MODERN MEDIA'S ROLE
When things took a turn...
For hundreds of years, there was virtually no difference between astrology - identifying signs based on celestial movement - and astronomy - the “hard” science behind these celestial objects. In the seventeenth century, however, Sir Isaac Newton developed an entirely new scientific approach to mathematizing celestial motion that utilized gravity and other concepts in physics. Isaac Newton’s work resulted in the distinction being drawn between Astronomy (the science) and Astrology (the belief).
Over the past several decades, the science aspect of the zodiac has been overshadowed by its immeasurable, artistic counterpart. Although historically the zodiac was once an artform symbolic of true mastery, modern media has been the largest contributor to its misrepresentation in society. This has led to an establishment of “Pop Astrology.”
Despite the fact that there are a collection of elements that form one’s complete celestial “chart,” the popularity of the Sun sign peaked in the late 19th century. During this time, psychology and the study of personalities was gaining a lot of traction in the academic world. Modern science was introducing new, complex ideas behind humanity every day, and people found it reassuring to believe that their personalities could be so simplistically reflected by the stars.
Over the years, this false simplification of astrology has been amplified by the media. Modern publications have popularized the once seriously taken discipline into superficial quizzes and daily predictions that are designed for mass appeal.
In this issue of Teen People Magazine, the writers are “guessing what your room needs based on your birthday!” Each blurb, though, is clearly designed with the sole purpose of appealing to the magazine’s readers. Whereas true horoscopes are a product of several unique inputs of an individual, this publication generalizes its readers in every single sign. The magazine even assumed that the reader is female, immediately alienating non-female readers and further repelling them from astrology.
