I think astrology is wonderful. I’ve been drawn to understanding what the universe had in store for me from the second I was born and to relate that knowledge to different aspects of my life in hopes of better understanding myself, the people around me and the things that happen to me. The aesthetic of the stars is unmatched, so why wouldn’t I lean into that?

I’ve always identified strongly with my sun sign (Taurus) and learning more about my sign’s characteristics has provided me with better understanding of my personality. I’m not saying that every Taurus stereotype is true for me, but many of them are. Being a Taurus has become a big part of my identity: traits like being stubborn, grounded and reliable are archetypal Taurus traits and also things that I value in myself. My other “big three” signs (rising and moon, which tend to play a significant role in an individual’s personality and daily life), Gemini moon and Capricorn rising, are also very indicative of who I am as a person. These three categories act as a guide for me through the ups and downs of my life and relationships. It’s easier for me to accept that the reason I’m feeling down or that everything seems to be going wrong in my life is that Mercury is in retrograde instead of an actual, more upsetting reason.

Astrology is also a fun way to connect with others; I can bond with other people over being an Earth sign or try and get to know someone based on astrological stereotypes, whether or not they turn out to be accurate. My obsession with analyzing my and my friends’ charts got to the point where I downloaded the popular horoscope app Co—Star, a social media akin to the friends feature of Spotify. I’m able to check my daily compatibility with my in-app friends based on our star charts with in-depth explanations of how all of our placements interact.

Even though astrology is something I love learning and talking about, I’m not always open about it, due to the harsh objection it often receives.

You may ask yourself, why does something so innocuous draw so much backlash? The reason is that astrology is typically enjoyed by teenage girls. And society is unwilling to recognize anything teenage girls like as legitimate.

When girls are vocal about other traditionally feminine amusements like pop music, teen drama shows and fashion, they and their interests are belittled and seen as shallow and unimportant. Astrology is no exception, although ridicule is often under the guise of it stemming from criticism of pseudoscience or that people who enjoy astrology make snap judgments about others based on their zodiac sign. Traditionally masculine hobbies like gaming, sports or collecting basketball shoes are seen as legitimate interests when they’re just as arbitrary and frivolous as stereotypically girly things. Teenage girls should be allowed to enjoy things just as much as their male counterparts and the constant scrutiny is misogynistic, whether it is intentional or not. By tearing down astrology and, by association, its largely young and female fan base, cynics feed into patriarchal ideas and oppression.

The criticism of astrology is absurd for more reasons than the misogyny it perpetuates. Firstly, very few people who abide by astrology see it as a legitimate scientific method. It’s all in good fun. When I read my horoscope, in the back of my mind, I know that they’re all general statements with very little basis in reality, but it’s fun to pretend that constellations are dictating my day and not just my own choices. Secondly, no one is actually discriminated against or bullied based on their sign. There are negative stereotypes for every sign, and while some may receive more bad press than others, everyone has their own preferences and interpretations of the zodiac. If you’ve been made fun of for being a Scorpio, it’s most likely because of your personality, not your birthday.

Astrology is simply enjoyment for enjoyment’s sake; it’s a harmless avocation that’s over-hated and undeserving of such constant criticism. While it’s just a hobby, controversy over astrology highlights the pervasive misogyny in American society and brings real harm to a largely young female fan base. We should be allowed to enjoy things without having to constantly defend them, a sentiment that shouldn’t have to be written in the stars to understand.