My First Astrology Reading Experience
About ten years ago, I spent my first real paycheck after college on something I thought would change my life: a one-on-one astrology reading.
I climbed a shaky staircase to an apartment in Alphabet City that had been turned into a spiritual studio. The woman who greeted me was an Aquarius who hadn’t let go of the 1980s. Her outfit was loud and creative, and the bathtub in her living room made the whole place feel like a dream. For a moment, it felt like something magical was about to happen.
But as soon as the session started, the spell broke. She handed me a thick stack of paper—33 pages of charts and transits—and read it to me word for word. That was it.
What I Was Really Looking For
I grew up in a house where astrology was always around. I already knew most of my placements. I wasn’t there for facts—I wanted something deeper. Something that made me feel connected, not just informed. Something I couldn’t just Google.
Now, a decade later, it feels like we’re in the middle of a spiritual shift. Astrology, tarot, manifestation—everything is everywhere online, often blended with technology. Some apps even use artificial intelligence to generate astrological insights.
When I told my old story to Banu Guler, CEO of the astrology app Co–Star, her take surprised me. She said what I’d received back then wasn’t spirituality at all.
“You might walk away with a spiritual feeling,” she said, “but what they’re really giving you is information—a lens to understand how you’re feeling right now.”
That stuck with me. I realized I’d been hoping for an awakening, but what I got was just data. Reading about yourself isn’t the same as engaging with something bigger. Spirituality asks you to participate—it’s about showing up, not just receiving predictions.
From Matrix Software to AI Astrology Apps
That reading I got years ago? It was created using Matrix Software—an astrology program launched in 1977 by Michael Erlewine, who was both a programmer and an astrologer.
It was ahead of its time, but still felt distant. No warmth, just charts and numbers.
Fast forward to today, and apps like Co–Star offer a completely different experience. They don’t just present data—they give poetic, personalized daily horoscopes and intuitive-sounding messages. Their tone feels less like a report and more like a friend whispering truths just for you.
The Shift from Data to Connection
The difference isn’t just design or tech—it’s about how we want to connect. Back then, software felt separate from the human experience. Now, language has become the bridge.
Co–Star trained “AI Pets,” language models fed their own messages and writings to keep the tone personal and emotionally real. The result? These apps feel like they know you, which is exactly why people get hooked.
The Eliza Effect and Emotional AI
This connects to the “Eliza effect”—when people emotionally bond with something created by a machine. The term comes from Eliza, a 1960s chatbot that mimicked a therapist. People felt seen, even though it wasn’t real.
While some see this as a red flag, it can also be a mirror. Sometimes hearing your own thoughts reflected back helps you understand yourself.
One modern example is BibleGPT, a tool that answers spiritual questions by pulling directly from scripture. Ask, “Would God want me to send this email?” and it might provide a surprisingly relevant verse—like a digital pastor in your pocket.
The Future of Personalized Spiritual AI
AI researcher Shira Eisenberg predicts we’re moving toward a future where each person could have their own personalized language model, trained on their beliefs, values, and spiritual path.
This means one person’s “truth” could sound entirely different from another’s, mirroring how spiritual conversations already work. People interpret divine guidance differently, and AI could simply become another tool in that journey.
My Experiment with AI and Astrology
Curious, I once asked ChatGPT to guess my birth chart placements based on my writing. It initially declined, saying astrology is too speculative, but eventually played along.
It correctly guessed my rising and Venus signs, and—surprisingly—also got my moon sign, Scorpio, which often reveals deep emotional tendencies. Looking back, I could see why it guessed that—my writing carries a certain intensity.
The Debate Over Astrology’s Validity
Not everyone’s impressed. Philosopher Paul Thagard, author of the 1978 paper “Why Astrology is a Pseudoscience,” says astrology has no causal basis and is incompatible with science.
On the other hand, Hilary Thurston, a tarot reader and PhD candidate in critical mental health studies, sees astrology as a pattern-based tool for self-reflection. For her, AI’s ability to pull patterns from vast astrology content doesn’t make it mystical—it just makes it efficient.
The Bigger Point Beyond Proof
Debating whether astrology is “real” might miss the point. For many, it provides a framework to navigate life’s chaos and make sense of feelings and choices.
As AI enters spiritual spaces, it mirrors therapy by reflecting our own thoughts back to us. That can lead to self-awareness, not because the AI knows us better, but because it gives us room to hear ourselves.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you turn to astrology, spirit guides, or simple moments of reflection, tools—human or machine—can help you pause, get curious, and reconnect with yourself. In a world that doesn’t always make sense, that feels like its own kind of magic.
This article beautifully captures the essence of what many of us seek in astrology! 🌟 The evolution from mere data to a more connected experience resonates deeply. It’s refreshing to see such insights shared!
The image of an Aquarius wearing ’80s fashion while reading charts is priceless! 😂 This post has inspired me to explore my own astrological side—but I’ll leave the loud outfits behind!
“Personalized spiritual AI” sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie! 😂 Next thing you know, we’ll have robots performing tarot readings at parties. Can’t wait to ask my toaster for life advice!
“Debating whether astrology is ‘real’ might miss the point.” Exactly! The value lies in how individuals interpret these practices for self-awareness. We shouldn’t dismiss them outright without understanding their impact!
While I appreciate the sentiment, Ivy, isn’t it dangerous to promote ideas without empirical support? There are countless tools backed by science that offer real benefits without the mysticism.
“Spirituality asks you to participate”—that line struck a chord with me! It’s crucial that we engage actively rather than passively consume information. This perspective might help others find deeper meaning too.
I found the part about AI-generated horoscopes fascinating! 🤖 It’s incredible how technology is evolving our understanding of spirituality. I wonder what future innovations will look like in this space!
Honestly, this reads like an elaborate justification for pseudoscience. Astrology has no real basis, and relying on apps just feels like a tech gimmick. People should seek genuine help instead of looking for answers in the stars.
A reflection tool? That sounds suspiciously like an excuse to avoid real introspection! Why not just talk to someone who can actually provide meaningful feedback instead?
While I get your point, Sam, astrology can serve as a reflection tool for many! It’s not always about belief but rather personal interpretation and finding comfort in chaos.
*sigh* Another article trying to sell astrology as something profound when it really boils down to randomness and confirmation bias. If you want answers, read a science book instead! 🤦♂️