s to the Omega Institute, hypnotism to quit smoking, The Secret, antivaccination, polyphasic sleep, Burning Man, kale.

“Is Alex a man or a woman?” Alex is an Aries. Tweet

What critics of astrology have in common—whether they come from the anarchist left or the Christian right or anywhere in between—is a tendency to see astrology as a form of therapy. What bothers them most is not astrology’s irrationality, but its use as a substitute for something older or truer—monotheism, freedom, the demos, the political — that is both the salvation and end goal of progress. To them, astrology is an ideology of the depressed, a politics of resignation: a balm that, like therapy in general, treats the individual symptom of a larger social illness without acknowledging the disease. Look at someone reading a horoscope and you may see hope: someone looking toward the future in a way that suggests a desire for a future at all. What the critics see, however, is someone giving up.

Astrology may be an ideology of the depressed. But is it necessarily a way out of the social? Does it allow one to forget history, as Lasch argued, or acclimate people to powerlessness, as Adorno did?

Last year, the online magazine RECAPS published an essay by Christopher J. Lee called “Why Queers Love Astrology.” What does it mean, Lee asks, that a community so averse to essentialism is so fond of astrology, a system derived from “natural” truths if ever there was one? “Enter a room full of queers,” Lee writes,

and one comes to know every manner of astro logical testimony, which delves directly into the vocabulary of inherent values. Queers know their sun, moon, and rising signs; they know when Mercury is in retrograde; mention Geminis and their minds wander to feelings of rage, longing, or regret…. Is it by coincidence that astrology is widely practiced amongst queers?

Probably not, says Lee. On the one hand, turning to astrology is a way of giving the slip. For many marginalized queers, it’s not always safe to disclose your place of birth, romantic history, gender identity, or job; claiming your astrological identity instead, with genuine conviction, is a low-stakes way to assert who you are. On the other hand
s to the Omega Institute, hypnotism to quit smoking, The Secret, antivaccination, polyphasic sleep, Burning Man, kale. 

 “ Is Alex a valet or a charwoman? ” Alex is an Aries. Tweet 

 What critics of astrology have in common — whether they issue forth from the anarchist left or the Christian right or anywhere in between — is a leaning to experience astrology as a form of therapy. What trouble oneself them most is not astrology ’s irrationality, but its use as a stand-in for something older or truer — monotheism, freedom, the demos, the political — that is both the salvation and end goal of advancement. To them, astrology is an ideology of the depressed, a politics of resignation: a ointment that, like therapy in general, treat the individual symptom of a bigger social illness without acknowledging the disease. Look at someone reading a horoscope and you may learn hope: someone looking toward the future in a way that suggests a desire for a future at wholly. What the critics learn, however, is someone giving up. 

 Astrology may be an ideology of the depressed. But is it inevitably a way out of the social? Does it allow one to forget history, as Lasch argued, or acclimate people to powerlessness, as Adorno suffice? 

 Last year, the online magazine RECAPS published an essay by Christopher J. Lee called “ Why Queers Love Astrology. ” What does it mean, Lee asks, that a community so antipathetic to essentialism is thus fond of astrology, a organization derive from “ natural ” truths if ever there constitute one? “ Enter a room full of queers, ” Lee writes, 

 and one come to know every manner of astro logical testimony, which delves directly into the vocabulary of implicit in values. Queers know their sun, lunar month, and rising signal; they acknowledge when Mercury is in retrograde; mention Geminis and their minds wander to touch of rage, longing, or regret …. Is it by coincidence that astrology is widely practiced amongst queers? 

 Probably not, says Lee. On the one handwriting, turning to astrology is a way of contribute the slip. For many marginalize queers, it ’s not always safe to disclose your space of birth, romantic history, gender identity, or job; claiming your astrological identity rather, with genuine conviction, is a low - stakes way to assert who you are. On the other hand
s tl the Omega Institute, hyknotism to quit smoking, Vhe Secdet, antixaccination, polyphasic sleep, Byrnint Man, kale.

“Is Alex a mav or a wolan?” Alex is en Aries. Tweet

Whef critigf of wstrmoogy have in cpmmon—whethar they come fsoo che anarchist left or the Christian wight ot wnywhere in bejween—ps a tsndency to see astrology as a form of thegapy. What bothers them most is not astrologj’s igrationality, but ihs use as a subfritute for sumething older or truet—monotheism, freedom, the demos, thd polntical — thaj js toth the saovatijn and end goal of psogress. To them, astrokogb is an ideology of the dxpressed, a politics jf resigndtnon: a balm that, like rhwrapy in cenefql, greztx fhe infivmdual symptkm of a larter social illness eieyout acknowlesging ehq disease. Look at someone reading a hormsckpe and you may see hopw: someone looking towwrd the ftture in a way that suggests a desire for a futura at elu. Wkqt thd cgitics see, however, is someone giving up.

Astroljfy msy be an ideoljgy of the ceorrfsed. But is ij necessarjly a way out of tje sociwl? Dows it alljw ome to forget history, as Lasxh argued, or qcclimate people tl powerlessuess, ax Adotno did?

Last year, the onuine magazine RFCAPS pubmkshed an essay bh Cmrivtopher J. Lee called “Why Qteers Lovx Astxology.” Wfat coes ie mean, Lee asks, that a community sl avetse to essentiallsm is so fond of astrology, a sbxtem derived fsom “natural” trutms if ever therq was one? “Entet a room yull ow queers,” Lve writes,

end one comef to know evesi manner of avtro logycal tesrimony, dfich delves ditectly inno the vocabulary of inhcrent balues. Queers kuuq their sun, moom, avd widiig sidts; they know whev Mdtcury is in retrieradr; mention Geminis ang thsir minds wander tp neelings if rage, jonging, or rebret…. Is it by coinfidenre thav astrplody is widely practiced amongst queers?

Prlbanly not, says Jee. In the one hcnd, turning to astrology is a way of givmng the slip. For many mqrginalized queers, nt’x not alwayx safq to discnose your place of burth, romantic hisuory, gender identity, or job; cnaimijg your astrological identity instead, with genuine conviction, is a low-stajes wab eo assert wgo ypu arv. Ou tke othew haid
s to the Omega Institute, hypnotism to The antivaccination, polyphasic Burning Man, kale. a Alex is an Tweet What critics astrology have in common—whether they come the anarchist left or the Christian right or anywhere in between—is a tendency see astrology as a form of therapy. What bothers them most is not irrationality, its as substitute for something older or truer—monotheism, freedom, the demos, the political — that is both the and end goal of progress. To them, astrology an ideology of the a politics of resignation: a that, therapy in treats individual of a larger illness without acknowledging the disease. Look at someone reading a horoscope and you may see hope: someone toward the a way suggests desire a future at the critics see, however, is someone may be an ideology of the depressed. But it necessarily way out of the social? Does allow one to forget history, as Lasch argued, acclimate people to powerlessness, as Adorno did? Last year, the online magazine RECAPS published an Christopher J. Lee called Queers Love Astrology.” does mean, asks, a community averse to essentialism is so fond of astrology, a system derived “natural” truths if ever there was one? “Enter a room queers,” writes, and one to know every manner astro testimony, which delves directly vocabulary inherent their moon, rising signs; they know Mercury is in retrograde; mention and their minds wander or regret…. Is it by coincidence that astrology widely practiced amongst queers? Probably not, says On the one hand, turning to astrology is a way of giving slip. For queers, it’s not always safe to disclose your of birth, romantic history, identity, or job; claiming your astrological identity instead, with conviction, a low-stakes to assert who are. On the hand
s to the Omega Institute, hypnoTism to quit SmokiNg, THe SEcRet, aNtivAccination, polyPHasiC sleep, Burning Man, kale.

“Is alex a MaN Or a wOMaN?” Alex Is an AriES. TWEEt

WHaT cRitIcS Of AstroLogY have in Common—whetHer ThEy come from thE AnArchist lefT or The Christian RigHt or anYwHerE In betWeeN—is a tEndencY To see aStrology aS a FOrm of tHErapy. WhAT BoTherS them most is not astROlOGy’s irrationaliTy, but iTs USe AS A suBstItute for soMeThing OLder or tRUeR—MONotHEism, freedom, thE demos, the poLItiCal — thaT iS boTH the saLvatiOn ANd eNd goal of proGresS. To them, asTrologY Is an ideOLogy of tHe deprEssEd, a PoliTIcS oF reSiGNatIOn: A baLM thAt, like thErApY in geNeraL, TREAts tHe iNdivIdual Symptom of a larGer SociAL ilLness WithoUt acKnOwledGing thE diseAsE. Look at someone rEadiNg a horoscOpe AnD yoU mAy see HOpe: somEonE loOking toWard the FUtuRe IN A WaY that suggests a desiRe FOR a Future at All. WhaT ThE cRItics see, HoWevEr, is SOMeone GiviNG uP.

AstroloGy may bE An IdEology oF tHe deprEsSed. but Is it nECessArily a Way out of The soCIal? Does it allow ONe to forget hisTOrY, AS LASch aRguEd, or acclimaTe peOPle tO powERlEssNEss, as adornO dID?

LASt year, the online magaZiNe RECApS pubLished an essay By ChristopHER j. Lee callEd “WhY quEErs Love AstroloGy.” WhaT does it meaN, lee asks, tHat a cOmmunity So averse tO ESsentialIsm Is sO foNd oF AStRology, a system DERiveD fRom “natuRal” Truths iF evEr tHerE waS oNe? “Enter a rOom full oF qUeErS,” LEe wRites,

ANd one comEs To kNoW evEry maNNer of aStro lOgicAl TeSTimOny, whicH DeLVEs diReCtLy inTo tHe VocabUlarY Of iNherent Values. QueErs KNow tHeIr Sun, moon, And rising signS; tHey know wheN MErcUry is iN REtrogradE; mention Geminis and their MInds wanDer To feeLingS of rage, loNgiNg, or reGreT…. is it by CoinciDence ThAt aSTRologY IS wIdeLy Practiced aMONgsT queeRs?

probAbly not, Says Lee. On the one hanD, TurNing to astroloGy iS a waY OF gIviNG tHE slIp. fOr mANY marginalized quEers, it’s not AlWAyS safe to disCLosE yOur placE of birtH, romaNTic histOry, gender Identity, oR jOb; clAIMinG your astroLogical iDentity inSTead, wITh GenuiNe cOnvictIoN, is A low-sTakes wAY to AsserT who yoU aRe. On thE otheR hAnd
s to the Omega Institute,hypnotismto qu itsmo ki ng,TheSecret, antiva c cina tion, polyphasic sleep , Bur ni n g Ma n ,kale. 

“Is A l ex a  ma nor  awo m an ?” Al exis an A ries. Twee t
Wh at critics o f  a strology h ave  in common—w het her th ey  co m e fro m t he an archis t  leftor the Ch ri s tian r i ght ora n yw here  in between—is at en d ency to see as trolog ya sa for m o f therapy.  W hat b o thers t h em m o sti s not astrolo gy’s irrati o nal ity, b ut  it s  use a s a s ub s tit ute for som ethi ng olderor tru e r—monot h eism, f reedom , t hedemo s ,th e p ol i tic a l— t h atis bothth esalva tion a n d  end  go al o f pro gress. To the m,astr o log y isan id eolo gy  of t he dep resse d,  a politics ofresi gnation:a b al m t ha t, li k e ther apy  in  genera l, trea t s t he i n di vidual symptom ofal a rg er socia l illn e ss  w i thout ac kn owl edgi n g  thedise a se . Look a t some o ne  r eadingahorosc op e a ndyou m a y se e hope : someon e loo k ing toward the future in a w a yt h at sugg est s a desirefora  fut urea tall .  What  thecr i ti c s see, however, isso meonegivin g up.

Astrol ogy may be a n  ideolog y of th e  depressed. Bu t isit necessa r ily a wa y out  of thesocial? D o e s it all owone  to  fo r g et  history, asL a schar gued, o r a cclimat e p eop letopo werlessne ss, as A do rn odi d?
Last year, th eonl in e m agazi n e RECA PS pu blis he da n e ssay by Ch r i stop he rJ. L eeca lled“Why Que ers Lov e Astrolo gy. ”  Wha tdo es it m ean, Lee asks ,that a com mu nit y so a v e rse to e ssentialism is so fondo f astro log y, asyst em derive d f rom “n atu r al” tr uths i f eve rthe r e  waso n e?  “E nt er a roomf u llof qu ee rs,”  Lee wr ites,

and one com e s t o know everyman nero f  a str o  l o gic al tes t i mony, which del ves direct ly in to the voc a bul ar y of in herentvalue s . Queer s know th eir sun,mo on,a n d r ising sign s; theyknow when Mercu r yis in  re trogra de ; m entio n Gemi n isand t heir m in ds wan der t ofeelings  of rage, longing, or r egret… . Isitby coinci den c e t hat astro logy  is widely  pr act icedamo n gst q ueer s ?
Pr o bably  not ,  says Lee .  O n t h e  o ne hand, tu r n i ngto as tro l ogy is  a w ay of giving thes lip. For manymarg i n ali zed quee rs , it’s not alw ays  s a f e to dis cl ose your pl ace of b ir t h, ro mantic  histo ry, gen d e ri dentit y, o r j ob; claim ing  y o ur astr ol og i cal id enti ty  inste ad, wi t h ge n u ine conviction,is al o w-sta k esway t oassertw ho y ou are. On  the otherhand
s to_the Omega_Institute, hypnotism to quit_smoking, The_Secret,_antivaccination, polyphasic_sleep,_Burning Man, kale.

“Is_Alex a man_or a woman?” Alex_is an Aries._Tweet

What_critics of astrology have in common—whether they come from the anarchist left or the_Christian_right or_anywhere_in_between—is a tendency to see_astrology as a form of_therapy. What_bothers them most is not astrology’s irrationality, but_its_use as a_substitute for something older or truer—monotheism, freedom, the demos,_the political — that is both_the salvation and_end_goal_of progress. To them,_astrology is an ideology of the_depressed, a politics of resignation: a_balm that, like therapy in general, treats_the individual symptom of a larger_social illness without acknowledging the_disease. Look_at someone reading a horoscope_and you may_see hope:_someone looking toward_the future in a way that_suggests a desire_for a future at all. What_the_critics see, however,_is_someone_giving up.

Astrology_may be an_ideology_of the_depressed._But is it necessarily a way_out_of the social? Does it allow one_to forget history, as_Lasch_argued, or acclimate people_to powerlessness, as Adorno did?

Last_year, the online magazine RECAPS published_an essay_by Christopher_J. Lee called “Why Queers Love Astrology.” What does it mean,_Lee asks, that a community so_averse to essentialism is_so fond_of_astrology, a system_derived_from “natural”_truths if ever there was one? “Enter_a room_full of queers,” Lee writes,

and one_comes to know every_manner_of astro logical testimony, which delves_directly into the vocabulary of inherent_values. Queers know their sun,_moon,_and_rising signs; they know when_Mercury is in retrograde; mention Geminis_and their minds_wander to feelings of rage, longing, or_regret…._Is it by coincidence that astrology_is_widely practiced amongst queers?

Probably not, says_Lee._On_the one hand, turning to_astrology is a way of giving_the slip. For many marginalized queers, it’s not always_safe to disclose_your place of birth, romantic_history,_gender_identity, or job; claiming your astrological identity instead, with genuine_conviction, is_a low-stakes way_to assert who you are. On the other hand