Is It Wrong To Build An Identity Based On Astrology?

Astrology is a pseudoscience that exploits people’s tendency to buy into generic descriptions of themselves. It can be a fun way to discover more about oneself and make connections to the natural world, but it may have negative consequences. Astrological stereotypes can have negative consequences, as they can lead to ignoring traumas and avoiding the work needed to work through them.

Charles Taylor’s distinction between models of self as “porous” and “buffered” is used to identify trends of thought among horoscopic astrologers. Senior Lauren Hayes, an Aquarius, describes how astrology has strengthened her self-identity. However, simplified narratives about what astrology represents have created gaps between the perception and actual practice of this art.

Astrology is an ancient art that links planetary movement on the zodiac to the course of human affairs and the development of the natural world. However, it can also be a bad sign, as a sign which portends evil in the sky is also evil on earth. This appropriation into a rigid binary classification of good and bad angel contributed to modernist Cartesian thinking.

In conclusion, astrology can be a fun way to discover more about oneself and make connections to the natural world, but it can also have negative consequences. It is important to be cautious and honest about weaknesses and bad luck in the chart to be potentially compassionate.

How to identify a fake astrologer?

In astrology, it is crucial to choose an astrologer who follows ethical practices and doesn’t exploit vulnerabilities. Trustworthy astrologers focus on providing guidance rather than instilling fear. Reviews and testimonials from others who have consulted the same astrologer can provide valuable information about the astrologer’s reliability and accuracy. Many reputable astrologers offer trial sessions or consultations at a lower cost, allowing individuals to experience their approach firsthand without a significant financial commitment. The upcoming Astro event “The Open Mind Astro Summit 2023” organized by The Times of India will provide more insight into how astrology helps us grow in life and how to use its magic in our favor.

Does astrology really affect personality?

Astrology can provide insights into a person’s personality, but there is a lack of scientific support for this. Professional astrologers have found that matching a person’s birth chart with information about their actual personality is no more accurate than chance. Despite this, some studies suggest that a person’s belief in astrology might influence how they describe their own personality through a self-stereotyping process.

In a study with 422 people, participants indicated how well 96 traits (8 for each sun sign) derived from astrological literature applied to them. Astrologically knowledgeable participants were found to be more likely to apply the relevant traits to themselves than those without such knowledge.

Other research has tested claims that people born under sun signs considered “positive” are more extraverted than those born under “negative” signs. In astrology, odd-numbered signs are traditionally considered “masculine” or “positive” as they are associated with the “active” elements of fire and air, while even-numbered signs are considered “feminine” or “negative” as they are associated with the “passive” elements of water and earth. Extraverts are more outgoing and energetic than introverts, so they are supposed to have an affinity with positive birth signs.

Is it sinful to believe in astrology?

In Matthew 28:18, Jesus states that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. This contradicts biblical wisdom, as chasing after false gods is a sin. There is no biblical evidence that God has given authority to stars or astrologists. Pursuing predictions about our destiny or personality takes power from God and gives it to something other than God, which is biblically sinful. A horoscope cannot change what God has already ordained before we were even created. A study by YouGov found that 37 of Americans under 30 believe in astrology, making it crucial to provide a biblical understanding of astrology to teens.

What are negative signs in astrology?

In Western astrology, the polarity divides the zodiac in half, referring to the alignment of a sign’s energy as either positive or negative. Positive polarity signs, also known as active, yang, expressive, or masculine signs, are the six odd-numbered signs of the zodiac, making up the fire and air triplicities. Negative polarity signs, also called passive, yin, receptive, or feminine signs, are the six even-numbered signs, making up the earth and water triplicities.

The modality of a sign refers to its position in the season it is found in, with each element manifesting in three modalities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. These modality concepts are also known as quadruplicities. For example, Aries is found in the first month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in a cardinal modality.

The Greek philosopher Empedocles identified fire, earth, air, and water as elements in the fifth-century BC. He explained the nature of the universe as an interaction of love and strife, which manipulate the elements into different mixtures that produce different natures. Empedocles believed that those born with nearly equal proportions of the elements are more intelligent and have the most exact perceptions.

What are the disadvantages of astrology?

Astrology’s validity is challenging due to the lack of consensus among astrologers regarding its nature and predictions. Studies have found that the degree of agreement among astrologers’ predictions is low, with most horoscopes making vague, untestable statements. Georges Charpak and Henri Broch criticized Western astrology claims, stating that astrologers have limited knowledge of astronomy and often overlook basic features like the precession of the equinoxes.

They cited Elizabeth Teissier’s claim that the sun ends up in the same place in the sky on the same date each year, which they argued was false. They also noted that there is a difference of about 22, 000 miles between Earth’s location on any specific date in two successive years, which should not be under the same planetary influence according to astrology.

Edward W. James argued that attaching significance to the constellation on the celestial sphere was done due to human factors, such as astrologers not wanting to wake up early and the exact time of noon being difficult to know. The creation of the zodiac and the disconnect from the constellations was due to the sun not being in each constellation for the same amount of time, leading to the problem of precession separating zodiac symbols from their once-related constellations. Philosopher Massimo Pigliucci commented on the movement, questioning which sign to look up when opening a Sunday paper.

Is astrology good or bad?

Astrology is often considered a pseudoscience, as there are no scientific and peer-reviewed studies to validate its premises and promises. However, it can still be a fun and harmless tool for self-discovery. Verywell Mind uses high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support its articles. Theodora Blanchfield, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and mental health writer, uses her experiences to help others.

She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University and is a board member of Still I Run, a non-profit for runners raising mental health awareness. Blanchfield has been published on various websites and quoted in various publications.

Why is astrology considered witchcraft?

The practice of magic, which aimed to help rather than hurt, was considered evil and often condemned in both ecclesiastical and secular contexts. Divination was also considered witchcraft due to the belief that foresight and prediction were bound to be influenced. Access to content on Oxford Academic is typically provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. Members of an institution can access content through IP-based access, which is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. Alternatively, users can sign in through their institution, using Shibboleth/Open Athens technology to provide a single sign-on between their institution’s website and Oxford Academic.

Are horoscopes bad for mental health?

Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as “confirmation bias”, where people focus on sections of a horoscope that support their beliefs, ignoring the rest. While reading a horoscope can provide a sense of order or meaning to life, it lacks scientific basis, making it unsuitable for acting on. Sandbek, a psychic, believes that people who regularly consult horoscopes seek guidance rather than comfort.

He believes most people seek information about themselves or what to do. Holmes, for example, pays special attention to her horoscope when curious or experiencing changes, as it helps explain what’s happening.

Why is Gen Z obsessed with astrology?

The “woke” generation, who rely heavily on scientific evidence, believes in astrology, numerology, and Tarot as a way to validate themselves and maintain a sense of security. This generation is conscious about their own lives and often feels insecure about the future, leading them to associate and tap into their zodiac sign traits. Phrases like “I don’t usually like Scorpios” or “Cancerians are more emotional” have become common in conversations at work, friends, social gatherings, and on the internet.

The alignment of stars, numbers, and cards can make life easier by allowing individuals to dive into self-exploration and analyze their personality traits. This subtle form of introspection makes individuals more conscious of their actions and helps them understand the good and bad within themselves. This pseudoscience can make life easier for the “woke” generation, as it allows them to step away from the alarming aspects of their lives and focus on their strengths and weaknesses.

Are Christians allowed to study astrology?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that divination, including predictive astrology, is incompatible with modern Catholic beliefs, such as free will. It rejects all forms of divination, including horoscopes, palm reading, omen interpretation, clairvoyance, and mediums, which conceal a desire for power over time, history, and other human beings. These practices contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear owed to God alone.

Astrology and science, Christian mysticism, Christianity and paganism, Esoteric Christianity, Jesus Christ in comparative mythology, Jewish views on astrology, Muslim views on astrology, and William Lilly’s book Christian Astrology are all considered incompatible with modern Catholic beliefs.

Is astrology linked to narcissism?

A study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that narcissism is the strongest predictor of belief in astrology, and intelligence is negatively associated with this belief. Although there is no scientific evidence to support astrology, it has been increasing in popularity. Previous research suggests a relationship between encountering stressors and belief in astrology, and belief in other pseudosciences and conspiracies.

The study involved 264 participants who responded to various questions assessing belief in astrology, completed questionnaires measuring Big Five personality and grandiose narcissism, and completed four three-dimensional rotational items to assess intelligence. The findings suggest that personality traits, intelligence, and belief in astrology may be linked.