Did you know that the oldest horoscope we know is from 410 B.C?  Many people today follow horoscopes because they want information about themselves or what they should do. Astrology has two different kinds, western astrology, and Vedic astrology. Western astrology is the form of divination based on the construction of a horoscope for an exact moment, such as a person’s birth. Also, there are twelve signs in western astrology and the Vedic zodiac. 

So what exactly is a Vedic astrology? Vedic astrology is an ancient Indian science that explains planetary motions and positions with respect to time and their effects on humans and other entities on earth. Vedic astrology was used to determine the important dates for sacrifices and rituals. Also, it helps one to understand their own density and its relevance to day-to-day life. 

Although astrology and zodiac signs have been around for ages, do people really believe in the signs? What are people’s thoughts and perceptions about zodiac signs? 

EHS staff and students have varying levels of understanding and investment. 

“Each zodiac sign has its own keywords and an element of astrology,” said Megan Ginsberg ‘22. 

“Zodiac signs are important because they describe a person.  Each zodiac sign has something special in them, which impacts our lives. They influence our personalities and help govern our emotions and desires,” said Child Study Team member Mrs. Jacyln Travis.

“Although astrology is not an exact science it is interesting to see how different cultures attach meaning to the signs and how people interpret their value,” said Art teacher Mrs. Shelly Colletto.

“Zodiac signs give an interesting insight into someone’s personality, and I feel many of the times (while not an exact science) are usually accurate in describing likes, dislikes, and traits that explain how they approach situations. I always find it interesting how cultures value signs, and it’s not an uncommon question to hear ‘What’s your sign?’ for people to compare, or guess one another’s sign based on their personality. I also see how people use their sign as a form of identity, or are labeled as their sign based on personality. I’m one of those people. I’m a Leo and, as such a high-energy extrovert who always has to be doing something, I’ll say ‘It’s a Leo thing,” or I’ll be told I’m ‘such a Leo.’” said Ms. Taylor Brennan.

Other students were more skeptical.

“Growing up, my mother always spoke about zodiac signs. Being raised in the Catholic faith in my middle school years, I never believed in zodiac signs. I always thought that personality traits that were connected to the zodiacs were coincidental.  In comparison to the other responses, I don’t think that zodiacs have the ability to govern our emotions and desires. We, as people, are able to determine our story through the choices we make. I think a common question people ask is, ‘What’s your zodiac sign?’ It’s a great way to start a light conversation if you don’t know what to talk about. If you know little to nothing about zodiacs, you get to learn something new within the conversation.  Overall, the best way I can describe zodiac signs in one word is ‘superstition,’” said Kimberly Hernandez ‘22

“While I am not a believer in Zodiac signs or any science around them, I am a believer that they can give people something in common that they would not normally have.  It can be an icebreaker that allows complete strangers to start a conversation of more substance” said Science teacher Mr. Matthew Zapoticzny.

Different people might think differently about the signs, but it is an interesting topic to discuss because it involves people’s perspectives and thoughts about what they feel about zodiac signs. Each sign might mean different things, but it’s really engaging to see that different cultures have them and how that fact reflects their own uniqueness. Also, each culture has different names and slightly different meanings for their signs. Although many people do coincidentally have the same personalities as their zodiac signs, sometimes they don’t match the personality they were meant to be.

Your astrological chart is a potent pattern: it is the matrix that reveals how the planets speak with you.  However, zodiac signs determine one’s own identity which helps a person to become a better version of themselves than before. Zodiac signs are a topic that everyone can relate to and it will be a topic that will be discussed for generations to come.