Astrology comes from a Hindu belief that all beings have a soul, otherwise known as the “supreme soul,” and it turned into a way of allowing people to see how the course of their life would go. It soon spread to ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, and many other regions. For centuries, it has been used to define our personalities and futures and has been a form of self-reflection. But why is it that sometimes, it’s so scarily accurate? 

According to scientists, it’s all based on the placebo effect. This means that if your life circumstances lead you to believe that something is true, you’ll feel the effects of it. For example, if you’re told you’re being given ibuprofen when it’s really just a fake pill, you might feel as though you are getting the same relief ibuprofen would provide you with. 

But if astrology relies on the placebo effect, why does it seem to trace your entire life accurately? I personally use a few apps to get my daily horoscope and while every day is not 100% accurate there are days where it’s exactly as expected. I once had an astrologist tell me that within five years I would make a major move, eight months later my family and I packed our bags and moved to Oklahoma. I had no choice in the matter so it couldn’t have been me subconsciously fulfilling what the astrologist had said. The stars may not be entirely accurate but you can’t help but wonder ‘How did birthplace, date, and time bring my life experiences to fruition?’ 

Astrology is not meant to predict every second of a person’s life, it is a way of understanding the world around you. A person’s zodiac sign can influence the way they see and understand the world around them. Personally, I’m a Gemini sun which means that I have a personality that ebbs and flows at any given time but it is paired with a Virgo rising that helps keep me grounded. I’ve found that understanding my sign has helped me form a better understanding of myself.  

But at the end of the day, astrology is truly up to everyone’s own interpretation. It can be taken literally, figuratively, or not at all. It all depends on if you believe in its ability to help you understand both yourself and the world around you. Scientists may not believe that it is an accurate way to measure a person’s being and life, but for many, it is a part of who they are.