Horoscopes, just like tarot readings and everything else witchy, have historically been considered nonsensical due to its largely feminine following and nontraditional religious overtones. Often labeled under the umbrella of occult practices, horoscopes tend to be taboo.
Many consider horoscopes to be an early form of therapy. Just like palm readings and tarot card readings, you’re not seeing someone to talk about your feelings; you’re seeing someone to figure out why you’re feeling what you are. It’s a way to study what’s going on in your own head.
Why are horoscopes so often dismissed? Why are people so quick to call it crazy? To me, it’s a form of sexism. In modernity, horoscopes are often seen as girl-oriented, and they’re not taken seriously.
Women have historically been seen as irrational and silly for their beliefs, yet traditional religion is held in such high regard. How is attending church any weirder than getting your horoscope read? In short, religion is part of the establishment that burned women for reading horoscopes.
I love looking at my horoscopes. It’s not something that I allow to dictate my actions, but it’s something that makes me stop and think. It’s a way to examine an often unexamined life — a way to think about the past, present and future.
Today, for instance, my horoscope was, “A friend could be depressed and need your advice, Virgo,” according to horoscopes.com. I instantly thought of someone and called them. I don’t think my horoscope magically knew I had a friend in need of comfort, but at least it made me consider those around me who might.
Tomorrow, my horoscope says I will come into an understanding in an argument I am having with my romantic partner. Reading this makes me assess the arguments I have participated in and consider compromises.
Horoscopes are a reminder that some things in my life are out of my control. For me, that knowledge calms the ever-present anxiety that looms constantly. It means not everything is my fault, and it’s not my job to fix everything.
Horoscopes are much more complicated than most people realize. The signs that most people consider their horoscopes are sun signs. The horoscope reading comes from patterns in astronomy and astrology. Emotions are attributed to individual planets, stars and the patterns they take. The planetary alignment is put into the context of the attribution, and eventually, it becomes your horoscope.
Most horoscope readings offer insight into your past, present, future, love life, career, health and finances, among other things. It’s crazy to think that the same things that heat the Earth, create tides and keep us suspended in space could also affect our moods.
Horoscopes need to get the respect they deserve. It’s an ancient tradition that has permeated many cultures and an occult practice that lets people better themselves, and it is worthy of recognition.
Maggy McDonel 