If you were to stumble into any given bar on a Saturday night, you wouldn’t be hard pressed to hear a 20-something going on about Scorpios this, Aries that. Nowadays, astrology is considered science by most 90s babies, thanks to the rising popularity of apps like Co-Star. Got a problem? Blame the stars. 

Looking above for clues regarding your identity and world events is a centuries old practice, but recently Americans have been calling on the spiritual planes more often. The New Yorker reported that Americans spend $2.2 billion dollars annually on mystical services, including but not limited to palm and tarot card reading. Many have linked this rise of astrology to the decline of organized religion and the rise of economic precariousness among younger generations.

Who ya calling Godless and broke?

Others suggest pleasure can be derived simply from the puzzle of it all: mapping your chart, figuring how your planetary alignment corresponds with the coordinates of your birth place. 

Still, $2.2 billion seems like a lot of money to shell out just to be told what you want to hear… but what is couture fashion if not a similarly overpriced comfort?

Sure, it’s probably all bullshit, but at least it gets folks thinking and talking about their habits and imperfections. Besides, saying “But I’m an Aquarius!” is still a lot cheaper than therapy. In the meantime, I suggest you find out your astrological sign — just to be safe.

I mean, you don’t want to sound like dumb. 

Gif by Anja Slibar.