When people ask me what my star sign is I’m hesitant because I’ve met people who have immediately judged me based on the fact that I’m an Aquarius. They tell me that “we’ll get along great,” or that they “don’t have many Aquarius friends.” It irks me when this happens because it has no scientific backing. Given the fact that astrology is a pseudoscience, there’s no reason to judge me by my astrological sign.

According to HowStuffWorks, Astrology is “the study of the influence that distant cosmic objects, usually stars and planets, have on human lives.” Within astrology, there are twelve signs that people fall into based on when they were born: Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn. These signs are often used to categorize or predict peoples’ futures and personalities. 

Many people use astrological signs to determine their sense of self. They put their sign in their Instagram biographies and buddy up with those that share the same sign. They spend time reading their “weekly horoscopes” that deliver their astrological predictions for the week.  The more they read about their sign, the more they try to mold themselves into it. 

Oftentimes, I’ve found that many of these predictions and statements are extremely general or contradictory, like fortune cookies. With these generalized statements, it’s easier for people to relate and feel connected to their signs. It seems as though there isn’t a firm classification for the signs, either. For example, GaneshaSpeaks.com pegs Aquarians as either “cold and emotionally detached, or extremely emotional.” What the heck?

One of the reasons many people choose to believe in zodiac signs is to find a sense of connection. When people label themselves, they feel like they belong. Another less respectable reason is that people blame their astrological sign for their negative traits. If a Scorpio is acting jealous, they can blame it on their sign instead of working to fix their negative behaviors.

People that judge others and themselves based on astrology are limiting themselves to what the Internet has told them. While I do believe that astrology can be fun and interesting to discuss with friends, I get annoyed when people decide who I am based on something that isn’t factual or when they blame negative behavior on this pseudoscience. According to ZME Science, there is no scientific evidence that proves that the month you were born has any indication of your personality.

Astrology shouldn’t be taken to heart. We should create our own sense of self and future instead of following what pseudoscience tells us to be.