The Rise of Astrology

 More and more members of Generation Z, who make up the bulk of TikTok users, are into astrology. The horoscope app Co-Star, which uses AI  to combine Nasa data and content from astrologers, rose from 7.5 million global users in 2020 to 30 million in 2023. With apps offering paid extras such as romantic compatibility reports, spending on astrology-related products is projected to hit $ 22.8 billion by 2031, says Allied Market Research.

One London based TikTok creator - Bella, who has 1.2 million followers suggested her Gen Z fans had turned to astrology for a "sense of agency" when life felt chaotic. She said her motivational videos appealed to young people looking for "self-development" and "self-empowerment".

Feast of Fools
Frans Floris the Elder (c. 1517-1570)
Photo Credit: Shakespeare Birthplace Trust [CC BY-NC-ND]

"Bitesized, visually engaging content like memes and zodiac-based trends resonate deeply with Gen Z. These platforms allow astrology to feel like a community rather than an exclusive club, which is part of why it's become so popular," Bella added'

Farroway Raedgild Dantalion, 27, from Scarborough, became interested in astrology in 2016. The reasons for the trend, he believed, were "the challenges of the current digital and mundane age we live in; increasing isolation, a lack of direction from previous generations, anxiety over the present and future".

He added: "Astrology offers a path towards gaining wholeness, and harmony within oneself, self-definition, refinement and a way to understand the chaos within and around them."...

(Lara Wildenberg, The Times, 2025)

Poor old Generation Z. First they can't change lightbulbs and now they're being duped by snake oil creators!

Now I learn that I need a "sense of agency", some "self-development" and lots of "self-empowerment" besides of course, memes and reels and zodiac-based trends. All this will lead me to become a member of a community and will reduce my increasing isolation, lack of direction and naturally, my anxiety. But that's not all. No, no, no. Astrology will help me gain wholeness, harmony, self-definition, refinement and to understand the chaos that is within me and that which is outside of me.

Joy, joy, joy. Bellissima Bella. Bellissimo Farroway!