"Pisces, you are reserved and somewhat quiet... [you] rule non-verbal communication, [which is] the reason why so many Pisces work happily as artists, musicians, dancers, sculptors," writes American astrologer Susan Miller on her astrology site, Astrologyzone.com, which draws over 309 million page views per year with over 11 million unique readers.
However, those around me will agree that I am neither reserved nor "somewhat quiet", I have two left feet, and I am not known for my artistic skills.
Yet, while I'm not exactly aligned with my zodiac sign as a Pisces, I do find myself eagerly devouring monthly Western astrological predictions that forecast what's in store for me.
And I'm not alone - over one in four Americans believe in astrology, according to a Yougov poll in 2022. British astrologer Dr Nicholas Campion, who is also the associate professor in cosmology and culture at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, conducted a survey in 2017 with his students aged 18 to 21, and found that 70 per cent read a horoscope column once a month, while 51 per cent valued its advice.
THE POWER OF THE SIGN
Astrology itself dates back to the second millennium BC. The origins of astrology can be traced back to Mesopotamia, a historic region that was home to the ancient Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian civilisations in the Middle East, among others, says Noorashikin Zulkifli, senior curator (Islamic Art & Peranakan) at Singapore's Asian Civilisations Museum.
"The idea that celestial bodies the sun, moon, stars and planets can influence earthly events, including shaping our personalities and the course of our lives, stems from Mesopotamian divination," she explains.
Bu hikaye Her World Singapore dergisinin February 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Her World Singapore dergisinin February 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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