Is Social Media Stealing Our Real Lives?

Big changes are on the way in 2025, we may find the upcoming planetary shifts change the face of not only our personal lives but our digital world too

Today, I want to take a break from my usual astrology posts and share a personal experience instead. Yesterday, I took my kids to the swimming pool. They’re at the age where they can swim on their own now, so I sat on the side, letting my mind wander.

As someone with an Aquarius Moon and strong Scorpio signature in my natal chart, I’m naturally very observant. Aquarius makes me think deeply, while Scorpio helps me focus on the little details, especially when it comes to people and their behavior.

While I watched my kids, I noticed something interesting. Almost every parent around me was glued to their phone, completely absorbed in their screens while their children played. It reminded me of something I once heard in an interview with Grant Morrison. He talked about mobile phones, describing them as “this thing desperately trying to mate with us.” And that’s exactly what it felt like—technology taking over, pulling people away from the real world.

Ironically, I’m sharing this observation on my phone right now. But it made me think: are we living through screens instead of experiencing life directly? What if something important happened, like a child struggling in the pool? Would the parents even notice, or would they be too caught up in their phones?

Why I Used to Avoid Social Media

For a long time, I stayed away from social media. I thought of it as a ‘seething cesspool of yuck.’ But something changed in February 2024. Around that time, my progressed Sun met my Ascendant, a key moment in astrology. Basically, the Ascendant is how you show yourself to the world, and when the progressesed Sun (which represents your true self) connects with it, you feel a strong urge to put yourself out there.

This shift made me want to share my work and thoughts online. I started with LinkedIn, where I talked about neurodiversity—things like autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. Those posts did well, but my astrology content didn’t get much attention. So, I decided to try Facebook. I had an old account that I barely used, but I thought, why not give it a shot? I started sharing my thoughts on astrology, mythology, psychology, and human behavior. To my surprise, people really connected with it, and I thought maybe I’d been wrong about social media.

The Digital Trap: How I Got Pulled In

But soon, I found myself getting sucked into my phone. I’d check notifications constantly, scroll endlessly, and worry when an online “friend” didn’t post for a while. I started to see how easy it is to create a version of yourself online that doesn’t quite match reality. You can control what you share, and block or unfriend people who become rude towards you.

But there’s a darker side too. Some people spend so much time online that they start to live through their digital persona, caring more about likes and comments than real-life connections. Sometimes they even create drama at the expense of others just to get attention. It seems there is no limit to the depths people will go to for a quick hit of excitement, that dopamine rush but it doesn’t last. After a few days, no one cares, and they’ve moved on to the next thing.

The Astrology Behind Our Disconnection

Astrologically, this all ties into Neptune’s long stay in Pisces, which started back in 2011/12. Neptune is the planet of dreams and illusions, and in Pisces, it makes us want to escape reality—often through things like social media. It’s no surprise that Facebook went public in 2012, right when Neptune was fully settling into Pisces. We’ve been living in this digital dreamworld ever since.

A Reality Check: What’s Next for Our Digital Lives?

But big changes are coming. In 2025, Neptune will move into Aries.foe a short stay. This is important because when outer planets like Neptune change signs, it affects everyone on a large scale. Aries is a bold, action-driven sign, very different from Pisces. When Neptune enters Aries, we’ll be forced to face reality in a way we haven’t for a while.

At the same time, Saturn, the planet of discipline and hard truths, will also move into Aries. The combination of Saturn and Neptune in Aries means we’re likely to face a wake-up call. The illusions we’ve built around our online lives could start to fall apart, and we’ll be reminded of what’s real and what matters most—our genuine connections with others.

I’m not sure exactly what this will mean for those who live their lives online, but I do know that as the world shifts, real-life connections will become much more important. We’ll have to let go of the screens and reconnect with the people and world around us.

Sources: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/12/2012-year-facebook-finally-tried-make-some-money/320493/

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The astrological concepts discussed are part of a widely accepted body of knowledge shared by astrologers across time. Caroline extends her gratitude to the many astrologers who have come before her, whose wisdom and insights have influenced and inspired her own work. Their contributions continue to shape the astrological community and guide the interpretations presented here.

Caroline, an Astrologer and Mentor based in the Scottish Highlands, offers personalised 1:1 sessions exploring birth charts, emotional insights, career guidance and relationships. With her background in education and specialisation in neurodiversity, Caroline tailors each session to the unique needs of her clients, helping them navigate the complexities of their emotional and personal lives. For more information on how to explore your natal chart, visit http://saturnseminary.com