Research and studies are showing that more Americans are interested in spirituality, but are less interested in organized religion. This trend is especially true for millennials.
According to a report from MarketWatch.com, interest in spirituality, astrology, and witchcraft is soaring among millennials. One study has even shown that over half of young adults in the U.S. believe astrology is a science. The psychic services industry, which involves things such as tarot card reading, palm reading, mediums, and astrology has also grown by two percent in the four years between 2011 and 2016 to be a $2 billion industry.
Melissa Jayne, the owner of Catland, a “metaphysical boutique” in Brooklyn, New York, said she has seen interest in this types of spirituality increase recently, particularly among millennials. To cater to this uptick in interest, Catland now offers classes such as “Witchcraft 101,” “Astrology 101,” and “Spirit Seance.”
Jayne pinpoints why so many young people are showing an increased interest in this type of connection with the supernatural.
“Whether it be spell-casting, tarot, astrology, meditation and trance, or herbalism, these traditions offer tangible ways for people to enact change in their lives,” she said. “For a generation that grew up in a world of big industry, environmental destruction, large and oppressive governments, and toxic social structures, all of which seem too big to change, this can be incredibly attractive.”
Danielle Ayoka, another individual whose business profits from the trend in witchcraft, astrology, and similar interests, adds that these things have become increasingly mainstream:
“When I started my journey in 2010, I was the weirdo. Now it is becoming more and more normalized, and I believe it is because more people are looking to heal. Millennials are much more open-minded,” she said.
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/nambitomo
Publication date: October 24, 2017