The truth about horoscopes

Horoscopes.

What truly are horoscopes? Why are people grasping to the idea of believing in horoscopes?

Many controversies lie within this belief in horoscopes. Some believe the little messages and hints can lead to us knowing ourselves better, and others who believe this idea to be filled with bogus principles and a combination of blunders and exaggerated tellings. 

Horoscope, in astrology, is a chart of the heavens, showing the relative positions of the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and the ascendant and midheaven signs of the zodiac at a specific moment in time. Normally, horoscopes are used from the beginning of a child’s birth with regard to analyzing one’s temperament. With casting a horoscope, the heavens are divided by 12 intersections. With these houses (the 12 different divisions), they are  categorized by areas of human life. Whichever planet falls within these houses is said to supposedly play an influence on members sorted within these categories.

Each of these houses is then set under the ruling power of one of the twelve zodiac signs which include the following: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Each sign is sorted into one of the twelve houses. As much as the houses, future readings, and analysis on zodiac signs may seem intriguing to the human mind, we must not fully allow our trust to grasp onto this principle. This may be challenging as much of society has grown to the habit of finding reason through astrology. With reading the daily horoscopes, around 70 million Americans read their horoscopes each day. As of November 10, 2022, the total population of the United States of America is 335,565,130. For 70 million Americans to be of familiarity with their horoscopes is quite a majority. With those 70 million Americans, a study in 2012 found that 34% of Americans had considered astrology to be “very” or “sort of scientific.” The research had also discovered a decrease in the amount of people who had thought of astrology as being “not at all scientific.”

The intriguing aspect of this belief is the fact that there is no scientific research to back up these ideas. Although astrology may seem scientific as they use star charts and scientific knowledge on planets and other stars in the galaxy (which are characterized each into one of the 12 houses), several scientists believe that astrology, though very alluring to the human mind, lacks scientific basis. It is also stated how astrology was “never intended to be a science.”

Dr. Megan Dubee (Math Department Chair and math teacher) recounted her knowledge on horoscopes and said, “I would refer you to the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2216 which says, “All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and resource to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.”

“Sometimes we participate in activities that we think are just for fun and don’t realize there is supernatural power involved,” said Dr. Dubee.

In a statistical study done in 2022, 31% of Christians believed in astrology, or the placement of stars and planets having an impact on their lives. Among the other religions surveyed, Christians had the highest percentage. Another worthy point in this statistic is the how the younger population seems to have a higher percentage (29%) of astrology believers than would the older population.

From the knowledge I obtained of astrology through researching this article, it is a very fascinating topic to overview. From daily horoscope readings to future readings regarding zodiac signs, these can all draw in a larger audience. Though, as seen with 70 million Americans who read their horoscopes daily, these readings really have no affect on our lives. It may be the fact how many people may read their horoscope and try to instill this prediction into their lives.

Sometimes when you read something, you try to force it onto yourself for it to happen. With no scientific knowledge to prove this belief, much of what horoscopes predict may have nothing to do with how others lives. From predicting the future to showing an analysis on personalities of different zodiac signs, these are mere statements that may include a portion of people with the same zodiac signs but may not necessarily mean the majority fit into these categories.