Compulsory "cutting" is often a response to emotional trauma. It often manifests in bipolar or borderline affected people, especially during teenage years.

but on the "body modification" side of things, there's also a method of scaring motives into the skin, allthough that's usually done through burning rather than cutting the skin.

both aren't especially new phenomena.

the combination of "cutting star-signs" into the skin kind of confuses me, though. How were you confronted with this "activity"?! I guess a teenager who's cutting themself in psychological distress, when being confronted, might come up with the excuse they are "just etching star signs"... who knows they might even be doing star signs, but the self-harm-motivation probably comes from somewhere deep.

I know a few individuals my age (mid 40) who've dealt with these issues in their young years. They all managed to face their issues and have grown into healthy adults. If that's what you are referring to, I can share some more if you have questions about it...