I really appreciate your response here, and your position actually resonates with me significantly. Tbh I was really worried about being alone on this, but I can relate with you here, down to individual details. (I used to carry a die too! I still make decisions on RNG.)

As another "token anti astrology" person, this is quite validating. I'm happy I'm not the only one who has seen a few instances where these things seemed to cause harm. (My college friend group had some bonkers drama around the tarot reader, and my dad made some bad medical decisions around biorhythms.)

I like the phrasing that it can act as a sounding board! I've had similar thoughts here too. I've always lumped astrology, tarot, prayer, etc. together as "meditative tools". I participate in this with wishes (shooting starts, blowing out candles, etc) anywhere it's socially prescribed. (I even think someone who believes in magic might be advantaged because they will unintentionally focus on their long-term goals, and will see the opportunities to follow them.)

Regarding the spiritual authority, I completely agree (and I'm stealing that term). Right now I think Co-Star is the scariest one of them so far. (Big VC baby, brags to VCs and advertisers about their access to 25% of young women in the US, raises funds from companies like Everlane, uses "AI" in dubious ways, etc.)

I know this reply was mostly "I agree, I agree, I agree," but I agree a lot and i appreciate u posting