Young Singles Embrace Spirituality in Romance

Younger generations are shifting away from traditional dating advice, exploring spiritual avenues to make sense of their romantic lives. Recent polling by DatingNews shows that 64% of Gen Z respondents have delved into spiritual, psychic, or manifestation-based practices for finding love.

A survey conducted by Cherry Data Signals in August, involving 1,013 U.S. adults, reveals these practices include consulting psychics, using spells, crystals, tarot, and astrology charts. Such practices appeal to those frustrated with modern dating, which offers more potential partners and information but lacks certainty in emotional connections and relationships.

Dr. Dakari Quimby, a clinical adviser at Marietta Springs in Georgia, explains that “symbolic systems” lend dating a more intentional and emotionally coherent feeling. The paradox of choice suggests that increased options through online or app dating do not necessarily enhance dating satisfaction. Frequent rejection or disappointment in dating can lead to emotional fatigue.

Gen Z’s Turn Towards Spirituality

A Newsweek report previously highlighted survey findings indicating that some Gen Z daters trust astrology in evaluating romantic compatibility. The Harris Poll’s Gen Z and Religion Report found that 51% of Gen Z respondents regularly engage in meditation or rituals, 49% practice manifestation, and 30% use astrology or tarot. Additionally, 67% regularly pray, and 49% attend religious services. These findings from a survey of 372 American Gen Zers show a comfort with blending traditional religion and unconventional spiritual practices.

Why Spirituality Appeals in Dating

Modern dating often involves constant judgment—evaluating profiles, response times, and behaviors as red or green flags. Kirill Liakh, managing director of the app Hint, notes that while daters can analyze messages and compatibility, understanding connections remains elusive. Astrology provides a language to explore these questions without treating the answers as literal facts. Hint’s polling in July found 56% of singles have attempted to stop over-analyzing using flags due to mental exhaustion. Additionally, 61% said such language impedes viewing someone as a whole person.

Liakh explains that astrology and rituals offer a framework that doesn’t require rating each other. These tools likely continue intersecting with digital dating as people seek personalized understanding of relationships.

The Role of Astrology and Rituals

Cheryl Groskopf, a therapist specializing in anxiety and attachment, says modern dating uncertainty leaves individuals seeking answers when connections abruptly end. In such cases, tarot readings or compatibility charts seem appealing, offering control over uncontrollable feelings. The appeal lies in feeling “less helpless” when choosing a tarot card while waiting for responses from potential partners.

Groskopf points out that Gen Z has grown amidst dating apps and social media advice, which include attachment styles and compatibility. Astrology offers additional frameworks to navigate romantic relationships. Yet, intellectual understanding doesn’t always ease emotional challenges of uncertainty, such as ghosting or mixed signals.

Potential Risks of Dependence

Groskopf explains that uncertainty activates the threat response in the nervous system, especially for those dealing with inconsistent affection. Rituals provide a “small sense of predictability” in uncertain situations. However, reliance on them during anxiety or uncertainty in relationships becomes a concern.

Quimby emphasizes that while rituals can encourage reflection, compatibility charts should never replace evidence, behavior, consent, or safety. Experts agree that these practices value the journey of navigating uncontrollable experiences more than finding a magical solution.