How is astrology reshaping modern dating
Is your soulmate written in the stars? Millions are turning to astrological dating apps to find out.
In today’s fast-paced, digital dating landscape, where Tinder takes the lead with a staggering 6.1 million monthly downloads as of June 2024, people are often seeking a deeper connection and a sense of understanding, beyond just surface level interactions. Astrology, which has been around since at least the 2nd millennium BC, is frequently used as a useful tool for self-reflection and compatibility within friendships and relationships. With the ever-growing increase in online dating with platforms such as Bumble or Tinder having an option to include your star sign on your profile. There are now specific dating apps designed completely around astrology such as Karma, Stars Align, or The Pattern – Connect. These astrology-centric platforms are rapidly gaining popularity, with the whole concept of astrological dating blowing up online, with the #astrologydating amassing 16.9 million views on TikTok in 2023. This suggests that there is a growing desire for connections rooted in something much more profound that just a simple swipe.
According to research behind the Oracles, Omens & Answers exhibition located at the Weston Library as part of the University of Oxford, astrology used to be taught as an academic subject historically in universities around the world. A surprising revelation considering the way in which it is utilised and presented when navigating the complexities of modern romance in contemporary society. In conversation with historian Michelle Pfeffer who collaborated with David Zeitlyn to create the exhibition, Michelle said that “as a historian in the early modern period, I mean, so many of my sources have people going to astrologers to say, I like this person. Do they like me back? Or, you know, is this person a good match for me?” This provided clarity to the fact that questioning of astrology and it’s impact on romantic compatibility is something that has been around for years, but that dating apps have enabled these questions to be answered simplistically, and that the accessibility to find these answers is now easily accessible and available at anyone’s fingertips.
Astrologer, teacher and artist Julia Sophia, who also specialises in tarot card readings offers in-depth personal consultations, as well as individual mentorship. When asked about her opinion of astrology based dating apps, Julia shared some particularly interesting and insightful thoughts.
“I would say I have a nuanced perspective. I think these apps provide a great way for people to meet potential partners that share their love of astrology and spirituality, which is a rising cultural trend and can deepen a connection through an alignment of basic values. They can also help support a more intentional approach to dating, as astrology encourages people to reflect on their personalities, needs, and relationship patterns.”
However, as astrological dating apps are a common way in which astrology is simplified for people to understand basic compatibility in straightforward terms they can easily dismiss how complex astrology actually is in terms of relationships which Julia also explains: “at best, these apps can only help maximise the chances of basic compatibility. The astrological calculations and mechanisms behind most astrology dating apps mostly rely on simplified algorithms and therefore aren't very sophisticated, which can lead to misleading compatibility results - they reduce people to their sun signs, while other birth chart factors (e.g. house placements, personal planets and aspects) may actually be hugely influential and be a game changer.”
Although astrology dating apps are a positive advancement in the sense of gaining a deeper understanding of your potential partner’s personality and characteristics, the use of AI and modern tech may have simplified it so much that the complexity and sacredness of astrology has been disregarded and tainted, instead of offering a platform where it can thrive. Interestingly Julia related this point to synastry which she explained is “the astrological art of interpreting relationships between people” a highly complex study which “requires an in-depth assessment of two people's birth charts by a professional.” The concern is that astrology apps cannot replicate this, so therefore might actually be disseminating inaccurate information surrounding relationships and compatibility that don’t actually align with the stars. Julia emphasised this by stating that “relying too heavily on an app’s compatibility score could cause people to dismiss potentially great matches or overestimate connections. And, perhaps more importantly, there is the risk of stereotyping people based on their zodiac signs.”
As a historian Michelle brought up a fascinating viewpoint when asked if astrology based dating apps have tainted the sacredness and credibility of astrology:
“I wonder what Renaissance astrologers might think of some of the developments that we're seeing today, because some of them really believe that astrology, you know, for good reason, was a subject that was taught in universities, to the most highly educated people in society. It's a really complex art that involves, a very decent level of astronomical and mathematical knowledge.” To conclude Michelle made the valuable point that as astrology has “shown itself in many different guises” over the centuries if astrology based dating apps do involve some sort of simplification “if that’s what it takes for astrology to continue, maybe that’s the way that it has to be.”
While online dating continues to evolve, simplifying complicated astrological calculations, it also opens the door to self-discovery and deeper understanding. As astrology continues to evolve in the digital age, one thing remains clear: the human desire for meaningful relationships is as timeless as the stars themselves.
Love this! And thanks for featuring me :)