Our society has a complicated relationship with astrology – some people are strong adherents, while others think it's a bunch of hocus pocus. But for those who believe in the cosmos’ predictive power, there is something downright prescient going on.
Earlier this week, a post was going around that tried to draw connections between horoscopes and our particularly trying times:
Food for thought:
The last time Saturn was in Aquarius was during the Rodney King Riots.
The last time Pluto was in Capricorn was during the American Revolution.
Neptune was in Pisces when Rome fell.
We have all 3 right now.
That is indeed food for thought. But does it actually explain the catastrophes that have befallen us so far in 2020, or is it mere coincidence?
Is Our Fate Written in the Cosmos?
Do the heavenly bodies really impact our future? Can you tell someone’s personality from their sign? According to scientists, the answer is no.
Astrology has long been considered a pseudoscience in the scientific community, with some comparing it to medieval medicine. Sure, some things seem to be accurate, but that seems almost accidental. It’s a whole lot of fumbling in the dark.
NASA even has a page dedicated to debunking astrology, saying that “[astrology] is not science. No one has shown that astrology can be used to predict the future or describe what people are like based only on their birth date.”
And while the analysis above, of Saturn in Aquarius during the Rodney King riots, of Pluto in Capricorn during the American Revolution, might seem eerie, one must consider what’s being left out.
If we look at other significant dates in recent history, things don’t line up as neatly.
On 9/11/2001, for example, Saturn was in Gemini, Pluto was in Sagittarius, and Neptune was in Aquarius. If we look at the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, Saturn was in Cancer, Pluto was in Sagittarius, and Neptune was in Aquarius.
It’s not as eerie when we see that the points originally being made were cherry picked. Scientists argue that any astrological coincidences are just that - coincidences. Data is selectively chosen and horoscopes are written vaguely enough to be applicable to any situation.
It’s a fun diversion, scientists say, but don’t take it too seriously.
Millennials Love Astrology
So why have millennials taken to astrology in ways that few generations before have? It’s all about the internet.
The Atlantic says that “in some ways, astrology is perfectly suited for the internet age. There’s a low barrier to entry, and nearly endless depths to plumb if you feel like falling down a Google research hole.”
Astrology is also a source of comfort for some in the unpredictable and often scary times we live in. By seeing things as somewhat predetermined, we can be comforted that things might just be okay. That also makes sense, because an American Psychological Association survey found that millennials are the most stressed generation.
Ultimately, even many of those who buy into astrology don’t necessarily believe in its scientific value. “I don’t care if astrology isn’t real,” says professional astrologist Aliza Kelly, writing for Cosmopolitan. She says it’s an exercise in empathy, to help quantify life’s strongest emotions, like fear, jealousy, and disappointment, and to help those who are struggling find a silver lining.
Astrology, it seems, is simply a sign of our times, not an explanation. The world is scary. Access to information is greater than it's ever been in human history. And a lot of young people just want to know that everything will be alright, and it’s nice to imagine that a bright future is written in the stars.
What do you think? Can astrology really predict the future? Is it possible the astrological calendar is connected to human events here on Earth?
41 comments
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William Cureton Fox
Yes, astrology can explain everything, after they have happened.
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Alexander Clarke
Like all religions and beliefs if you believe in it (astrology) then you can make it fit any situation. I enjoy horoscopes but only for entertainment.
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Donald James Brown
I read it for entertainment only the scripture tells us it's garbage.
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CB Cuff
I'm a Taurus and we don't believe in all that Zodiac stuff.
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Catherine
Speaking for others is astrologically typical of a stereotypical Taurus ^.^
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Greyson
Astrology can seem like a very "hit or miss" tool. It is left up to our interpretation and quite frankly, we're not perfect. We don't get it right every time. There is a lot to take into account when using Astrology. I believe that it could help predict some things but not everything. I don't believe we have the knowledge available to us to do that. I also don't believe that we are meant to know everything. Astrology is like every other tool, in that you cannot rely on it. You have to live your life as you see fit, not let someone's interpretation do it for you.
We are in a time of change. A deep change that will affect everything after this time. Just do the best you can and let love, light, and your heart guide you.
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Thunder
astrology is a mnemonic system to teach children culturally meaningful stories associated with star patterns, so that in later life they will be well equipped to understand celestial cycles useful for agricultural planning and nocturnal navigation by land or sea. the rest of it is a great way to part fools from the money and little else.
that said, the astrological system can be used to good effect as an initiatory cycle to provide insights and conscious awareness of the major psychological patterns of a person. this is a very ancient and legitimate usage of the associated ideas.
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Colleen Marie Farese
FACT CHECK:
Neptune in Pisces 374-389 Fall of Rome 476 AD The Migration Period BEGAN during Neptune in Pisces, which led to the end of the Roman Empire, but it didn't officially end until much later
HOWEVER.
Saturn WAS in Aquarius 1991-93 Rodney King Riots 1992
Pluto WAS in Capricorn 1762-1777 American Revolution 1775-1783
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Jean Bakula
Although you claim the first 3 events were explained by astrology aspects that were "cherry picked", you did the same thing when saying the 9/11 planetary alignment didn't mean anything. Gemini rules the twins (Twin Towers) and Pluto, the planet of greatest change, opposed it. But you don't understand astrology, because you aren't using any degrees or charts. Don't write articles about topics you don't understand. I've been an Astrologer for over 40 years, and it is very accurate when done the correct way.
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Daniel J. Trebas
I have no direct awareness of astrology CAUSING anything to happen. However, when considering the effects of environmental influences in relation to the interplay between micro and macro systems it seems a bit naive to think that the relative positions of planetary bodies within a microcosmic system would have no influence on our microcosmic lives. Kind of like how our macro-self may decide to ingest that delicious spaghetti sauce that may later cause some heartburn while having some influence on our micro-cosmic gut biome. Oopp- that reminds me of the church of the flying Spaghetti monster, and I have no idea how astrology would merge with their systems.
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Catherine
I would not suggest our fate is written by the cosmos. Rather, astrological interpretations are about potentials and influences. Individuals exercise free will to decide what they will do. Or not, which also is a choice.
Western astrology is about self-exploration, while mundane astrology is predictive and used by financiers. Financial astrologers and astro-economists are among the most highly paid. Even Popes have always had astrologers that they call mathematicians.
Western astrology is about self-exploration. Not telling people what will happen.
Mundane astrology is event oriented and used by financiers. In fact, financial astrologers are among the most highly paid. Popes have always had astrologers that they call mathematicians. Mitchell Scott Lewis was (is?) an astro‑economist for the Mercantile Exchange.
When I ask a naysayer what they have learned about astrology, they have not looked into it enough to acquire real understanding, and are echoing opinions of non-astrology professionals. A rare few who have, get a feel for the efficacy and that does not work for everyone. Meaning some individuals(?) prefer being told about their life and how it should be, and what decisions they should make. While other individuals decide they don't need to consult with anything or anyone about how to lead their lives. In the middle, there are the curious who wonder and go self-exploring. Still others who study astrology to better understand life events.
A quick search online about royalty who had court astrologers uncovers interesting history. Astrologers like William Lily had extraordinary influence. (Great story there about how Oliver Cromwell (very religious dude) consulted with William Lily for advice. Lily then recommended to Cromwell the services of an attorney friend, Bulstrode Whitlocke, who legally advised Oliver Cromwell eventually toward an undesirable end.)
Western astrology, also called humanistic astrology, came about early last century when Dane Rudhyar, born as Daniel Chennevière, integrated older astrological practices with Carl Jung's archetypes. Rudhyar's meticulous work and thoughtful insights gained popularity around 1930s, which led to what is now called western astrology: https://www.astro.com/astrology/opa_article200519_e.htm
None of this is presented to convince anyone that astrology works. More to illuminate misunderstanding due to definitional ignorance. Why do scientists debunk something they have not explored by applying scientific methods? I would say they must not be real scientists, since by definition scientists explore what is unknown. Quite a few historical and still highly respected figures were astrologers. Examples: Pythagoras, Geoffrey Chaucer, Nostradamus, Giordano Bruno, Berossus, Hypatia, John Dee (for Queen Elizabeth I), Varahamihira, Johannes Kepler, Claudius Ptolemy... this list is very long.
Until several centuries ago, astrology and astronomy were synonymous and inseparable. A friction developed between astrology and modern science largely due to the importance that aristocracy and religions attributed to astrology. So, partly an effort to reduce competition by disadvantaging future generations through propaganda that astrology is nonsense. Partly a growing pain with how to absorb new learning. Partly politics. And quite interesting, is an exploration of astrological references that have been removed from the KJV Bible.
There is so much more that could be said. The takeaway - for me - is how easily we can be misled to disregard what might be useful. A good springboard for understanding astrology from as scientific a view, is a small book by Robert Carl Janksy called "Interpreting The Eclipses" (avoid derivatives!). The first 8-9 pages does indeed bring science and the world around us to astrology with clear and easily explained associations. Jansky was an actual scientist and researcher for the Apollo 6 mission. His curiosity led him to writing this book to help others understand influences brought by forces between planets and the soil, air, and water we are surrounded by, with the stardust we are each comprised of.
Didn't intend to go on ad nauseum. Still, maybe something in all of that will spark curiosity.
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Brandy Bañuelos Herrera
The Moon's gravitational pull generates something called the tidal force. The tidal force causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side closest to the Moon and the side farthest from the Moon. If the moon can cause that to the ocean, what do you think it does with our bodies and mind. Remember humans are up to 60 percent water.
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Ty Ford
I'm not a solid gold believer in Astrology, but I read an astrology column earlier this year. In it they referred to three happenings this year due to planetary cycles. The next one is in July and then one in November, I think. The report said this was a year of ends and beginnings.
Ty Ford
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Lionheart
Yes, it sure is. The end is December 31st and the beginning is January 1st, so they got that right.
🦁❤️
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taycomama
The Chicago Tribune horoscopes used to rate the day from 1 to 10, 10 being the best. I only got a 10 once. That was the day my husband died.
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Carla Ruth Robinson
That's terrible.
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Minister Mike
What can one do upon reading such an article but laugh one's ass off. I think I lost five pounds! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Ty Ford
OK, I looked up an astrologer. He said that 2020 is a year of beginnings and endings.
There will be three "events." One was in March as I recall. The other two are in July and November.
I was thinking that July 4th in Washington, D. C. will be very different this year. I expect that "Black Lives Matter" street art commissioned by the Mayor that covers all of 16th street two block north of the White House will be very busy with protesters and those organizations looking to make the protesters look bad so trump can unleash his dogs on them.
Fortunately the media and public at large know about these infiltrators, so they will be caught if they try to incite others to violence.
Of course, this November is the election. enough said.
Regards,
Ty Ford
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John R
Thanks for the humor, CB :)
Seems like astrology reveals itself by the topics it concerns itself with: romance, money, and entertainments ... and what poses a risk to those things. It's not deep, it's endlessly shallow.
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CB Cuff
Happy you picked up on it. Couldn't have been a better opportunity. ...... best medicine for the soul, humour.
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Robert A Stiff
Like religion in general, astrology is a crutch for those who can't, or won't, face life.
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Catherine
Western astrology is about self-exploration.
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Michael Wilhelm Josef Maas
Bullwinkle: Eenie meenie chili beanie, the spirits are about to speak! Rocky: Are they friendly spirits, Bullwinkle? Bullwinkle: Friendly?! Listen to this!!...(fade to commercial)
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MaryKate Brailsford
The answer is written in the stars.
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Terri Lynn Rose
I have often found that research into a subject educated and sometimes broadens the mind. Perhaps this may help your opinion: https://youtu.be/orAjVWh61Nk Peace 🤗
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Alexander Clarke
It can if you believe it can .
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Catherine
To these demonstrations below, add that behaviors in nature and humans are repetitious AND constantly evolving. Isn't it a natural act of human curiosity to observe and associate what we see happening around us with what is happening above us? Add psychology to astrology and astronomy as best those are each presently known, and the mystery of humanistic Western astrology dissolves.
Sometimes pictures work where words fail. For the interested, here are visual examples showing the action of forces between planetary objects.
"Would you like to play a game?" :.) Super Planet Crash: http://www.stefanom.org/spc/
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/cosmology-and-astronomy/earth-history-topic/earth-title-topic/pi/season-simulator
https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/nasa/measuringuniverse/spacemath1/pi/animate-phases-of-the-moon
Accretion explanation: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/cosmology-and-astronomy/stellar-life-topic/stellar-life-death-tutorial/v/accreting-mass-due-to-gravity-simulation
Automated accretion graphic: https://www.khanacademy.org/computer-programming/challenge-modeling-accretion-disks/1180451277
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Carl A. Hankins
The stars can't say anything. It's by the Angles and by word of mouth written in history that such things are known. Gravitational pull is only submissable due to notice of people's known reactions when such things happen. But I do believe that some possess a soul that can know things before they happen. Possibly even heal others. These are stressful places to abide in.
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Lionheart
Jut as an FYI Carl, everything that has mass has a gravitational pull.
Are there any other things that you believe in that has no demonstrable evidence? Just asking for a friend Carl.
🦁❤️
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Harrison Henry
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” ― William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
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Harrison Henry
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise [men], the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
--Daniel 2:27 - 2:28
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Lionheart
There’s another fictional book, Harry Potter, that has some wonderful quotes from Dumbledore. Don’t you just love these type of things? I know I do!
🦁❤️
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Harrison Henry
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
--Proverbs 18:2
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Lionheart
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
Dumbledore
Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter-
Harrison Henry
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.
--Luke11: 34-35
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Lionheart
“When I used to read fairy tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one!”
Chapter 4, The Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill. Alice In Wonderland.
There are so many wonderful sayings in books aren't there. I just love them.
🦁❤️
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Harrison Henry
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
-- 1 Corinthians: 13:11
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Lionheart
It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.
Dumbledore
🦁♥️
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Catherine
Hello @Sir Lionheart :.)
In response to: "Are there any other things that you believe in that has no demonstrable evidence?"
Since you posted this comment about astrology, I am wondering how deeply you studied astrology. And how did you come to the conclusion that the study of astrology has no demonstrable evidence?
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Lionheart
Thank you for your question Catherine. Having lived through 76 rotations of the earth revolving around the sun I have never seen any demonstrable evidence during that time that astrology has any credible significance or truth to it, much like scrying, or tarot, etc.
🦁❤️
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It also could mean a lot more in July and November than that. Like more stimulus payments, for one thing, and the end of Trump's presidency for another. It might also mean the end of policing, as we know it, and the beginning of a whole new way of life. Even though I'm nothing like a Christian, I believe there are truths in all of the world's religions, and see how what's going on now could possibly correlate with the book of Revelation. And the beast in the White House is almost through with his reign.