The Modern Astrology Obsession, Explained

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Why is astrology still so dang popular?
The science behind astrology is, arguably, a little... iffy. So why are people still so compelled to compare themselves to their rising signs? Let’s find out in this Wisecrack Edition: How Astrology Became Mainstream.
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00:00 - Intro
02:49 - A Brief History Of Astrology
04:46 - Sun Signs and Modern Astrology
08:40 - What Astrology Does For Us
11:00 - Conclusion
Written by Amanda Scherker
Hosted by Helen Floersh
Directed by Michael Luxemburg
Motion Graphics by Benji Dunaief
Edited by Brian M Kim
Video Title Card by Amanda Murphy
Produced by Olivia Redden
Additional Production Assistance by Evan Yee
Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound
#astrology #WhatsYourSign #WisecrackInRetrograde
© 2021 Wisecrack / Omnia Media, Inc. / Enthusiast Gaming

[@notarobit8685]

Not so fun fact. Had a bad mental health decline in college. Very bad. Saw an emergency counselor on campus who gave me a list of psychologists in the area to see. We picked one with good reviews and I went. The woman was an astrologist who spent most of the session bragging (again very first meeting with this "psychologist") about being a former astrologist to Hollywood stars and told me that the next time I came in, I needed to figure out what moon I was born under for my treatment. Needless to say, I did not return.

[@alivreeland8521]

That does truly suck, they sound super unprofessional :( have to hope they got their practice shut down, sound like they weren't actually trying to help anyone at all

[@juliosister]

Sadly, these are all too common... and no legislation would ever go against it, fearing losing female support

[@everyrose3225]

So dangerous

[@SleepyMatt-zzz]

I'd complain to the councilor about that. That "psychologist" is a threat to vulnerable people.

[@AnonimusQualquer]

If it wasn’t expensive to go to an astrologist posing as psychologist, I would give all false dates and plantes information and let the person scramble nonsense for days about me, let them keep digging deeper until finally revealing the truth. Too bad I don’t have the money, the acting-capacity nor the patience to do a prank like that.

[@djoecav]

I guess my issue with astrology is less about what other people believe, and more about my frustration with people trying to apply that frame of thinking to me without my permission, and attempt to explain or predict my behaviors using astrology. For example, they'll say "It says here that because you're Aquarius that you are a patient person". I'll say "I'm not a patient person, I yelled at someone in traffic for braking at a red light" and they'll insist "No no no, I KNOW you. You're definitely a patient person, let's see what else this says..." Like, they view reality through this restrictive lens, and are willing to tell you that you're wrong about yourself to convince themselves that astrology is different from whatever religion because LOOK this is PROOF. Everyone of these uninvited comparisons takes a year off my life, I swear.

[@NimhLabs]

Okay... are the operating on the locations of the constellations based upon when Vega was the North Star? As currently, with Polaris being the North Star, Aquarius would have somebody be born between Feb 16th and March 11th Now... a Capricorn would be Jan 20th and Feb15th... and yeah, Capricorns are incapable of committing Murder-1 and instead will do Manslaughter Also... who the fuck says Aquaripodes (that strikes me as the best plural) are patient? An Aquarius will push a person into a Punji Pit and claim they fell. Aquaripodes are just good at MASKING how upset they are

[@agentwashingtub9167]

Yeah, this is what I feel exactly. Like any spiritual belief you can do what you want, just don’t try to force it on me It’s also, ya know, bullshit. I’ve told people I’m a sign I’m not and they almost always say “*gasp* yeah totally, I see that!”

[@sullyschwartz2365]

@@NimhLabs Okay you didnt address anything he said, only what she said... is this a joke... or do you need help...?

[@annoloki]

heh, it's like a calendar based version of racism

[@evilbeardedman]

@@annoloki this is a perfect description.

[@WakkoKakko]

Astrology is the go-to religion for the “spiritual but not religious” crowd.

[@rugbyelite1361]

It's a lot more fun to believe that the movement of solar bodies affects our personalities in quirky ways then to believe that our every action is being morally judged and a vengeful God is waiting to send us to an afterlife of everlasting fire and pain 🤣

[@Maoilios12]

@@rugbyelite1361 You make it sound like astrology and monotheism are the only two choices and are mutually exclusive. You can believe in both, neither, or something else entirely. What about attributing those "quirky" effects to something more grounded like your past experiences.

[@Jordan64852]

This! I think spirituality is important for human beings since it’s been with us when humans used to live in nature; it used to be more popular to be “non-practicing religious person” but there is so much baggage with established religions now that people go to astrology or pagan religions or just praying to the universe

[@SleepyMatt-zzz]

So people who need a cope

[@beanboi6617]

Teenage white girls

[@mrpink8951]

The Babylonian astrologers were concerned about harvests, droughts, and keeping track of time. The stuff that people do with astrology today would, to say the least, come across as petty to them.

[@olaf3140]

Or maybe they'd be really jealous of how it's used now

[@Cas0669]

Did they tell you that?😂

[@sasquatchkidPS3Xx]

@@Cas0669 I think its safe to assume ancient people would have had bigger fish to fry than trying to figure out how they should treat their spouse this month lol

[@sakuranovaryan9261]

I mean yeah probably it will seem petty to them..but doesn't mean they were in any sort of better place... individualism may seem selfish but it can help in many ways. Today there's a scope of self exploration of independence..baack then there were probably less talk of mental health,choices,self growth etc. Even tho rapid information may have increased existential Crisis it is in no way worse then before..

[@sasquatchkidPS3Xx]

@@balloonfiesta15 You made a great deal of assumptions in your reply. I think it would be a good idea to go back and reread OP's comment so you can make a stronger case. It also might help if you try not to take it so personally.

[@TLGProduktions]

Funny how the search for individualism is supposedly aided by lumping you in with literally everybody on earth that happen to be born on the same date as you.

[@briansheets4229]

That’s where the rest of the planets come in. Someone born a mere three minutes after you will have different results.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

@@briansheets4229 Someone born at the same time will have different results on account of the wheels varying also by location, especially once you start counting degrees, minutes, and seconds for things like aspects.

[@JoeBrandAG]

@@nevisysbryd7450 These's people's "approach to astrology" is Hollywood, they take that as a "serious cientific source" to portray astrology as the clown they want it to be. Don't waste your time, it really is pathetic to discuss with people that use fallacies as arguments.

[@richie9327]

Ancient Astrologers seeing today's astrology: Look how they murdered my boy.

[@NimhLabs]

Also Ancient Astologers: Uh... Vega isn't the current north star... why are the operating on positions based upon Vega being the north star when Polaris is the current north star? Also... why are they acting like the Age of Aquarius isn't kind of scary--Corvus becomes the Northern Constellation during that time. That sounds like a mixture... a definite type of mixture

[@wingdingdmetrius8025]

Joan Ceciel Quigley

[@JoeBrandAG]

@@NimhLabs Ancient Astrologers are aware of the differences between sidereal and tropical calculations, but you're not, because you're illiterate.

[@DantesDX]

Astrology is a desperate way to find identity and in a world where nobody seems to know who they are anymore.

[@digitalbrentable]

I'd say it's more about finding narratives in a world where storytelling has been relegated to entertainment and rituals have been left by the wayside. Capitalism services the need for identity well enough through cultivated consumer identity (e.g. Star wars fan, metal head, yoga freak, vegan, crossfitter, gamer, rock climber, etc). Symbolic narratives have pretty much always been a part of human culture and spirituality, the hard materialist and consumerist bent of our current socio-economic context has displaced that, resulting in individuals spontaneously seeking out and creating this missing rite independently.

[@Jordan64852]

Also it gives people the idea of owning a house haha

[@Hawkenwhacker]

It's also a great way to sell you trucks.

[@digitalbrentable]

@@sub.sa.3058 Great points, especially on the narratives, ideology, and mythology native to capitalism. Though it is materialistic, it isn't really 'materialist' or at least not primarily - to a large degree liberal capitalism is very much preoccupied with ideal notions above material concerns and outcomes. I agree that community is a vital component of traditional folk practice's, spirituality, and ritual. But I do think that the narrative element plays an essential role in helping the conscious mind contextualise itself within and then navigate the social and conceptual reality. Myth is a critical part of this, and the material grounding of myth simply isn't relevant to the concept or its function.

[@LeandroVelez7]

In a world where nobody want wants to do the work of figuring out who they are….

[@yasianproductiontales8640]

I’ve been wondering why people care so much about astrology these days.

[@juliosister]

@@capturedflame word

[@sterling9314]

They left standard religion but either didn’t deconstruct or couldn’t deal with the idea that the universe is indifferent to them so they looked for another version of the supernatural to believe in

[@juliosister]

@@sterling9314 the left is all about happiness and lightheartedness...

[@LucaLorin]

I'm learning astrology since 13y.o and i'm telling u that no one cares as much as i do,all use it as u use a meme,just for references on my side of the globe🤣

[@petermatthews7826]

In history, this happens every time the average person loses some control over their circumstances.

[@cosmicsanders4319]

i think astrology is popular because science has revealed how bleak, cold, and terrifying the universe can really be and, since the morals of ancient religions aren’t always gonna hold up against modern values, a new, less morally judgmental spiritual alternative is what a lot of people were looking for astrology is a great fit for that, because it doesn’t have any strict commandments but still implies that the universe is sorta made for us and is looking out for us, but i think that the universe doesnt need to be spiritual to be beautiful, and it doesnt need to be magical to be wondrous, its a great big cosmos out there and its amazing enough as is

[@ChrisGuerra31]

7777777777777777

[@azzazelo]

You're right. Accepting the truth that this ball of rock is floating in the middle of everywhere and nowhere for no apparent reason, and that humans have a much of a soul as a snail is terrifying to most people. To those who have the courage it can be the most freeing this you will ever accept in your entire life

[@KevinTheVillian]

Thank you Cosmic Sanders

[@TheMidwestAtheist]

I agree. Astrology does seem more a replacement for religion. I would also argue that the idea of an intervening god is a bit much to believe in in this day and age. How could a god, for example, allow the Holocaust to happen? With astrology you get, as you say, a universe that may or may not be looking out for us, but is also more limited in its power.

[@Gamingderpmonglers]

I disagree that it's "less morally judgmental." I've been abused and gaslit through partners and friends attempting to presuppose my character traits, and often being extremely cruel with their assessments of me that were extremely incorrect. The most common replies I get whenever I tell them that they're wrong about my character is, "Sometimes other people know you better than you know yourself," and "...Are you sure? *sarcastic laugh*." This obviously isn't concerning people that merely dabble in Astrology or use it exclusively in their personal lives, but those that actively proselytize it in the same exact way as Evangelical Christians (just a different name)-- ascribing essentialist traits about your character predicated on divine revelations beyond our understanding that we don't control. It's like, if a function of their belief is flawed or doesn't work, they have to manipulate either the information or YOU in order to /make/ it work instead of admitting that they were wrong. It's a form of self-victimization that undercuts actual victims of toxic behaviors excused through religious means, and like many other popular religions, it's not always simply a "personal isolated matter separate from the religion itself." I'm an Aries, btw, if that tells anyone what kind of offensive "assessments" I've been receiving, especially shit like I'm "angry" or "forceful"-- like I have autism & agoraphobia, I'm the opposite of that. It's ableist as hell.

[@TheSuperJCN]

I've started lying about my zodiac sign whenever someone new I meet asks it, so they can put me in their little boxes and see how they react when they eventually find out I was born on a different day I've been thinking of going as far as calling them out for saying I should identify with the sign they say is right for me instead of the one I choose

[@sterling9314]

Such a Virgo thing to do /s

[@Crootcovitz]

Please keep us updated, sound like a fun social experiment. :)

[@Gabrhil]

I'm stealing this idea. It sounds fun

[@RealClassixX]

I just don't associate with anyone that asks me that anymore.

[@truthbetold8233]

I recently had a joyous encounter where someone confidently listed two possible options for what 'sign' I must be, and I could honestly answer 'nope, neither'.

[@jonlee6794]

i know it's not exactly equivalent, but it's a little funny that this video is basically "why astrology can't tell everything about yourself by your star sign! Brought to you by our sponsor, who can tell you everything about yourself by your DNA!"

[@bort6459]

Every few years somebody invents a new astrology for people "too smart" for astrology (looking at you Myers Briggs).

[@alastorcorvus]

Yeah, but unlike Astrology at least Wisecrack admits they're doing that comparison because they're getting paid.

[@Guercinator]

Bad take. It's not claiming to reveal patterns of emotional behavior or a vibe or whatever. Your health and physiology can be measured to a certain extent by reading DNA. And when it comes to things like coffee consumption and anxiety, those are behaviors that are informed by certain genes. It's traceable and makes sense

[@genfuentes3582]

Science is the new God. That’s why people have no faith in anything but science and there’s a lot of false papers and terrible research just to prove a point, just because people would believe anything if it’s “proven by science” (even tho they weren’t there or lack the knowledge to question what they say)

[@Guercinator]

@@genfuentes3582 that's jumping the gun quite a bit and even if that is so, I don't see how that is a defense for astrology or any alternative worldview. It just means society has lost its priorities and values money and expediency over all. (Religion, astrology, self-help, bad science, etc are all examples of this. Think of the enormous cash flows in all of these industries.) Bad science isn't science and shouldn't be used as a reason to distrust the scientific method or process when it *can* be trusted. People just need to get better at recognizing grift

[@ikeekieeki]

the generation which grew up taking personality quizzes was basically groomed to consume astrological lifestyle goods

[@JoeBrandAG]

meanwhile, the generation that grew up in the Christian era of "science" was basically traumatized to avoid anything that debunks the Christian narrative of history, science and psychology/spirituality.

[@FelipeLoeraToledo]

Gen-Z: “religions are so stupid and fact less” Also Gen-Z: “That is sooooo Scorpio”

[@damiendavenport3d]

yo man you really heckin pwned those zoomers bro. wtg king 😎

[@sakuranovaryan9261]

A little bit of joking and validation is fine..but excusing of justifying immoral behavior is not imo

[@alternativeware]

@@capturedflame Scams like astrology are everywhere.

[@ling636]

@@damiendavenport3d zoomer mad

[@damiendavenport3d]

@@ling636 im 28 my guy. i just think its lame to act like a stereotype

[@marvinyoung7545]

I'm also fascinated by the spurious relationship between Alan Leo, Katharine Briggs and Carl Jung in our modern saturation of "Type" and "Sign".

[@ikeekieeki]

see also: societies of control, the endlessly divisible subject, etc.

[@marcl4892]

Great video… only issue i had was the background music was a bit distracting and, at some points, felt louder than the host.

[@nrok113]

yeah the 80's sax at the end was a lot

[@ahalcomb]

Same!

[@maxpinsonneault7722]

Omg it was so distracting lol

[@jerrygil1965]

But didn't ruin the WHOLE video tho LOL

[@YassoKuhl]

I'm not a "skeptic" of Astrology. I KNOW it doesn't work. There's a difference. We are not the same.

[@henrybender2943]

Big Aquarius/Capricorn man energy

[@pansophia93]

Freud and Jung didn't split because of astrology. They split because of a difference in theories of sexuality. Freud tolerated Jung's fascination with the esoteric, but it had nothing to do with their relationship ending. Jung knew when he published his first book that it would create a rift between them, and even held off publishing the book for some time until his wife convinced him to do so. Freud's Pleasure Principle is key to his entire psychology and a main force driving the PP (pun intended) was the libido. Jung believed it was only a secondary force, and not the main stimulation.

[@sakuraphenix5549]

Honestly most of the time I have seen anyone mention astrology anymore is when engaging in essentially micro aggressions. Disliking someone not because of who they are but because your an X and they are a Y and therefore use these excuses to justify their dislike and refusal of simply being around someone.

[@MellowJelly]

Then you know shitty people and that's that.

[@alivreeland8521]

@@MellowJelly yeah, nail on the head truly. If they weren't using astrology, they would be using some other metric to form judgement - it's not necessarily the practice, sounds like it's the people. Just like how religions like Christianity or Islam can be wholesome and good or be warped into a tool for harm and judging. Just depends on who is wielding it ya know.

[@alivreeland8521]

Or any other religion, didn't mean to call out just those two. It's true of any belief system.

[@bubdigli6756]

When someone asks my star sign I just say 'guess' and whatever they guess I say 'wow how did you know'. It gets me out if the conversation quicker and they get to stay stupid for another day. Win win

[@Garcia52michael]

Smh, ay astrology cheapens our place in the cosmos

[@ChrisGuerra31]

Truuuuuuuuu

[@spencerdokes6056]

I think it came from a place trying to give MORE cosmic significance

[@Matas05]

Oh you mean the metaverse 😂

[@liatn19]

i wanna point that another factor that modern astrology (esp horoscopes) use the “barnum effect” which is a pretty interesting thing

[@camelopardalis84]

All hail the barnum effect. Thanks to it, the Scorpio "facts" in the beginning were so spot-on for me, a scorpio!

[@JoeBrandAG]

@@camelopardalis84 Lovely, how people that claim to avoid anything that is not a "hard scientific truth", to use a pseudoscience to debunk another pseudosciente lmao........

[@camelopardalis84]

@@JoeBrandAG What pseudoscience do you claim I used to debunk another pseudoscientific thing? If that's what you did.

[@rahcollier7006]

Tarot cards can be used as a meditation tool. The symbols and their placement tells a story. Whether it matches your life or not, you end up thinking about aspects of your life in an organized way.

[@digitalbrentable]

A guy with a special wig, official robes and a hammer speaks some words in a dead language and people are like 'yes very reasonable, what he said is now true, that person is guilty/innocent/married/divorced/etc' But interpret visual language and symbolism in cards or tea leaves or myth and you're a weirdo. Ritual and narratives are part of the human experience

[@siennamei3843]

Yess love this interpretation of tarot. It doesn't have anything to do with predicting the future

[@mistertroll4107]

Something alot more helpful than Tarot cards is a therapist.

[@siennamei3843]

@@mistertroll4107 a therapist is more helpful than going for a walk or listening to music, but all still can help. Definitely don't replace therapy with spirituality/spiritual tools. Just saying that maybe many things can help

[@KT-lt4fy]

​@@mistertroll4107 nah not really. Therapy doesn't really help me reflect and process things because all of my brain power goes to maintaining the conversation. It was tarot cards that got me to slow down and actually reflect on my life.

[@DerAstrophysikerr]

As somebody who has a Masters of Science in astrophysics, I get triggered every time somebody brings up astrology or, even worse, mixes that shit up with astronomy/astrophysics. It's the worst. Studying this shit for years just to be told "but look I read this". This is what climate scientists and virologists must feel like. Moreover, to me, it feels like a cop-out tool, or something robbing agency. "Look, I cannot do anything about my terrible behaviour, I swear I am not just a terrible person."

[@SirHirnschaden]

As a psycholog student I was surprised how my of my peers kinda or strongly believe in that shit... Like why are u studying this if u don't believe in empirical systems

[@RicardoPetinga]

Exactly! And wow, you made the same point I tred to make but in a much more concise way.

[@unbalancedlibra9788]

"Been studying this shit for years *but look I read this*" lmao so what were you doing all those years studying? Reading? Lmao I love how some people cant see their own closed minded ignorance. Astrologers can study astrology for years also. Your not special. Step off of your high horse

[@unbalancedlibra9788]

@@capturedflame I'm very open minded, I love science, history, astrology. What I don't like is closed minded indocternated fools that can't step down from their high horse. Oh wow you got a masters degree, dont you deserve special treatment. Here's a cookie 🍪

[@unbalancedlibra9788]

@@capturedflame I study everything, you DONT study astrology and you cast judgments. Astrology is far more deep and complex then what the mainstream makes it out to be. Your closed minded, peace. Judgemental dipshit who thinks he knows the very fabric of the universe. You don't know sh#t lol you egotistical human.

[@yorkelsnorkel1933]

Any thoughts on the way astrology essentializes human traits? Essentialism seems fairly harmful to me.

[@SleepyMatt-zzz]

The weird thing is how astrology has cross-contaminated other topics like conspiracy theories, sexist groups (like MGTOW), disabilities, and gender identities. I'm Autistic, so I've met plenty of neuro-typical people who treat the disability like is their horoscope. It's honestly infuriating sometimes how ill-informed people are about everything. People will misdiagnose themselves with something and than essentialize their personalities around that because they felt socially awkward that day.

[@youtube_user_number_one]

@@SleepyMatt-zzz I think it's the same narrativising process mentioned in the video, in another manifestation

[@eduardovazquezramirez6564]

Well, it may be due to the narrativization mentioned im the video, as well as the archetypal nature of astrology, and the determinism of personality I think. Plus, I guess for it to truly feel like pop astrology is saying something profound about yourself, it must claim to reach a deeper introspective truth about the self and your individual essence.

[@JohnCavalcante.Oficial]

Essentialism is not necessarily harmfull. Every spirituality has an Idea of what is the essence of the Human and it's psyche. And we have to remember that anti-essentialism is a Very modern thought in the West.

[@Firmus777]

People making things they oppose sound based again.

[@jaminelvers7250]

This video is so good. I've been really baffled by the obsession with astrology lately. I'm pretty into skepticism so it definitely bugs me, but this psychology explains why people think they need it.

[@MapleTaurus]

Ah I'm a fan of skepticism. The best part is you can be skeptical of something (religion, astrology, etc.) or even downright disbelieving and still enjoy what that thing has to offer.

[@sleepyd1231]

I really don't understand it either! It's great quality to have the desire to make sense of life and want to make predictions about the future! But we have tools that already exist for this; psychology, sociology, economics, etc. I don't get why people would ever get so desperate to think they need such crazy things to make sense of life. I did have an girlfriend who was abused by her parents; as a result she had disrealization disorder. She was extremely into tarot, astrology, fortune cookies, etc. As the relationship went on I discovered that she was making drastic life decisions based on these varieties of mystism. I began to believe I was one of these decisions. And honestly I don't think I've ever cared about anyone more. I hate this crap, I can speak to a maximal degree of certainty that it's absolute bullshit. Now if it's someone's hobbie and they don't take it so seriously I will not bash them for it. If I ever give up on humanity I will create my own mystism, because I can't imagine an easier way to manipulate people.

[@commentymccommenterson4567]

On the one hand, any beliefs/action/desires/tendencies that don't harm others should be allowed/not criticized. But the problem, in my humble opinion, is that a person who might be open to believe in anything unscientific/unprovable might be more vulnerable to believe in more dangerous unscientific/unprovable ideas if presented in charismatic manner through a convincing speaker. That's where the real worry is for me.

[@coyotefoxtrot2832]

Everything should be criticized so we can understand it better and people know what they're buying into. Criticizing isn't the same as insulting. There are no sacred cows, there's just cows.

[@BlinkyLass]

Unreasonable beliefs pry open the back door to your critical mind and allow other irrational ideas to creep in, while blocking the front entrance that should let facts filter in. Belief in flat earth, for example, might seem like a quaint idiosyncrisy, but most flat earthers are also antivaxxers. Beliefs like these are usually sustained through conspiratorial thinking to explain away dissent and any apparent incompatibility with reality. This can promote disengagement from society and antisocial tendencies. The rise of QAnon in the wellness community through alternative medicine and antivax should serve as a warning.

[@feelipeson]

The flat earthers are here to prove you right.

[@sakuranovaryan9261]

It's a thought provoking point. well I do like to read up on occasional astrological stuff sometimes,I don't cancel out the possibility of it being somewhat right or wrong. But like in the case of of flat earthers I choose not to believe them cause I put my trust in the more reaserched,certified source. I've not deminished their theory without knowing, I've heard their theories but they do not sound logical to me personally. So I think even though people can have believe or they like to believe in certain spiritual things without being completely irrational,I don't thing that has to mean they are completely unscientific or gullible.

[@BlinkyLass]

@@sakuranovaryan9261 This is a good point, too. There are plenty of people who hold silly beliefs but who are able to switch to a different mode of thinking when doing work. People can compartmentalize. It's hard to tell though whether and which people will cross the line and go down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories when primed by bad ideas. The best we can do I think is to try to make sure everyone knows how to think critically and to make a habit of questioning irrational beliefs when we encounter them.

[@Rhekon]

When ppl bring up zodiac signs in a discussion about literally anything else, I remind them it's not real.

[@juliojap6470]

You are a much better person than i I am ... i straight stop talking. I'd rather save my energy for empathy to people with other mental challenges, like schizophrenia, autism... hell even psychopaths deserve more respect muahhahahahaha

[@juliojap6470]

@@g7924 muhahahaha psychopaths deserve a place in society!

[@shotakonkin2047]

The human mind is inherently emotional, you don't change minds by using just logic alone (logic is still useful but you have to know when the logic will be effective), effectively using persuasion is how you change minds; you have to speak to the elephant [the emotional mind; the driving force] to ever have any effect on the rider [the logical part of the mind], the rider always listens to the elephant.

[@annie-yy1gf]

Wow you’re so smart and edgy. Want a cookie? Keep that same energy with literally all religions.

[@funkymunky]

TL;DR: Barnum effect soothes fragile, self-obsessed egos who suffer from lack of meaning and direction in life.

[@The-bi5ry]

The only reason I read any astrology is because I love the idea that the universe revolves around me and low-key love reading about "myself" lol. I don't even believe in astrology but it stokes my narcissism so yeah guilty and self-centred.

[@erikaesplin696]

I get that, I've asked many friends who have left organized religion, but are into astrology and they pretty much have that same answer :)

[@infinitesimotel]

Everyone thinks the universe revolves around themselves, the ones who don't are good self deceivers.

[@prophetpool]

the music bangs but sometimes I can barely hear you, once that sax solo comes in it's over lmao

[@helenab2520]

Astrology was especially popular during lockdown, as it provided a certain predictably in unpredictable times.

[@SupremeVerdict]

Gives the illusion of predictability*

[@Robert-hz9bj]

Ironic, seeing as how it utterly failed to predict it for literally everyone...

[@pembrokelove]

Please tell me that B stands for “Beat”.

[@deeptalks2964]

Not true. People who study astrology knew there was a plague coming. Its your choice to be ignorant.

[@deeptalks2964]

@@Robert-hz9bj umm actually astrology did predict a plague in 2020. Not that you would know because you've never studied it a day in your life.

[@HaloJumper7]

The Barnum effect explains it all.

[@juliosister]

Don't forget Forer

[@cavalrycome]

I'm not sure I've ever met anyone who truly believes in astrology. I certainly know people who see it as a bit of fun, though.

[@kris__crystal]

ayeeee. Most of the people i know myself included we go that way. Like "oh did John backstab you? Yup socrpio stuff." It's not like we believe that it's cause John is a scorpio but we can have some fun and it also in a weird way doesn't make us overanlyze. Like we know John is a d*ick and we leave it at that joke. Sorry to all Johns it was a random selection

[@wingdingdmetrius8025]

google Joan Ceciel Quigley

[@Mboogy]

these people don't decorate their entire rooms and judge other people by their signs for "a bit of fun." Here in California, these people actually believe everything they say. there are people who see it as a bit of fun, but those are completely different. the existence of people who do it for "fun," does not determine the lack of people who do it seriously... here in the West Coast, they are everywhere and they take this shit seriously! it's not hard to tell between the two, people just feign ignorance to fit whatever narrative they want to spin.

[@cavalrycome]

@@Mboogy Yeah, those are the sort of people I don't think I've ever really seen in real life, but I've never lived on the west coast of the United States or anywhere else in the United States for that matter. I do wonder though whether the people you're talking about really do believe everything they say in their heart of hearts, or whether it's just a very passionate belief-based identity they're wrapping themselves in.

[@Mboogy]

@@cavalrycome they sure as heck make a lot of money out of poor people without remorse so I can assume they either take it seriously or take it too far imho

[@aurumproductions]

Wouldn't it be interesting if we found a habitable planet but couldn't live their without going crazy because you know the moons in the wrong place.

[@NimhLabs]

I just view it as a way to guess the current RNG Seed for life

[@evilgenius97]

Im sure the response will be "its rooted in your home planet" like a quantum bond through space

[@aurumproductions]

@Samir Hodzic thanks I thought the idea could make a good satirical short story on astrology, but I'm not a writer

[@JoeBrandAG]

@@evilgenius97 Perhaps because thats what ancient texts imply? That's why they talk about "orbs FACING the Earth" ???? Do your homework, jerk.

[@meher_pratap]

It's just cute for the most part. Relying on it to make life decisions isn't going to work for the most part. However you can get that small boost of confidence or happiness if you're down for some reason. You'll start feeling hopeful in dire situations like the pandemic. It's not a coincidence that astrology shot up during the pandemic, people were infact so stressed that they needed some kind of hope that everything is going to be okay.

[@arlistyner]

I don't know. I think it can be helpful in making decisions. For instance, an astrologer recently told me I would suffer an emotionally traumatic heartbreak in 12 years. That disturbed me a lot, so to cheer myself up I went and bought a puppy.

[@SleepyMatt-zzz]

I live on an island that has a propensity to attract hippies/hipsters. Least to say I've developed an irrational anger towards astrology. People who are into astrology and new age stuff are some of the most toxic individuals (if you could even call them that) I've ever met. It supposedly makes you more aware of your place in the "cosmos" but it really just makes you more solipsistic, consumeristic, and self-centered.

[@marcelbentz]

I think nothing on this world angers me as much as astrology and I dont even know why.

[@macuarritzimo]

I'm your fan Helen!!! excellent perspective on this subject!

[@107hyperbolic]

hope she sees this champ. 🥂

[@macuarritzimo]

@@107hyperbolic hope so too :p

[@Kazuma11290]

Astrology is a just a means of removing accountability. A way to blame something other than yourself.

[@iwantsomecookies08]

Hilarious that your gene-reading results sound so applicable to me, it’s almost like I’m reading my horoscope thinking “oh this is totally me”

[@OfirFatal]

Very funny that we’re discussing the false science of astrology with a sponsorship around genes with questionable linkages to personality

[@bruciex4574]

lmaooooo

[@thejoecohenshow]

Hey Ofir! Our DNA Wellness Reports actually focus on health topics and recommendations to optimize your health. All the scientific studies are referenced for a customer to read further - all we want to do is make personalized health information accessible and easy to understand.

[@goosewithagibus]

I had a real bright coworker, real sharp tool in the shed kinda gal (that's sarcasm) when I worked at Burger King. We got along well enough but she definitely didn't like me. Well after about a month she goes "I'm a Pisces, I always get a long well with other Pisces. What're you? I bet you're Capricorn (I don't remember exactly which one she said tbh)." I told her I'm also Pisces and the disbelief was hilarious. I pulled out my driver's license and proved it. She was pretty dumbfounded.

[@xxo-deathshot-oxx2047]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@allonzehe9135]

My sign is ISFJ, which means I'm compatible with Hufflepuffs.

[@thefatfella]

okay, but what's up with the Saxophone solo at around the 12:15 mark? Dude was getting DOWN!

[@justalurkr]

I was in a "but what if there's something to it?" headspace. Then someone explained the precession of the equinoxes to me.

[@axelmont]

You got it wrong then. The only thing the precession of the equinoxes clarifies, is the main difference between tropical and sidereal (aka vedic) astrology.

[@JoeBrandAG]

@@axelmont What? You mean that people have been working with abstract and precise maths for thousands of years??? Who would know!!! /sarcasm

[@dylanbaker5092]

Would enjoy a part 2. Where we see how they mix it up with other religious and conspiracies.

[@Matkatamiba]

Kinda funny to have a genome app sponsorship on a video about astrology being bupkis. The human genome is not terribly well understood, and you're still dealing with tons of self-fulfilling prophecies by looking up that stuff. The extent that your upbringing vs your genetics determine your life is always going to be a debate, but it definitely is not deterministic based off your genetics.

[@Kkakdugii]

From my understanding genetics is more about the foundation of who you are physically and your upbringing/environment is about who you are psychologically and how you choose to interact with the world within the confines of those two aforementioned variables.

[@juliosister]

Sure, genetics and astrology... same thing... right...

[@eid8fkebe7f27ejdjdjduyhsvqhwu2]

@@juliosister Genetics =/= some shady profit driven genome app

[@Roadiedave]

@@juliosister they're both woo pseudoscience, far departed from Astronomy and actual Genetics, but with the veneer of legitimacy. I don't care if the lie makes someone feel better A scam is a scam.

[@Roadiedave]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who caught that.

[@Garcia52michael]

Astrology, though discredited for centuries, still remains wildly popular. A recent poll by the National Science Foundation showed that more than 40% of Americans think astrology is a science. Months are cultural constructs, not cosmological. Astrology is so popular despite its debunkness, you’ll find its merchandise sold within a science museum knowing they’ll make sales due to the lack of people’s capacity to distinguish science from pseudoscience. Interesting that many people that pride themselves as being critical of social constructs have a soft spot for something so obviously socially constructed. The most unfortunate part of it all, is that Astrology takes away from the real grandeur of the Universe. We live in an amazing place, this Universe of ours, and it's quite fantastic enough without needing people to make up things about it. Astrology dims the beauty of nature, cheapens it. When it comes to searching for a sense of spiritual enlightenment, the Cosmos is sufficient enough.

[@mistreated]

We said. Also, "A recent poll by the National Science Foundation showed that more than 40% of Americans think astrology is a science." That's what's most frightening. Americans have regressed in the last 40 years

[@cobracommander8133]

@@mistreated I wonder how many of those people that answered Astrology IS a science confused it with Astronomy. Hopefully the study specified the difference.

[@zzkkk7078]

They think it's a science because they probably mistake it with astronomy.

[@mistreated]

@@cobracommander8133 I guess..but, not knowing that there's a difference between Astronomy and Astrology is also a huge problem. lol

[@ariesmry]

@@zzkkk7078 there was a running joke in college that the astronomy class was one of the most popular elective classes… until the first day when the professor had to explain astronomy vs astrology. Then the class size dropped by half.

[@scarredchild]

Reading what your star sign says can be fun. It can be a burst of cooky in a dull or already happy day when not taken too seriously. But, it gets irksome when people take it as gospel and center every step around paying people for a reading.

[@user-ty4jy4cp3r]

The ad is so ironic

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

The best argument against Astrology i'm aware of is that is never did discover ANYTHING just through "influences" that did not add up... no horoskope was ever imprecise cause "there is something in the fifth house past Saturn" that seemed to be important but we did not yet know what celestial body it was. And as we now know that all galaxies are giant heaps of stars and our own galaxy is WAY bigger than just the 5000 or 10.000 stars people can see with decent eyesight under total darkness conditions... why only the few stars people in antiquity drew lines between to make them? Why not sextillions of stars sorted by distance and size to determine the effect? As it is with half the planets or moons being "post astrology" discoveries and 99.9999% of stars never been assigned any importance the "art" is revealed to be all make belief and pretense.

[@daivambrosia6647]

I enjoy tarot precisely because it plays around with the narrativism mentioned at the end of this video. I don't actually believe the cards are telling me some deterministic fate in my future; it's more that it allows me to 1) contextualize my life in a more mythic/narratively-satisfying way and 2) think about my life and the paths its taking through a new perspective. Plus, the vibes of a good tarot reading -- *chef's kiss*. Light some incense and candles, smoke some weed, get into the altered state while spending time with friends, etc. Similar to new atheists in the God debate, I think many skeptics of astrology miss the point of why many people seek it out. There may be a certain explanatory element to it for many people -- as in they believe it explains reality better than the alternatives -- but I think the core reason its sought out has more to do with an existential yearning for the spiritual. To vibe with something that can't be neatly confined to our modernist physicalist boxes; to directly engage with the mysterious like our ancestors did for hundreds of thousands of years; to tell our stories with a cosmic resonance so we don't feel as alone and disenchanted; etc. No, the planets probably have no effect on your personality. But goddammit, there is still so much to uncover about reality and spirituality will remain valid for as long as humans remain human.

[@Eltener123]

Tl;dr woo woo nonsense for people deluding themselves that the uncaring universe actually has a purpose for them

[@Feverdream7777]

As an agnostic, I find it both entertaining, and calming to see that maybe FATE is a thing. It sucks having to accept (or even entertain the thought) that existence is random chaos with no meaning.

[@guillermosuarez6535]

You, my friend, are the reason! I mean, we can't seem to live with the idea that nothing matters and everything is just random. (It's not, but get my point) so, anything that can give us a believable answer will be devoured like a McBacon!

[@Feverdream7777]

@@guillermosuarez6535 I'll read your post again when you edit and correct the grammatical issues. Right now, I can't tell if you are agreeing, or being a dick for no reason (and I don't think it's either).

[@ramontavaresdacruz2256]

The problem lies in people who see astrology as "definitive", "You're X sign thus you have X traits", human personality isn't definitive, it's ever changing and evolving alongside our experiences. Regardless if it's astrology, MBTI or any other stereotyping system, some people use these ideas to escape accountability, instead of using these same systems as a roadmap to what they are and look to improve and be what they want to be.

[@alastorcorvus]

Exactly!!! I couldn't agree more, I wish I could've put it that eloquently but I've always thought the same.

[@DrumWild]

And I reply to them, "Thank goodness that there are only 12 types of people, and only 12 possibilities."

[@Gold753]

"instead of using these same systems as a roadmap to what they are and look to improve and be what they want to be." Took the words out of my mouth. Too many times I read things about "incompatible" or "toxic" when looking for patterns in other people, but not within ourselves. Finding out our weaknesses and showing our humility when that same light is on us is the true test of character, and sadly, we fail because that's life for ya. Whether that be under any personality-defining systems.

[@rcisneros310]

"Not at all scientifically proven"? It's fake. Just say it's fake. Also, you paid a DNA testing company to tell you that working out helps relieve stress? 🙄

[@GabrielFlores-zn2yl]

“Tetas” dude lmaooo

[@digitalbrentable]

Your preoccupation with materialism is another expression of modernity, and just as misguided as dissociation and rejection of it

[@rcisneros310]

@@digitalbrentable Your blind belief of obvious nonsense and preoccupation with spiritual mumbo jumbo is just an expression of the Barnum-Forer effect. Grow up.

[@noclue4108]

Alright, but care to address their points?

[@digitalbrentable]

@@rcisneros310 engaging with myth, ritual, narrative, symbolism, and culture is in our bones. Your petulant rejection of all this in a futile attempt to seek refuge in an imagined total and supreme materialist conception of life is as tragic as it is common - it's not your fault, but rather symptomatic of the conditions of late capitalist modernity. Nevertheless, even despite this postured affiliation, you unavoidably still engage in ritual and narrative symbolism (both in dissociation, and incidentally as a matter of being a human who must participate in a wholly immaterial and thoroughly ritualistic social life). You'll never divorce yourself from it, leaving you only with the choice between denial or examination of this basic facet of life. Good luck either way.

[@vagrantlibertine]

You got the painting wrong in the beginning of the video. That's the School Of Athens by Raphael, showing Aristotle and Plato in the center of the painting. You don't see Ptolemy from the front, he's in the corner of the painting facing several other people. Astrology remains popular because people have an immense fear of approaching reality on their own, so instead of natural introspection they cling to anything telling them what to do. Jung's entire philosophy was centered around introspection and self-confrontation, which is the antithesis of astrology. He also separated from Freud because they disagreed on fundamentals of the ideas they were working on, and because Jung felt he'd learned everything he could from Freud.

[@themodelarchitect]

Whoever put the backing tracks together for this video was straight VIBING

[@Lazslo_L]

Ofcourse his name's Leo

[@ashtonoakstand21]

Fun fact: Alan Leo actually changed his name to his sun sign, Leo. Which is also very Leonine 😂

[@kuroazrem5376]

Very interesting analysis.

[@katleho366gmail]

If someone is willing to hear me out, I'd greatly appreciate it: Being a South African black male, I grew up in a fairly Christian family. Time went on and I just lost faith due to *reasons* and went through a quarter of my life not believing in anything. Fast forward I went through almost 3 horrible years, physically, mentally and emotionally. At my very lowest, philosophy and spirituality saved me and helped me become the best possible of myself I could be while being invested in an intuition that I can profoundly say feels Divine. What can I say? Its just somehow always right and always present. Now I dabble many of forms of spirituality, from Astrology, Tarot reading, Angel work, Chakras, to philosophy, to, African spirituality, to more Pagan and Eastern beliefs, . Science still plays a role in everything too, we're just stuck in believing the stuff we were taught in middle school. Step out and find out more, expand your growth, love more, heal and abundance.

[@FelipeLoeraToledo]

Love how Wisecrack never misses a chance to discuss consumer capitalism and at the same time openly embraces it through sponsorships xD

[@digitalbrentable]

It's basically a running joke amongst all left leaning channels - being critical of capitalism, but existing within it and therefore needing to participate. Wisecrack and others often sarcastically acknowledge this with wry segues and figurative winks

[@FelipeLoeraToledo]

@@digitalbrentable it’s called hypocrisy

[@digitalbrentable]

@@FelipeLoeraToledo "Oh, you'd like to change society somewhat? Yet you participate in society, curious! I am very intelligent" literally a meme

[@thekillshootable]

Correction: 6:07 that's not Sigmund Freud, it's G. Stanley Hall. Freud is sitting further to the left.

[@deeptalks2964]

Haha nice fine.

[@TheTheoTherone]

There was a time (several years) when I read Rob Brezny's Free Will Astrology in my local weekly paper almost religiously. Always thought of it as a somewhat personal, semi-specific, yet generalized piece of advice and guidance for my week. Never thought of it as dogma or science in any way. But I appreciated the insights and focused challenges that were presented for the week. Been a couple years since I've read it regularly. (Was about to speculate on reasons why, but... hey, it's almost 2022. Who's focuses haven't changed?)

[@originaldarkwater]

That one little detail is so important: In England it was illegal to predict the future FOR MONEY. So presumably the problem wasn't that Leo wanted to use astrology to make predictions, it was that he wanted to get PAID for it. So much for "enthusiast".

[@purezero23]

I would just like to take the time to appreciate how on point the music is for this video.

[@LightsOnTrees]

I don't buy any of this astrology mumbo-jumbo, but then again I am a total Ravenclaw so I would say that.

[@hydrofalls8154]

Love the video. It's exactly why I love astrology. I never thought it was real, mostly because I might be born into a capricorn I am far from it. But knowing about it made life more interesting in a way.

[@KnowThyFuture]

Awesome video. I learned a lot.

[@holatengobro2332]

Religion isnt what it used to be but some people are just naturally more in need of something to believe in that's higher than ourselves and believing in it helps them to cope with nihilism whereas some others either can't believe ( i place myself in this category) or for whatever reason find meaning in atheism.

[@nonyabusinessinc]

Atheism is just "there is insufficient evidence for a god". You can find meaning in it by consistently applying logic and reason to everyday life. No religion does that.

[@zeeenno]

I used to hold this view until I realized it’s incredibly condescending. Like, “Oh, I don’t need it, but some people need to believe in fairy tales”. No one needs to belive in anything that is not real. Having a firmer grasp on reality will always serve people better than believing in things that are not true.

[@Evelyn_Okay]

Astrology is a cheap scapegoat for people to deny mental illness and personality disorders. Like, I don't have ADHD. I'm an Aries!

[@zaczane]

I have ADHD and I love it. I don't see it as an illness though, rather a strength that lets be cut through everyone else's bullshit, because I'm paying attention to everything all at once, even if I'm not actually doing so.

[@SleepyMatt-zzz]

And then there are mentally ill people who treat disabilities like astrology.

[@cavalrycome]

I know two people who are trying very hard to convince everyone that their problems with concentration are because they have ADHD rather than because they drink way too much.

[@chuyozuna2398]

This is correct

[@MrMash-mh9dy]

Another Helen episode!! It must be Christmas time with all of these!! I can't get enough of her snarky cuteness so this made my day a little better for sure. Thank you, Helen!

[@GabeHansel]

Love this video.

[@marshall4439]

This was a very thought provoking episode, but I feel the music bed was too high in the mix. It was hard to hear Helen at times.

[@rulamagic]

How does astrology empower narrativism, how does it create a framework? I feel like a lot of information is missing and astrology was oversimplified rather than explained in the video.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

It is. Shit it taken so far out of context and simplified to the point of reductio ad absurdum. In short, this is a strawman based on a few sensational fringe cases regarding the actual school of thought.

[@MolitorCa]

The irony of this episode being sponsored by one of the dozens of "DNA can tell what your favourite colour is" companies

[@thejoecohenshow]

Nah, last we checked, your favorite color had no scientific effect on your health ;)

[@Pheylm]

The visuals are stunning! my congratulations to the chef!

[@1.4142]

It's kind of similar to reading blood types, myers briggs personality tests, and fingerprints. They are just fun patterns and identities to cling onto in an ever changing, complicated world.

[@Rosa8princess]

See, if astrology makes you feel better about yourself, more power to you ig. But when you sit there and assume shit about other people because of it, I get pissed off

[@MellowJelly]

Everyone assumes shit 24/7 anyways so maybe get over it lol

[@MellowJelly]

Like from your eyeliner and extra body fat I'm gonna assume you have daddy issues

[@Rosa8princess]

@@MellowJelly I mean I’ve lost weight since then and the complete opposite, but I’m going to assume from that comment you’re super insecure and have to take it out on other people😊

[@Roadiedave]

"If astrology makes you feel better about yourself, more power to you ig. But when you sit there and assume shit about other people because of it" You're making a distinction without a difference.

[@user-mf4dd5rp8y]

@@MellowJelly wtf that’s so uncalled for

[@Asa95718]

Regarding the driving forces towards the rising appeal of astrology, I think there is a lot of crossover with the Anthony Giddens idea of ontological insecurity as a shared phenomenon of late-modernity. By disrupting peoples sense of rootednes in time and space, late-modernity disrupts our sense of both collective and individual identity. Not only does astrology provided a religious-like framework to make sense of the world as Munk explains, it also overlays an identity that cuts over class and race signifiers, in a way offering a cohesive identity at a time when nearly all 'traditional' identity signifiers are influx and invite critique. At the same time it retains and emphasises the supremacy of the individual that is essential to the function of contemporary capitalism. I would be interested to hear more on the gendered way society views astrology from this perspective. At least in my experience it is predominantly relatively affluent, college educated, white women, who are most vocal about astrology while most men I know are very dismissive off it. I think marginalization is very much a part of it but I wonder if this gender divied also refelctes the challenges of navigating rapidly changing gendered socail relations?

[@digitalbrentable]

Astrology is far from limited to bourgeois white women, as the video mentions it huge amongst people of colour. I'd also say there's a strong correlation with the working class. Also huge amongst lgbt+ - I think Wisecrack was on the money suggesting its broadly correlated with marginalisation in general.

[@theisgejlfischer8712]

great video, thanks for explaining ♥ love to all you astrology lovers

[@kv1-781]

Great video

[@MissDanaSophia]

Half ironic and half real enthusiasm: YAY, AQUARIUS ♒♒♒♒

[@bryankosfeld]

Bear with me, I haven’t dug through comments yet to see if anyone else asked this. Why does the “self decode” ad sound exactly like astrology?…

[@Roadiedave]

Because it is. Just substitute stars for genetic markers with vague yadda yaddas about how such and such explains why you're a horrible person, and your life sucks. Who needs agency when you have 30 genetic markers for denial?

[@thompsonnoel]

Often times wisecrack uses sponsors ironically. I think it's their way of trolling the marketplace they're forced to live in. Think of Michael promoting hair loss prevention.

[@Roadiedave]

@@thompsonnoel I don't think people already primed to believe woo will get the irony. Using DNA for those purposes can be very dangerous.

[@thompsonnoel]

@@Roadiedave I understand. I said in another comment it was dangerous to dismiss astrology and offer up an alternative just as enticing and insidious. I think Helen made it sound as ludicrous as possible without outright denouncing their sponsor. Irony and satire are a dangerous game. I'm sure some people took Jonathan Swift seriously when he suggested Irish people eat their children. I also think dumbing it down would be condescending to their audience. Judging by the number of comments that picked up on and criticized the ad I don't think the regular viewers of a skeptical philosophy channel will believe it. There's a risk passersby might take it at face value but that's also true of any form of sarcasm, irony or satire. They basically took their money and made a video as close as legally possible to mocking them.

[@Roadiedave]

@@thompsonnoel I didn't see irony or satire in the ad read, and it doesn't appear that most of the people that were clued in to the woo aspect of the ad vs the woo aspect of the video saw it either. Just a pretty ad friendly smiling girl unironically flogging the tech-savvy answer to all life's problems. Spit in a cup. eew. Ain't it great though? If that was supposed to be irony, it failed.

[@rckli]

“Here’s a video in modern astrology - but before that, here’s an ad for self decode” I’m hoping someone sees the glaring problem I see here xD

[@DrumWild]

People are SO gullible. My grandmother was an astrologer at the controversial Camp Chesterfield in Indiana. One time I went with her to her trailer office, and I noticed her name on the shingle with "Rev." in front of it. I asked her what that meant. She replied, "It means I don't pay taxes." She had customers paying her up to $375 per hour [in the 70s, no less] for what she called "chart regression." I asked her why she was engaging in this grift. She said that if she didn't do it, then they'd go see someone else, so might as well. Indeed, these suckers were looking for someone, and she figured that she'd be that someone. Ultimately, she impressed upon me that Astrology is nothing but spiritual garbage, as is all of religion. Grown adults should know better.

[@xPRIMExNITROx]

Helen is so great for this channel! So charismatic and enthusiastic

[@zaczane]

But she didn't even give Aquaman a chance.

[@PriestOfShits]

Philosophy of Arcane pls :)

[@viktorbalko213]

That background music motivated me to get through the week!

[@biblebreakdownpodcast]

Lingering element of spirituality for sure. Great video!

[@nappa1381]

I view astrology as just another form of fashion, a label you wear to try and distinguish yourself from the crowd. I think it's sad, really, that people will base their entire identity around something so banal as when they were born. But maybe I'm just being an Aquarius.

[@chuyozuna2398]

I’m also Aquarius and I don’t even care about astrology lol it’s a complete scam

[@alphacause]

The core of any scam is to appear to provide simple answers to complex problems. That is why astrology is so popular. It appeals to our complacent nature - a nature that is adverse to difficulty.

[@cp2polk]

The background music of thise video makes this feel like a satirical infomercial for astrology. 😂 Great vid yall

[@hayyoraeyo662]

Carl Sagan mentioned within the first minute has made my day.

[@Lizzchelle]

The lips of wisdom are closed, except to the ears of Understanding.

[@deeptalks2964]

Milk for babes, meat for strong Men.

[@lausenteternidad]

I have zero supernatural beliefs (beyond liking buddhism as philosophy of life), but I like I-ching and Tarot. I enjoy the literature, art, poetry and philosophy in those things. For me is just a game. Both things are completely random and generate a sort of story where you put yourself in. I think that that random shake up of how I think about things helps me find new ways to process what is happening to me, and also renew my sense of optimism. The stories that the hexagrams and the cards generate have some nice philosophy in them. The I-ching and Tarot are little random story generators, that I think that move that narrative capacity we have. It forces me to recontextualize stuff and unstucks me. But I like those things because _they are random._ There is no destiny marked by the stars on the day of my birth, no fixed deterministic path that can be calculated. Only the infinite variations and the one you got randomly.

[@danielsecara]

Droppin this vid on the day Carl Sagan passed away.

[@Valhallan]

Loved the song!

[@numberz673]

Unpopular opinion here: I loved the background music! 🎼🎶🎷 despite how some found this distracting, it made the entertainment value of the info skyrocket with a fun jazzy vibe .

[@chej9]

I see the craze of astrology as a symptom of the craze for the past, a collective mission to uncover the history and evolution of human archetypes. The zodiac is an early map of both time and space made by the observations of the first civilizations, and because that is metal as fuck, we are naturally attracted to it.

[@blahthebiste7924]

This is the worst part about astrology: it could actually be REALLY COOL if only it weren't ruined by how stupid it's modern fan club is.

[@jodanielgutierrez253]

This music is literally giving me life

[@CaptainMisery86]

I've never gone looking for my horoscope, but if I stumbled onto them I would read mine. They were always super vague. Then one day years ago, I was sitting next to the girl I just started dating and she downloaded an app for them. I don't remember what it was, but it was spot on. Everyday for the entire relationship they applied perfectly to us either individually or together. Made us question reality a bit.