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Building on the sensemaking theory, this study employs semi-structured interviews to explore how individuals make sense of astrology short videos on Douyin to navigate identity and intimacy. Findings illustrate how individuals interpret these videos to construct an \u201cImagined Self\u201d that merges collective meanings with personal interpretations. Douyin acts as a \u201cHoly Technology,\u201d enabling algorithmic interactions that reinforce spiritual narratives. In addition, the regulated nature of astrology content on Douyin prompts users to demonstrate agency in creatively negotiating and adapting astrological meanings within China\u2019s unique sociopolitical context. This research advances sensemaking theory by demonstrating its applicability to the digitally mediated construction of identity and intimacy, contributing to our understanding of digital spirituality.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/14614448251344588","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,29]],"date-time":"2025-05-29T03:18:51Z","timestamp":1748488731000},"page":"3368-3387","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Swiping through the stars: Exploring identity and intimacy through astrology sensemaking on Douyin"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"28","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2596-8136","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Xinyu","family":"Zhang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Michigan State University, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-8789-5043","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yifan","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,29]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_3_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/01634437231174345"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_3_1","first-page":"282","volume-title":"The New Social Theory Reader","author":"Anderson B","year":"2008","unstructured":"Anderson B (2008) Imagined communities: reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism. 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