Putting Your Faith in the Stars

Putting your faith in the stars has paved the way for “a lot of the innovations in science, social practice, and religion that still exist today,“ which include the 360° circle, and the use of computation as opposed to observation for predicting the movement of planets. “ This is according to the curator of an exhibit and professor of history and ancient science at the Free University of Berlin, Mathieu Ossendrijver, quoted in “Charting Astrology’s Origins in a Museum Show,“ New York Times, March 31, 2026.

This article caught my eye, as every day I check the Sun Sentinel newspaper for my horoscope. Yes, and I do contemplate its meaning for the coming day. Do I follow it? Religiously? No. But from this article, I’m finding that there are more people like me who do pay attention to astrology than I thought.

According to the article, astrology is having “a moment.” “A 2024 survey by Harris Poll, a research firm, found that about 70% of Americans, believe “somewhat” or “strongly” in astrology.”  The article argues that the growth is driven by either apps in astrology, “ such as Co-Star Personalized Astrology, the Co-Star Astrology Society, the number 43 app in Lifestyle, which have allowed for easily tailored individual predictions, but also, some experts have argued, by a desire to find clarity, amid the social and economic upheaval of recent years, including the Covid epidemic.”

According to the article, “. . .Allied market research, a consulting firm [says] spending on astrology – related products and services is projected to increase from $12.8 billion in 2021 to $22.8 billion in 2031.” Wow!

Most importantly, I learned from the article that astrology isn’t horoscopes. Astrology is about intricate forecasts, developed during antiquity, which were based on complex celestial calculations. Math. Science.

Now I’m not as interested in the museum show. It’s in Berlin, Germany, anyway.

 I am interested in the horoscopes published in magazines and newspapers, which the article says are “merely“ based on the date of someone’s birth.

So what really are horoscopes? Do they have any validity or reliability?

These two terms are fundamental to all research.

Validity refers to whether a test or method actually measures what it claims to measure.  is it accurate?

Reliability refers to whether a measurement gives consistent results overtime or across different situations. Is it consistent?

No and No. I do not want to believe no. But the answer is no when it comes to horoscopes.

Unlike astrology, horoscopes are based on the system of the zodiac which divides the sky into 12 signs. Your sign is determined by where the sun appeared at the time of your birth. Horoscope readings, interpret planetary positions, (like mercury or Venus) and relate them to personality traits or predictions about your life.

Do they have scientific validity?

No, not in a scientific sense. According to studies, horoscope predictions have been repeatedly shown to be no more accurate than chance and that the positions of stars and plants at birth have no known mechanism to influence personality or future events.

Do horoscopes have scientific reliability?

No, according to scientific studies, they are not reliable for prediction or decision-making

So, what are horoscopes good for?

Entertainment, cultural tradition, or a tool for self-reflection, not a factual system.

So, why do we fall for horoscopes?

Just like so much other writing, it has a distinctive structure to make us fall for them.

First, horoscopes make broad, flexible statements that are designed to apply to most anyone and your brain fills in the details to make it feel personal. The scientific thing that our brains do is called the Barnum effect. 

Another scientific thing that our brains do is called confirmation bias, which means our brains remember those things that match and if it doesn’t match our brains ignore it.

Third, predictions in horoscopes are vague and rarely precise, open to interpretation.

Finally, most of the time they’re positive and we like positivity. 

I refuse to think that because I am a Scorpio, I should not believe that I do not have certain traits and I do have certain other traits as a Scorpio. I am a Scorpio and it does affect my life. I was married to a Virgo, and he was definitely a Virgo in his thinking and his actions. I refuse to believe that there is no meaningful correlation between zodiac signs and personality.

As a matter of fact, I’m going to take a look at that app. I am with the 70% of us Americans believe “somewhat” or “strongly” in astrology.  If nothing else, we’re helping the economy with

Joy,

Mema