Astrology’s roots can be traced back thousands of years, with cultures from all over the world looking to the stars and celestial bodies to help navigate their present and future. More recently, astrology has had a profound effect on pop culture.
From fashion to art to the modern world of dating, the impact of zodiac signs can be clearly seen. Come with us as we take a whirlwind tour of the twelve ways astrology has influenced popular culture.
The Perfect Match? Checking Out Relationship Compatibility
Checking out a potential partner’s zodiac sign has long been used to assess compatibility. If we’re a dreamy Pisces, for example, would we be a good match with that hot, extrovert Leo who has caught our eye?
Today, this has permeated into the realm of online dating, with many people choosing to include their star sign in their profile – and being keen to give special attention to that of a possible match. In fact, you can even choose to filter profiles according to zodiac signs!
Star-Crossed Style
The ongoing impact of astrology on popular culture can clearly be seen in fashion. From necklaces featuring our birthstone to earrings of our zodiac sign and even tattoos representing our astrological symbol, there are endless ways to personalize our ‘fit.
Celebs embrace the zodiac trend as wholeheartedly as we mere mortals. Hailey Bieber has been spotted wearing a diamond embellished coin pendant bearing her Sagittarius credentials, while Rhiannon regularly rocks an oversized Pisces medallion from luxe brand Briony Raymond.
On the Big Screen
We can see the influence of astrology on the silver screen, too! The 1938 film _When Were You Born_ features an astrologer who helps the police track down a murderer, while 2001’s _Serendipity_ follows characters who use astrology to help them reunite.
Hindi cinema also regularly uses astrological themes, such as Om Shani Om in which the protagonist’s astrologer helps him undergo a profound transformation. These films lean into a sense of fate, destiny, and a wider force guiding our actions.
Between the Pages
For decades books on astrology have had huge popular appeal, and this shows no sign of slowing. From a light read on how to dress, cook, travel, or find love based on our star sign to weightier tomes that delve into rising signs and the movement of the planets through various Houses, the Astrology shelf at your local bookstore or library is sure to be well stocked.
Astrology has found its way into fiction, too, where mentions of characters’ star signs are a regular occurrence. Contemporary novels including _A Perfect Square_ by Isobel Blackthorn and _The Astrologer_ by Scott G.F Bailey go further, with astrology as their main theme.
The Rise of the Astrology App
How we connect with astrology has moved with the times – just look at the ever-increasing popularity of the astrology app. These platforms offer tailored advice and guidance based on our zodiac sign, with popular internet astrologers propelled to – forgive the pun – stardom.
Many users of these apps find them a helpful means of reconnecting with ourselves and the world around us, offering a sense of security and continuity. Plus, they’re highly accessible; whether on the bus to work or grabbing a five-minute coffee break, we can access the answers we need.
Wellness and Well-Being
The influence of astrology can be clearly seen in the well-being industry as well as in a general attitude to holistic wellness. Many wellness practitioners now incorporate astrology and other “alternative” practices alongside their regular techniques and services.
In recent years, a much wider awareness of how celestial events like retrogrades can affect our mood and energy has emerged, making mindful rest more important than ever.
Celeb Culture
We can’t get enough of what the celebs and Hollywood glitterati are up to – and this has extended to their star sign! Knowing the zodiac sign of our favorite stars can help us feel closer to them – and maybe even compare their personality traits with our own if we share the same sign.
If you’re a Gemini, you share a sign with Angelina Jolie, while if you’re a Virgo you and Beyonce are two of a kind – sort of! Celebs are increasingly turning to astrologers for bespoke insight and guidance, further embedding the practice into contemporary pop culture.
Singing to the Stars
There is no shortage of pop songs that reference the zodiac, too! From REM’s ‘Saturn Return’ to ‘The Age of Aquarius’ by Fifth Dimension and Tori Amos’ ‘Goodbye Pisces’, stars have long been inspired by the heavens.
There are also well-known tracks you may not even realize have an astrological connection. For example, the title of Al Stewart’s ‘Year of the Cat’ is a reference to the Vietnamese star sign of the Cat, which is equivalent to the Chinese Rabbit zodiac sign.
Astrology in Art
For centuries astrology has literally made its mark through art. The 17,000-year-old cave paintings discovered in the Lascaux Cave in France are thought to incorporate ancient star maps, while Egypt’s Temple of Hathor features a depiction of the zodiac and dates from around 30 BCE.
Fast forward to modern times, and astrology continues to exert a major influence on the art world. Betye Saar’s _Mystic Window for Leo_ of 1969 and the 1980 piece, _Gemini,_ by Martin Wong, are just a couple of examples.
Mystical Memes
Millions of people around the world consume their astro content via memes – as we mentioned, astrology is great at keeping up with the times! Some of these memes have brought “astro speak” into the mainstream.
When Mercury went retrograde in 2021, this prompted a slew of hilarious memes, many of which went viral, such as “I mean, Mercury’s in retrograde” which introduced this celestial movement to those who’d never heard of it before.
The Role of Influencers
Astrology’s continuing impact on pop culture is nowhere better seen than in the proliferation of astro-influencers online. This new breed of celeb offers everything from horoscopes to makeup tuition based on star signs.
Some astrology influencers have become superstars within their field, racking up mind-blowing numbers of followers, likes, and shares. This is proving to be a key driver of keeping astrology relevant and in the contemporary social spotlight.
Seeking Deeper Understanding
A key reason that astrology remains so relevant and popular today, and continues to influence diverse elements of culture, is that it helps us gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, those around us, and our place in the world.
In such fast-changing, uncertain times, astrology is a comforting constant, identifying patterns in seeming chaos and useful in navigating life’s complex paths. It’s why the importance of the answer to the question, “What’s your sign?” isn’t going to diminish any time soon.
