Written in the Stars

Article by : Rafael Andres Jennings

  In a corner of the Richter library, between discussions of chemistry and business analytics, you may hear the words “rising sign” or “Birth chart” tossed between a group of friends.

        The supposed leader of this group, Lauren Wynn, a sophomore studying Biology on the pre-med track, has been persuading her inner circle to download the astrology app, Co-star.” I just recently downloaded Co-star, because my friend, Julia, told me to, and now I check it like every day,” she said.

        From TikTok celebrity birth chart analysis to constant fear of mercury in retrograde, Astrology has positioned itself as an important aspect of our social identity, especially among Gen-Z. Though Western Astrology has come to be the most widely recognizable form of Astrology, the study of the celestial world’s influence on human life is a lot older and more nuanced than we often recognize.

Since ancient times many post-modern civilizations have had their own distinct ways of interpreting the sky. Today, Ancient influences are still present in modern understandings of Astrology.

In the Western world, it is common to hear the question, “What is your zodiac sign?” Referring to the 12 hellenistic zodiac signs, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Which are derived from ancient Mesopotamian Astrology. In the 400s B.C.E., the Babylonians are credited with the idea of dividing the Zodiac into 12 distinct signs based on the path of the sun. The first traceable horoscopic chart of an individual is believed to date back to 410 B.C.E. in Babylon (Ancient Origins, 2018)

Each Zodiac sign represents 30° of the sun's path, totaling 360°. This system was adopted by the Greeks and then Romans, who added their own mythological aspects.

The word ‘Zodiac’ comes from a Greek word that can be translated to ‘little animals. The term is representative of the mythological characteristics that the Zodiac took on during the Hellenistic period. This happened after Alexander the Great’s conquest of Mesopotamia in 331 B.C.E.

In Ancient Greek culture, Zodiac signs were interwoven with ideas surrounding the philosophical, social, and metaphysical. The alignment of the stars and the planets became an answer to questions that faced society, like “Free Will vs Fate.” Some believed that the stars were direct dictators of each person’s path in life.

While the practice of horoscope reading, as we see it today, can be attributed to the  Ancient Greeks, since then, it has taken on a completely different meaning to each of us.

In the Journal, “Elements of the Babylonian Contribution to Hellenistic Astrology”, American Assyriologist Freancesa Rochberg writes,

“Despite the presence of "Babylonian" elements, the philosophical rationale of Greek astrology and its doctrine of interpretation are all Hellenistic Greek in origin and explainable only in terms of Greek tradition itself.” 

Today, the obsession with clairvoyance in relation to astrology is still active. You can find daily, weekly, and monthly horoscopes on just about any corner of the internet. For some, horoscopes, which are readings of the planets and stars alignment, have become guidebooks to predicting and interpreting life events. 

When asked about her horoscope reading, Sophomore at the University of Miami, Alejandra Rodriguez, said, “Can I speak bad? They said I was never gonna be rich.” Referring to her Co-star app reading of her birth chart,” It (astrology) is very different from my spirituality, but I would say there are some things that I think coincide with my spirituality,” she added. Today, young people looking at their birth chart for projections of wealth, love, and happiness directly mirror the practices of Ancient Greek society. In both cases, asking if our lives are carved out by the stars, or if we each dictate our own destinies.

In Ancient China, the Zodiac was also a popular practice. While it is unclear when exactly the Zodiac originated within China, by the arrival of the Han Dynasty, Zodiac and Astrology were established practices.

In the Journal, “Characteristics of Chinese Astrology” by Shigeru Nakayama, she explains the magnitude of Astrology in China through writing, 

“Celestial phenomena were matters of great concern to the throne, implying grave political consequences…If  his (the ruler’s) conduct is contrary to the natural order, he is no longer qualified for the throne.“

In the Chinese Zodiac, the symbols are represented by 12 animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each of these animals is associated with a year.  One's year of birth is the determining factor of their Chinese Zodiac symbol. The animal a person has as their Zodiac is said to have a set of characteristics and fortunes. The calendar follows the Chinese lunar calendar.

According to a study conducted by The Harris Poll in 2024, 95% of Americans know their zodiac signs, and 28% of Americans consult their astrology annually. In another study conducted by Dr. Bryan Robinson in 2024, it was found that 80% of Gen Z and Millennials who participated believe in cosmic guidance.

While in the Western world, astrology has meshed into a modern form, honoring mostly the traditions of the Greeks. Yet, it has still taken on an identity of its own. On TikTok, the hashtag ‘Astrology’ has over 5 million posts, and the hashtag ‘Tarot’, has 16 million posts (TikTok, 2024). 

 The popularity of Astrology can also be seen commercially. It has become common to see Zodiac sign nameplate necklaces, posters, t-shirts. Whether deeper readings of the signs are believed to be true or not, the resonation that people experience with their Zodiac sign is palpable.

Across the top of Lauren Wynn’s Co-star app read her message for the day,”You are ready to take a break from romantic love.” She read the message and sighed, “See, the funny thing is, I'm not in a relationship,” she added. At the bottom of her phone were two lists: "do" and "don’t." Do: heavy sighs, chaise lounge, dirges. Don’t: pedestals, begging, numbness. She turned her head to the side, “I feel like you’re not supposed to fully understand your spiritual side, maybe, you’re supposed to go on this whole journey,” she said.

Maybe, in 2025, we are still on the same journey as the Greeks, the Ancient Chinese, and the Mayans. Holding up the practice of not taking what’s in front of us, but instead, turning our heads upwards and reasoning with the stars.

Sources 

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Chinese zodiac. (2025, September 12). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinese-zodiac

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(2024, February). The Harris Poll. https://theharrispoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Astrology-Survey-February-2024.pdf

King, A. (2023, February 17). Hellenistic astrology. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenistic_Astrology/

Nakayama, S. (1966). Characteristics of Chinese astrology. Isis, 57(4), 442-454. https://doi.org/10.1086/350161

Padman, R. (2023, September 12). Astrology in Ancient Rome: A brief overview. TheCollector. https://www.thecollector.com/astrology-ancient-rome/

Rochberg, F. (1988). Chapter seven. Elements of the Babylonian contribution to Hellenistic astrology. In the Path of the Moon, 143-165. https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004183896.i-445.25

The signs of the zodiac and Greek mythology. (n.d.). Greek Legends and Myths. https://www.greeklegendsandmyths.com/signs-of-the-zodiac.html

Time Magazine. (n.d.). Where Do Zodiac Signs Come From? Here’s the True History Behind Your Horoscope. https://time.com/5315377/are-zodiac-signs-real-astrology-history/