Synchronicity of the Stars
Astrology as a Gateway into Jung
“Our post-pandemic world has a need for Jungian Psychology, and the widespread interest in astrology can be a gateway into producing a whole new generation of Jungians. The Kristine Mann Library is a place where the public can gain access to scholarly sources otherwise reserved for academic institutions and engage in the process of educating themselves on these topics in a time when this knowledge is so desperately needed.”
— Samantha Echo
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In the last few years, there has been a new surge of interest in Astrology, particularly among members of Generation Z—those born between 1995 and 2008, when Pluto was moving through Sagittarius. I firmly believe that this widespread interest in astrology as a psychological tool is an auspicious trend that could usher in a new generation of Jungians. According to Raisa Bruner’s 2021 article in Time Magazine,“High-Tech Astrology Apps Claim to Be More Personalized Than Ever. Gen Z-ers Are Turning Out to Be Believers,” many members of the youngest named generation are turning to astrology-oriented social networking apps such as CoStar, Sanctuary, and the Pattern for virtual psychological care. Raisa Bruner cites “space and a pandemic-induced interest in self-actualization and self-development” as reasons these apps are so popular and so well-funded. Lisa Donovan, founder of The Pattern, has predicted that in the future, “workplaces will use birth charts and apps like hers to help better understand employees, like the ubiquitous Myers-Briggs personality test.” (Bruner, 2021). The Myers-Briggs personality test is known to be based on Jung’s psychological types, so if Donovan’s prediction turns out to be correct, the path from Astrology to Jung should be rather smooth and straightforward. Donovan has noted that the popularity of her app seemed to happen organically, through word-of-mouth discovery. Rather than predicting the future and feeling helpless before it, people were using astrology as therapy, reframing life’s problems with the language of the planets and signs as they relate to aspects of our personalities.
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The connection between Jungian thought and Astrological mysticism is not a new observation—the two have long been considered compatible frameworks for the human psyche. In Archetypes of the Zodiac, practicing Astrologer Kathleen Burt outlines each of the twelve signs of the zodiac in terms of their parallel myths and archetypes, consistently citing Jungian psychology as a related method. For example, she aligns the mythology associated with the sign of Leo with the Jungian concept of individuation. Burt states: “Several Leo clients have been really drawn to Jung and his psychology of individuation. Jung himself was a Leo and found the inner quest of the individual for wholeness of particular fascination.” (167)
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Bruner points out that the three most popular astrology apps sometimes give her conflicting information, and don’t seem as “personalized” as they claim to be—I have had the same experience. However, having studied astrology for a long time and consulting many sources, I understand that sometimes that initial spark of curiosity, even if it stems from a “basic” or “vague” initial source, can be the gateway into a more complex spiritual journey and a more diverse course of independent study. My relationship with astrology began when I was around twelve or thirteen. I had been passionate about all things mystical and occult since I was nine (I’m a Pisces/ENFP); and as my childhood inevitably drew to a close, I only careened further in that direction. My interest in Paganism led me to an interest in the Zodiac, and as I looked up the correlation of my birthday, February 25th, I learned that I was a Pisces; the website I had turned to proceeded to describe Pisceans as flaky crybabies. I went to school and complained loudly about that, and shortly after I began to hear discussions around me about “the rising sign” and “the moon sign.” Eventually one of my friends referred me to astro.com, which provides a lot of straightforward instruction, often free of charge. I have been studying astrology ever since, but the initial spark of curiosity came from my shame and dissatisfaction about a limiting and stereotypical definition of Pisces on one particular website.
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I found myself returning to both Astrology and Jung over and over again during challenging times in my life, and I believe that these two practices can be compatible psychological tools in other people’s lives as well. The pervasive interest in astrology held by the members of generation Z has potential to be translated into an interest in Jungian psychology, and a whole new generation of Jungians could be created. It seems that people, particularly young people, in a post-pandemic world where all of the global horrors in existence can be accessed via a tap on one’s smartphone, are looking towards the mystical for answers. Although both Jungian Psychology and Astrology contain elements of mysticism, neither posits itself as exclusive dogma. Anyone from any religion can turn to Jung or Astrology and integrate these symbols into their own foundational belief systems.
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Bruner’s skepticism about the actual personalization of the most popular astrology apps is, of course, valid. However, I believe that the apps themselves are less important than the relationships and discussions that they foster between people, and the enthusiasm and curiosity of those who download them. I find that some of my friends who have the Co-Star app are very interested to know that there are various interpretations available for every sign, house, and placement. As an intern at the Kristine Mann Library in the Carl Jung Center in Murray Hill, I have been pleased to explore the shelves of books on Analytical Psychology, Astrology, Tarot, Fairy Tales, and Synchronicity, among many more. Our post-pandemic world has a need for Jungian Psychology, and the widespread interest in astrology can be a gateway into producing a whole new generation of Jungians. The Kristine Mann Library is a place where the public can gain access to scholarly sources otherwise reserved for academic institutions and engage in the process of educating themselves on these topics in a time when this knowledge is so desperately needed.
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Sources Cited:
Bruner, R. (2021, July 23). Why personalized astrology apps are appealing to gen Z. Time. Retrieved May 17, 2022, from https://time.com/6083293/astrology-apps-personalized/
Burt, K. (1996). Archetypes of the zodiac. Llewellyn Publications.
Jung, C. G., & Campbell, J. (1971). The portable Jung. Viking Press.