Astrology has been tracked and studied for over 2,400 years. The Babylonians are credited with the discovery, using it to predict seasonal changes and abnormal astrological events.

The expansion of the internet has given contemporary astrology new life, space to be understood on a much deeper level.

“I don’t know when it started to click, but it’s undeniably you. Whether you believe it or not, it helps me understand you more and vice versa,” Seattle University Junior Katie Stewart said.

Stewart has been integrating astrology into her life for the past several years. She’s seen how it has emotionally helped her grow and sharpened her communications skills.

Emma Nelson is another junior who began to embrace astrology once she started to understand it wasn’t just daily horoscopes you can find in your favorite publication.

“Astrology helped me find my best friend. Sammy was the first person that I could talk to about it in terms of seriousness and spirituality. It was more than a basic horoscope in Cosmopolitan, it was a genuine conversation about our inner selves,” Nelson said. Sammy and she met in high school. Their astrological discussions helped them form a bond that they’ve embraced to this day.

Astrology is anything from a quirky conversation starter to a committed lifepath. Whiteswan, the owner of Clairvoyant Tarot and Astrological Counseling based in Belltown, has been practicing astrology for the majority of their life and the philosphy takes on a deeper meaning.

“Back in the ’80s in the U District, there was a shop called Astrology and All,” Whiteswan said. “I had psychic abilities so I would go there to look for books and I got a reading from famed astrology author Jeff Green. That reading was so accurate, that I still think about it to this day.”

It’s a real phenomenon that, in the era of the climate crisis and a human’s natural given connection to the earth, speaks a lot of truth.

“Everything answers to the energies, gravitational forces and all,” Whiteswan said. “it’s a lifelong practice, and it never gets old.”

So what exactly is it that makes up your birth chart? You have your sun sign, which is determined by the location of the sun at the exact time and place of your birth. Just as science recognizes how the sun is the center of our universe, you are the center of your own life and you know where your true strengths and weaknesses lie. Your sun sign encapsulates your basic personality, consciousness and ego.

You also have a moon sign, which is tied to your emotions. We all take into consideration our past, memories and parts of our childhood when reacting with emotions. The moon helps shape and control all of our inner emotions, instincts, habits and moods throughout the day, the seasons, and the year.

Lastly, you have a rising sign. Those are the energies you project into the world, and you may not even be able to fully recognize that. Your rising truly encapsulates the way you look and how you present yourself to the world. Most people have a different sign in all three of these categories, but it all depends on your exact time and place of birth.

The 12 signs of the zodiac calendar are all linked to one of four elements: air, water, earth and fire. Even in nature these elements come together to form new ones, so like the signs some elements can at times be dependent on one another.

This is only an introductory breakdown of astrological birth charts and individual zodiac signs, but those aren’t the only things that make up astrology. The zodiac signs—when delved into individually—can start to shape your worldview in a way that works together harmoniously.

The planets all symbolize something in our lives, the elements have control over our emotions, and much more. Take the time to deep dive into a pseudoscientific world that helps you understand how you fit in this giant ever-growing universe.