The Real Romance in the Stars (A demolition of astrology)

The Independent ^ | Richard Dawkins

[Billthedrill]

Well, of course Dawkins doesn't believe in astrology - Tauruses with Libra rising never do...

[subterfuge]

"Scorpio could go retrograde up Uranus"

IMHO, this article should be posted under humor. ;)

Good article, but not necessary to understand that "sign readin'" is a fraud.

[DrDavid]

I have always thought of Dawkins as being one of those Evangelical Athiests

[PoisedWoman]

LOL! As a logical Gemini, I've never been able to accept astrology as truth.

[dumbpolack1]

As an amateur astrologer of 30 years, I agree that it is no playtoy. Newspaper horoscopes are garbage for the most part. They only focus on where the sun is and how it is impacted. They ignore the other planetary bodies. Get a real horoscope done for yourself by a professional and see the difference. By the way, The 1st week in August and the 3d week in same look to be very troublesome periods. The 1st week is likely to show problems involving deception, oil, gases, and water. The 3d week is likely to be a period of sudden reversals and sudden changes. It also coincides with hurricane season, so look out.

[TightSqueeze]

Tauruses with Libra rising never do...

Still it is those same earthly Taurus bulls that have made Crossing Over with John Edward, the celebrity he is, go figure.

[Maceman]

The astrologer's 12 pigeonholes are, if nothing worse, a costly and irrelevant distraction.

This guy obviously knows NOTHING about astrology, which is evident by the fact that he talks about newspaper horoscopes (these are not taken seriously by practicing astrologers).

My wife has been interested in the subject for years, and I have learned a fair amount from her. When done properly -- by which I mean a full chart and analysis, it is pretty uncanny in its ability to reveal insightful information about individual personalities.

In her counseling practice (she has a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Lesley College, which is part of Harvard), she has seen first hand (as have her clients) the value of astrological analyses -- especially with regard to couples therapy. I have too. It is really pretty amazing.

Astrological charts are highly individualized, and the combination of planetary relationships is absolutely unique for each person. Newspaper horoscopes only talk about sun signs which, while interesting, in no way capture the depth of variation among human beings.

Flame away. But there is more demonstrable value in real astrological analysis than most people realize. And by the way, it is NOT about the stars influencing our lives, which is NOT what astrologers believe to be happening. It is more about the fact that the stars are a reflection of the life forces of the Universe, as everything else is.

[dighton]

I have always thought of Dawkins as being one of those Evangelical Athiests.

I'd say he's the archetype.

[Pompah]

Whoa . Tom,dude.! Lighten up a little. Sit down and breathe into the paper bag for awhile. It'll pass.
Your welcome.

[dighton]

Oh no, look what you made me copy and paste. It should read athEIsts.

[John H K]

The 1st week is likely to show problems involving deception, oil, gases, and water.

If I have a bad flatulence problem in the 1st week in August, does that count?

Btw, "professional" readings are just as completely worthless as any other. Maybe better written and longer, but they still operate on the principle of cleverly writing a generic description of anybody that can't help but apply to every one.

The Amazing Randi's demo when he speaks before high school classes is epic. Comes in without the class being told he's a professional skeptic, takes down all their birthdays, gives each a personalized astrological reading. The students are amazed at how accurate it is at describing them.

Then he asks each student to pass their reading to the person behind them. Of course, every student got the EXACT same reading.

[DrDavid]

Oops.. Sorry... I have never claimed to be great at spelling...

[dighton]

I have never claimed to be great at spelling...

You Capricorns very seldom are. ;-)

[John H K]

In her counseling practice (she has a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Lesley College, which is part of Harvard), she has seen first hand (as have her clients) the value of astrological analyses -- especially with regard to couples therapy. I have too. It is really pretty amazing.

Just proof really smart people can be morons at times, too. Likely you've got something quite like the Placebo effect going on too, if it's being used in therapy.

[Maceman]

Just proof really smart people can be morons at times, too. Likely you've got something quite like the Placebo effect going on too, if it's being used in therapy.

I'm going to overlook and forgive your insolent suggestion that my wife is a moron, because I see that it is being made out of ignorance -- about my wife, about astrology and about couples therapy.

People used to think acupuncture was a bunch of superstitious nonsense too, don't forget.

[kailbo]

After reading your reply I now understand your screen name.

[kailbo]

Maceman--Maybe you need to change your moniker to Spaceman!

[DrDavid]

You Capricorns very seldom are. ;-)

How did you know?

[discostu]

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's completely worthless. Sure all the woovy groovy "signs and portents" stuff is BS. But what I have found is that for many people the work of interpreting the "reading" (whether astrological, tarot or any of the other popular silliness) helps them analyze their problems from a different perspective and gain insight into the solution. For people that can't do the mental gymanstics necessary to look at things from a different perspective on their own it's pretty handy.

Except for "channelers" and other "speakers for the dead" all of whom are vile people profiting from the greif of others and the sooner they are beaten to death with cricket mallets the better off western society will be.