Astrology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Astronomy.



Detail from the astronomical clock of the Piazza San Marco, Venice.
Astrology is the study of celestial bodies as they relate to destiny, personality, human affairs, and natural events.[1] The primary astrological bodies are the Sun, Moon, and planets, which are analyzed by their relative positions to one another (aspects), by their placement in 'houses' (spatial divisions of the sky) and their movement through signs of the zodiac (spatial divisions of the ecliptic).
Astrology’s origins trace to the third millennium BCE. Ancient civilizations developed it as a system to predict seasonal shifts and interpret celestial cycles as ‘signs’ of ‘divine communications’.[2] Historically it was a learned tradition, sustained in courts, cultural centers and universities, and closely related to the studies of alchemy, meteorology, and medicine.[3] Astrology and astronomy have a closely connected history, but astronomy broke its ties with astrology during the Enlightenment in the late 17th-18th centuries, after which astrology suffered a decline of intellectual regard.[4] It experienced an increase of popular interest in the 20th century, partly through the popularity of newspaper horoscopes and by association with New Age philosophies.[5] According to Gallup opinion polls, around 25% of adults in the UK and USA accept that astrology or the position of the stars and planets affect people’s lives, although the real figure may be much higher.[6]
Astrologers have long debated the degree of determinism in astrology and the limits of astrology's application. Some astrologers believe the planets control fate directly, others that they determine personalities. These positions have been criticized by philosophers and astrologers for denying free will.[7] Many astrologers contend that there is no direct influence, only an acausal correlation between the planets and earthly affairs.
In its modern form, astrology is considered a pseudoscience;[8] the scientific community bases this assessment on astrology's predictive claims which either cannot be falsified or have been consistently disproved.[9][not in citation given] Astrology cannot be classified as science because it lacks empirical support, supplies no hypotheses, and resolves to describe natural events in terms of scientifically untestable supernatural causes.[10][not in citation given] Much of the continued faith in astrology can be psychologically explained as a matter of cognitive bias.[11]
Astrology

Background
History of astrology
Astrology & astronomy
Sidereal vs. Tropical
Traditions
Babylonian  · Hellenistic
Islamic  · Western
Hindu  · Chinese
More...
Branches
Natal astrology
Electional astrology
Horary astrology
Mundane astrology
More...
Categories
Astrologers
Organizations
Astrological texts
Astrological writers
Astrology Portal
This box: view · talk · edit
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Core principles
3 History
3.1 Traditions
3.2 Horoscopic astrology
3.3 Origins
3.4 Before the modern era
3.5 Contemporary changes
3.5.1 Western
3.5.2 Hindu
3.6 Notable personalities
4 Effects on world culture
5 Astrological techniques and practices
6 Astrology and science
6.1 Research
6.2 Obstacles to research
6.3 Mechanisms
7 Criticisms
8 Astrological education
8.1 United States
8.2 United Kingdom
8.3 India
9 See also
10 References
10.1 Sources
11 Further reading
12 External links
Etymology



Marcantonio Raimondi engraving: 15th cent.
The word "astrology" comes from the Latin term astrologia, which derives from the Greek noun αστρολογία astrologia, from ἄστρον astron, "constellation" or "celestial body", and -λογία -logia, "the study of", "discourse (about)".[12][13]
The Greek words ἄστρον astron and ἀστήρ astêr were both used for any point of light in the sky. The phrase πλάνητες ἀστέρες plánētes astéres "wandering stars" was applied to the seven visible planets (including the Sun and Moon) because of their observable movement against the fixed stars. Thus, all were 'stars' in the Classical sense, explaining the prefix astro- in both astrology and astronomy.
Astrology is often characterized as "reading the stars", but "stars" in this context refers to the word's oldest sense—that of any small bright point in the night sky whether it be a star, the Moon, a planet, a dwarf planet, an asteroid or another celestial body or point, as those terms are used by modern English speakers.[14] The stars (other than the Sun) play a relatively minor role.
The word "starcraft" has been used as a synonym for astrology,[citation needed] and dates from an era when the English word "star" also covered the planets. The term "astromancy" is used specifically for the fortune telling, divinatory and prophetic aspects of astrology, as opposed to its astronomical and psychological characteristics.[15]
Core principles

The core principles of astrology were prevalent in parts of the ancient world and are epitomized by two astrological precepts. The first, "As above, so below; as below, so above," is known as the Hermetic maxim, because it is part of the Emerald Tablet attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.[16] This principle is used to astrologically organize and observe any sort of symmetry between the life of the "native" (the individual or subject to be studied) and reference points in the shared macrocosm that surrounds the native's microcosm. To depict this, the natal chart is a stylized map of the universe with astrological frames of reference centered on the native wherein the Sun, Moon, and planets are all considered to be the native's planets, or variously "stars," that move relative to the fixed point of the native at its center.
The second precept is mentioned by the leader of early modern science Francis Bacon, who wrote, "The last rule (which has always been held by the wiser astrologers) is that there is no fatal necessity in the stars; but that they rather incline than compel."[17] Bacon advocated an emphasis on what he called "sane astrology." This astrology would study the influences that "lie concealed in the depths of Physic."[18] Emphasis on this Baconian precept is indicative of a more psychological astrology as well as attempts at statistical experimentation in astrology to show tendencies, for example, John Goad's 30-year astrological study of weather Astro-Meteorologia published in 1686.
History



Johannes Kepler's horoscope for Albrecht von Waldstein.
Main article: History of astrology
Traditions
See also: List of astrological traditions, types, and systems
Historically, alchemy in the Western World was particularly allied and intertwined with traditional Babylonian-Greek style astrology; in numerous ways they were built to complement each other in the search for occult or hidden knowledge.[19] Astrology has used the concept of the four classical elements of alchemy from antiquity up until the present day. Traditionally, each of the seven planets in the solar system known to the ancients was associated with, held dominion over, and "ruled" a certain metal.[20]
Horoscopic astrology
Main article: Horoscopic astrology
Horoscopic astrology is a system that some claim to have developed in the Mediterranean region and specifically Hellenistic Egypt around the late 2nd or early 1st century BCE.[21] The tradition deals with two-dimensional diagrams of the heavens, or horoscopes, created for specific moments in time.
Origins
Many[who?] believe that the origins of much of the astrological doctrine and method that would later develop in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East are found among the ancient Babylonians and their system of celestial omens that began to be compiled around the middle of the 2nd millennium BCE.[22] They believe this system of celestial omens later spread, either directly or indirectly through the Babylonians and Assyrians, to other areas such as the Middle East, and Greece, where it merged with pre-existing indigenous forms of astrology.[23]
Before the modern era
The differentiation between astronomy and astrology varied from place to place; they were strongly linked in ancient India,[24] ancient Babylonia and medieval Europe, but separated to an extent in the Hellenistic world. The first semantic distinction between astrology and astronomy was probably given by Isidore of Seville[25] (see astrology and astronomy).
Astrology was not without criticism before the modern era; it was often challenged by Hellenistic skeptics, church authorities, and medieval Muslim astronomers, such as Al-Farabi (Alpharabius), Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen), Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī, Avicenna and Averroes. Their reasons for refuting astrology were often due to both scientific (the methods used by astrologers being conjectural rather than empirical) and religious (conflicts with orthodox Islamic scholars) reasons.[26] Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya (1292–1350), in his Miftah Dar al-SaCadah, used empirical arguments in astronomy in order to refute astrology and divination.[27]
Contemporary changes
Several innovations have occurred in contemporary astrological practice.
Western
Main article: Western astrology
Early in the 20th century, Carl Jung, the founder of analytical psychology, developed sophisticated theories concerning astrology.[28] These included concepts such as archetypes, the collective unconscious[29] and with the collaboration of pioneer theoretical physicist (and Nobel laureate), Wolfgang Pauli, synchronicity.[30] Astrologers like Dane Rudhyar[31] pursued a similar path to Jung and others such as Liz Greene[32][33] and Stephen Arroyo[34] were influenced by the Jungian model leading to the development of psychological astrology.[35]
During the middle of the 20th century, Alfred Witte and, following him, Reinhold Ebertin pioneered the use of midpoints (see Midpoint Astrology) in horoscopic analysis.[36] A new kind of Locational Astrology began in 1957–58, when Donald Bradley, published a hand-plotted geographic astrology map. In the 1970s, American astrologer Jim Lewis developed and popularized this technique under the name of Astro*Carto*Graphy.[37] The world map displays lines where the Sun, Moon, planets and other celestial points appear to be on any of the Four Angles (Rising, Setting, MC and IC) at a given moment in time. By comparing these lines with the horoscope, an astrologer attempts to identify the potential in any location.[38]
Hindu
Main article: Hindu astrology
Hindu astrology uses a different zodiac than Western astrology and is a branch of Vedic science.[39][40] In India, there is a long-established widespread belief in astrology, and it is commonly used for daily life, foremost with regard to marriages, and secondarily with regard to career and electional and karmic astrology.[41][42] In the 1960s, H.R. Seshadri Iyer, introduced a system including the concepts of yogi and avayogi. It generated interest with research oriented astrologers in the West. From the early 1990s, Western Vedic astrologer and author V.K. Choudhry created and developed the Systems' Approach for Interpreting Horoscopes, a simplified system of Jyotish (predictive astrology)[43] The system, also known as "SA", helps those who are trying to learn Jyotisha. The late K.S. Krishnamurti developed the Krishnamurti Paddhati system based on the analysis of the stars (nakshatras), by sub-dividing the stars in the ratio of the dasha of the concerned planets. The system is also known as "KP" and "sub theory". In 2001, Indian scientists and politicians debated and critiqued a proposal to use state money to fund research into astrology.[44] In February, 2001, the science of vedic astrology, Jyotir Vigyan, was introduced into the curriculum of Indian universities.[45]
Notable personalities
Many thinkers, philosophers and scientists, such as Pythagoras, Hippocrates, Plato, Aristotle, Ptolemy, Lucretius, Cicero, Galen, Paracelsus, Girolamo Cardan, Taqi al-Din, Manilius, Tycho Brahe, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and almost all great scholars during the Renaissance significantly contributed to astrology.[46][47]

Effects on world culture



Très Riches Heures du Duc Jean de Berry: 15th cent.
Main article: Cultural influence of astrology
Belief in astrology holds firm today in many parts of the world: in one poll, 31% of Americans expressed a belief in astrology and, according to another study, 39% considered it scientific.[48][49] According to Gallup opinion polls, around 25% of adults in the UK and USA accept that astrology or the position of the stars and planets affect people’s lives, whilst other sources report the figure to be much higher.[5]
Astrology has had an influence on both language and literature. For example, influenza, from medieval Latin influentia meaning influence, was so named because doctors once believed epidemics to be caused by unfavorable planetary and stellar influences.[50] The word "disaster" comes from the Greek "δυσαστρία","disastria", derived from the negative prefix "δυσ-" "dis-" and "αστήρ" "aster" "star", thus meaning "no-starred" or "badly-starred".[51] Adjectives "lunatic" (Luna/Moon), "mercurial" (Mercury), "venereal" (Venus), "martial" (Mars), "jovial" (Jupiter/Jove), and "saturnine" (Saturn) are all old words used to describe personal qualities said to resemble or be highly influenced by the astrological characteristics of the planet, some of which are derived from the attributes of the ancient Roman gods they are named after.
In literature, many writers, notably Geoffrey Chaucer[52][53][54] and William Shakespeare,[55][56] used astrological symbolism to add subtlety and nuance to the description of their characters' motivation(s). More recently, Michael Ward has proposed that C.S. Lewis imbued his Chronicles of Narnia with the characteristics and symbols of the seven planets that comprised the heavens in medieval astrology.[57] Often, an understanding of astrological symbolism is needed to fully appreciate such literature.
Some modern thinkers, notably Carl Jung,[58] believe in astrology's descriptive powers regarding the mind without necessarily subscribing to its predictive claims. In music the best known example of astrology's influence is in the orchestral suite called "The Planets" by the British composer Gustav Holst, the framework of which is based upon the astrological symbolism of the planets.[59]
Astrological techniques and practices

In the past, astrologers often relied on close observation of celestial objects and the charting of their movements. Modern astrologers use data provided by astronomers which are transformed to a set of astrological tables called ephemerides,[60] showing the changing zodiacal positions of the heavenly bodies through time.
There are several techniques of forecasting in Western astrology. Transits, the most popular, are based on the actual motion of planets moving through a sign or house within the horoscope. Another technique, progressions are based on the movements of the planets after birth, symbolically related to a time period or cycle of life.[61][62] Most Western astrologers no longer try to forecast actual events, but focus instead on general trends and developments. Skeptics respond that this practice of western astrologers allows them to avoid making verifiable predictions, and gives them the ability to attach significance to arbitrary and unrelated events, in a way that suits their purpose.[63] By comparison, Hindu astrologers make predictions about both trends and events.
Astrology and science


It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article. (Discuss)
By the time of Francis Bacon and the scientific revolution, newly emerging scientific disciplines acquired a method of systematic empirical induction based upon experimental observations.[64] At this point, astrology and astronomy began to diverge; astronomy became regarded as one of the empirical sciences, while astrology came to be understood as a part of scholastic metaphysics, and was increasingly viewed as an occult science or superstition by natural scientists. For example, Christiaan Huygens wrote in his Cosmotheoros: "And as for the Judicial Astrology, that pretends to foretel what is to come, it is such a ridiculous, and oftentimes mischievous Folly, that I do not think it fit to be so much as named."[65] This separation accelerated through the 18th and 19th centuries.[66]
Contemporary scientists, such as Richard Dawkins, regard astrology as unscientific,[67] and those such as Andrew Fraknoi of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific have labeled it a pseudoscience.[68] In a lecture in 2001, Stephen Hawking stated "The reason most scientists don't believe in astrology is because it is not consistent with our theories that have been tested by experiment."[69] In 1975, the American Humanist Association characterized those who have faith in astrology as doing so "in spite of the fact that there is no verified scientific basis for their beliefs, and indeed that there is strong evidence to the contrary".[70] Astronomer Carl Sagan was unwilling to sign the statement, not because he felt astrology was valid, but because he found the statement's tone authoritarian.[71][72] Sagan stated that he would instead have been willing to sign a statement describing and refuting the principal tenets of astrological belief, which he believed would have been more persuasive and would have produced less controversy than the circulated statement.[73]
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson asserted that "astrology was discredited 600 years ago with the birth of modern science. 'To teach it as though you are contributing to the fundamental knowledge of an informed electorate is astonishing in this, the 21st century'. Education should be about knowing how to think, 'And part of knowing how to think is knowing how the laws of nature shape the world around us. Without that knowledge, without that capacity to think, you can easily become a victim of people who seek to take advantage of you'".[74][75]
Research


The Mars effect: relative frequency of the diurnal position of Mars in the birth chart of "eminent athletes"[clarification needed] (after Michel Gauquelin 1991[page needed]).
Although astrology has not been considered a science for some time, it has been the subject of considerable research by astrologers since the beginning of the 20th century.
The French psychologist and statistician Michel Gauquelin wrote that he had found correlations between some planetary positions and certain human traits such as vocations.[76] Gauquelin's most widely known finding is the Mars effect, which denotes a correlation between the planet Mars occupying certain positions in the sky more often at the birth of eminent sports champions than at the birth of ordinary people.[77] Since its original publication in 1955, the Mars effect has been the subject of critical studies in skeptical publications that aim to refute it,[78][79][80] and fringe science studies that have supported and expanded the original ideas.[81][82] Gauquelin's research has not received mainstream scientific notice.
Another area of research is explored by Richard Tarnas in his work Cosmos and Psyche, in which he examines correspondences between planetary alignments and historically significant events and individuals.[83]
In their study of 20th-century research into natal astrology, Geoffrey Dean, a former astrologer who became critical of the field, and his coauthors documented the burgeoning research activity performed primarily within the astrological community.[84]
Studies have repeatedly failed to demonstrate statistically significant relationships between astrological predictions and operationally defined outcomes.[85] Effect size tests of astrology-based hypotheses conclude that the mean accuracy of astrological predictions is no greater than what is expected by chance. It has been suggested that statistical research is often wrongly seen as evidence for astrology due to uncontrolled artifacts.[86]
Obstacles to research
Astrologers have argued that there are significant obstacles in carrying out scientific research into astrology today, including lack of funding,[87][88] lack of background in science and statistics by astrologers, and insufficient expertise in astrology by research scientists and skeptics.[87][88][89] Some astrologers have argued that few practitioners today pursue scientific testing of astrology because they feel that working with clients on a daily basis provides personal validation for their clients.[88][90]
Another argument made by astrologers is that most studies of astrology do not reflect the nature of astrological practice and that the scientific method does not apply to astrology.[clarification needed][91][92] Some astrology proponents argue that the prevailing attitudes or motives of many opponents of astrology introduce conscious or unconscious bias in the formulation of hypotheses to be tested, the conduct of the tests, or the reporting of results.[46][70][89][93][94]
Astrologers may also find it difficult to publish their research in mainstream scientific journals for several reasons, and a case has been made to underline this difficulty from a much wider perspective.[95]
Mechanisms
Astrologers have not presented consistent explanations of physical mechanisms underlying astrological beliefs,[96][97] and few modern astrologers believe in a direct causal relationship between heavenly bodies and earthly events.[88] An editorial published by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific reports no evidence for a scientifically defined mechanism by which celestial objects can influence terrestrial affairs.[93] Researchers have posited acausal, purely correlative, relationships between astrological observations and events, such as the theory of synchronicity proposed by Carl Jung which draws from the ancient Hermetic principle of 'as above, so below' to postulate meaningful significance in unrelated events that occur simultaneously.[98][99] Others have posited a basis in divination.[100] Other astrologers have argued that empirical correlations stand on their own epistemologically, and do not need the support of any theory or mechanism.[89]
To some observers, and most astrologers, non-mechanistic concepts raise serious questions about the feasibility of validating astrology through scientific testing, and some have gone so far as to reject the applicability of the scientific method to astrology entirely.[89] A minority of astrologers believe that astrology is amenable to the scientific method, given sufficiently sophisticated analytical methods, and cite pilot studies to support this view.[101] Consequently, several astrologers have called for or advocated continuing studies of astrology based on statistical validation.[102]
Criticisms

Some of the practices of astrology were refuted on theological grounds by medieval Muslim astronomers such as Al-Farabi (Alpharabius), Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) and Avicenna. Their criticisms argued that the methods of astrologers were conjectural rather than empirical, and conflicted with orthodox religious views of Islamic scholars through the Will of God can be known and predicted in advance.[103] Such refutations mainly concerned "judicial branches" (such as Horary astrology), rather than the more "natural branches" such as Medical and Meteorological astrology, these being seen as part of the natural sciences of the time.
For example, Avicenna’s 'Refutation against astrology' Resāla fī ebṭāl aḥkām al-nojūm, argues against the practice of astrology while supporting the principle of planets acting as the agents of divine causation which express God's absolute power over creation. Avicenna considered that the movement of the planets influenced life on earth in a deterministic way, but argued against the capability of determining the exact influence of the stars.[104] In essence, Avicenna did not refute the essential dogma of astrology, but denied our ability to understand it to the extent that precise and fatalistic predictions could be made from it.[105]
Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya (1292–1350), in his Miftah Dar al-SaCadah, also used physical arguments in astronomy to question the practice of judicial astrology.[106] He recognized that the stars are much larger than the planets, and argued:[107]
"And if you astrologers answer that it is precisely because of this distance and smallness that their influences are negligible, then why is it that you claim a great influence for the smallest heavenly body, Mercury? Why is it that you have given an influence to al-Ra's and al-Dhanab, which are two imaginary points [ascending and descending nodes]?"
Astrological education

Education in astrology is offered in most countries of the world. Below is a sampler.
United States
In the United States, astrological education is offered at institutions such as Kepler College, a liberal arts college with an emphasis on astrology in Lynnwood, Washington, near Seattle, which opened in 2001[108] and awarded its first 8 Bachelor of Arts degrees in Astrological Studies in 2004.[109] Students attending Kepler College after March 9, 2010, however, unless they are completing a course of study,[110] are not awarded degrees but certificates of completion of a course of study.[111] The degrees granted by Kepler are not recognized by national or regional accrediting agencies.[112] Other astrological organizations offer study programs and correspondence courses which, after examination, certifies astrologers.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, astrological education is offered at a number of institutions, some offering a diploma upon completion of the course and an examination. In addition, the University of Wales of Lampeter offers an MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology.[113]
India
In February, 2001, the "science" of vedic astrology, Jyotir Vigyan, was introduced into the curriculum of Indian universities. Undergraduate (called "graduate" in India) post-graduate and research courses of study were established. "Beneficiaries of these courses would be students, teachers, professionals from modern streams like doctors, architects, marketing, financial, economic and political analysts, etc."[45] In April, 2001 the Andhra Pradesh High Court declined to consider a petition to overturn the curriculum guideline on the ground that astrology was a pseudoscience, a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2004 which declined as a matter of law to interfere with educational policy. The court noted that astrology studies were optional and that courses in astrology were offered by institutions of higher education in other countries.[114]
Some astrological organizations offer certification for astrologers
See also

For the numerous varieties of astrology, see the list of astrological traditions, types, and systems
Astrology portal
Age of Aquarius
Astrological age
Astrological symbols
Astrology and astronomy
Astrology and computers
List of astrologers
List of Astrological organizations
Planets in astrology
Pseudoscience
Season of birth
References

^ Soanes (2006) 'Astrology' "The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world". Retrieved 16 July 2011. Also Weiner (1973) 'Astrology' by David Pingree. "...the study of the impact of the celestial bodies". Retrieved 2nd December 2009.
^ Koch-Westenholz (1995) Foreword and p.11.
^ Kassell and Ralley (2010) ‘Stars, spirits, signs: towards a history of astrology 1100–1800'; pp.67-69.
^ Houlding (1997) pp.16-19. 'A century of reform: the rise and demise of astrology in 17th and 18th century England'. "The 17th century saw the divorce of astronomy and astrology at a time when astronomy was attracting all the excitement".
^ a b For the popularizing influence of newspaper astrology see Campion (2009) pp. 259-263; for the influence of association with New Age philosophies see Campion (2009) pp. 239-249.
^ Gallup (2005) ‘Paranormal beliefs’; for the view that belief in astrology could be much higher than Gallup reports see Campion (1997), ‘British Public Perceptions of Astrology: An Approach from the Sociology of Knowledge’ by John Bauer and Martin Durant, which reports a much higher figure of 73%.
^ Burk (2001) p.8. 'Modern natal astrology and the battle between fate and free will'.
^ National Science Board (2006). "Chapter 7: Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Understanding". Science and Engineering Indicators 2006. National Science Foundation. "Belief in Pseudoscience" (see also Footnote 29). Retrieved 19 April 2010.
"...[A]bout three-fourths of Americans hold at least one pseudoscientific belief; i.e., they believed in at least 1 of the 10 survey items...[29]"
"[29] Those 10 items were extrasensory perception (ESP), that houses can be haunted, ghosts/that spirits of dead people can come back in certain places/situations, telepathy/communication between minds without using traditional senses, clairvoyance/the power of the mind to know the past and predict the future, astrology/that the position of the stars and planets can affect people's lives, that people can communicate mentally with someone who has died, witches, reincarnation/the rebirth of the soul in a new body after death, and channeling/allowing a "spirit-being" to temporarily assume control of a body."
^ Asquith P.D., and Hacking I., 1978. 'Why Astrology is a Pseudoscience' by Paul R. Thagard.
^ Hartmann, P; Reuter M, Nyborga H (May 2006). "The relationship between date of birth and individual differences in personality and general intelligence: A large-scale study". Personality and Individual Differences 40 (7): 1349–1362. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2005.11.017.
^ Eysenck, H.J., and Nias, D.K.B. (1982) pp.42-48.
^ 'Etymology of the Latin word astrologia', myetymology.com (2008)
^ Partridge, Eric, '-logy', Origins: a short etymological dictionary of modern English (Routledge & Kegan Paul, London 1961), p. 911.
^ Soanes (2006) 'Star' sb. sense 1, especially quotations from 825 to 1784. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
^ Astrology. Online Etymology Dictionary. 2001. Retrieved 24 Nov. 2009.
^ Blackmask Online. "The Emerald Tablet of Hermes". Retrieved 18 July 2011.
^ Bacon, Francis (2000). The Works of Francis Bacon, Vol 4, De Augmentis (1623). Adamant Media, Boston. p. 351. ISBN 9781402182211.
^ Bacon, Ibid, p. 351.
^ Weor, Samael Aun Astrotheurgy, The Esoteric Treatise of Hermetic Astrology, pp. 60–117, Glorian Publishing 2006, ISBN 978-1-934206-06-5
^ Weor, Samael Aun Astrotheurgy, The Zodiacal Course, pp.3–58, Glorian Publishing, 2006, ISBN 978-1-934206-06-5
^ David Pingree – From Astral Omens to Astrology from Babylon to Bikaner, Roma: Istituto Italiano per L'Africa e L'Oriente, 1997. p. 26.
^ Namar Beli (Bel's Illumination), considered by those who do not acknowledge the antiquity of purported Vedic documents to be the oldest astrological document in the world
^ Alexandra David-Neel Magic and Mystery in Tibet, p. 290, Dover Publications Inc., 1971 ISBN 0-486-22682-4; 1st French ed. 1929
^ "Ancient India's Contribution to Astronomy". Retrieved 2009-01-27.
^ S. Pines (September 1964), "The Semantic Distinction between the Terms Astronomy and Astrology according to al-Biruni", Isis 55 (3): 343–349
^ Saliba, George (1994b). A History of Arabic Astronomy: Planetary Theories During the Golden Age of Islam. New York University Press. pp. 60, 67–69. ISBN 0814780237.
^ Livingston, John W. (1971). "Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah: A Fourteenth Century Defense against Astrological Divination and Alchemical Transmutation". Journal of the American Oriental Society 91 (1): 96–103. doi:10.2307/600445.
^ Jung, Carl G. Letters 1906–1950, ed. Gerhard Adler, et al.(Princeton University Press: Bollingen, 1992), Letter from Jung to Freud, 12 June 1911. ISBN 9780691098951 “I made horoscopic calculations in order to find a clue to the core of psychological truth.”
^ Campion, Nicholas, A History of Western Astrology, Vol.II (Continuum, London 2009) p.251–256 ISBN 1441181296 “At the same time, in Switzerland, the psychologist Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) was developing sophisticated theories concerning astrology...”
^ Gieser, Suzanne. The Innermost Kernel, Depth Psychology and Quantum Physics. Wolfgang Pauli’s Dialogue with C.G.Jung, (Springer, Berlin, 2005) p.21 ISBN 3-540-20856-9
^ Campion, Nicholas. "Prophecy, Cosmology and the New Age Movement. The Extent and Nature of Contemporary Belief in Astrology."( Bath Spa University College, 2003) via Campion, Nicholas, History of Western Astrology, (Continuum Books, London & New York, 2009) p.248 p.256 ISBN 9781847252241
^ Holden, James, A History of Horoscopic Astrology: From the Babylonian Period to the Modern Age, (AFA 1996) p.202 ISBN 0-86690-463-8
^ Campion, Nicholas, History of Western Astrology, (Continuum Books, London & New York, 2009) p.258 ISBN 9781847252241 "Jungian Analyst, Liz Greene."
^ Hand, Robert, Horoscope Symbols (Para Research 1981) p.349 ISBN 0-914918-16-8
^ Hyde, Maggie. Jung and Astrology. (Aquarian/Harper Collins, 1992) p.105 ISBN 185538115X http://www.skyscript.co.uk/synchronicity.html
^ Harding, M & Harvey, C, Working with Astrology, The Psychology of Midpoints, Harmonics and Astro*Carto*Graphy, (Penguin Arkana 1990) (3rd edition pp.8–13) ISBN 1873948034
^ Davis, Martin, From Here to There, An Astrologer’s Guide to Astromapping, (Wessex Astrologer, England, 2008) Ch1. History, p.2 ISBN 9781902405278
^ Lewis, Jim & Irving, Ken, The Psychology of Astro*Carto*Graphy, (Penguin Arkana 1997) ISBN 1357918642
^ "In countries such as India, where only a small intellectual elite has been trained in Western physics, astrology manages to retain here and there its position among the sciences." David Pingree and Robert Gilbert, "Astrology; Astrology In India; Astrology in modern times". Encyclopædia Britannica, 2008
^ Mohan Rao, Female foeticide: where do we go? Indian Journal of Medical Ethics Oct-Dec2001-9(4) [1]
^ Kaufman, Michael T. (1998-12-23). "BV Raman Dies". New York Times, December 23, 1998. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
^ Dipankar Das, May 1996. "Fame and Fortune". Retrieved 2009-05-12.
^ V.K. Choudhry and K. Rajesh Chaudhary, 2006, Systems' Approach (astrology) Systems' Approach for Interpreting Horoscopes, Fourth Revised Edition, Sagar Publications, New Delhi, India. ISBN 81-7082-017-0
^ Indian Astrology vs Indian Science
^ a b "Guidelines for Setting up Departments of Vedic Astrology in Universities Under the Purview of University Grants Commission". Government of India, Department of Education. Retrieved March 26, 2011. "There is an urgent need to rejuvenate the science of Vedic Astrology in India, to allow this scientific knowledge to reach to the so0ciety at large and to provide opportunities to get this important science even exported to the world,"
^ a b Eysenck, H.J., Nias, D.K.B., Astrology: Science or Superstition? (Penguin Books, 1982) ISBN 0140223975
^ Bruce Scofield. "Were They Astrologers? – Big League Scientists and Astrology". The Mountain Astrologer magazine. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
^ Humphrey Taylor. "The Religious and Other Beliefs of Americans 2003". Retrieved 2007-01-05.
^ "Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Understanding". National Science Foundation. Retrieved 2007-01-05.
^ http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=influenza Online Etymology Dictionary
^ Ζωλότας Ξενοφών. "Ελληνικές λέξεις στην αγγλική". Retrieved 3 January 2011.
^ A. Kitson (1996). "Astrology and English literature". Contemporary Review, October 1996. Retrieved 2006-07-17.
^ M. Allen, J.H. Fisher. "Essential Chaucer: Science, including astrology". University of Texas, San Antonio. Retrieved 2006-07-17.
^ A.B.P. Mattar et al.. "Astronomy and Astrology in the Works of Chaucer". University of Singapore. Retrieved 2006-07-17.
^ P. Brown. "Shakespeare, Astrology, and Alchemy: A Critical and Historical Perspective". The Mountain Astrologer, February/March 2004.
^ F. Piechoski. "Shakespeare's Astrology".
^ Alastair Jamieson (2008-11-30). "Secret theme behind Narnia Chronicles is based upon the stars, says new research". The Telegraph, London. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
^ Carl G. Jung, "Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious," excerpted in The Basic Writings of C.G. Jung (Modern Library, repr. 1993), 362–363.
^ Campion, Nicholas.:A History of Western Astrology: Volume II: The Medieval and Modern Worlds. (Continuum Books, 2009) pp.244–245 ISBN 978-1-84725-224-1
^ A yearly ephemeris (extending to 6000-years) is available at Astro.com. A key to reading an ephemeris is available at Skyscript.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
^ Farnell, Javor & Schnitzer. H, New Illustrated Astrology, (Starfire, London 2002), ISBN 1-903-817-900 Transits most popular technique:p.183 Progressions:p.143
^ Parker, Derek & Julia, Parker’s Astrology: The Definitive Guide to using astrology in every aspect of your life. (Dorling Kindersley, Covent Garden, London 1991) ISBN 1-4053-0008-6 'Though the public in particular speaks of astrologers as “predicting”, it cannot too often be emphasized that astrology cannot be relied up to predict specific events.' 'Transit: A planet’s movement through a sign or house.' p.489
^ About.com: Is Astrology a Pseudoscience? Examining the Basis and Nature of Astrology
^ Hooker, Richard. "The scientific revolution".
^ Huygens, Christiaan, Cosmotheoros p. 68 of the English translation
^ Jim Tester, A History of Western Astrology (Ballantine Books, 1989), 240ff.
^ Richard Dawkins. "The Real Romance in the Stars". The Independent, December 1995.
^ "Astronomical Pseudo-Science: A Skeptic's Resource List". Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
^ "British Physicist Debunks Astrology in Indian Lecture". Associated Press.
^ a b "Objections to Astrology: A Statement by 186 Leading Scientists". The Humanist, September/October 1975.
^ Sagan, Carl. "Letter." The Humanist 36 (1976): 2
^ Mariapaula Karadimas. "Astrology: What it is and what it isn't". The Peak Publications Society.
^ Sagan, Carl. The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. (New York: Ballantine Books, 1996), 303.
^ http://www.ntskeptics.org/news/news2001-09-02.htm
^ The Washington Post. 2001-08-27. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/20010827/aponline135357_000.htm.
^ Gauquelin M., Cosmic Influences on Human Behavior, Aurora Press, Santa Fe NM (1994)
^ Gauquelin, Michel. "Is There Really a Mars Effect?". Above & Below Journal of Astrological Studies. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
^ Benski, C. et al. 1996. The "Mars Effect": A French Test of Over 1000 Sports Champions.
^ Zelen, M., P. Kurtz, and G. Abell. 1977. Is there a Mars effect? The Humanist 37 (6): 36–39.
^ Herbert Neisler in Skeptical – a Handbook of Pseudoscience and the Paranormal, ed Donald Laycock, David Vernon, Colin Groves, Simon Brown, Imagecraft, Canberra, 1989, ISBN 0731657942, p. 3
^ Suitbert Ertel. "Raising the Hurdle for the Athletes' Mars Effect: Association Co-Varies With Eminence". Journal of Scientific Exploration.
^ Ken Irving. "Discussion of Mars eminence effect". Planetos.
^ Tarnas, Richard, Cosmos and Psyche. Imitations of a new world view. Penguin Group, (2007) ISBN 0670038921
^ G. Dean et al., Recent Advances in Natal Astrology: A Critical Review 1900–1976. The Astrological Association (England 1977)
^ Shawn Carlson A Double-blind Test of Astrology Nature, 318, 419 1985
^ Dean, Geoffery. "Artifacts in data often wrongly seen as evidence for astrology".
^ a b Eysenck, H.J., and Nias, D.K.B. (1982)
^ a b c d G. Phillipson, Astrology in the Year Zero. Flare Publications (London, 2000) ISBN 0-9530261-9-1
^ a b c d M. Harding. "Prejudice in Astrological Research". Correlation, Vol 19(1).
^ K. Irving. "Science, Astrology and the Gauquelin Planetary Effects".
^ M. Urban-Lurain, Introduction to Multivariate Analysis, Astrological Research Methods, Volume 1: An ISAR Anthology. International Society for Astrological Research (Los Angeles 1995) ISBN 0-9646366-0-3
^ G. Perry, How do we Know What we Think we Know? From Paradigm to Method in Astrological Research, Astrological Research Methods, Volume 1: An ISAR Anthology. International Society for Astrological Research (Los Angeles 1995) ISBN 0-9646366-0-3
^ a b "Activities With Astrology". Astronomical society of the Pacific.
^ Bob Marks. "Astrology for Skeptics".
^ J. Scott Armstrong, Barriers to Scientific Contributions: The Author’ s Formula, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 5 (June 1982), 197-199 http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fciteseerx.ist.psu.edu%2Fviewdoc%2Fdownload%3Fdoi%3D10.1.1.37.4068%26rep%3Drep1%26type%3Dpdf&ei=iJstTsb8FszdgQedvbWeCw&usg=AFQjCNGktCxuuK0X5NSpFHdOP-Mx3ci3cg
^ Dr. P. Seymour, Astrology: The evidence of Science. Penguin Group (London, 1988) ISBN 0-14-019226-3
^ Frank McGillion. "The Pineal Gland and the Ancient Art of Iatromathematica".
^ Jung, C.G., (1952), Synchronicity - An Acausal Connecting Principle (London: RKP English edition, 1972), p.36. "synchronicity ...(is)...a coincidence in time of two or more casually unrelated events which have the same or similar meaning, in contrast to 'synchronism', which simply means the simultaneous occurence of two events".
^ Maggie Hyde, Jung and Astrology. (London: The Aquarian Press, 1992) p. 24–26; 121ff.
^ Geoffrey Cornelius, The Moment of Astrology. Utsav Arora, another meditation research specialist and astrologer, argues, "if 100% accuracy were to be the benchmark, we should be closing down and shutting all hospitals, medical labs. Scientific medical equipment and drugs have a long history of errors and miscalculations. Same is the case with computers and electronic. We don't refute electronic gadgets and equipment just because it fails but we work towards finding cures for the errors." The Wessex Astrologer (Bournemouth, 2003.)
^ D. Cochrane, Towards a Proof of Astrology: An AstroSignature for Mathematical Ability International Astrologer ISAR Journal Winter-Spring 2005, Vol 33, #2
^ M. Pottenger (ed.), Astrological Research Methods, Volume 1: An ISAR Anthology. International Society for Astrological Research (Los Angeles 1995) ISBN 0-9646366-0-3
^ Saliba, George (1994b), A History of Arabic Astronomy: Planetary Theories During the Golden Age of Islam, New York University Press, pp. 60 & 67–69, ISBN 0814780237
^ Catarina Belo, Catarina Carriço Marques de Moura Belo, Chance and determinism in Avicenna and Averroës, p.228. Brill, 2007. ISBN 9004155872.
^ George Saliba, Avicenna: 'viii. Mathematics and Physical Sciences'. Encyclopaedia Iranica, Online Edition, 2011, available at http://www.iranica.com/articles/avicenna-viii
^ Livingston, John W. (1971), "Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah: A Fourteenth Century Defense against Astrological Divination and Alchemical Transmutation", Journal of the American Oriental Society 91 (1): 96–103, doi:10.2307/600445
^ Livingston, John W. (1971), "Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah: A Fourteenth Century Defense against Astrological Divination and Alchemical Transmutation", Journal of the American Oriental Society 91 (1): 96–103 [99], doi:10.2307/600445
^ McClure, Robert (July 23, 2001). "Astrology school sets off controversy". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
^ "Kepler College First Graduation, October 10, 2004". StarIQ.Com. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
^ "Degree-Granting Authorization". Kepler College. Retrieved March 26, 2011. "Kepler College Authorization Degree-Granting Authorization Kepler College is authorized by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board and through March 9, 2010, the College met the requirements and minimum standards established for degree-granting institutions under the Degree Authorization Act. Students attending the college between March 9, 2000 and March 9, 2010 (and extended to March 9, 2012 to include students completing the teach-out of their degrees) earned Washington State authorized degrees in: Associate of Arts Bachelor of Arts Master of Arts in: Eastern and Western Traditions The History, Philosophy and Transmission of Astrology"
^ "Certificate Program Information". Kepler College. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
^ "Was your degree program accredited?". Kepler College. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
^ "MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology". Trinity Saint David, The University of Wales. Retrieved April 26, 2011.
^ "Introduction of Vedic astrology courses in varsities upheld." The Hindu, May 06, 2004
Sources
Asquith, P.D., and Hacking, I., 1978. Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association. East Lansing Philosophy of Science Association. Volume I (1978).
Burk, Kevin, 2001. Astrology: understanding the birth chart : a comprehensive guide to classical interpretation. Woodbury, MN, USA: Llewellyn Worldwide. ISBN 9781567180886.
Campion, Nicholas, (ed.) 1997. Culture and Cosmos. Sophia Centre Press. Vol. 1, no. 1 1997. ISSN 1368-6534.
Campion, Nicholas, 2009. A History of Western Astrology, Vol. 2, The Medieval and Modern Worlds . London: Continuum, 2009. ISBN 9781441181299.
Eysenck, H.J., and Nias, D.K.B., 1982 Astrology: Science or Superstition? Penguin Books (1982) ISBN 0140223975.
Gallup, 1 November 2005. Paranormal Beliefs Come (Super) Naturally to Some by Linda Lyons. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
Houlding, Deborah, 1997. The Traditional Astrologer. London: Ascella. Issue 14 (May 1997). ISBN 1898503702.
Kassell, Lauren, and Ralley, Robert, 2010. Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. Volume 41, issue 2 (June 2010).
Koch-Westenholz, Ulla, 1995. Mesopotamian astrology. Volume 19 of CNI publications. Museum Tusculanum Press, 1995. ISBN 9788772892870.
Soanes, Catherine, (ed.) 2006. The Oxford Dictionary of English 2nd ed. Oxford University Press: Oxford. ISBN 3411021446.
Wiener, Phillip P., (ed.) 1973. The Dictionary of the History of Ideas vol.I. Scribner: New York. ISBN 0684132931.
Further reading

Nicholas Campion, A History of Western Astrology Vol. 1, The Ancient World, Continuum, 2009. ISBN 978-1-84725-214-2 (first published as The Dawn of Astrology: a Cultural History of Western Astrology Volume 1, Continuum, 2008).
Roger B. Culver and Philip A. Ianna, Astrology: True or False? A Scientific Evaluation, revised edition, Buffalo, New York, Prometheus Books 1988.
Geoffrey Dean et al., Recent Advances in Natal Astrology, Subiaco WA, Australia. Analogic 1977.
Nicholas DeVore, Encyclopedia of Astrology, New York NY, USA. Philosophical Library 1947.
H.J. Eysenck and D.K.B. Nias, Astrology: Science or Superstition?, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England. Penguin Books 1982.
Dr. Michel Gauquelin, Cosmic Influences on Human Behavior, Santa Fe NM, USA. Aurora Press 1994.
Robert Hand, Horoscope Symbols, Atglen PA, USA. Schiffer Publishing 1981.
Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, North Hollywood CA, USA. Symbols & Signs 1976.
External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Astrology
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Astrology
Astrology at the Open Directory Project
[show]v · d · eAstrology
[hide]v · d · eMethods of divination
Theriomancy
Ailuromancy · Alectryomancy · Augury · Myomancy · Myrmomancy · Ornithomancy
Bibliomancy
I Ching
Scrying
Crystal gazing · Oculomancy · Catoptromancy · Hydromancy
Cleromancy
Astragalomancy · Favomancy · Ifá · Merindinlogun · Runic magic
Necromancy
Nigromancy
Somatomancy
Cephalomancy · Chiromancy · Podomancy · Rumpology
[show] Other methods
[show]v · d · ePseudoscience
View page ratings
Rate this page
What's this?
Trustworthy
Objective
Complete
Well-written
I am highly knowledgeable about this topic (optional)

Submit ratings
Categories: Astrology | Hermeticism | Mysticism | Popular psychology | Superstitions | Symbolism | Pseudoscience