Astrology

     Astrology is a pseudoscience based on the premise that astronomical phenomena can be used to predict or interpret events in our life. The planets in our solar system are said to represent life forms that can be interpreted based on their zodiacal positions and how they're situated in space relative to one another. It is said that this can give a comprehensive analysis of a person and their future potential based on their natal horoscope.

     Unfortunately the astronomy field is one filled with extraordinary claims that lack irrefutable evidence. Controlled experiments show that astrologers' abilities don't exceed the degree of chance of their predictions coming true, although it is barely testable to begin with due to the vagueness of the predictions. Astrology itself even has some inconsistencies in its history. First, there used to be 13 zodiac signs, the missing one being Ophiuchus, which was discarded after it was decided 12 was the favorable number of signs. Also they don't account for the "wobble" of Earth's axis over a period of 26,000 years. This wobble has changed the current signs to be at least one sign off from the constellation the sun rises in from 2,000 years ago!
     Personally I don't believe in astrology or horoscopes but I do enjoy reading them from time to time. Enjoy this short 1 minute video from Bill Nye on the subject.

Your Future is in the Stars!

If you are one of those people who is obsessed with checking your daily horoscope either via the newspaper or facebook, etc., then you will probably find this post interesting. I know I never believed in my horoscope, although sometimes I wished it were true, because I never quite understand how the stars and planets could be responsible for telling my future.

Astrology is an ancient science, predating both astronomy and psychology; it is the study of the interactions of stars and planets, based on intricate mathematical cycles. Astrology has been around for thousands of years, with the earliest known astrological records dating back to Babylon in 1645 BC; the earliest horoscope dates back to 1410 BC. Other known traces of origin of astrology are Egpyt, Rome, and Greece, each of which used Astrology in different ways, such as calendar science, to write text books, and to make up laws.

When literacy became more widespread during the Renaissance, almanacs began to publish astrological information for the public to read. Galileo and Copernicus were two notable figures of the era, and both were practicing astrologers and founders of modern science. However, astrology began to slip away from the minds of the public when myriad predictions about the great conjunction of 1524 did not "come true". It wasn't until 1930, when Princess Margaret was born, that astrology came back to life; the London Sunday Express contained an astrological profile of the princess in order to celebrate her birth. This is how horoscope columns in the newspaper came about.

So why do people believe in astrology if it, in reality, has no real scientific evidence? Most likely for the same reason they believe in other "superstitions"; astrology offers numerous desirable things for people: information, and assurance about the future, a way to make them feel more comfortable and satisfied with their current situation and future decisions, and a way to feel connected to the entire cosmos. People like to believe that nothing in life is coincidental, everything happens for a reason, so to say. Astrology backs up this belief.

So, it is up to you whether or not you believe in Astrology. Although I might not fully believe in it, I still find it entertaining to read my horoscope from time to time. For others, it may just serve as a fulfilling and personally satisfying experience, which is perfectly fine, as well.

Links:
http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/skepticism/blfaq_astro_psych.htm
http://www.astrology.com/history-astrology/2-d-d-279653
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac32
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0113521/lhis.htm