When I was growing up, my father, a former sub-editor, would tell me stories about the paper’s astrology column.
“Some days, when the “astrologer” (he did the finger quotes as he said this) was late to send in the “predictions” (and again here), we just reran something from the year before – no one said a word.”
Fast forward to now – a time when astrology is so ingrained in the cultural zeitgeist that an argument over it has been linked to the unravelling of Australia’s biggest radio show.
In a moment that quickly became industry shorthand, a live on-air exchange about Andrew Mountbatten’s star sign spiralled, culminating in Kyle Sandilands telling Jackie ‘O’ Henderson: “Your fixation on this has made you almost unworkable.”
What better time, then, to wade into the fanfare than now?
For Matt Galea, Deputy Editor at PEDESTRIAN.TV., the slow move to acceptance has been a long time coming.
He’s just signed a two-book deal with Hardie Grant, with his first offering, The A-Zzz of Dreams, set to hit the shelves on 28 April.
Mediaweek sat down with the talented multi-hyphen to find out what all the fuss is about.
Mediaweek: Astrology seems very ‘in’ right now. When did you develop an interest in it?
Matt Galea: I’ve been into this content since I was a child.
Then I started my journalism career in the entertainment field. I began in magazines, then moved to PEDESTRIAN.TV., where I started writing about astrology and other mystical topics.
MW: Do you think people’s attitudes towards the subject have changed?
MG: Definitely. It’s been really fascinating to see just how much readers’ attitudes have changed since I started.
I started at PEDESTRIAN.TV. in 2018, and I said to the team, ” Would it be all right if I try out some astrology content?” And they’re like, yeah, go for it.
Back then, the comments would probably be 60% positive, while 40% were like “you guys have lost the plot”.
Nowadays, it is rare to see a negative comment about astrology, because people’s attitudes have really changed. They’ve really started to embrace astrology, and it’s gone from being just a silly woo-woo and a bit of fun to something people hang on to and use in their daily lives.
Kyle and Jackie O during the chat, which saw Jackie walk. Source: Instagram
MW: I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate here. What about people who say ‘it’s not real’?
MG: I always say take it as a guide, not gospel.
I really love how much it means to people and how, whether it be reading your horoscopes and finding out that good things are coming or reading a story about, you know, how we’re currently in a positive alignment, seeing the positive reactions I get from people is wonderful.
A lot of the time, it gives them hope and encouragement. We want a reason to be hopeful, a reason to believe in ourselves, a reason to believe that things are going to get better and what this type of mysticism provides is the go-ahead, the encouragement that yes, this can absolutely happen. So that’s how I look at it.
It’s positive reinforcement.
MW: Why did you decide to release a book on dreams?
MG: I released my first book, Astrology, in 2023. And while I am an astrologer and I’m super passionate about it, I didn’t want to be a one-trick pony because there are many different types of divination. I didn’t want to just pigeonhole myself or my readers. I wanted to show that there are so many different ways to find meaning in life.
I wanted to write about an area that’s not just for people who believe in mysticism, but also for those who believe in psychology (editor’s note: think Jung and Freud)
Dreams are probably the only area where the world of mysticism and psychology actually intersect. Both realms agree that dreams hold meaning, are worth analysing, and offer insight into our psyche.
MW: What can you learn through dream interpretation?
MG: Dream symbolism can be analysed from psychological and psychological perspectives, as well as from the symbols themselves and what they represent. They can provide clues about what’s going on now and in your future.
There’s a belief that all humans have psychic abilities, and we have the most access to them when we’re dreaming. I thought that was fascinating.
Plus, the number of times I get asked, Hey, I have this dream. Could you please decode it for me? So, I just know how important decoding dreams is to people, whether you get it or not.
This is a handy guide to keep on their bedside table. They might have a dream, wake up the next day, and be able to analyse it.
Below, see Galea’s guide to our top five most queried dreams and what they mean:
Falling
Dreaming that you’re falling often reflects a sense that things in your waking life are slipping out of control or becoming overwhelming. It can be a signal from your subconscious that you need to pause, regain your footing, and take deliberate steps to restore stability and direction.
Being chased
If you are being chased or hunted in your dream, this is a sign that you are avoiding something in your waking life, and you need to address it in order to move on. Being chased also signals an impending loss. If you are chasing something, it’s a sign that you are afraid of a certain part of yourself.
Running late
Dreaming about being late often points to underlying stress about responsibilities stacking up faster than you can manage. It can also reflect a fear of falling behind or missing important opportunities, nudging you to reassess your priorities and pace.
Teeth
Dreams of teeth are critiques of how you’ve been communicating with others. If you dream that your teeth are loose, this means you have been holding too much inside, and you need to speak up, or the outcome won’t be pretty. If your teeth fall out, you may have divulged sensitive information, and this faux pas could cause chaos. If your teeth are rotten in a dream, a past communication misstep may come back to bite you.
Flying
Dreaming that you’re flying often symbolises a sense of freedom and release from the pressures or limitations of your waking life. It can reflect a growing confidence or desire to rise above challenges, suggesting you’re ready to expand beyond what once held you back.
The A-Zzz of Dreams by Matt Galea will be released on 28 April. You can grab a copy here.
Main image: Matt Galea