By: Phoebe Piserchio; Staff Writer

The zodiac consists of twelve signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Being a significant part of astrology, they have been around for thousands of years. You have a sun, moon, and rising sign. Your sun, determined by your birthday, is your “main” personality. Your moon, determined by the place you were born, has to do with your emotions. Your rising, determined by what time you were born, is related to your outer appearance. Your three signs are not limited to any combinations- you can have the same three, different ones for each, and so forth. Each sign corresponds to a whole list of elements that “describe” you as a person, tell you what other signs you are compatible with, your strengths, weaknesses, and overall different qualities about yourself.

However, if astrology has been around for so long, why is it “trending” now? If you’ve been on social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest, you might have seen pictures or videos that have quotes along the lines of, “Your style based on your zodiac sign…”, or “What celebrity you would be friends with based on your zodiac sign…” It is videos like these that contribute to the influence astrology has on people. Even Spotify has released playlists for every zodiac sign that they change every month to reflect your horoscope. Since this surge in popularity, zodiac signs have been something many people rely or depend on. Whether due to a search for self-discovery, simply looking for what your “aesthetic” should be, or who you should be friends with based on one’s sign, society – specifically young teenagers on the media – have looked at zodiac signs for guidance and inspiration.

There have been many studies that show a large percentage of young adults believe in astrology, while older generations believe in it less. In 2014, the National Science Foundation in America found that the skepticism around it has been decreasing. I myself am a “clever, indecisive, ambitious, and impulsive Gemini”. A flaw commonly identified with my sign is “two-faced”. Every single sign has admirable traits, while also having faulty ones. The downside of this is that people may look at zodiac signs as someone’s whole entire personality; this can create many stereotypical qualities that impact the way a person sees themselves or others. 

But there are, of course, many times where descriptions may be entirely accurate. The question is: what makes them so popular? As I mentioned before, talking about how you are associated with your sign has been perceived all throughout pop culture. Perhaps people enjoy these videos because they like to see what “style” they are based on the fact that they’re a Taurus, or what fictional universe they would be in based on the fact that they’re a Scorpio. Maybe people genuinely want to know what ways their zodiac sign defines them and are trying to figure themselves out. 

Overall, it is reasonable to say it could be due to people’s rising obsession with self-care and wellness. For whatever reason, astrology can give people a better understanding of who they are. It can encourage personal reflection, as well as increase awareness and understanding of not only you, but your environment.

I, myself, enjoy seeing videos about my horoscope and I find it entertaining to discover what fictional character I am based on being a Gemini. I also like learning about my sun, moon, and rising signs – what they mean and how I’m associated with them. Personally, I think the truth behind it is not entirely real but whether or not you believe in it is entirely up to you. If you’re new to astrology, a good app to look at is Time Passages, where you can find out what your signs are and their significance. That being said, it’s important to recognize everyone has a different opinion on this topic and it’s very interesting to see people’s alternate views on it. 

The beauty of astrology is that the interpretations behind it can be whatever you want them to be; real or unreal, spiritual or logical, the connection you have with it is up to you. It can create a pathway for people trying to make sense of the world and themselves. Although we will never know how many people do and do not believe in it, it may be time to fully review the disadvantages and benefits of mental health and well-being that comes from engaging in zodiac signs.