We could never deny that there’s a whole universe out there that is still undiscovered. We could never assume that something does not exist just because we don’t see it with our naked eyes. It doesn’t mean that you have to see something in order to believe in it.
Astrology has been here since the beginning of time and just like any other belief, there are people who live and die for it. And just like any other belief, people seem to hang on to it because they want to feel connected to the cosmos one way or another. Who doesn’t want to feel connected?
Let’s not judge the man who wakes up every single day and reads his horoscope with a cup of coffee before going to work. Let’s not judge the woman who double-checks if the man she started seeing is from a compatible sign before she goes any deeper.
Let’s not judge the person who would never apply for their dream job just because their daily horoscope says not to take any chances today. Let’s not judge that person who reads astrologists’ predictions just to see if these diseases are going to end any time soon.
So what do these people have in common, and really, why do people believe in astrology?
1- The Need To Believe in Something Bigger
Our pressing need to feel part of something bigger than us surpasses any other feeling in the world. We tend to seek this powerful entity especially in times of chaos. And today’s world is definitely a chaotic one and we all need an external source that would reassure us that everything is going to be okay.
We all need an external factor to blame in case something goes wrong. We all need to believe that something “needed” to happen just because it’s “written in the stars”. We all desperately need to believe that something was “meant” to happen and that there are no coincidental events in this universe.
It’s easier to believe that something specific didn’t go our way because it wasn’t “meant to be” and that “it’s not for us”.
2- To Process Our Feelings Of Loss
Nothing in the world can be more difficult than processing our feelings of loss. Are you seriously going to blame a mother who just lost her son for believing in an external powerful entity?
It’s her way of dealing with this loss; it’s the way she’s processing her feelings. She needs to believe that it was “written in the stars”; she needs to believe that there’s nothing in the world she could have done to stop this tragic event. She needs to know that it’s not her fault and that no matter what she did, he would still be gone because the “universe” wants it this way.
Another example is when someone gets involved in a car accident and ends up losing a limb. It’s easier to believe that the Universe took this limb in exchange for their life back. It’s easier to process this physical loss if they believe that it saved their life.
3- To Justify Our Thoughts And Actions
It’s easier for Tiffany to say that she didn’t apply for that job because the stars are telling her to not take risks today, rather than admitting that she’s scared of failure. It’s easier for Rachel to say that her boyfriend dumped her because he’s a Scorpio, and Scorpios could never be predicted and they are the meanest!
It’s easier for her to say that Scorpio men are the most manipulative than face her feelings of rejection. Just as it’s easy for an Aries to say that they cheated in a relationship because their zodiac sign is ruled by planet Mars. It’s their way to justify their act of cheating; it’s their way to shift the blame on something bigger.
4- To Better Understand Personality Traits
Sometimes, people seek knowledge and wisdom from Astrology to better understand their traits. People actively search for an explanation for mysterious parts about themselves.
For instance, a Cancer girl who keeps giving people chances to screw her over and over again blames her zodiac sign for being too forgiving and too empathetic. She would say “I’m a Cancer, I can’t help but put myself in their shoes and know where this hurt is coming from”.
Another example is a Gemini guy who wants to understand his everlasting mood swings. Geminis have two faces and the two can switch in a heartbeat. It’s easier for this Gemini guy to blame his mood swings on his zodiac sign than to admit it’s a personality trait.
5- To Reassure Us When Making Big Decision
Who doesn’t need assurance from the divine Universe when making a huge decision? We need Astrology to guide us and tell us that we are on the right path. We need a divine powerful force to tell us “you’re doing the right thing”.
For instance, Mariah has been going out with this wonderful guy for the past two years, and her friends have been telling her that he will propose soon. Mariah gets excited at first but then when she’s left alone with her thoughts, she has cold feet.
She starts wondering “am I doing the right thing? Is this the right guy for me? Should I say yes? Would I be dodging a bullet if I run to another country? How do I know if I’m making the right decision? Is there something bad about him that I don’t know about? Do my friends even know this guy well enough to tell me to go for it?”
To solve this, Mariah seeks to find answers in the stars. She needs external power to guide her through this life-altering decision.