To some, astrology is a belief system that provides insight into their lives, helps them judge compatibility , and make determinations about their future. To others, however, it is a set of arbitrary predictions based on the positions of stars and planets.

Regardless of belief, astrology remains prevalent in many cultures. Nationwide polls indicate that up to 27% of all Americans and 37% of Americans under 30 believe in astrology. With such a large cultural footprint, it is worth examining astrology’s presence on Seattle University’s campus and within the city at large.

Olivia Rankin, a second-year communication and media major, and a firm believer in astrology who has used it as an aid for self-discovery.

“It gives me a lot of insight, and it helps me put words to things that I kind of know about myself the farther that I get into it,” Rankin said. “It’s ancient wisdom, and it’s very entrenched in different cultures, and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Rankin also said that the conclusions and insights she has discovered through astrology have helped her make decisions and develop relationships in a more beneficial way.

However, belief isn’t always binary. While some people fully embrace astrology and others reject it outright, many engage with it in a more casual or skeptical way.

Zooey Redmond, a third-year history and women, gender & sexuality studies major, fits into this middle ground. She enjoys astrology but interacts with it differently than those who, like Rankin, use it for self-guidance.

“I think it’s fun to say, ‘Oh, here’s what my horoscope says.’ But I don’t put any faith in astrology having any form of accuracy,” Redmond said.

Some astrologers readily acknowledge that there is room for people like Redmond to engage with astrology in a less ideologically committed way. When referring to those who might just read their horoscopes or have a one-off reading, Rankin said it can still be enjoyable.

“It’s like a personality quiz, and it’s just as fun,” Redmond said.

As for how extensive the astrology community is on campus, Redmond reported mixed results. When asked whether she would describe the astrology community at Seattle University as large, she responded, “It’s probably undetermined, or I’m just not necessarily talking to people who would be into astrology because none of my friends are.”

Seattle University does not have an astrology club. However, outside of campus, many spaces within the city allow astrology enthusiasts to engage with the community. Seattle Astrology, for example, is an organization that provides readings and resources to astrology practitioners in the area.

Additionally, many alternative bookstores and spirituality shops are tied to Seattle’s astrology community. Quest Bookshop, a spirituality bookstore near campus, holds astrology classes, including a free class on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

Nico Price, a tarot reader and astrologer at Quest Bookshop on Broadway, shared some of the community-building aspects of astrology they have experienced during their five years working at the shop.

“I had a little astrology where I lived because we were more part of the more alternative groups, but since I’ve moved here … it’s everywhere,” Price said. “Being able to talk about these topics helps us understand each other better and brings people together for sure.”

For students interested in astrology, even if they cannot find other enthusiasts on campus, there are many ways to connect with other practitioners and form a community.

Astrology, as a belief system without empirical scientific backing, can sometimes create conflict between believers and skeptics. However, that does not mean astrology enthusiasts should be ridiculed for their beliefs.

Speaking to those who dismiss astrology, Rankin said, “I think that in such a polarizing time, we should try to keep an open mind. To not believe in something is fine, but don’t yuck someone’s yum. Don’t knock something you haven’t tried.”

Ultimately, astrology remains a powerful tool for insight, a source of entertainment among friends, or simply a curiosity for skeptics. Regardless of one’s stance, its presence on campus is undeniable, and for many students, it will continue to shape conversations, identities, and cultural perspectives for years to come.