written in the stars

I have always wondered about peoples' fascination with astrology. The Bible forbids dabbling in it (though 'forbidding' has never really stopped anyone has it?), Shakespeare doesn't really believe in it - and to quote from 'Julius Caesar', everyone's favourite O Level text,

"Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
--William Shakespeare Julius Caesar I.ii.

Life! now has an astrology column, almost every magazine contains horoscope predictions - why, when so many people claim to read it with a pinch of salt, do they still bother?

In a recent meeting with a friend also known as the Late Night Astrologer, he expounded to some enlightening degree the known traits of people born under certain star signs, taking into consideration the ascendant and moon signs, and it wasn't too far from the truth. To put it less mildly, it was uncannily accurate.

Horoscope readings aside, if astrology can tell what a person's character is, I suppose it draws people because it can be extremely comforting. For one, you know that even if you think you're weird, there are others, born on the same day at the same time at the same place who are equally weird so you don't have to worry about sticking out like a sore thumb. Also, knowledge is power, (let's not go into the 'power corrupts' part yet), and if one has a certain degree of self-knowledge, that will cut down a lot of time in the Painful Self-Discovery area inevitably experienced by adolescents. This phase is more commonly identified by the "Who am I? Why am I so screwed up? What am I doing on earth?" refrain (or at least, different permutations of the above).

Arguably, these character readings may turn out to be nothing more than self-fulling prophecies. However, I suppose the Painful Self Discovery phase drive people to different areas, including religion. To each his own I suppose; but I do see why people enjoy reading up on their horoscopes. Ultimately, we all just need security, by knowing that our futures are at least known, if not controlled by some higher power, be it the stars or God. (Though I know some would vehemently oppose, saying each man is his own master, which is true to a certain degree I suppose...)

Personally, I'd rather have God than stars anytime.