Astrology has existed for centuries, in Ancient Egypt to Ancient China, where experts observed the cosmos to predict and anticipate the future for individuals or entire kingdoms.
In modern astrology, until the late 2000s, astrology was reduced to a column in a women’s health magazine to give guidance or advice on how different types of personality would experience their upcoming day or week. That’s until the rise of mobile technology and the internet – which allowed Millennials and Gen Zs to engage in astrology. It’s now common to find a Facebook page or Instagram profile dedicated to posting what would commonly be known as ‘astrological sign stereotypes’.
Astrology is often a meme, and it’s growing in much the same way that memes do: it’s flowering and unfurling. People would laugh about Mercury retrograde on social media, where astrologers and astrology-meme machines acquire tens or hundreds of thousands of followers, and define “the signs as…” absolutely anything: cat breeds, Oscar Wilde lines, Stranger Things characters, and different varieties of French fries.
However, Millennials are more prone to believing and adapting astrological predictions pertaining to their daily routines, relationships, and which astrological sign to avoid for the day. Although most millennials are less religious than previous generations, 60% believe in New Age spirituality. Several studies show that more and more people are showing interest in astrology. These are the findings of researchers in regards to the boom in interest in astrology.
Stress and Uncertainty About The Future
According to Stephen D. Benning, a psychologist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, “having a technique of making sense of what may otherwise seem chaotic and unpredictable would be intriguing.” He says that astrology would provide a sense of assurance in unpredictable times. Astrology may not give definite answers, but providing meaningful explanations of ambiguous or confusing situations can increase an individual’s sense of control over them, according to a 1998 study. It can also provide reassurance about the future, bringing people great comfort and reducing their feelings of distress.
Self Discovery
Astrology is generally viewed as restricting, and yet many people are drawn to it because it can help them attain more insight about themselves and explain difficult-to-articulate ideas. It’s likely that people research astrology in order to have a better understanding of themselves and increase their self-awareness. Astrology has been shown in studies to significantly impact and even validate a person’s self-concept, as well as improve their confidence in their unique characteristics.
Exposure
Naturally, astrology’s current popularity can be traced to its prominence in popular culture. Even celebrities endorse their own beliefs in astrology publicly. Lady Gaga famously planned her 2012 tour dates with professional astrologers, as she wanted the stars to be aligned at the beginning of her tour. Furthermore, reading and sharing knowledge on astrology may help to develop communities around it, which may encourage even more individuals to get engaged.
With astrology having a more prominent presence in pop culture, it’s okay to read about what your day would be like, according to your signs. However, don’t dedicate too much of your life to it. You are your own person, the astrological readings are just a guide to how to start your day.
