Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1218237
MODERN ASTROLOGY—THINK magazine column rather than Babylonian temple—has possessed varying degrees of cultural cachet since its advent in the early 20th century. But today, riding a surge of non- religious spirituality and mobile-tech convenience, it's more popular than it has been since the '60s, when New Age was all the rage. On Instagram and other social media platforms, astrology-themed videos and memes have become reliable forms of self-indulgent entertainment—what better way to laugh at oneself than a celebrity-inspired parody of your star sign?— but there are more sincere offerings, too, from pop culture phenomenons who offer bite-sized predictions to more traditional practitioners who devise complex birth charts for their remote clientele. Alex Dimitrov and Dorothea Lasky, who launched the Astro Poets Twitter account in 2016, feature a mix of low and high—celebrity content and memes, along with quotes from admired poets. But the duo is best known for crafting lyrical tweets in which zodiac signs become poetic figures. e delivery can be, at times, obscure: a recent horoscope for Leos read, "What has begun is what you asked for although you called it something else. What shells! Yes it really was you who was waiting." But the duo's over 500,000 followers seem to bask in the combination of artistry and astrology, and the popular pair have recently launched a podcast and a book. Using the web in a more traditional way, Chani Nicholas is part of a wave of socially conscious practitioners who approach birth charts as tools to help the star-crossed find fulfillment and self-love. rough her site and newsletter, which reaches more than 200,000 people, she provides zodiac- informed political commentary and queer advocacy. She also boasts a seal of approval from the reigning queen of recommendations, as the resident astrologer for OprahMag.com. In January, Nicholas published her first book, "You Were Born for is: Astrology for Radical Self-Acceptance," a self-help workbook with sections on determining your life's purpose, your emotional and physical needs, and your motivation and drive—all packaged in a retro-inspired disco-glitter design. Some in the astrology world have fully embraced digi-ubiquity. Banu Guler's extremely popular Co-Star app delivers the instant gratification of constant updates—you'll never have to be caught off guard by Mercury in retrograde again—in matter-of-fact language that is nearly impossible to misinterpret. e daily horoscopes are generated by an algorithm that corresponds phrases—written by the in-house team of two poets, an editor and an astrologer—to astronomical phenomena. And even more traditional astrologists are also using mobile technology to further their reach. e beloved industry staple Susan Miller, a matriarch of modern astrology and an early adopter of digital platforms, now runs a massive network of offerings that retain her signature maternal style, including her own app. Astrology enthusiasts are quick to note that the practice is really intended to provide context and wisdom, not straightforward predictions about the future—a point that hasn't discouraged new initiates. Indeed, in an age of social precarity and political upheaval, a little insight goes a long way. 108 BAL HARBOUR Sign of the Times The zodiac is once again part of the zeitgeist, with a new era of astrologers becoming stars in their own right. BY ELAINA PATTON ILLUSTRATION BY RUBEN TOLEDO