It is no surprise that traditional astrology follows a strong heteronormative path. As a cis-gendered person, I never gave this much thought because it did not directly affect me. Until one day I was scrolling on Twitter and I kept seeing all of these horoscopes, that used gendered language to describe areas of love, career, finance, etc and I had an epiphany, these traditional cis-gendered horoscopes and tarot readings are one-sided, that side being heteronormativity. Gendered astrology is detrimental to people who identify as anything other than cis-gender. It is vital that astrologists and other spiritualists convert traditional astrology to incorporate queerness and the spectrum of the gender binary.
With Western astrology making a strong reemergence within the last decade and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ acceptance, it is time to hang up the gendered vernacular of zodiac signs and horoscopes. The idea of the “Gemini Man” or “Aquarius Woman” is outdated and does not apply to the everyday person anymore. It makes people feel alienated and ostracized. The idea of fitting a planet or placement into one of two genders is outrageous in this day and age. It is like reducing a planet to being human, but more than two genders represent even humans.
Often we see that these videos, posts, and readings involve terms such as “divine feminine” and “divine masculine,” and there is nothing inherently wrong with these terms, but when such bodies do not identify with feminine or masculine energies, where do they fall in these spaces? Feminine energies are frequently associated with passiveness, while masculine energies are associated with reactiveness which reinforces gender norms and sexist ideas of gender. These spaces are intimate and personal for many people, and when there is no reservation for queer people, it can cause and intensify mental and emotional health issues. It is time to rethink these masculine and feminine constructs of astrology and incorporate inclusivity.