We LOVE astrology at CollegeCandy. We swear by Susan Miller, Chani and Debra Silverman to name a few of our fave astrologists. But we don’t necessarily believe in it. It certainly feels scary accurate sometimes but we know that there isn’t much scientific evidence to support astrology. However, I have to wonder, when I consume so much astrology am I subconsciously holding onto some of those observations as true?
i09 did a great piece on why believing in astrology is harmful but one part stuck out to me amongst the many reasonable points: the idea that astrology can make you prejudiced against a group of people. They point to an article by Discovery, saying:
“Both astrology and racial stereotypes are based on a framework of belief that basically says: “Without even meeting you, I believe something about you. I can expect this particular sort of behavior or trait (stubbornness, laziness, arrogance, etc.) from members of this particular group of people (Jews, blacks, Aries, Pisces, etc.). When an astrologer finds out a person’s astrological sign, he or she will bring to that experience a pre-existing list of assumptions (prejudices) about that person’s behavior, personality and character. In both cases, the prejudices will cause people to seek out and confirm their expectations.”
Essentially if you believe in astrology you may form preconceived notions about a group of people (all Pisces, all Libras). I hate to admit this but I have this notion in my head that I hate Capricorns. When someone is an obnoxious person, I often think, “They must be a Capricorn.” However, I have friends who are Capricorns that I really, genuinely like, so it hasn’t stopped my from befriending Capricorns, so much as when I meet a crappy person and they turn out to be a Capricorn, I go, “Duh, of course!”
Now logically, I know this literally makes no sense. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a Capricorn, but astrology has primed me to associate certain traits that I happen to dislike with Capricorns and some people who happened to be of this sign fulfilled those traits. But obviously, there are plenty of people who aren’t Capricorns that have those same negative traits, that I also don’t like, but when I think of the one astrology sign I dislike, Capricorn pops into my head. Maybe it’s because my best friend’s abusive boyfriend was a Capricorn when I was in high school or because the resident mean girl around that same time was a Capricorn—maybe I don’t hate Caps, maybe I hate bullies.
On the flip side I noticed that I tend to get along with other zodiac signs, Geminis are a particular fave. Then lo and behold after looking it up libra and gemini compatibility is through the roof. So am I purposefully fostering relationships with Geminis because I think there is a better chance of it working out? I don’t think so. I am not one of those people who upon meeting someone asks, “What’s your sign?” I don’t actually care that much—not until the information is presented to me.
In middle school my friend completely, randomly ended a friendship with her best friend because her horoscope said something like, “Your best friend will betray you!” Even at 11 years old I recognized that that was incredibly stupid.
While I know that horoscopes and astrology are complete and total bullshit, I know that there is a part of me that finds it fun to believe that at our core we can be reduced to a bunch of arbitrary traits. At the end of the day I’ve met more Capricorns that I’ve liked than disliked and plenty of Geminis I didn’t get a long with.
I don’t believe in astrology but I do believe it’s fun to entertain the possibility.
So, do you believe certain signs behave in certain ways for better of for worse? Do you have a sign you adore or one you despise?
