Mythoblogia

Well astrology (and I mean Western astrology in a broad sense) is scientific in that there's a testable hypothesis; and there are plenty of people running longitudinal studies - or repeated experiments over time, if you like - to test the case. However these experiments are typically flawed in 2 major ways and probably a million smaller ways.

Firstly there is rarely a control in any of the tests, so we don't know for sure how the predicted reality compares with the "real" reality; or if there is some bias inherent in the testing process.

Secondly the tests assume that the basis of astrology is true; and the experiments that are typically run don't test the root assumptions, which remain untested. Which leads to many people repeating the same experiment over and over again, often "finding" the same result but with no confirmation available other than the "rightness" suggested by the result itself. In other words the subject "agrees" with the result, therefore it must be true. Which is of course hogwash (another technical term).

So how could it be tested? Well it has been tested as a process and indeed there's some slight evidence for a correlation between personality and the position of planet Mars. That's all, just Mars. And it's a small correlation, not a blindingly obvious one. You can stretch the point and find other tiny correlations in the data but essentially it's all very weak. Other people say other things, often compellingly negative; but that's what I know and believe - that there's a faint blip in the data that says "maybe". I wouldn't bet my house on it, that's for sure. Of course we could just be looking for the wrong thing in the wrong place.

You could also test it yourself by devising an experiment where multiple people have charts prepared and interpreted by random, multiple astrologers, including controls on the experiment to eliminate bias. I can tell you that almost all reputable astrologers will get these calculations "right"; and some astrologers will get common results in interpretation, often based on shared study of of certain learned books. And others will have completely variant interpretations. Often the "rightness" of these interpretations will be confirmed by the subjects, irrespective of technique; but as we know this proves only that the subjects "agree", not that it is objectively correct. When you look at the actual, testable and repeatable evidence for a correlation between sun sign and such things as occupation or personality it all starts to unravel.

At which point the astrologers will say 'but what about the ascendant?', or 'what about oppositions and conjunctions?'. Indeed we could explain it all away if we tried hard enough, by using arcane astrological procedures or even simply saying that the birth time is out by some minutes or hours or whatever. We'd then "adjust" the chart to suit our subject's "reality". Indeed - a little surprisingly - that's exactly what some astrologers do. And they honestly believe that's the right thing to do.

Which makes it all very hard. Personally I think the best interpretations come from strongly "psychic" astrologers who "feel" the subject during the 1:1 session and interact in a "counseling" way. Which suggests that the astrological process may simply be a cover for some other set of instincts or skills - and therefore open to further exploration.

I can also say - anecdotally! - that I have been surprised when an astrologer actually "gets" my rising sign at first meeting and without benefit of anything other than my physical appearance. That's surprising enough but I have also seen multiple people correctly identified in the same manner, which is more surprising again. I don't know "how" they did it but I'm open to the suggestion that there's "something in it".

Astrology is also fun - and a cool way to get to do some maths whilst playing with some rather ancient and interesting symbols. That there's a psychological component in it just adds to the compelling nature of it all. Treat it as fun and keep an open mind - that's my personal view.

Labels: Astrology