Why Is Astrology Still Dismissed As ‘Feminine’?

It was not until recently that I started believing in astrology. I am often asked whether I "really believe in this stuff." I am occasionally questioned on my interest in the topic, both at home and at work and met with sarcasm. Astrology is now an everyday part of mainstream culture. Typically aimed at women, it has been marketed to us since its origins through social media, ads, and other marketing vehicles. Similar to how boy bands and vanity have been marketed, it is occasionally perceived as a straightforward hobby intended for women with excessive spare time. Therefore, a lot of people, especially straight men, unknowingly adopt this worldview and do not necessarily believe it or take it seriously. What remains is an issue that raises a question regarding its ideological composition

The popularity of astrology, its allure, and its relevance in our daily interactions have all increased in our society in recent years. It seems impossible to go through an Instagram or TikTok feed these days without seeing an astrologer's post offering their opinion on an astrological transit or a birth chart. Apps such as Co-Star and The Pattern have taken over our morning routines, and our conversation with friends and family is scattered with algorithm-sourced snippets detailing that it is just our Scorpio Venus having a bad day again. However, beneath the surface of astrology, there has been a troubling tendency to question its legitimacy.

Why is astrology always regarded as more feminine?

The notion of "feminization of astrology" refers to how society has feminised astrology as a women-dominated field, deeming it not a real subject and weakening its credibility solely because women find it appealing. Any field that adheres to deeper thinking is at times lambasted as an illusion of the female mind, as we have witnessed illustrated throughout history. As evidence of this, we look to the 1950s gender binary and the rise of female-dominated fan culture. Fan clubs were often organised in the bedrooms of women who wished to offer a means of escape from their environment. Women were often derided for creating spaces for expressing their emotional richness. This association led to a long-standing patriarchal response that invalidated other spheres, like the esoteric, leading to the belief that astrology is only meant for women.

Why? Because it relies on the mistaken belief that introspection is only a feminine characteristic, which astrology has offered to become a medium for. The practice has hence been habitually invalidated since it has become a victim of an illegitimate projection. However, it is also revealed that women comprise a large percentage of consumers of astrology content, which is not surprising either. For starters, the origins and symbols of astrology have always been feminist.  It motivates us to learn more about ourselves and confidently go in the direction that makes the most sense for our well-being; it gives women, in particular, more influence over their destiny. 

It encourages us to discover more about ourselves and go confidently in the direction that best suits our well-being; it empowers women, in general, to have greater control over their fate. Yes, it isn't a science that has been proven. However, it doesn't have to be to improve the lives of individuals who believe in it, just as other forms of spiritual and religious faith do. Allowing the freedom of expression, both spiritually and with others, women frequently find solace in it. In an emotionally appreciative culture, women are made to feel like they are being understood. Alas, for men, who are compelled by society to maintain an emotionally rigid standard, astrology is hard for them to embrace.

The connection between feminism and astrology

Both women and astrology, in the 1960s, were in their prime eras. Before the sexual revolution and the dawn of the Aquarius age, sexism was under scrutiny and examination. In this climate, spiritual practice and astrology thrived, and freedom of speech and thought were encouraged. Even though we still follow many of the same spiritual principles, it seems that we have lost the essence of astrology we once embodied. We are no longer encouraged as a community to explore deeper into our minds and seek introspection to gain insight into ourselves.  On the contrary, counterfeited gender binary thinking has come back, which has led to women being demeaned for speaking about their spirituality.

Astrologers will often speak of the signs and planets as being masculine or feminine. As they symbolise different energetic traits, not drawing a comparison between the two sexes. Yet there is a lack in the use of proper pronouns for astrology being successfully integrated into its propagation. If we think about yin and yang, the denial of the appropriate astrological terminology is evident, showing us how deeply ingrained these sexist linguistics are. Having existed for centuries without us even noticing.

One also can't help but question whether we know what reality we might be creating in this space and how we are associating astrology with gender roles and equality. In a fair sense, not all those who deny astrology or its existence should be considered sexist; this is only true if the denial is based on toxic masculinity, which has, as we all know, ruined many things for women over the years. This includes appreciating things like astrology that are essentially genderless. 

In actuality, however, astrology was not developed only for cis women. Since gender is such a broad spectrum, contemporary astrologers have ignored gender in their interpretations to be inclusive of everyone, as astrology has always been. Gender exclusion in astrology does not alter the discipline's effectiveness or content, but it does contribute to the inclusion of a larger group of people. The concepts and spirituality of astrology's past are harmed by a gender-based division in the field. It will help break the stigma that astrology is exclusive to girls by bridging this divide. 

The concepts of spirituality and astrology have always faced a detrimental impact because of the gender-based binaries that are prevalent in this field. By breaking the rigid mentality that astrology is only for women, we can help bridge this divide and help cater to more individuals to dive deeper within themselves. 

Views expressed by the author are their own.