Do the Stars Control Our Li...

Do the Stars Control Our Lives?🌌

As uncertainty continues to shape modern life, millions are turning to the stars for answers. From daily horoscope apps to viral TikTok tarot readings, astrology and fortune-telling have become cultural phenomena. But what drives this fascination—genuine belief in cosmic influence, comfort in chaotic times, or just entertainment? Research shows people who believe external forces control their destiny are more likely to place faith in horoscopes and omens. Whether you check your zodiac religiously or dismiss it as chance, the debate about fate versus free will remains timeless.

We invite you to explore and discuss horoscopes, fate, and fortune-telling with your buddy. This file is not a full session plan — it's an additional resource to inspire reflection on belief, culture, and how we make sense of uncertainty.

Inside, you’ll find two versions of the conversation prompt: a simple one and a more advanced one. Choose the level that fits your student and dive into the topic together!

Simple Version	Advanced Version
Skim this article and talk about your attitude to horoscopes, fortune-telling, and fate. Useful vocabulary: 🔹predict - to say what will happen in the future 🔹doubt - a feeling of not being sure; to question if something is true 🔹influence - to affect or change someone or something 🔹certain/certainty - completely sure; the state of being sure 🔹come true - to happen as predicted 🔹have faith in - to trust and believe in something 🔹by chance - happening accidentally, not planned Useful sentence starters: I think it is true/partly true/not true. People say… I think my life is controlled by… For example, I chose to … One time, I decided to … A common superstition is … / Many people think that … I feel better when I … Discussion questions: Do you know your zodiac sign? Do you think the description of your sign is true for you? For example, if your sign says you are 'kind,' are you actually kind? Do you think people’s personalities can change, or do they stay the same? Have you or someone you know tried fortune-telling (like tarot, palm reading, or numerology)? What happened? Do you think fortune-telling can be true, or is it just for fun? Do you think your life is more controlled by luck/fate or by your own choices? Can you give an example? Have you ever followed a superstition, like avoiding black cats or knocking on wood? Did it work? What superstitions are common in your country? When you feel stressed or unsure, what helps you feel better? Do you use horoscopes, astrology, or other practices to help you make decisions or feel calm? If you could change your zodiac sign, would you? Which one would you choose and why? What do people in your country think about astrology or fortune-telling? Do you think life happens by chance, or does everything happen for a reason?	Skim this article and talk about your attitude to horoscopes, fortune-telling, and fate. Useful vocabulary: 🔹foretell - to predict or say what will happen in the future 🔹locus of control - a psychological concept that describes whether people believe they control their own life events (internal) or that external forces like luck or fate control them (external). 🔹omen - an event seen as a sign of future good or bad luck 🔹place/put faith in something - to believe in and trust something 🔹against all odds - despite very low probability of success 🔹tempt fate - to take unnecessary risks or act as if bad things won't happen Discussion questions: Do you know your zodiac sign? Do you think the typical characteristics of your sign describe you accurately? Do you think personality is fixed or can it change over time? Some people believe in “star sign compatibility” in friendships or relationships. Do you think this works? Why or why not? Have you or someone you know ever used any form of fortune-telling (e.g., tarot, palm reading, numerology)? What was your experience? Do you believe that external forces (fate, destiny, the universe) or internal choices (personal decisions and actions) have more influence over your life? Can you give an example from your own experience? Do you consider yourself a “lucky” or “unlucky” person? Why? Have you ever followed a superstition, like avoiding black cats or knocking on wood? Did it work? Which superstitions are common in your country? Do you agree that astrology or fortune-telling can give a sense of control in uncertain times? Why do you think more women than men believe in astrology, according to research? How is astrology or fortune-telling viewed in your culture? Do you think life is mostly random, or do events happen for a reason?

Simple Version

Advanced Version

Skim this article and talk about your attitude to horoscopes, fortune-telling, and fate.

Useful vocabulary:

🔹predict - to say what will happen in the future

🔹doubt - a feeling of not being sure; to question if something is true

🔹influence - to affect or change someone or something

🔹certain/certainty - completely sure; the state of being sure

🔹come true - to happen as predicted

🔹have faith in - to trust and believe in something

🔹by chance - happening accidentally, not planned

Useful sentence starters:

I think it is true/partly true/not true.

People say…

I think my life is controlled by…

For example, I chose to …

One time, I decided to …

A common superstition is … / Many people think that …

I feel better when I …

Discussion questions:

Do you know your zodiac sign? Do you think the description of your sign is true for you? For example, if your sign says you are 'kind,' are you actually kind?
Do you think people’s personalities can change, or do they stay the same?
Have you or someone you know tried fortune-telling (like tarot, palm reading, or numerology)? What happened?
Do you think fortune-telling can be true, or is it just for fun?
Do you think your life is more controlled by luck/fate or by your own choices? Can you give an example?
Have you ever followed a superstition, like avoiding black cats or knocking on wood? Did it work?
What superstitions are common in your country?
When you feel stressed or unsure, what helps you feel better?
Do you use horoscopes, astrology, or other practices to help you make decisions or feel calm?
If you could change your zodiac sign, would you? Which one would you choose and why?
What do people in your country think about astrology or fortune-telling?
Do you think life happens by chance, or does everything happen for a reason?

Skim this article and talk about your attitude to horoscopes, fortune-telling, and fate.

Useful vocabulary:

🔹foretell - to predict or say what will happen in the future

🔹locus of control - a psychological concept that describes whether people believe they control their own life events (internal) or that external forces like luck or fate control them (external).

🔹omen - an event seen as a sign of future good or bad luck

🔹place/put faith in something - to believe in and trust something

🔹against all odds - despite very low probability of success

🔹tempt fate - to take unnecessary risks or act as if bad things won't happen

Discussion questions:

Do you know your zodiac sign? Do you think the typical characteristics of your sign describe you accurately?
Do you think personality is fixed or can it change over time?
Some people believe in “star sign compatibility” in friendships or relationships. Do you think this works? Why or why not?
Have you or someone you know ever used any form of fortune-telling (e.g., tarot, palm reading, numerology)? What was your experience?
Do you believe that external forces (fate, destiny, the universe) or internal choices (personal decisions and actions) have more influence over your life? Can you give an example from your own experience?
Do you consider yourself a “lucky” or “unlucky” person? Why?
Have you ever followed a superstition, like avoiding black cats or knocking on wood? Did it work?
Which superstitions are common in your country?
Do you agree that astrology or fortune-telling can give a sense of control in uncertain times?
Why do you think more women than men believe in astrology, according to research?
How is astrology or fortune-telling viewed in your culture?
Do you think life is mostly random, or do events happen for a reason?