As the access to information about astrology is becoming more and more readily available, more and more young people are becoming more and more inclined to learn about it. Ancient Astrology and Astronomy was first recorded during the vedic period and is rooted in history and it’s not just magazine articles anymore. It is gaining more respect, as a practise, because of the stigmatisation and education surrounding it.
The concept of manifestation, positive energy and the universe is no new concept, but has been brought to the forefront of modern culture mindsets, because more young people are committing the time to educate themselves about it and getting onboard with that being a lifestyle for themselves.
Just like with a study of anything, astrology goes deeper than simply outlining what someone’s star sign is, and avid believers read into the intricacies of astrology and has become a popular subject of interest.
What is astrology?
Astrology is the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies and distant cosmic objects and the impacts they have on human lives. The positions of the sun and the stars and the moon is said to be able to shape someone’s personality, romantic relationships and what they should do to receive certain things in their lives. There are many sceptics, but the notion that the universe revolves around energy is what attracts so many people to it.
The most common way that the everyday person interacts with astrology is through knowing what their star sign is. As star sign refers to the twelve zodiac constellations. This is announced based on the time you were born and where the positioning of the sun, stars and moon were at the time. This is predominantly based on Eastern astrology, but has become more prominent in the west and teachings in western history.
What are the star signs?
One of the main reasons that gensenials are tapping more into astrology is the commonality of star signs and what they can say about a person. Each star sign has supposed traits about them that align with the personality of the person who bears that particular sign. The star signs are based on certain constellations at certain times and often bear resemblance to the symbols that represent the star sign itself. For example, the constellation representing Taurus bears the resemblance of a bull.
The twelve star signs of the zodiac are:
♈ Aries (Ram): March 21–April 19
♉ Taurus (Bull): April 20–May 20
♊ Gemini (Twins): May 21–June 21
♋ Cancer (Crab): June 22–July 22
♌ Leo (Lion): July 23–August 22
♍ Virgo (Virgin): August 23–September 22
♎ Libra (Balance): September 23–October 23
♏ Scorpius (Scorpion): October 24–November 21
♐ Sagittarius (Archer): November 22–December 21
♑ Capricornus (Goat): December 22–January 19
♒ Aquarius (Water Bearer): January 20–February 18
♓ Pisces (Fish): February 19–March 20
These star signs are often a starting point for young people who have shown an interest in astrology and use these as a basis to guide their life throughout the year. This is a basic insight into what interests people in this study.
Crystal Crazy
Astrology is a study known as pseudoscience as it is not based on the typicality of scientific methods, but there are certain tools that are used to facilitate these beliefs. The use of crystals to manifest and encourage different types of energy are often used within astrology.
During the pandemic, the levels of anxiety amongst young people has been on the rise so many of them are turning to a different type of healing and therapy for themselves which has often sat within the realms of astrology. Metaphysical healing and energy based belief systems, just as with astrology, are bringing comfort to people in a time of uncertainty, even if not based in traditional science which is partly why astrology has become so popular amongst gen z and millennials. Astrology is no longer paired with being thought of as complete rubbish, well at least much less than it used to be.
The demand for crystals has risen and Miranda Lehman, a geologist at the Colorado School of Mines, has noticed that there is now a new sub group of people in their 20s and 30s who are buying crystals online. This is reflective of the ways in which genzenials are changing and becoming more aligned with the theories behind astrology and with more holistic ways of healing.
The crystals are used as a way to connect with different types of chakras or inner energy and by using the crystals from the earth they are believed to aid healing.
Astrology in Technology
Although astrology is rooted deeply in ancient beliefs, the key to understanding it has become seemingly more futuristic. From being able to check daily horoscopes on your smartwatch and smart accessories to using apps to see when would be the best time for them to make an important decision or what time to go to bed based on astrology, young people have weaved astrology into their everyday habits. Soon, with the technology of smart glasses
Statistics have shown that in the United States alone, user spending on astrology apps has more than tripled over the past few years, highlighting the increasing demand and interest in astrology.
(Image Source: Statista, User Spending in the top earning astrology in the United States from 2016 to 2019)
Apps such as Co-Star and Time Nomad are popular choices for young astrology followers and are an easy fireway to check in on star alignment and what that means. This accessibility means that the scope for young people to get more informed on the subject has most certainly increased. With the social side of astrology influencing how people make their decisions and when to manifest certain things, the use of these apps make the practise of astrology even more accessible. The way that astrology has developed within this space is an interesting indication as to how belief systems can influence the way a generation thinks and how the needs of an external society can be a catalyst for this.
This is such an interesting post! I am one of those who love astrology and my friends and myself have found it to help, as you said, ease our anxiety during the pandemic and find another way of interacting with each other through the incredible memes made out of astrology :') I'm interested to know do you follow along with it or are you more skeptical on the subject like my family are?