Are Astrologists Fear-Mongering For Likes?

Picture this: it's 2004 and I'm waiting for my CD to finish burning on LimeWire, my teen angst is at an all-time high, and I'm spiraling at the family computer. I type, "Why do I feel like I'm regressing?" into Yahoo, and the internet supplies article after article about a certain planet going retrograde (Mercury). Feeling validated and vindicated, my relationship with astrology solidifies as soon as it begins, like it was written in the stars.

Now, 20 years later, I've unfollowed nearly every astrology influencer, deleted all of the apps off my phone, and am still clicking not interested on videos suggested to me by the algorithm. Once a source of inspiration, astrology now feels draining and defeatist. My feed has been flooded with discouraging videos that threaten everything from failed relationships to physical harm. I know to take these posts with a grain of salt, but I'd be lying if I said they didn't affect me — and spiritual psychosis is real, folks. So, for peace of mind, I stepped away from the very practice that helped me find equanimity during difficult times.

While it's not an astrologist's job to predict our lives (and they can't, by the way), they should practice discernment regarding how information is disseminated, no? Instead, it feels like astrology influencers and even the apps (looking at you, Co-Star) are less concerned with education and more concerned with engagement.

So what's the deal? Are astrology influencers fear-mongering for likes? I pinged a couple of astrologists I trust, Kari Samuels and Magdalena McClellan, for their opinions and tips on empowering our relationship with astrology.

Experts Featured in This Article

Kari Samuels is an astrologer, intuitive counselor, and happiness coach.

Magdalena McClellan is an astrologer who specializes in energetic techniques and planetary updates.

Astrology in the Modern World

Astrology is a 3,000-year-old practice dating back to when humans first observed astronomical cycles in the third millennium BCE. Various forms of astrology have developed since its inception, the most popular being Vedic and Western.

Primarily based on the moon and the physical positions of the constellations, Vedic focuses on fate and destiny. It's harnessed in India to project the success of marriages, businesses, and everyday themes of life. Western astrology is based on the sun's position at the time of your birth and centers more on psychology, personality, and an individual's character. Both are great, and both serve a purpose. Knowing this, it's clear that astrology is more in-depth than what you find on social media. "Astrology has become something we read without a real connection to the cosmos," says Samuels.

No longer relegated to the alternative-minded subset, astrology has landed in the mainstream on social media platforms, racking up over 43 billion views on TikTok alone. Many astrology influencers condense nuanced information into seconds-long viral videos to appeal to a vast audience, which serve their purpose but leave much to interpretation.

"I find the chopped, clipped, no-room-for-breathing format very challenging for in-depth comprehension. That said, it's a remarkable tool to determine who you resonate with," Samuels says. It also helps the general population understand an otherwise elusive practice. "Bite-sized content and memes make it easy for people to engage with astrology in a way that feels more immediate and relatable," McClellan explains. "However, while this has helped bring astrology into the mainstream, it has also led to a simplification of astrological concepts, which can sometimes lose the nuance and depth that traditional astrology offers."

Choose Your Content Wisely

Whether an influencer has been studying astrology for 20 years or 20 minutes, an audience is eager to hear how they decode the stars. And with so much happening in the universe lately (rare planetary transits seem omnipresent), people are more dependent on influencers than ever. Samuels reminds us that, like with most content, astrology is shared through the lens of the interpreter. "Perhaps people see the world through a fatalistic lens. The art of interpretation is understanding that the planets never make us do things. They illuminate possibilities."

Even amid inauspicious planetary transits, there are nuggets of wisdom and inspiration to be applied, and finding thoughtful creators to help you see that is key. "If someone is sharing something scary and not showing you how you can grow or thrive from this, they are not helping you," Samuels says.

McClellan recommends avoiding content that employs overly dramatic language or alarmist headlines like "beware" or "something's coming." It's designed to evoke fear and anxiety and propel us to engage. She also says to look out for purely doom-and-gloom posts. "Another red flag is when the content focuses exclusively on adverse outcomes without offering any balance or guidance on how to navigate the energy constructively."

And lastly, any posts that imply you're at the mercy of the stars for negative astrological events are not designed to empower you; quite the opposite. "Fear-based content often leaves little room for personal agency," McClellan says.

Make Online Astrology Work for You

Despite the mountain of panic-stoking content online, you can make astrology work for you if you shift how you relate to it. A good rule of thumb is to think of it like the weather: Astrology is simply a temperature check on the energetic atmosphere. "If you know it will rain, you can use an umbrella. And walking in the rain can be quite poetic — if you're prepared for it!" Samuels says.

McClellan reminds us that astrology is meant to be descriptive, not prescriptive, and who we choose to provide our "weather report" is crucial to maintaining a positive relationship with it. "The first thing I ask myself is, 'Would I actually hang out with this person?' Why would I let them dictate how I live, if I wouldn't grab coffee with them?"

McClellan also suggests taking breaks from your phone to ensure you're not adopting a POV that isn't yours. "When constantly consuming content, it's easy to lose track of what's yours versus someone else's projection." Try less phone time, more you time. And if you still find yourself reeling after a reel, go touch grass — seriously. "Ground yourself. Do something that reconnects you to your body and intuition; astrology is a tool, not a life sentence."

In its purest form, astrology is a resource to equip us, not discourage us. While evading a zodiacal echo chamber of negativity can be difficult, we can define and redefine our relationship with the stars at any moment. And this doesn't only apply to astrology; it applies to all online content.

"With everything, it's important to check in with your emotions to notice how you feel. Are [the astrology influencers] revealing the potential for growth and transformation? Planets present possibilities," says Samuels. So perhaps all of this "negativity" is a universal reminder to trust ourselves, call back our power, and choose hope over fear. "Whether it's the energetic atmosphere, political upheaval, or other real-life shifts, astrology can offer comfort, guidance, and a sense of connectedness," McClellan adds. And we need that now more than ever.

Jasmine Desiree is a Los Angeles-based writer and editor who covers everything from beauty and wellness to interior design. She loves reporting on people, places, and trends that are innovative and influential to the culture.