Jocelyn Arceo
Editor in Chief
With birth charts and horoscopes making a wave on social media, an informal survey of 20 ULV students has shown that many students follow astrology for lighthearted fun, while few actually follow the practice wholeheartedly.
Astrology is the study of the movements and positions of celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon and other planets, as having influence on humanity and our natural world.
Basically, according to astrology, the placement of the planets and other celestial bodies at the time we were born have an effect on who we are and how we act, as well as our interactions with others.
Seventeen students said they liked to look at their horoscope for fun, while three other students follow their astrology regularly.
However, there was a general consensus among all 20 students that people should remain open minded when it comes to those who truly follow their sign, regardless if they were to find it impractical.
“I’m going to take the liberal approach and say that it’s always good to have an open mind about everything, especially if we don’t know about it for sure,” Nazeli Nalbantian, senior political science major, said. “Until we find out more information, I don’t see why we should hate on it (astrology).”
Some students felt that following astrology gave them a better connection with the universe and a better understanding of themselves, like Alexa Woods, senior psychology major.
“I follow astrology so I can understand my connection with the universe and others within it,” Woods said. “It brings peace, and deepens my love for the world.”
Mariah Williams, junior psychology major, said she continues to fall back into following astrology because it allows her to reflect and obtain guidance when she feels lost in life.
“I’m a big believer that nature, as well as the universe, have certain effects on us as part of a bigger whole,” Williams said. “If simple things such as the tides can be influenced by the moon, then imagine what whole planets can have power over. That was always my way of viewing it.”
While it remains clear that at least a small portion of our campus is home to some avid astrology followers, some students warn that depending too much on the perception of your sign can hinder your growth, like Eddie Barrera-Valdivieso, senior kinesiology major.
“I focused a lot on my sign and how inherently protective I was of my family, and how my sign was so mirroring of that, and then I realized that it’s really just about who I am and how I grew up,” Barrera-Valdivieso said. “It helped me create a better sense of identity to what I’m more attuned to, but it definitely didn’t give me a push. It was just verified.”
It was common among the surveyed students that horoscopes provide a fun way to gain some more control over their lives.
Maryjane Amaya, senior kinesiology major, said that she likes to look at her horoscope when she is going through a rough patch for advice because it puts her mind at ease.
However, Amaya said she remained wary of following the practice wholeheartedly due to the generalizations typically made in horoscopes, and she advises other students to remain cautious, but open minded, as well.
“Those who wholeheartedly believe in horoscopes should keep an open mind that they might not always be true,” Amaya said. “And those that don’t believe in them whatsoever have to be considerate of others opinions, so if that’s what they believe then to each their own.”
Maintaining respect for one another’s belief’s remains crucial to all of the surveyed students, whether or not they truly follow the practice themselves.
As astral charts and daily horoscopes rise in popularity, whether that be because it is fun or practical, it is important to keep an open mind and mutual respect when looking upon those who may have different practices than your own.
Jocelyn Arceo can be reached at jocelyn.arceo@laverne.edu.
