other signs, I was flabbergasted to uncover that I had behaved in a very Virgo-esque fashion on Monday, pulled an Aquarius on Tuesday, and was a total Capricorn on Wednesday! James Randi, a famous skeptic, proves that horoscopes don’t really work in this simple experiment:
Are horoscopes self-fulfilling prophecies?
By buying into horoscopes wholeheartedly, we allow them to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. This can be a good thing if it’s the neatness of the Virgo, determination of the Scorpio, and compassion of the Cancer. But there is no reason to use it as an excuse for your laziness (Leo), mistake lack of discipline for indecisiveness (Libra) and explain a full-blown case of ADD by being your ole’ fickle Gemini self (haha).
When all is said and done, astrology is nothing but a harmless pastime to most, a form of entertainment. People who regard it as a reliable source of information are far in between. As long as my dentist doesn’t base his decision about my root canal on a copy of Esoteric Astrology, I think I’ll be ok. And if he tries to bond with me over us both being Geminis, I’ll just pretend the Cyprus deal is on.
Bitch-slap of irony: I asked my astrology-illiterate husband to name one common trait amongst all the Geminis he knows. His reply was, “They are all sort of mercurial” – which, of course, happens to be the defining characteristic of the sign. Either he’s been reading up on that Esoteric Astrology at the dentist’s, or there is something to that stuff, after all.
Totally unscientific, purposeless poll:
Loading ...Deerlings: do you believe in astrology?
You didnt mention Taurus! Now I feel left out :(
I agree with you on horoscopes are just general statments that could apply to anyone.
However, there are some things that I read in my horoscope that do just seem to fit. Such as one poster I read about Taurus’s special erogonus zone, which is the neck (which I agree with…alot)
And the stuff about Taurus’s being hard headed and not wanting to change their ways? Well, thats partially true, because I am strong headed, but so is my Mom, who is a Scorpio.
So who knows?!
I knew there was a sign I’d left out! Let me fix that ;)
People are desperate for something to relate to. Horoscopes give them something to grasp, something to paint themselves part of a larger picture. Answers about themselves where there were none prior. People look for hope and information where they can get it, and while horoscopes can be very vague, simple descriptions of common personality traits rather than inherent ones…
…sometimes it’s just nice reading them and thinking to yourself, hmm. That makes sense. I understand now.
Hooray for Doe! I really love your blog. This was especially good.
I don’t believe in horoscopes at all. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun to read sometimes. I even have a big, thick horoscope book that I like to look through sometimes. It’s more of an entertainment thing for me. ^_^
I think it can be dangerous to get too involved in it, though. Like I get really angry when I hear astrologers giving medical or emotional advice to people who might really be in a pickle and require a true professional’s opinion.
I remember being about ten and reading my horoscope in the paper- It said something along the lines of “New business propositions will go well for you today.” Since my ‘business’ at that age was stealing my sisters nice makeup and getting out of doing my homework- I’ve been a skeptic ever since. Horoscopes are so general they really match a lot of people’s character traits. I am an Aquarius but if I read a Libra, Leo, Tarus etc horoscope it sounds pretty close too. :)
I know a good bit about astrology.. but I wouldn’t say I “believe” in it. Well I do but I don’t go nuts when I read something that hits the nail on the head so perfectly!!! I know that many of the horoscopes could fit anyone, kind of like fortune cookies.. but I do have to say that I do identify with the traits of my moon sign, star sign, and rising sign.. I think there is something to it.. for example.. my bf was born very premature, which made him a Scorpio, which is much different than the sign he would have been, and he is most DEFINITELY a Scorpio, through and through. So I guess I do believe in it to an extent, but I don’t think it is black and white, I don’t think it can completely define a person of course. Ok I will stop rambling now! I don’t even want to get started on the metaphysical subjects!
Hmmm Well everyone has there Opinion’s and well…I’m a Scorpio that is true as I don’t need a book to tell me or the star’s it show’s often I’am approached by people (Women mostely) who simply sk you’re a Scorpio aren’t you? And I happily reply I’am proud of my sign but I don’t let it Define me. I’am Me but unlike most I read my
horoscope at the end of my day instead and find it to be usually 98% accurate
but I’m a Borderline Zodiac so i have a bit of Saggi too and well there is a book out there and it compare’s ever zodiac to one another in Diffrient aspect’s Like Scorpio(Male’s) and Cancer (Female’s) as it is my current relation ship I consulted the book after being involved for 4 month’s with this person (I’ve know her for 9yrs) and the Accuracy of not just mine but her personality’s and our relationship as Very True. and when compared to my past relationship’s Wish I had this book year’s ago could have saved me alot heart ache but when one the Search fo my One true love I do find that most women I been attracted to were infact Cancer’s(A Scorpio’s best Match) so believe it or not that are some truth’s behind or maybe the skeptical one’s are not sure how the interpit themselve’s and there for misunderstand. that I don’t know or Claim to know it just a thought.
hmm. i don’t believe in the horoscopes and such, and i don’t hang off of every word in astrology, but i do find astrology interesting. it’s like a match-up game, trying to figure out whether certain traits are true or not in the people i know :P i myself am a gemini :) and certain common traits described in most astrological texts do exist in me :P
I’m definitely skeptical even though a lot of people would say I’m a typical Scorpio (which I am), I think a LOT of it is self-fulfilled prophesy. That’s not to say that I find the subject of astrology to be very interesting.
I guess a weekly horoscope gives people direction and also an excuse – it’s not their fault something has gone wrong, it was written in the stars!
I do not believe in horoscopes as a form of divination and only see them as entertainment. It’s fun to compare horoscopes and look up the predictions of friends and family.
I must admit though, I have extreme Gemini pride! =)
Great article, Doe!
I believe the secret to horoscopes (along with personality-type testing and other such self-identifiers) can be explained by a thing called the Forer effect (apologies if that is what the video was talking about, as I coudn’t watch it at work…)
There’s a wiki article about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forer_effect
(actually, there’s a link to the list of cognitive biases on that page which is definitely worth checking out too)
Hey!
I’ve had charts done before and they were alarmingly accurate with the predictions, then I read ones in mags and papers just for the fun of it but when finding astrobarry.com I got way more obsessed because he is so good I sometimes think he has snuck into my brain and seen all my secrets!
Oh and of course Mercury retrograde is always ruining my life! hehe
xLOULOU
http://sailorette.wordpress.com
Well, let’s see I can say that I’ve read articles both saying there may be some merit to horoscopes and some that say they are bogus. I will also add that your sun sign is only a small tiny part of your horoscope!
Most people don’t know this but there are 3 main signs that work in combination. The Moon is said to rule your personality, while the Sun rules your individuality, while the Ascendant Sun dictates our outer appearance and mannerisms. Using these three signs you are given a clearer picture.
For example I am a Scorpio (sun), Aquarius(moon), Capricorn (ascendant sun). You can find this out using sites where you plug in the exact date, time and location you were born.
BUT!!! Now they are saying that there is another sign that will throw off all the others…Ophiuchus the 13th sign of the Zodiac – also known as Serpentarius, the Serpent Holder. This of course, changes everything.
So well, long story short, it might be useful if we get it all right. We simply cannot judge solely on today’s dumbed down version of the zodiac.
I thought astrology was a bunch of mumbo-jumbo…
Until one day when I told a complete stranger (met on the train) that I was a Scorpio and my bf was a Sagitarius. This stranger was able to perfectly describe our relationship dynamic, just by knowing our signs.
Now I’m not so sure… But either way, I don’t follow astrology.
I read Linda Goodmans Sun Signs a few years back and a lot of it rang true, but I still take any astrology with a grain of salt. Which is certainly not a Pisces thing to do. Neither is my compulsive list making or leadership capability.
Horoscopes are fun, but definitely shouldn’t limit you or categorise you as a person.
As someone who worked at a new age book publisher for years, I had astrology drilled into me. And Kitty is right: Sun sign is only part of the picture. There’s a lot more to it than that.
Sure, it sounds like a load of mumbo-jumbo most of the time, and if people use their astrological signs to weasel out of tricky situations, well that’s just plain wrong. But astrology creates an instant connection point for strangers, and a sense of camaraderie among sun sign sharers. Even if it is bunk, can something like that be BAD?
get your chart drawn up and see if you can stay so objective when hearing all your funny little ways explained by some cosmic force! i will agree that horoscopes are absolute rubbish, one taurus can be completely different from another just based on their ascendant, moon and mercury LET ALONE the rest of the chart.. but they’re still all stubborn as hell. writing a ‘prediction’ for a whole months worth of different personalities is absurd and an exercise in futility. the only way to make this all important section of the paper hold the slightest bit of accuracy is to come up with some vague prophecy that will apply to everyone, libra or pisces. and sagitairus’ certainly are avoidant jerks, but i love them so. funnily enough, i’ve never met a gemini that takes any part of astrology in, they are far too logical perhaps?! or maybe just offended by being confronted with their fickle ways.
@britt, your mother and you are both stubborn supposedly because you’re part of the fixed signs catagory: taurus, leo, scorpio and aquarius. they signs are all very fixed in their way, and will argue black is white til death.
Um, scientifically, astrology makes absolutely no sense. Not even a little. People like to find “proof” for observations and unfounded beliefs, but in reality, there has NEVER been a time when astrology described anything in my life that couldn’t be described in different terms by a different sign combination.
Hi there! I just discovered your blog and am loving it!
Some of the other comments mentioned that along with your Sun sign, your Moon sign and Ascendant will give you a much more well-rounded picture. Cate Astrology will give you a very thorough chart. Mine was freakishly accurate – I looked at many of the other descriptions and simply couldn’t relate to them at all. Whether you believe it or not, charting is at least a fun way to waste some time and perhaps – even if the descriptions could potentially apply to everyone – help you be more conscious in areas you can improve upon and to know your strengths. As for horoscopes, sometimes they describe my day and month (down to the very date!) perfectly, other times it’s completely off. On Tarot.com the readings aren’t so much about the future, but are rather more like little lessons for the day.
In a peculiar way…i do believe and i dont :P I have had my birthday chart analyzed and as i thought it was very very accurate! I do think that the position of the stars is setting a path for our personality but the most serious of the astrologist will tell you that everyday “predictions” are only the “will” if the stars on that day…someone can take advantage of them of completely ignore them and it will make difference. Its so subtle as to when you want to have a serious talk with,lets say your boyfriend, and you dont go and do it on the day that he lost his job and had a fight with his family…So I see predictions as clues to how other people might be feeling today and also how “open” I am. In addition to some basic knowledge of body language and a medium level of EQ you can be sure about the results! ;)
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