Manifestation, tarot, and unusual celestial events: has astrology replaced common sense in decision making?

May I have your attention please! Mercury is in retrograde from March 15 to April 7, 2025. That means, according to astrology lovers, we should all be ready for chaos. Your WiFi is going to crash, your boss can be extra annoying, and for some reason, your ex will text you back and vibes will be low! Apparently, the planets are just out here causing problems on purpose.

Astrology used to be that fun little section in the newspaper, something you read and forgot about. But now? It’s a lifestyle. People won’t invest, won’t wear certain colours, and won’t even date someone without checking their zodiac sign first. Such celestial events, and suddenly, it’s the reason why you feel the need to fight or why you spilled coffee on your clothes. But let’s be honest, sometimes, bad stuff just happens.

Take Varnika Kapoor, a 22-year-old digital marketing student from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies(NMIMS), Mumbai. She reads her horoscope every morning as for her it’s top news. “I don’t let it control my life,” she says, “but if it tells me it’s a bad day for money, I won’t shop or invest.” She also refuses to travel during unusual planetary movements because, in her words, “Why take chances?” Does it make sense? Not really. Do a lot of us do the same thing? Yes.

And it’s not just horoscopes, numerology have people in a chokehold too. Ever met someone who picks their friends based on their birth date? (I did) Shalini Chawla*, a numerologist in Delhi, recently went viral for saying that if your birth date total has 1, 3, 5, or 9, be careful with money this year. But if it has 2, 7, 4, or 8, then good for you. The universe will be on your side. But some people take it way more seriously than their actual bank statements.

Speaking of money, let’s talk about Rashi Ahuja*, a businesswoman in Delhi. Her company has been struggling, but instead of focusing on planning strategies, she consulted her astrologer and thew out all her black clothes because she was told black was bad luck. She then even made her office staff wear lighter colours. And her sales? Still bad. (Crazy people) Imagine applying for a loan and the bank says, “Sorry, your Saturn is in a bad house-loan denied.”

Then there are the real believers with every solutions, spell casting tarot readers. These people promise they can bring back your ex, land you your dream job, or make you rich. for a small fee, of course.

And the internet is making things even wilder. A 2024 Google Trends report found that searches for astrology have gone up 65% in the last five years. YouTube is full of tarot readings, zodiac compatibility videos, and “manifest your dream life” tutorials, all with millions of views. At this point, people trust their favourite YouTube astrologer more than an actual financial advisor. Who needs an MBA when you can just manifest success, right?

No-one is saying that astrology is bad. It’s fun. It’s entertaining. And sometimes, it actually gives people a sense of comfort. The problem? When people start replacing logic with lunar cycles. Life is messy no matter what the planets are doing, and stressing over every little retrograde isn’t helping anyone.

So, if checking your horoscope makes your day a little better? Go for it. If avoiding travel during retrogrades gives you peace of mind? Fine. But if you’re spending serious money on spells to bring back your ex? Maybe rethink your choices.

Because let’s be real, not everything is controlled by the universe!

*some names have been changed to protect the identity of the source