Before going on a blind date arranged by her parents, Sammy Xia checked out her favorite astrology website to see if her suitors horoscope sign matched hers or not.
She compared the personality of his Aries with her Sagittarius to see if they were compatible.
The results showed that according to their signs, they shared a lot in common. Both signs are supposed to have a carefree, optimistic and passionate character.
I was not sure if we would perfectly match each other, but you dont have to waste your time on a date if you find out beforehand that the mans sign is not your type, explained Xia, who is now engaged to her blind date.
Xia is not the only young university-educated Chinese who makes decisions based on the Western zodiac. In the land of ancient fortune telling, Western astrology is gaining popularity among young people.
Many classic Western horoscopes and tarot card readings have been translated into Chinese and are widely available online.
Young people like Wendy Wu, a 23-year-old postgraduate student, checks several popular horoscope blogs that post daily, weekly and monthly forecasts, offering advice to readers on the dos and donts during that period.
I dont 100 percent believe it, she claimed, but I accept those things I prefer to believe.
Wu follows the horoscope predictions of her friends and herself to help understand each other better.
Every time when I have a fight with my boyfriend, I tell him that, What I forgive is not you, but your horoscope sign, because I know Cancer men are the most sensitive men and the weakest emotional type in all the zodiac, Wu said.
Different from many older Chinese who seek advice from the masters of I Ching or The Book of Changes, the younger generation seems to prefer turning to Western horoscopes to make sense of the world and guide them in some aspects of their lives.
The Western horoscope was already packaged and commercialized when it was brought to China. It is fashionable. Thats why its very popular among Chinese young people, Andy Wang, also known as the Little Astrology Prince, one of Chinas most famous astrologers who studied in London, told the Global Times.
He described that his method for making his horoscope predictions is based on the tides caused by the moon, in that the emotions or feelings of people on Earth can be also affected by the movement of celestial bodies. Wang pointed out that the reason why people find horoscope readings accurate is because it has scientific principles, even though Chinese authorities officially frown on superstitious practices.
I will be very happy if it says I will have good luck in the coming week and I will be cautious if it says something bad may happen, said Xie Weina, a 30-year-old business development executive from Beijing who believes horoscopes can offer some clues about how to live your life.
While some follow horoscopes religiously every week or even everyday, some are not as obsessed, but are still looking for answers. Wus boyfriend seldom discusses or follows his horoscope unless he encounters something really difficult.
Most of the time the horoscope said that he may have some ups and downs when he turned to it for advice. Then he would say it explained why he felt so stressed out recently, Wu explained.
With the increasing pressures of modern life, particularly stress from work and relationships, many people are searching for something to solve their frustrations, depression and anxiety.
There is a popular line on the Internet that says, When time and patience are precious, we use horoscopes to know each other.
As a spiritual guide, many more people in China are turning to astrology for answers in the bewildering modern world as more and more people feel insecure about their life and future, Wang added. Society is so complicated nowadays. People are under great pressure at work that they dont know what to do with their careers and their lives.
I remember the zodiac signs of everyone around me so that I can know them better, Wu said, adding that horoscopes provide guidance for her to handle interpersonal relationships.
Receiving around 50,000 visitors a day to his online horoscope blog, the Little Astrology Prince said he could totally understand why so many people follow horoscopes.
However, he also warned that while his work aims to bring happiness to his readers, he does not want them to indulge too much.
Its just a reference. What I write every week doesnt fit everyone perfectly because even people in the same zodiac sign have their own charts which are the main factors in determining a persons life according to astrology, he said.
Neither the horoscope or I am God. What I do is try to soothe peoples hearts in this complicated world. People still need to figure out on their own where they need to go.
While Wang tries to downplay the fervor in which some people approach horoscopes, psychologists believe that those who read them are anxious for any kind of sign to make them feel confident about their life choices.
As they are immature, young people feel insecure, especially when they are met with setbacks or when they fail, said Ni Xiaoli, head of psychology at the Psychological Health Research Center at Xian Jiaotong University.
They need something to soothe themselves and horoscopes are there for them. Horoscope readings are ambiguous and general to give psychological hints to those who need them. There is no scientific basis of those predictions. Everyones fate is in his or her own hands. Horoscopes are just a form of entertainment. You cant be too obsessed by it.
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