As I have been posting more and more on my Instagram page about my Scorpio necklaces and accessories, I realized that I haven’t really gone in depth on here about why I adorn myself with this zodiac symbol, especially as a Christian.

For those who haven’t read my book POLARITY, astrology and the zodiac are key elements in the story as the main character, Kendra, returns to her hometown of Polaris, and the pressures of the society there. Namely, the pressure to truly embody your zodiac sign. The zodiac, for those who are less familiar (and in the simplest terms I can muster), is a constellation symbol associated with the birthdate of a person. These symbols, and the stars that form it, supposedly can tell you what your weaknesses and strengths are, as well as predict your future (a la horoscopes).

So in the world of Polaris, your zodiac symbol is who you are. It tells you everything about yourself, what careers you are suited for, who your potential spouses are, even your personality. Kendra experiences those pressures more and more throughout the story, sometimes feeling trapped by these expectations, and other times using them as an excuse for her actions.

For me, these are very relatable struggles: to live up to the expectations others have of you, or to defy the assumptions they make about you.

So I’m a Scorpio. According to the zodiac, I am jealous, determined, controlling, violent, and passionate, and according to my daily horoscope, my “dilemmas are bigger than you anticipated they would be and many things are at stake, but you already know that answers are simple when they are ripe and clear.”

But am I those things? Do I have to be those things? Is that truly my identity?

Uh, no. I have the power to make my own choices, to decide who I am doing to be and what will define me. While I don’t find I am particularly violent or jealous, if I was to give the power of identity to my zodiac, maybe I would think that it is beyond my control to resist those sins when temptation came.

In the same way, I can allow an event that has happened to me – such as spiritual abuse – define me: I can’t trust scripture; people only use the Bible to manipulate others; I am not strong enough; I am not brave enough; I am because this happened to me. Or, I can allow what others say to define me: I never say no; I’m not good at keeping my house clean; I’m not good enough; I am because they said so.

These are all lies, but even a lie can seem true if you believe it.

Instead of giving this power to others, I have the ability to decide for myself what will define me. And everyday, I want to choose to allow Christ to define me: I am loved ^{(1 John 4:10, Romans 8:37-39)}; I am forgiven ^{(Colossians 1:13-14, 1 John 1:9)}; I am free from sin ^{(2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 6:18)}; I am hidden with Christ ^{(Colossians 3:3)}; I don’t need to be afraid ^{(1 John 4:18, Joshua 1:9)}; I am who God says I am ^{(Ephesians 2:10)}.

And my Scorpio necklaces remind me of that truth. I decide. You decide. And don’t give that power to someone who is going to abuse it with lies. Give that power to Christ – it’s only in Him that truth and real love are found.

[So that’s my spiel! Can you tell I’m a people pleaser? I’m working on it.]