TRUTH IN THE STARS
While astrology may be debunked as a science, it still can be useful to some
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odern astrology is often said to be nothing more than daily horoscopes that anyone can relate to and blaming events on Mercury being in retrograde. The premise of Western astrology is that celestial bodies have spiritual influence over events on Earth. Astrology was born in the Babylonian empire and was used to predict seasons by observing celestial patterns. Astrology was also adopted by Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. Now that zodiac signs and horoscopes are back in trend, they’re explored and researched more than ever. Even if it’s debunkable, it doesn’t change the fact that millions of people use astrology, and there are professionals who have dedicated their lives to astrology. It can offer other-worldly explanations for chaotic occurrences and explain the unexplainable. With the sense that something else is in control comes relaxation for stressors in life. Despite being not being considered a science, there are nearly 70 million Americans who read horoscopes daily, according to Scientific American. Astrologers remind doubters that while it is seen by many to be substantial, astrology isn’t a religion or system of beliefs — you don’t have to believe in celestial bodies for astrology to exist. Astrology has also been undervalued due to the fact that it’s seen as a pseudoscience, but despite once being regarded as one, astrology isn’t a science and doesn’t need to fit into scientific methodology to be valued. Some may deem astrology a hoax because we have a heightened awareness of scientific findings, unlike ancient civilizations that practiced astrology before us, but it’s something undefined by science — as are many things that still exist
despite having no scientific backing. Information presented in apps like Co-Star and posts linking scenarios like coffee orders to a sign isn’t information that should be taken literally. The issue many people have with astrology is the fact that they’ve dumbed it down without doing research or giving it a chance. If you take it for nothing more than how it’s presented in media, the information is clearly going to depend on your perceptions. The only way to understand is to study natal charts and research how placements manifest themselves in physical life. This requires patience, willingness and excitement to learn, traits the casual astrologer usually lacks. Astrology also catches criticism for use of zodiac signs, and is often over generalized by the traits of these signs in pop culture. Many find the zodiac to be hard to trust due to the vagueness and general explanation of traits that could apply to nearly everyone. Again, to understand zodiacs, one must look to their chart and analyze each house to determine the effect of celestial placements on personality. Even if astrology is debunkable, it’s valuable. By looking into the stars for answers, you distance yourself from the present and elements of life that may be causing stress. The idea that everything is under control and can be calming and uniting in dark times, and remind us that this too shall pass and is under control. If all of astrology was proven fake and its only good quality was unity and connection that comes from astrological research, I still would believe it worthy of people’s time. p
GEM
health & sports editor
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KATIE HOLLAND
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