In my teenage years, in the depths of the 90s, I became interested in tarot cards, black lipstick, and all things “witchy.” I bought runes to decipher, crystals for under my pillow, and probably at least 1000 candles. But one thing I didn’t get into was astrology. I don’t know if it just wasn’t part and parcel, or if my lack of Internet access left me out of the loop. But the 90s— and my “witchier” intentions—came and went, and now after ten years of marriage, I still don’t know my husband’s sign. However, it feels like only recently did this all seem to matter. Because, suddenly, astrology is everywhere. The Babylonians are generally credited with the birth of astrology. Their astrological charts allowed them to predict the recurrence of seasons and certain celestial events. So in the beginning and for more than 2,000 years, astrology and astronomy were the same science. Babylonian astrology was introduced to the Greeks early in the 4th century B.C. and, through the studies of Plato, Aristotle, and others, astrology came to be highly regarded as a science. It was soon embraced by the Romans (the Roman names for the zodiacal signs are still used today) and the Arabs and later spread throughout the entire world. So, why the sudden surge of interest? I’m sure the witchy aesthetic has something to do with it, but I think it’s more than that. You see, we live in a time ripe with uncertainty. Fewer and fewer of us Gen Xers and Millennials have a “plan.” We are more likely to live paycheque- to-paycheque, with fewer long-term plans, no pension, and no “sure thing.” We divorce more, have more debt, and generally speaking, We Struggle. So, of course we would then also gravitate towards astrology: you see, we do it for the answers.
Astrology has a way of making us feel reassured. It validates our quirks, explains our deepest traits, and justifies our misfortunes. And many folks these days need that. The deep desire to understand—or at least try to—in an age of broken hearts, pandemics, and an epic class war: if the stars have something to say, we’re all ears, because what have we got to lose?
The takeaway? In an age of uncertainty, astrology can make us feel better. With all the difficulties of our time, people should be allowed to believe in magic if they want to.
THE ELEMENTS
Fire signs: known for being passionate, opinionated, and bold. Aries (March 21-April 19), Leo (July 23-Aug.22), and Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Air signs: are all about expression, being extroverted and fluid. Gemini (May 21-June 21), Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 20), and Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
M
Water signs: are sensitive and deeply intuitive, idealistic, and altruistic. Cancer (June 22-July 22), Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21), and Pisces (Feb. 21-March 20)
Earth signs: are pragmatic, stubborn, logical, and practical. Taurus (April 20-May 20), Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19), and Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
SPRING 2020 www.pei-living.ca
71
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker