The Psychology of Why People Believe in Astrology
Why do people believe
in astrology? The answer to the question lies very much in the same realm as
why people believe in just about any superstition. Astrology offers a number of
things which many people find very desirable: information and assurance about the
future, a way to be absolved of their current situation and future decisions,
and a way to feel connected to the entire cosmos.
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Astrology shares this
with many other beliefs which tend to be categorized as "New Age."
For example, the idea that nothing in life is truly coincidental. On this view
of life, everything which happens to us, even the smallest or seemingly most
insignificant event, happens for some particular reason. Astrology then claims
to provide at least some of the answers as to why they happen, and perhaps even
a way to predict them in advance. In this way, astrology purports to help
people understand their lives and the world around them — and who doesn't want
that?
Does Astrology Help
People?
In a sense, astrology
does work. As practiced today, it can work quite well. After all, most of those
who visit an astrologer end up feeling satisfied and feeling that they have
benefited. What this really means is not that astrology has accurately
predicted the person's future, but rather it means that visiting an astrologer
or having a horoscope cast can be a fulfilling and personally satisfying
experience.
Think about what
happens during a visit with an astrologer: someone holds your hand (even if
only figuratively), looks you in the eye, and explains how you, as an
individual, are actually connected to our entire cosmos. You are told how
mysterious forces in the universe around us, far greater than ourselves, work
to shape our intimate destinies. You are told relatively flattering things
about your character and life, and in the end, you are naturally pleased that
someone cares about you. In the hectic and generally disconnected modern
society, you feel connected — both to another human being and to the world
around you.
Most likely, you even
get some vaguely useful advice about your future. Daniel Cohen wrote in the
Chicago Tribune in 1968 that:
"The core of an
astrologer's popularity stems from the fact that he can offer something that no
astronomer or any other scientists can give — reassurance. In an uncertain
time, when religion, morals, and ethics are shattered so regularly that one
hardly notices that they are gone, the astrologer holds out a vision of a world
ruled by forces that operate with clockwork regularity.
A Connection to the Cosmos
In addition, astrology
is glorifying. Instead of feeling himself a mere slave in the hands of
different hostile forces, the believer is uplifted by his connection with the
cosmos. ... The sort of misty character analysis that astrologers engage in
cannot be considered proof at all. Who can object to a flattering description
of themselves? One astrologer told me that under my hard exterior I was a
sensitive person. How was I to reply to a statement like that? Could I say,
'No, I am really a hardheaded clod'?"
What we have, then, is
personal advice and personal attention from a kindly authority figure. Planets?
They don't really have anything to do with the matter — the planets are simply
the excuse for the meeting. All the talk about ascensions and quadrants serve
to make the astrologer appear to be an expert and authority figure, thus
setting the stage for the quality of the encounter. In reality, the charts and
horoscope are just smokescreens to deflect your attention from what is really
going on, which is a cold reading. This is simply an old carnival trick,
employed today with great success not just by astrologers, but psychics and
mediums and hucksters of all brands.
None of this is to say
that astrologers' advice is never any good. Like a telephone psychic, even
though the advice is usually very vague and general, it can often be better
than no advice at all. Some people just need another person to listen to them
and show some concern for their problems. On the other hand, astrologers who
recommend against particular marriages or projects because of the
"stars" might be providing disastrous advice. There is, sadly, no way
to differentiate between the two.
source:
https://www.thoughtco.com/astrology-and-psychology-4079970
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