Gen Z is Finding Serenity in The Stars; How Janie Schumann Finds Peace in Astrology DRAFT

By Mackenzie Branstad

FAYETTEVILLE Ark. -Janie Schumann sits in her office, her brown bangs lie right above her sleek eyebrows as she looks down at a circular graph. Inside the graph are figures, lines and shapes that look unidentifiable to someone who has never had a reading done.

She uses the graph to show her clients how the planets align in a specific pattern the day they were born signifying who they are and where they are going. Schumann, 73, has done hundreds of readings and has been studying astrology for over forty years. She loves making her clients feel validated and empowered through their zodiac signs.

“I can sit down and tell you who anyone is by their chart, it’s like a learner’s manual to who you are,” Schumann said.

Janie Schumann resting at her desk.

Photo by Mackenzie Branstad

Schumann has recently noticed her clientele pivot to a younger audience as Gen Z becomes more interested in astrology. According to Oxford Brookes University, 63% of Gen Z believe astrology has positively affected their career. Gen Z is using astrology for compatibility in relationships, career advice and to ease general life anxiety.

“I love Gen Z, I am serious Gen Z is going to fix the world,” Schumann said.

Schumann believes it is harder to do readings on someone who is Gen Z because they are so young but the process is the same. She searches for patterns in the planets to predict life events and to recount past life experiences. Schumann uses astrology as a heads-up in her own life and to help better understand the people around her.

“When I was younger I always thought I was a witch,” Schumann said.

As she grew older she realized that she was a medium; her intuitive nature and unique abilities led her to believe that she had something special that she didn’t yet have a name for.

When Schumann was in her early 20s, a hippie in the 70s, living in Taos, New Mexico, she was very open to unique spiritual experiences. She received her first astrological reading and felt a strong intuition this reading was in some way going to alter her life. She began researching astrology and loved the peace that came with it.

“It brings me more joy and who doesn’t want that?” asked Schumann.

Because of astrology Schumann believes that the universe has a plan for her and carries a sense of serenity in the way that she lives her life. In 2001, Schumann and her daughter were set to move from New Mexico to Colorado when the offer they made on the Colorado house fell through.

“I was disappointed but I am aware when things like this happen, the universe is working for me,” Schumann said.

A few weeks later Schumann came to Fayetteville, Arkansas for the first time to do astrological readings at a fair and fell in love with the city. Within just 16 days, Schumann bought a house and moved. She believes in order for her to have moved so quickly the universe must have supported her decision in moving to Fayetteville.

Many young people go to Schumann during low times in their life for hope and for validation. As young people struggle in their 20s, astrological readings offer a sense of peace and empowerment.

“Spirituality isn’t limited to a specific age group,” Daniella Gordon, psychic reader and owner of Oracle Oasis said. “A lot of our clientele is younger to middle aged adults who come in with questions about relationships, careers and finding purpose,” Gordon said.

Gordon is a ninth generation psychic and sees many people come in during a variety of different walks of life. Grief, career changes, uncertainty or feeling lost but many also come in just  curious about the future. Many people who come to her are looking for a different perspective, reassurance and want to feel heard and understood.

Similar to Gordon, Schumann loves to help people in hard times especially through their Saturn return. The Saturn cycle takes roughly 29.5 years. It is said to begin when a person turns 27 and ends by the time a person turns 30. A Saturn return is an astrological concept that a major event that will alter a person’s life will take place in their late twenties.

For many it can be getting married, getting divorced, having kids, moving somewhere new or a family member passing away. During Schumann’s Saturn return she ended a four year relationship and moved to a new city.

During a session with college student Ally Denby, Schumann tells Denby, 21 to be cautious of her Saturn Return because it is going to hold her accountable. Schumann can’t foresee exact events and how they happen but can see an idea through the chart.

Janie Schumann giving Ally Denby her reading.

Photo by Mackenzie Branstad

“While Mercury is in retrograde don’t do anything new to your hair, makeup or make any big purchases, you will regret it,” Schumann warns Denby.

Outside of her home office where she conducts readings like Denby’s, Schumann loves participating in fairs around the country and often gets people coming to her booth that don’t believe in astrology.

One experience that really stuck with her was when a man who was grieving walked by her booth multiple times until he reluctantly sat down, telling Schumann he doesn’t believe in astrology. Surprisingly Schumann loves when people don’t believe and want a reading.

Schumann looks at the man’s chart taking into account every sign. The pattern of the chart leads Schumann to believe that a woman has passed in his life. In shock the man admits that his wife had just passed away. Schumann finishes his chart and believes she gave him a sense of hope for the future in his grief.

“He left that reading with a totally different face, a believer,” Schumann said.

Schumann’s peaceful aura comes from the belief that the universe is working for her and that has changed her life. She wants to share the same mental clarity and gratitude with her clients for what they have in the present moment.

“I am always giving thanks daily,” Schumann said. “From the moment I get up to the moment I go to bed,” she adds.