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21July 2007. Predictions.

Self-styled 'psychic investigator' James Randi and notorious critic of all things deemed [by him] to be paranormal still adheres to the idea that Astrology is to be classified as paranormal. Why? Well... because he says so! Yes folks, Randi, whose knowledge of the Astrology is as scant as most critics, perhaps even less so, still insists this is the case. And how does the Great Randi justify his assertion? Well according to one of his devotees it is because it defies the laws of physics by claiming to predict the future. Oh, I see... 

Let me speak on behalf of professional Astrologers if I may. What Randi has conveniently overlooked is that Astrologers don't predict the future per se. Psychics attempt to do that by reading the images in one's mind. Astrologers make forecasts based on what they see as likely trends occurring in a chart. Predictions? Forecasts? Same thing aren't they? Basically they are, but unfortunately in the minds of bigots the former is 'paranormal', the latter is 'scientific'. In essence, they are identical, and in fact the dictionary definition of Forecast is, 'to predict future events'. Astrologers don't read minds, they use methods - methods that can be learned by anyone of average intelligence. But more on this later. 

Now there are armies of people out there in the world who are paid huge amounts of money to make forecasts; financial and meteorological to name just two. They don't like the term 'prediction' as is sounds vaguely like fortune telling, so instead they prefer to make 'forecasts'. And how are these forecasts made? What is the mechanism used? And how is this relevant to Astrology?

More tomorrow. 

22 July 2007. Predictions continued.

The procedure for forecasting involves collecting relevant information, analysis, and interpretation. Thus, in weather forecasting, the meteorologists would collect data such as, temperature, pressure, humidity, and other readings from the area of interest, analyse this data, and then make a forecast [prediction] based on that data. An Astrologer does exactly the same thing, collecting data from the chart in question. How? Well, every planet, Sign, House and aspect has specific meanings known as keywords or keyphrases. These are not the product of superstitious minds as some people would have to believe but are the result of many centuries of observation. For example, the keywords for Mercury are under the broad heading of Communication, from which we derive other keywords such as thinking, speaking, writing, education and learning ability. They are quite specific; none of these keywords are applicable to any other planet. 

If, for instance, Mercury was positioned in the Sign of Cancer we would collect the appropriate keywords [collect data], assemble this into similar groups [analysis], and interpret the results to make a prediction [forecast]. In this case it would be pretty obvious to an Astrologer that this person has a highly imaginative mind, and will tend think in pictures rather than being 'logical'. Memory will be very good, as will the ability to recall. Likely to have problems with daydreaming and being easily distracted. No other placement of Mercury would produce these keywords and the resulting interpretation. 

As you can see, the method is very similar to other forecasting methods and, more importantly, no paranormal activity is required or needed to carry out this procedure. Furthermore, anyone of average intelligence can learn to 'read' a chart and be accurate in their assessment. So why does the Great Randi keep insisting that Astrology is paranormal? Oh, if forgot - because Astrologers attempt to forecast the future. Well so does the Meteorological Office, to name but one forecasting body.  The excuse that they are 'scientific' and Astrology is not simply doesn't hold water. It is the method that matters, and they are to all interests and purposes identical. By making the ridiculous claim that Astrology is paranormal he effectively blocked genuine Astrologers from taking his [fake] challenge while at the same time stirring up lots of publicity. Since then, to the dismay of critics, his challenge has now been closed to all other than specifically targeted victims, although they still try to imply it isn't. 

29 July 2007. Lack of aspect. 

Many of you will know that planets in aspect form a large part of our analysis of a chart, but how many realise that although these are important, the fact that two planets have no aspect can also be of relevance. Sounds strange, doesn't it? Yet it is true. Let me illustrate.

One of the most important configurations in a chart is an aspect between the Sun and the Moon, uniting as it does the principles of self expression and the need to move forward in life with habits and the past. A beneficial aspect usually means that the subject integrates these principles, developing good habits and using the past as a basis for future development, whereas a difficult aspect will have the opposite effect of making the subject develop self-restricting habits and an attachment to the past that prevents him from moving forward as a free and happy individual. Often, there is deep insecurity because the subject dare not move away from his 'safe' zone, and his attachment to his home and family is likely to be particularly difficult to break free from. 

For far so good, at least the subject finds a connection between the two principles, but in the case of an absence of aspectation there is no such connection, with the result that they act as separate issues in his life. He is quite likely to be his own person and go his own way paying little heed to his past or upbringing, and in fact it is often the case he strives to be free of the past. His urge to be himself seems to be a separate issue to his home life, so he may move house many times to suit whatever purpose he is attempting to fulfill at the time. Often, he is estranged from his family or at best occasionally keeps in contact for reasons he is not really sure of. He never really manages to integrate his sense of self with his emotions, resulting in his attention swaying from one to the other. Sometimes he is a free spirit generally unaffected by his feelings, sometimes he is likely to be swamped by them. Life can be something of an emotional roller coaster. 

Like the unaspected planet that is greatly affected by whatever transit or progression happens to be passing only to find that once the aspect has passed life returns to normal as though nothing happened, the lack of aspect between the Sun and Moon is similarly suddenly triggered when these bodies come together. At such times - depending on the nature of the aspect - a connection is formed that may see the subject rushing back to his roots or seeking a secure base, or it may see him fighting an inner battle between the person he feels he ought be and his emotional needs. It does, of course, pass with no consequences, and the subject returns to normality once more as if nothing had happened. Lack of aspects can indeed have strange effects that may go unnoticed unless we look for them. 

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