Page 20 - Natural Health (February 2020)

TREND

“We’re
more likely

to discuss
Mercury

Retrograde
than The
Crown at the

water cooler”

NH’s talking about:

Astrology

In these uncertain times, could the stars hold the answers?

Who hasn’t picked up a Sunday supplement and licked to Now there are horoscope apps like Co-star that will deliver
their horoscope, or looked up their partner’s astrological a personalised reading and allow you to track the movement of
traits online? It’s human nature to seek out more information the stars in real time, and Time Nomad that ofers to be your ‘virtual
about ourselves, and who can resist a glimpse into their future? But astrology teacher’. You can even track your mood and hormone cycle
suddenly, astrology seems to be everywhere. With #astrology and in relation to the phase of the moon with the app, Moody Month.
#horoscope being tagged in 4.4million and 2million social media “Social media has transformed people’s access to astrology,” says
posts respectively, we’re more likely to discuss Mercury Retrograde Jane Struthers, author of Moonpower (£14.99, Eddison Books Ltd)
than The Crown at the water cooler. It is, without a doubt, having “Many websites provide astrological information in bite-sized chunks,
a cultural ‘moment’. which means we can read it quickly on the way to work and ind out
“We’ve lost faith in our authority igures, religion, politicians what the day has in store for us.”
and governments and so have turned inwards,” explains Carolyne Despite being called into question in the 17th Century with
Faulkner, author of Your Stars (£12.99, Harper Collins). “Astrology the discovery of new scientiic methods such as astronomy and
enables us to get to know ourselves on a deep level and to read and physics, astrology has remained a popular staple of society, with
manage the energies around us.” With Brexit around the corner memes, merchandise (horoscope mug, anyone?) and quizzes that
and a climate crisis on the horizon, it’s understandable people are will tell you anything from which sign you should date, to what
turning to the stars for answers, but astrology has been around for you’ll become in your next life. “People want answers,” adds NH’s
more than 2,000 years, why the sudden upswing now? According astrologer Marjorie Orr. “In a fast-changing and uncertain world
to astrologer and moonologer Yasmin Boland, the biggest inluence they want some certainty. Astrology can give them a framework,
on this stratospheric rise is technology. “All of a sudden, thanks explain why certain things are happening and when the bad things
to the internet, people can do their natal astrology chart (a chart will stop happening. Having an explanation is easier to handle
based on their time, date and place of birth) for free in two than being bufeted around in a random universe.” So, should
nanoseconds,” says Yasmin. “So they instantly know where we base our lives on it? Probably not, but in today’s climate we
their Venus, Mars and Moon are at any given moment. In the could all do with a bit of hope, in whatever form that comes. If we
past, you had to pay an astrologer who would laboriously cast discover a little bit more about ourselves on the way, that’s got to
your chart.” be a bonus.

20 NATURAL HEALTH