Youth Shape Identity Through the Zodiac
‘Cosmic’ has many definitions that, like the word itself, do not fit the expansiveness of its truth and meaning. Its formal definition according to a dictionary reads: ‘occurring in, or coming from, the part of space that lies outside Earth and its atmosphere’. Its open ended interpretation differs from conversation to conversation, and switches very quickly to the presence of a higher power who is in control of our lives quicker than we are.
Linda Goodman, born Mary Alice Kemery, was a New York Times bestselling American Poet and Astrologer in the 1970’s, now affectionately referred to as ‘The Mother of Pop Astrology’ by her cult fanbase. Linda’s career started out as a radio host for a show called: ‘Love Letters From Linda’, where she would read letters written by soldiers for their loved ones, and accompany it with popular songs of the day.
Goodman published eight Astrology books starting from her first book titled: ‘Linda Goodman’s Star Signs’ which earned New York Time’s bestseller list to her second bestseller: ‘Linda Goodman’s Love Signs’. These books have been described as long-winded verbose text in first-person conversational tone, the kind of books that would commonly be picked up at grocery store check-out lines enticing customers with sensational teasers.
An excerpt of such teasers, reads:
“Can a Gemini Man find happiness with a Virgo Woman?”
“Will it be smooth sailing or perpetual fireworks between the Scorpio female and the Libra male”
In response to these queries from fans, Goodman’s goes into detail about mis-matched star sign relationships and writes:
“The Aquarian male’s eccentricity often stops just short of the altar. In his choice of a lifetime mate, he tends to be slightly old fashioned. Maybe that’s because there’s room for only one cuckoo in a clock.”
“Since a Virgo female won’t compete in the cuckoo-clock Olympics, you can see that a mating between these two can work out nicely. For one thing, she’s too discriminating to flip over all the odd, assorted friends he may bring home at various hours.”
In another detailed account of Goodman, she has been described as a paradoxical woman. Writer Adrian Shirk sums it up perfectly in her feature on Goodman titled ‘Searching for Linda Goodman’:
She (Goodman) was intensely patriotic, though she believed the U.S government was behind a cover-up of her daughter Sally’s death, and despite being raised in an American tradition which developed more or less in revolt against the Catholic Church, she was considered a heretic. Goodman was also a critic of astrologers and advisers who charged for their services, though she was among the most profitable authors of her era.
In her personal life, she was perceived as needy and reclusive, often asking her confidants to spend the night so she wouldn’t have to be alone. She was a celebrity and a hermit. Indeed, Goodman spent the final years of her life dealing with bankruptcy, which led to the auctioning of her household items.
Neither her most ardent fans nor her closest professional peers can conceive of the human realities of Goodman’s life. However, because the narrator of her books was so intimate and personable, the auction-pickers felt entitled to her relics.
History of Tarot
Tarot cards are divided into two distinctive features: Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The Major Arcana consists of 22 cards that represent significant life lessons, spiritual themes, and archetypal energies. Its unique symbolism focuses on The Fool’s journey of new beginnings to the World’s completion and fulfillment.
Minor Arcana consists of four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles that correspond to the elements of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air respectively. These cards symbolise everyday matters, personal experiences, or the challenges and opportunities that one encounters in everyday life.
While Tarot cards and traditional astrology readers have deep historical roots, their practice has evolved dramatically in the digital age. This increasing interest with astrology among young people is now moving beyond physical cards and printed horoscopes to practitioners shifting their practice to social media platforms where they provide personalized cosmic insights.
Here, Astrology and tarot readings not only function as coping tools and identity markers for the youth, but the candid horoscope style meets the craving for authentic, confidence-boosting messaging amid the stress of urban life.
Astrology App predictions
Leading Astrology apps like AstroSage, Astrotalks, and Astroera dominate the Indian market, offering features such as free Kundli (Birth Chart), daily horoscopes, live astrologer bot chats, compatibility reports, and Panchang calendars. These apps function by blending traditional Vedic astrology with user-friendly digital interfaces that appeal to those seeking quick and personalized cosmic guidance.
In 2024, the astrology app market in India was valued at about USD 163 million and is expected to grow quickly to nearly USD 1.8 billion by 2030. This growth rate is estimated to 49% per year. Astrotalk is one of the major astrology apps with around 60 million users, mostly accessing the service via smartphones. This rapid rise is especially driven by India’s tech-savvy young population, including many millennials and Gen-Z users.
New Age Astrology readers
Unlike classic astrologers who focus primarily on horoscopes and predictive readings, New Age astrology readers approach the cosmos as a tool for holistic self-discovery and personal empowerment. Their interpretations often integrate elements like chakras, crystals, numerology, and guided meditations to craft a uniquely immersive experience tailored to the individual’s emotional and spiritual needs.
Spoorthi, a 21-year-old student, describes how her connection with tarot cards emerged from small tokens of luck like selecting a certain color T-shirt for exams or milestone occasions. Eventually, tarot readings became her go-to for vacation forecasts and teenage relationship insights. Though initially skeptical, she embraced the ritual as a fun exercise that reliably yielded positive interactions.
Experts weigh in
Echoing this blend of whimsy and wisdom, astrology influencer Dr. Jai Madaan has captivated over 7 million Instagram followers (@jaimadaanofficial) by making spiritual guidance simple and relatable. She preaches self-awareness and evolution, urging followers to decode their birth charts for behavioral insights, harness energies like Venus for love or Saturn for discipline, and embrace remedies that blend ancient wisdom with modern mindset shifts.
In podcasts and reels, Madaan debunks fear-mongering myths, advocating surrender to cosmic flow alongside proactive choices to manifest abundance and harmony. Devotees share testimonials of transformed relationships and career breakthroughs, praising her as a “spiritual mentor” who makes cosmic wisdom accessible via bite-sized reels and workshops.
Author
