There’s nothing wrong with believing in horoscopes

Having been consumed by an interest in the Zodiac signs and horoscopes from as long as I can remember, the depressing consequence of this passion has been the response I face from others for my beliefs. It is not my desire to lay out a convincing argument as to the merits of astrology, or to tell you what to think, but I’m fed up of people laughing and dismissing astrology when they find out I’m an ardent follower of horoscopes and my Zodiac sign. I’ve even been bullied for it, such as during my last two years at school when I had my horoscope ripped up in front of me, daily, because it was all ‘bullshit’. Fair enough though, it was the Daily Mail’s.

And then, I made matters much worse for myself. In a move partly out of a deep passion for Scorpio and partly out of rebellion, I decided to ink the sign onto my left side. Two years on, and had I a penny for every time I’ve been asked why I have a tattoo of the Macdonald’s sign, or if I’d like ‘fries with that?’, I’d be able to buy a (un)happy meal. Regardless of what people may think, the fact it has meaning to me is the most important thing

No resemblance whatsover.

I remain sceptical of the predictive element of astrology, but I do believe that my star sign heavily influences my behaviour, emotions and fate. I am the archetypical Scorpio in every way, and had I not been born one I’d wish I had. Yet even amongst my friends I find it undeniable the link between their Zodiac sign and personality traits. I always make sure one of the first questions I ask someone upon meeting them is their birthday as it can be insightful in revealing character. But I can even guess someone’s sign to a good degree of accuracy after a few minutes of conversation.

Finding myself

Despite my qualms I continue to read my daily or monthly horoscope as I like to entertain the thought that the impossible is possible. And when so much of newspaper content is negative, its nice to find positivity in my horoscope, regardless of its accuracy. You wouldn’t laugh at someone’s religion, so why laugh at my astrology? It’s easy to dismiss anything slightly supernormal as rubbish because it can’t be explained by science. In the same way that religion cannot be proven or disproven by science, perhaps neither can astrology – it is beyond rational explanation.

Yet still narrow-mindedness prevails as I continue to be told its all bullshit. Maybe it is, but without full explanations for either side, why should I be told not to believe in it? Maybe the superstitious dreamer in me has driven my obsession, or maybe there’s actually some truth in it. Either way, if it makes me happy then let me believe it.