The Influence of Astrology on Modern Society

Astrology is old knowledge. Depending on who you ask, its age could range from several millenia, to several centuries. What is remarkable though, is that the popularity of this ancient form of knowledge is on the increase in the digital era. Could this be a sign of its efficacy? After all, how many ancient practices have over time, grown in influence, rather than faded into obscurity?

It is therefore unsurprising that society’s prolonged exposure to astrology has not only had an impact on modern culture, but also on the manner in which astrology is practiced today.

The Influence of Astrology on Pop Culture

Pop culture refers to popular trends and social practices that are in vogue with primarily younger age groups, but which tend to permeate across society. Over time, many astrological beliefs have become deeply embedded in our day-to-day living. For instance, have you ever attributed a person’s idiosyncrasies to their zodiac sign? Yes? Well then you have first hand experience of the influence of astrology on modern day life. Don’t worry, it’s an involuntary reaction, and something we are all guilty of, but you get the point. Other such innocuous influences of astrology include:

• Personalised Horoscopes and Identity

• Sun sign horoscopes became mainstream in the 20^th century through newspapers and magazines. Today, a great many people follow their daily horoscopes online, through apps and social media.
• Astrology has given people a language of self-reflection and identity, especially following the New Age movement of the 1960s and 70s.
• "What’s your sign?" is a cross-region, culturally embedded question, symbolising the synergy of dating, psychology and spirituality.

• Acceptance Amongst Famous Public Figures

Popular trends often follow the practices of the famous. Many celebrities, movie stars, musicians, politicians, influencers and otherwise famous people have publicly expressed a belief in astrology. You can be sure that in private, many more are consulting with astrologers of their choosing. Those who choose not to hide their association with astrology and esoteric belief include:

Those who are somewhat less open about their convictions are:

• Barrack Obama
• Donald Trump

• Fashion, Art and Aesthetic Trends

• Zodiac motifs appear in jewellery, tattoos, clothing, artwork, home decor and even makeup.
• Art and design often draw inspiration from astrological symbolism by way of the stars, zodiac signs, constellations, the Sun and Moon and planetary glyphs. These elements become visual shorthand for mystery and personalisation.

• Storytelling in Media

Zodiac and astrology based themes have been incorporated into the storyline of many a movie. Character roles can often be linked to a zodiac sign, such as performers being depicted as Leos and villains as Scorpios.

For their part, celebrities often reference their star signs in interviews, branding and lyrics e.g., Doja Cat's “I’m a Libra” or Beyoncé’s use of cosmic imagery.

Some well-known films and TV shows that reference astrology, Tarot or psychic divination as a major theme, plot setting or character depiction, are given below. This list ranges from mystical and dramatic, to quirky and pop cultural:

🎬 Films

• Zodiac (2007)

While mainly a thriller, this movie plays on astrological themes through the killer’s nickname and the public's obsession with symbols.

• Tarot (2024)

This film is directly rooted in Tarot symbolism, with each card conjuring a horror element related to its meaning. It’s a literal interpretation of divinatory consequences, turning fortune telling into fate calling. Something like, 'Final Destination' meets Tarot cards.

• Ouija (2014)

This film is directly based on the Ouija board, a tool often associated with mediumship, spiritual communication and occult divination. It explores the dangers of contacting unseen forces without knowledge or control, aligning with cautionary themes often associated with amateur divination.

• The Astrology of Pandit Jagannath (2018, India)

Focuses on traditional Indian astrology and predictions.

• Astrologer (1975)

A rare cult film about a man who uses astrology to rise in power.

• Live and Let Die (1973)

A Bond film featuring a Tarot reader, Solitaire (played by Jane Seymour), whose powers are central to the plot.

• The Red Violin (1998)

Tarot cards are used to predict the fate of the violin through centuries.

• The Love Witch (2016)

Heavily features Tarot and ritual magic with a retro aesthetic.

• The House of the Devil (2009)

Occult horror that includes Tarot as a foreshadowing tool.

• The Gift (2000)

A psychic woman (Cate Blanchett) helps solve a murder.

• The Dead Zone (1983)

A man gains psychic powers after a coma, allowing him to see the future.

• The Sixth Sense (1999)

Bruce Willis plays a child psychologist who helps a young boy (Haley Joel Osment), who claims he can, "See dead people".

• The Chinese Zodiac (2012)

While the film is not astrologically mystical, it centres around the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Jackie Chan’s character hunts down ancient relics representing each sign. This one is more of a symbolic adventure, rather than being of a metaphysical nature.

• The Gemini Man (2019)

There is no actual astrological or psychic content to the movie, ‘Gemini’ and the title is indicative of this zodiac sign’s duality. The plot surrounds Will Smith confronting a younger clone of himself, an excellent metaphor for the Gemini traits of questioning one's identity and the conflicts arising from the different facets of a person's character.

📺 TV Shows:

• The Astrology Show (UK)

A reality series blending astrology with celebrity interviews and predictions.

• Star Signs (BBC)

Explores horoscopes and their cultural relevance.

• What's Your Sign? (YouTube Series)

Pop-culture astrology analysis.

• Carnivàle (HBO)

A mystic carnival with Tarot symbolism, divination and cosmic destiny at its heart.

• The X-Files

Numerous episodes explore psychics, clairvoyance and metaphysical themes.

• Penny Dreadful

Tarot is frequently used by Vanessa Ives, a powerful psychic.

• Medium

Follows Allison Dubois, a psychic who helps solve crimes through dreams and visions.

• Psychic Detectives

A docuseries based on real cases where psychics were involved in solving crimes.

• The OA

Mystical, metaphysical and psychic-like storytelling with dream visions and divine insight.

• Dead Like Me

Death, divination and strange signs from the afterlife are recurring themes.

• Twin Peaks

Uses dreams, intuition and psychic symbols to solve mysteries.

The Propagation of Astrology in the Digital Age

The internet is perhaps the single most influential driving factor in the spread of astrology in relatively recent times. More astrological knowledge is now available to the general public than ever before. Armed with this knowledge, the average internet user is able to make informed choices about the limitless free and paid astrology services available online.

Youtube, TikTok and social media in general have not only made content about astrology interesting, but some influencers like Astro Poets on ‘X’, have hundreds of thousands of people following their daily updates. On the other hand, you don’t have to be a subscriber of astrological beliefs to make use of the many astrology themed memes that are available out there.

The Influence of Modern Culture on Astrology

This process of influence is a two-way street, and just as astrology has had an impact on modern culture, astrology too, hasn't escaped unscathed. The digital age, and our modern view of the world have led to a reinvention of astrology.

Pop culture has helped astrology move from the preserve of experts and enthusiasts to a topic of mass appeal. The fact that astrology has proven to be period and generation agnostic is borne out by the fact that although it is an old knowledge, it enjoys a growing degree of acceptance amongst Gen Z and Millennials.

Modern technology has played the role of a great facilitator in this context. It has allowed astrology to be commercialised in ways that were previously unimaginable, such as through the online sale of books, apps, talismans, amulets, candles, birth chart readings and so on. Online platforms have made consultations with astrologers, Tarot readers, psychics and other esoteric practitioners, widely accessible, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Being commercially viable means that astrology has drawn investment, and is proving to be a commodity that can be promoted. There is thus a revolution in the way in which astrology is practiced, as a consequence of its business potential.

Final Thoughts

The evolution of astrology in modern culture is a testament to its enduring appeal and adaptability. As it continues to intersect with technology and popular culture, more and more people will benefit from the insights that this ancient art can provide. Whether approached as a serious practice or a source of entertainment, its impact is undeniable.