A matter of belief

'Not that I really believe in things like that, but my son is a Virgo and he is so neat and clean all the time!'
'Actually I don't really think zodiacs speak the truth but I'm Taurus and I'm also a bit disorganized.'

Just witnessed this conversation today in our office. Why do people believe in the power of zodiacs? Why would we even think that 12 signs could give you a more or less correct assessment of who you really are? Chasing the naswer on a dull Sunday at the office, I'm trying to figure out the answers.

Classic astrology dates back to the age of the Babylonians. These guys had some impressive knowledge on the world surrounding them which involved many fields of science. Hence astronomy was born and the well-know zodiac, the ecliptic which is divided into twelve equal parts. However the Babylonian ladies weren't that much into the tabloid-style zodiac so the real basis of today's horoscope was laid by Greek astronomer Ptolemy. Not that he really knew where this was going: the renaissance era and the following centuries has quietly separated astronomy and astrology from each other. And as the 20th century began, Westerners started to confuse the two terms as astrology had been appearing on the last page of tabloids and other weekly papers.

So what's up with this astrology thing today? Probably those Babylonians and Ptolemy would die of instant heart attack if they'd see how the scientific astrology has shrinked to nothing. A Western citizen identifies astrology with those twelve signs that "tells you who you are"; women seriously choose partners or end relationships based on constellations; and we are just sitting here, trying to comprehend what's going on.

Despite of the lengthy lead-up, I won't answer these questions with giving a scientfic explanation for all of this. Anyhow, it's a bit like the ever-green God-debate: if one says "you can't prove that, you gotta believe/ feel it", the time you've spent trying to find precise explanations is just wasted. So yeah, astrology (modern term) is something like this: you either believe in it or just laugh at it.

Just think about it. You have 12 signs. 7 billion people on this planet (estimated 100 billion since humanity has appeared). Now, all these signs have different attributes. Leo is passionate, creative, moody (that would be me) and all the rest eleven have well-defined characteristics as well.  So you have two choices. One is to believe that these descriptions fit you, a bit pre-determining your acts. And the other is to realize how impossible it sounds to have certain features based on your zodiac sign. Say, as a Leo I can't be neat? Or I can't be organized? Or antisocial?

'Of course you can' screams the zodiac girl, saying 'your sign isn't restricting your character, it's just a basic outlay of your person'. Right, now it all makes sense. But what if my caring personality also fits Virgo? No doubt I love taking care of someone I love. So? Virgo does that as well, I'm sure other signs do it.
'Oh it's your constellation. You have a secondary sign which is responsible for secondary features.' yells the girl and I'd punch her in the face.

It's just another belief. When we evaluate someone's personality, but we have no idea why he/she acts like that, it's way too easy saying 'ah he/she's Pisces' or 'Taurus are always like that'. This astrology thing is a bit like the tiny, less dangerous form of religion. Why? Here is the explanation. Comparing 'God' and modern 'astrology':

1. You have to believe in it because
2. Scientifically there is no consensus on it
3. You explain things you don't understand with it
4. You explain other people's deeds you don't understand with it
5. It's your personal philosophy
6. You can't really work out relationships if your partner doesn't believe in it
7. You can't really work out any kind of conversations if others seem to disagree
8. The deeper you go into the topic the better/healthier/wiser you'll feel

Assembling this list I realized the same goes for global warming, Justin Bieber fans and thousands and thousands of people believing something. But before enraged readers hurl rocks at me, I must say that belief is a beautiful honour and probably the best motivation power ever! We just got to stay sane before becoming blind to see that what we believe in is crap.

Okay so here is this guy telling you wise things about belief, astrology, criticizing everything and everyone, so what does he believe in?

1. Family
2. Nature
3. god (obviously not in religious aspect)
4. Humanity (ok, not belief, more like hope...)
5. talent
6. love.
7. arts
8. túró rudi

Hope it was satisfactory. Yell and scream in comments.