Why Horoscopes? Everything You Need To Know
Too often, we hear from people who feel that horoscopes are “fluky” ,“gimmicky,” or downright wrong. However, it’s THESE people who are wrong! There is a lot of information that goes into analyzing horoscopes and astrological signs. Horoscopes could help make you a better person, improve your daily life, and assist you when you’ve reached a crossroad.
Skeptical about horoscopes and astrological signs? Are you looking to learn more? Below, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to all thing’s horoscopes. After reading the guide, there’s a good chance that you’ll be much more willing to give horoscopes a shot.
What Are Horoscopes?
Horoscopes are astrological charts or diagrams that analyze astrology signs and positions. Horoscopes typically account for numerous astrological positions, including those of the:
- Moon
- Sun
- Planets
- Stars
- Other astrological aspects and sensitive angles
Astrologers believe that horoscopes are much like fingerprints,
in that they are unique to each individual.
Horoscopes have been around for thousands of years. The ancient Babylonians were the first to come up with zodiac signs based on various constellations. Soon after that, the ancient Egyptians began using a system similar to the one used by the ancient Babylonians. However, the ancient Greeks, who existed around 1,000 BC, modernized horoscopes into what we see today. The word “astrology” is derived from the Greek word “asteri,” which means “star.” The word “Horoscope” has Latin influences. In Latin, “Horo” means “Hour” while “Scope” means “View.” Thus, when translating “Horoscope” from Latin, you’ll find that it means, “view of the hour.”
Horoscopes are essentially an astrologer’s analysis of the various astrological signs and elements. As you may be aware, each person has a Zodiac sign. These signs are reflective of the position of the sun, moon, stars, and planets during your time of birth. Astrologers will often go as deep as to analyze the position of the astrological elements during the exact time and location of birth. Astrologers believe that horoscopes are much like fingerprints, in that they are unique to each individual.
How Do Horoscopes Work?
When using a chart that’s accurately-timed, astrologers can pinpoint distinct energies and characteristics that are unique to each individual. These energies could potentially indicate an individual’s:
- Characteristics
- Expressions
- Behaviors
Much of the negative stigma surrounding horoscopes comes from the fact that people may say, “My horoscope never comes true.” This is something that astrologists would admit to being the case. Astrologists are the first people to indicate that the readings about the energies they provide are nothing more than the POTENTIAL personal expression of an individual and that our free will can often exhibit influences that change the way the powers work within an individual.
Furthermore, many people are skeptical of horoscopes because they read something in their local newspaper or similar publication that they feel does not come true. The process of reading horoscopes is significantly more in-depth than this, however. These publications often provide a writeup that’s a mere sentence or two long. These publications expect these write-ups to apply to everyone born within the timeframe of a zodiac sign!
Because horoscopes rely on information such as when and where you were born, your specific reading could vary from the general overview that a publication provides. If this is the reason for your skepticism, you may want to receive a more in-depth reading or visit specific horoscope sites, who can give you a more detailed explanation of your horoscope sign and the energies that stand as the driving force in your life.
What Are Zodiac Signs
Zodiac signs first came about in ancient China. You can see the 12 Zodiac signs in the sky by looking at various constellations of stars. It’s these constellations that astrologers believe represent the many energies of consciousness. Astrologers often group the 12 Zodiac signs into four different groups: Water, Fire, Earth, and Air.
The Water Zodiac Signs
The Water Zodiac Signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. These people tend to be sensitive and emotional. They can also be quite mysterious, just like the ocean. These individuals also love having deep, meaningful conversations and finding someone with who they can be intimate. One of the most significant strengths of those with a Water Zodiac Sign is the fact that they are there to support their loved ones.
The Fire Zodiac Signs
The Fire Zodiac Signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. The individuals with these signs tend to be dynamic and passionate. Although some may say that they have a short fuse and anger easily, those with Fire signs often tend to recognize their mistakes and forgive quickly. Individuals with Fire Zodiac Signs are quite healthy and often inspire others. They also tend to be very creative and intelligent.
The Earth Zodiac Signs
The Earth Zodiac Signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These individuals tend to have a strong sense of self-worth and are very level-headed in their decision making. They can pass this along to others, helping bring people back down to earth during tumultuous times. Those with an Earth Zodiac sign also tend to be quite supportive, standing by others when the going gets tough. Their loyalty is one of the things that stands out the most.
The Air Zodiac Signs
Lastly, the Air Zodiac Signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These people tend to value their relationships and have a strong desire to communicate with others. They tend to be quite friendly. However, they can also be quite analytical, although what some may see as “over-thinking” can cause those with Air Zodiac Signs to reach rational decisions. Don’t be surprised to find yourself engaged in a philosophical discussion with a Gemini, Libra or Aquarius.
What Dates Represent Each Zodiac Sign?
Although astrologers can pinpoint horoscopes based on your moment and location of birth, one of the most common ways to read your horoscope is by identifying your Zodiac sign. Zodiac signs are based on the position of the sun, planets, moon, and stars on your birthday. The 12 Zodiac signs are organized by the following days:
- Aries, March 21 – April 19
- Taurus, April 20 – May 20
- Gemini, May 21 – June 20
- Cancer, June 21 – July 22
- Leo, July 23 – August 22
- Virgo, August 23 – September 22
- Libra, September 23 – October 22
- Scorpio, October 23 – November 21
- Sagittarius, November 22 – December 21
- Capricorn, December 22 – January 19
- Aquarius, January 20 – February 18
- Pisces, February 19 – March 20
Why Do People Enjoy Reading Their Horoscopes?
Astrologists will be the first to tell you that horoscopes are not backed by certainty and that everyday influences can go a long way toward determining our fate. Furthermore, there have been no scientific studies backing horoscopes. Yet, many people turn to horoscopes for guidance and support. Why do people find their horoscope signs so comforting?
One of our brain’s survival techniques is generating predictions. Our minds are constantly absorbing information around up in anticipation of potential harms. A perfect example is defensive driving. For instance, if you’re at a traffic light that turns green, and you happen to notice a car speeding from the other direction, you may hesitate for a second to ensure that the car does not run the red light.
Horoscopes provide us with a feeling of control over our future. Even individuals who claim not to believe in horoscopes find that the readings provide a sense of balance, boundaries, and order. Horoscope readings provide people with comfort, as they indicate that our lives are not a series of random events, but instead phenomenon’s that are patterned.
As humans, we feel much more secure when we know what to expect.
This is why we take a liking to horoscopes.
Another way to look at horoscopes is by considering children’s movies. Many children have a favorite movie that they enjoy watching over and over again, even though they already know what is going to happen. Why is this the case? As humans, we feel much more secure when we know what to expect. This is why we take a liking to horoscopes. We can brace ourselves for whatever is going to happen in the future, no matter how dire the outlook.
Perhaps this is one of the primary reasons why people turn to horoscopes when their life is full of stress, as evidenced by this study by psychologist Graham Tyson. After studying participants, Tyson was able to conclude that “under conditions of high stress, the individual is prepared to use astrology as a coping device even though under low-stress conditions he does not believe in it.”
Who Uses Horoscopes?
The answer, in short, is everyone. Both men and women, young and old all turn to horoscopes for a sense of comfort or security. However, it appears that more and more millennials are turning to astrology signs. Part of the reason for this is accessibility. No longer are individuals limited to a short blurb in their local newspaper telling them what the next week may have in store. Now, the Internet has made horoscopes readily accessible.
Not only can people gain access to daily outlooks and predictions, but they can also read about other detailed aspects of their life. For instance, horoscope predictions now exist in categories including, but not limited to:
- Love
- Financial
- Career
Furthermore, not only can you find this information in a quick internet search, but you can also see it on your favorite social media platforms. Many horoscope sites now have pages on apps such as Facebook and Instagram, accumulating hundreds of thousands of followers. Millennials who are in-tune with this technology find that they don’t have to go nearly as far to see their horoscope. A current reading is no more than a couple of clicks away.
Horoscopes have seen a popularity boom like this before. In the 1960s and 70s, a “New Age” progressive movement made horoscopes significantly more popular. Although horoscopes existed after the New Age, it wasn’t until 2010 or so that their popularity began to explode again. Horoscope companies have done an excellent job at rebranding New Age horoscope principles to meet an online generation.
How Can Horoscopes Work For You?
If you are looking for guidance in your life or have been struggling with stress and uncertainty, you may want to consider trying horoscope signs. Even if you do not believe in the reading of the stars, horoscopes could give you a framework for how to live your life so that you find much more clarity and certainty.
Horoscopes can provide you with the opportunity to connect with the
things that are unquantifiable and more difficult to define.
As humans, we seek to live our lives as a narrative. We continuously try to create a story that finds a way to intertwine the future with the past and present. Horoscopes provide us with a framework to create our stories. Horoscopes can provide organization in your life and an area in which to turn if you think that things are going “off the rails.”
Do you feel as though you’re stuck in a dead-end job? Do you feel hopelessly single, wondering when your future partner is going to come along? Do you find yourself taking out your frustrations and stresses through vices such as junk food or alcohol? No matter the situation, horoscopes could help. Horoscopes could provide you with a sense that things are going to be ok.
Even if you are a skeptic of horoscopes, we recommend that you give them a try. There’s no harm in reading your horoscopes to see what your future has in store. You never know what you may find when doing so. Horoscopes can help you “write your story” and tap into the numinous part within yourself.
Horoscopes can provide you with the opportunity to connect with the things that are unquantifiable and more difficult to define. In today’s world of extreme data, horoscopes offer a language of symbols that allow you to account for the portions of the human experience that don’t have explanations or numbers. You never know what will happen once you begin reading!