What's More Real: Astrology or Free Markets?

Unit 3: Astrology & Money, Topic 1: Intro

Hello Angel,

A quick note on how to engage with this article.

1. Like a class curriculum, each topic is part of a larger unit that dives into a distinct subject. Think of it like a vinyl record, each topic can be enjoyed as a track or fully experienced like an album. Subscribe to get them weekly in your inbox!

2. No knowledge gatekeeping here! We’re neophytes ourselves, presenting our laywomen’s research from topics that make us curious. If you see a bolded term, it is defined in the glossary at the end of this article.

3. Look out for underlined passages, these are your portal down the knowledge rabbit hole and lead to further reading. Insatiable? Original sources are merchandised on our interactive reference page at the end.

4. This is a *reciprocal* experience! We invite you to contemplate the discussion questions at the back. Or even cooler, forward the topic to a friend, colleague, or your crush and start a meaningful conversation.

Curiously,

Ambi & Abbey

Whether you wake up and check the S&P 500 or your horoscope, beliefs are guiding every micro-decision in your life.

If you subscribe to astrology, you may say things like “Geminis are volatile,” and if you are focused on the financial markets, you might believe that Tesla and Netflix stocks are volatile.

Is one more fantastical than the other? Or are they simply more widely regarded in different environments?

The most tightly held beliefs are seldom regarded as abstractions of faith.

The more people who share those ideas in your sphere of influence, the stronger they are reinforced…an invisible echo chamber of sorts.

Societally-shared beliefs present themselves as foundational truths amongst consensus groups. Our belief systems are not ideologies we consciously subscribe to. We do not “opt-in,” and rarely do we “unsubscribe” to ideas.

They’re often sneakier than that. Like the water that surrounds the fish, beliefs are both encompassing and inconspicuous.

Although imperceptible, these beliefs often fuel our sense of self and how that self meets the world; a feedback loop that perhaps we are not even aware of. Trading star signs or stocks, these actions become wired into the fabric of who we believe ourselves to be.

And with that, they inform the increasing grip we have on our definition of selfhood. The foundation of ourselves must be true!

Truth is a finicky thing and true objectivity is like Santa Claus. In this next section, we will put on our white-fur trimmed red-velvet caps and try to become the Jane Goodall of belief systems.

Over the next few weeks, we will examine two pervasive ideologies: money and astrology. The former being the more socially embraced in our Western American culture. Marinate in the discussion questions below and get ready for a wild ride that will take us to Wall Street, outer space, and back again.

1. What was the last thing you changed your mind about?

2. What ideologies do you identify with? What ideologies may subconsciously guide your decision making?

3. Do you actively place yourself in communities that challenge your beliefs? When was the last time you had beliefs challenged?

Belief System: A belief system refers to a set of interconnected beliefs, values, and principles that an individual or a group holds to be true and uses as a foundation for understanding the world, making decisions, and shaping their identity. It encompasses the ideas, perspectives, and convictions that guide someone's thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes. Belief systems can be personal or shared among a community or society, and they often influence how individuals interpret information, form opinions, and navigate their daily lives.