Astrology
Seriously, she suggested I post this here and compare it to the discussion on my guild forums, so here goes:
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A friend and I have been discussing something I have been interested in for a long time now over the past few weeks, the subject of Astrology.
While looking around on Wikipedia these two quotes struck me as interesting: "Despite its vast popularity with the general public (e.g. in the UK over 60% of adults are said to read their "stars" first on opening a newspaper, a slightly higher proportion in the USA) and "Belief in astrology remains widespread in the general public, with 31% of Americans believing in it and according to another study 39% considering it scientific."
I would like to pause here and state that what people read in newspapers is 'not' what most people who practice Astrology consider Astrology. The columns in the newspapers are directly related to your Sun sign (The position the Sun was in at time of birth) and Transiting planets. This is why they are A: Vague, and B: typically incorrect.
Now since I was young I have always had a interest in the relation of space to time, and while I don't particularly believe time travel is possible, I do think there are underlaying patterns to the vast majority of events which take place on earth. I figure Astrology is a good of a point as any to attempt to understand those patterns since it goes back some 3000 or more years, there is likely something of significance there.
Now, Astrology involves -a lot - of math. It involves time conversations understanding the Zodiac (and the differences between the Sidereal and Tropical Zodiac) and why the precession of the equinoxes is important. It takes into account 10 Celestial bodies (or more) and projects them onto a grid divided by 12 angles in their relation to the Zodiac used. It's pretty complex, and not something anyone in their right mind could write for a daily newspaper because 'real' Horoscopes are personally dependent on the persons date, time and location of birth, and it's impossible to make sweeping generalizations like the newspapers use and come up with a hit rate which is any more likely then random chance.
At this point it should be noted that there are several types of Astrology. Most people are fimilar with the Natal version, of which the Sunscopes in the newspapers are derived from. These are the location of the Zodiac and Celestial bodies at the time of birth. This type of astrology is good for determining personality factors, attitudes, values and weaknesses. For lack of any other term, it's a 'blue print' to how the person acts and thinks. Likewise these charts can be progressed to see how people develop over time. From personal study I have found both of these chart types fairly accurate.
Astrology used for Divination, which is different then the previous version can be called Mundane Astrology which is the understanding of how Celestial placements can effect earth. I do not know as much about this as I do Natal astrology (which I recommend if you ever take a Pysch class) but it involves where the planets are 'now' in relation to where the planets are when you where born.
If you made it this far, the background was required to correctly ask my question which is the purpose of this post.
Based on the above information, I am curious how many people believe that Astrology has merit. (Not that if it works or not, but that it has the potential to be used for better understanding of life and events on Earth)
Furthermore, I am also curious how many people on this forum read the newspapers for their horoscope on a daily basis, and if you do, what your opinion has been on what you've been reading.
-Fenier
I will have to come back when I have more time for this, suffice to say , I believe it would be feasible that the planets have an impact on us, so better understanding this impact definately has merit. If the moon can pull oceans for tides, who's to say what its pull does to the water in us? Does solar wind ruffle our solar senses? Who knows? How do you even measure this? I'm open to suggestion on astrology and related topics.
I don't read my stars. I have done online tarot though :P
As to whether or not it has merit... I'd have to think about that and get back to ya :)
People need an explanation for what they are and the world around them. People find comfort in religion and the stars. When I look up into the starry night, I only think about how I was probably born 300 years too early.
PAs for astrology - growing up I was fascinated by it, but I think all teenage girls are. Any explanation as to why this boy doesn't like you or why life sucks at the moment was better than just guessing. Does astrology affect life on Earth - part of me thinks its similar to religion with its use of symbols and history. I don't think the position of Jupiter really affects the course of my life and I'm not a huge believer of Fate deciding my life for me, either.
I don't believe Astrology predestines anything, I simply think it a good indicator for probable personal patterns. Just because you have heavy 5th house placement indicating high amounts of creativity, doesn't mean you will be an artist. You could be a writer, or a drummer, etc. I hold similar ideals for Runes, Tarot and the line, they are just objects - they don't control you. They can however provide insight so that you can control you better. If that makes sense.
On a side note, I didn't like most girls in my school growing up. People who treat me one way in person, and another way when they are amongst friends are not worth my time, I think this is generally true. You would be amazed at what you hear in High School amongst groups of people if you stop speaking and just sit and listen. I have no doubt a good portion of that gets back to the people involved.
Sadly some people don't even learn this after school ends, heh.
-Fenier
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