Throughout my research, I used a tried-and-true strategy of asking a series of questions about attitudes and activity while omitting any reference of belief. The image that emerged is far more complicated than the basic division between belief and doubt suggests.
In one of my groups of predominantly male students aged 18 to 21, I discovered that 70% of them read a horoscope column once a month and valued its advise 51% of the time. Other questions revealed a wide range of responses: 98 percent of people knew their sun sign, 45 percent said it reflected their personalities, 25% felt it can make accurate forecasts, and 20% believe the stars have an impact on life on Earth. The higher percentages are comparable to prior study that revealed 73 percent of British adults believe in astrology, while the lower ones are comparable to Gallup polls.
Other questions about the pupils’ behavior and attitudes were also posed. Nearly half (45%) admitted to researching possible or actual partners’ sun signs in order to better manage their relationships, and 31% admitted to reading their astrological predictions for the coming year.
What became clear from all of my surveys is that when we ask questions about personal experience, meaning, and behavior (such as valuing an astrologer’s advice or learning about partners’ signs), positive responses are roughly twice as high, if not more, than when we ask for statements of objective fact (such as “I value an astrologer’s advice” or “I value an astrologer’s advice”) “Is astrology a reliable source of predictions?).
My samples were limited, and each one offered a snapshot of a certain group, making generalization impossible. However, they all suggest that when we ask a range of questions, we get a diversity of answers. How many people do you know that believe in astrology? It’s possible that it’ll be 22%. It’s possible that it’s 73 percent. What I refer to as the difference between the two figures is what I refer to as the “The zone of doubt and uncertainty between deep and shallow commitment is known as the belief gap.
So, what is it that makes people believe in astrology? The issue we have is establishing trustworthy research. If we can’t get to first base and figure out how many people believe in it, attempts to figure out why they find it significant a better word than belief will be fruitless.
In This Article...
Is astrology a reliable source of information?
Is astrology accurate? Reading horoscopes is a popular pastime, but is there any scientific evidence that they are accurate?
When you’re enticed by a familiar interruption and your willpower weakens, problems can occur.
Every day, up to 70 million Americans consult their horoscopes. At least, that’s what the American Federation of Astrologers claims. According to a Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life poll conducted twenty years ago, 25% of Americans believe that the positions of the stars and planets have an impact on our daily life. In 2012, the General Social Survey indicated that 34% of Americans think astrology is “extremely” or “kind of scientific,” with the percentage of individuals who think astrology is “not at all scientific” dropping from two-thirds to about half.
Astrology is the concept that astronomical phenomena, such as the stars over your head when you were born or the fact that Mercury is retrograde, have the potential to influence our daily lives and personality traits. Of course, this is distinct from astronomy, which is the scientific study of celestial objects, space, and the physics of the cosmos.
A particular facet of astrology, the foretelling of a person’s future or the provision of daily counsel via horoscopes, is gaining in popularity. The Cut, for example, recorded a 150 percent rise in horoscope page views in 2017 compared to 2016.
Clearly, a lot of people are trying to figure out how to read the stars for guidance. Understanding the positions of the stars is the foundation of astrology, which appears to be a scientific discipline in and of itself. Is there any scientific evidence that astrology has an impact on our personalities and lives?
But, since I still have five minutes of this six-minute podcast to fill, let’s take a look at how astrology has been put to the test.
Is it possible for astrologers to foresee the future?
My horoscope predicts that because I was born in the first week of October, I would be fair-minded and balanced; bold but indecisive. It may even be used to describe my physical features. Raphael, a 19th-century astrologer, predicted that I would be “quite exquisite in person, a round beautiful face, reddish in youth, but very plain features and prone to eruptions, which disfigure the face when old.” I’d be offended till I realized Zac Effron and Gwen Stefani are said to share similar characteristics.
Scientific research, of course, have long disproved such claims. Although one psychological study from the 1970s discovered a link between specific star signs and personality traits, other researchers decided that this was probably certainly due to the power of expectations. If we’re told from a young age that we’ll be just and fair, stubborn or passionate, we’ll follow the script. Importantly, the researchers discovered that those who are unaware of their horoscope’s predictions do not match the predictions.
The particular predictions of horoscopes may be incorrect, but there is some truth in them; scientists have recently discovered that the month of your birth might predict your fate.
Should we trust our horoscopes?
“Being able to control your own life and make your own decisions is one of the hallmarks of mental and emotional adulthood,” he tells WebMD. He proposes that time spent on horoscopes be better spent on tools that have a proven track record of assisting individuals in improving their lives. Horoscopes are a harmless source of entertainment for some people.
Who is India’s most famous astrologer?
Dr. Sharma has made a number of forecasts in national newspapers such as The Hindustan Times and The Times of India. In the previous issue, he addresses readers’ questions. He comes from a long line of astrologers. Though he went on to become a mechanical engineer, he eventually learned he had an innate gift for astrology after many of his casual forecasts for friends and family came true. He has done extensive research and study on topics like as astrology, astronomy, gemology, numerology, and the Tantras.
Rao’s mother exposed him to Vedic astrology when he was 12 years old. He refuses to charge fees for astrological classes, which has earned him a large following. Kotamraju Narayana Rao is a member of a well-known Andhra Brahmin family. He holds a master’s degree in English literature and had taught English before joining the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, where he served as Director-General till 1990. Swami Paramananda Saraswati and Yogi Bhaskarananda, his gurus, have taught him several little-known secrets that are not available in any books. “Yogis, Destiny, and the Wheel of Time,” his book, divulged some of these truths. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Vedic Astrology course at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in New Delhi, where he still serves as an advisor and senior teacher of Astrology Courses. The top Vedic Astrology institute in India is Bharatiya Vidya Bhava.
Kapil is a psychic, palmist, and the country’s only phonetic numerologist. He is the author of the best-selling book Numerology Made Simple. He also contributes astrology essays to the Times of India on a regular basis, and his daily predictions on Radio Mirchi are well-received. Many individuals come to him for numerology help. Kapil, who is based in Pune, also owns a logistics firm. He holds a master’s degree in journalism and communications, as well as MBA and law degrees. He has contributed to The Times of India, Indian Express, and Mid-Day. His clientele include actors, politicians, models, and bureaucrats, and his correct forecasts and remedies have aided many. Kapil works as an Astro-Numerology consultant for a number of different websites. He learned some arcane secrets from a Himalayan master, and he’s also an expert in face reading, gem therapy, and graphology.
He began learning numerology as a pastime after working as a finance broker. He correctly predicted the outcome of the popular film Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. Bansilalji has spent over 30 years studying Numerology and has developed a unique system. He once conveyed a message to a prominent film star in jail, telling him that if his case came up for hearing on a specific day, he would be released. This became a reality, and it represented a watershed moment in his career. Farahad Nathani, a friend and film distributor, then provided him a list of film titles to see which one would be lucky. “Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai” was the title he chose, then Jumaani added two extra A’s.
He left his 17-year profession as a marketing executive to follow in the footsteps of his father, Bansilal M Jumaani, and become a numerologist. Jumaani, an Astro numerologist, is frequently contacted by companies such as Kotak Mahindra Bank, Reliance Industries, Haldiram’s, and others. He has advised film and sports superstars like as the Bachchans, Irfan Khan, Anil Kumble, and even politicians such as Smriti Irani.
Swetta Jumaani, Bansilal Jumaani’s daughter, studied numerology under her father’s tutelage. She made a renowned forecast regarding the effects of Mars approaching Earth, which turned out to be correct. Swetta was always interested in numerology as a child, and she used to provide advice to her close friends and relatives. She projected that, beginning in 2004, the city of Pune would see a real estate boom and massive expansion, putting it on the international map. Swetta is now regarded as one of the world’s leading numerologists. She has contributed to numerous newspapers and publications with articles and columns. Her remarks have been broadcast on a variety of television and radio stations.
Dr. Sohini Sastri has won numerous awards for best astrologer in India, including one in 2019. She has also been honored by a number of universities, and she is well-known among Bollywood celebs and business leaders. According to Dr. Sohini Sastri, an individual’s life in this birth is determined by their “karma or actions in a previous life.” Dr. Sohini Sastri counsels and encourages her clients to discover solutions to their challenges. Dr. Sohini Sastri is an expert in Vedic astrology, palmistry, numerology, and Vastu Shastra, among other things. Many Bollywood heroines consult her as their astrologer of choice. She is also one of India’s greatest Tantriks.
Is there a God in astrology?
I’ve been asked numerous times over the years to speak about the compatibility of astrology and religion by clients who are deeply religious. Despite the fact that some passionately religious people consider astrology to be heretical, I’ve noticed an extraordinary ideological connection between organized religions and the orderly world of astrology.
Astrology is completely compatible with a strict religious belief system. It’s a graceful jump to assume that a God created the universe, with noble ideals guiding even the planets and stars.
The study of the planets and stars precedes and has influenced religious belief and practice around the world, according to evidence from ancient texts, sculptures, and stained glass art. Symbols of astrological signs and planets can be found in our earliest ancient religious sites. Significant religious luminaries including Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, Buddha, and Mary Baker Eddy were born within astrological alignments that synchronistically confirmed their arrival.
Some devoted religious believers’ opposition can be traced back to a time when priests and religious authorities sought to interpret and mediate all religious experiences from their positions of authority. Our forefathers sought divine inspiration straight from the stars and considered themselves to be an intricate part of an active universe evolving before the development of male-dominated organized religion. Astrology as a technique and a belief system founded on an enchantment with the divine orchestrations of the heavens was open to anyone. Astrology does not necessitate the worship of a single deity or figurehead; rather, it assumes the existence of an infinite and purposeful intellect that pervades the heavens and the earth in a grand symphony of meaning.
Religion comes from the Latin term religio, which meaning “to connect together.” What could be more inextricably interwoven than celestial motions and human experiences and events?
The meanings of the 9th and 12th houses, as well as the archetypes of the planets Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, all honor the importance of religion and spirituality in astrology. The 9th and 12th houses represent areas of life where religious or spiritual guidance, experience, and/or ordainment may be sought. Jupiter can represent a powerful spiritual or religious figure, Saturn a harsh God image, and Neptune mystical experiences and religious rapture.
A trustworthy, unbiased astrologer can assist a client in strengthening their confidence. Through an examination of their chart, I’ve assisted several clients in reclaiming and activating their religious roots, leading them toward the power that comes from following a religious path. Religion is a cornerstone of psychological and mental well-being for some people.
Unlike many organized religions, astrological ideas and practices are free of sexism, racism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression. Even the old astrological metaphors of masculine and feminine planets and energies have been redesigned as receptive and active energies that are not gendered in expression. Every human has a strong seat at the table of the universe, just as every planet and star has a position in the sky.
Astrology and organized faiths are both:
- Are you looking for a way to express yourself?
- Are not backed up by scientific evidence
- Thousands of years have passed
- Are based on legend and folklore.
- Have spawned works of art and poetry that are both inspired and stunning.
- Give people a sense of belonging and identity
- Assist folks who are going through a lot of pain and loss.
- Investigate the concepts of fate and free will.
- Have a history of group rituals?
- Keep track of important dates on your calendar.
In contrast to religion, astrology:
- There are no places of worship.
- There are no membership requirements or vows.
- There are no moral edicts.
- Has no claim to superiority based on merit
- Is there no human saint?
- There is no such thing as a hierarchy of worthiness.
- Does not indicate that there is an afterlife.
- There is no specific code of social conduct outlined.
- There is no formal consensus on the amount of training that must be completed.
- There are no official uniforms or costuming for practitioners.
- It does not necessitate worship.
These lists demonstrate how religion and astrology can have a fruitful relationship.
Religion is a Saturn word in astrological terms: it is ordered, spells out right and wrong, and is constructed on and in institutions and agreements. Astrology has a Uranian bent to it:
Is it true that love horoscopes are accurate?
They are, indeed. And the distance between your zodiac signs is the key to compatibility. Our guide to the seven likely matchups is below. Take charge of your own adventure!
The 7 Angles (The Secret of Distance)
So, what exactly does a planet-to-planet comparison imply? We measure the distance between them to figure this out. There are seven key angles (or perspectives) to consider “In cosmology, these are known as aspects, and they can be established between two planets. They are so essential that they have their own names in astrology, such as “trine” or “square.”
These angles/aspects indicate various energies, some of which are easy and others which are difficult. So, whether you’ve been looking for a long time or are just getting started, “Discovering where things are easy can help you play to those strengths and add more of that energy to the relationship, whether it’s through accurate love horoscopes for singles or praying that you’ll get good news when researching the cosmic compatibility between you and your long-term bae. Finding the snags reveals where you may need to make some additional concessions in order to maintain your relationship harmonious.
Is there any truth to astrology in Islam?
Astrology is the study of celestial bodies’ movements and relative placements, which are thought to have an impact on human affairs and the natural world. According to historian Emilie Savage-Smith, astrology (ilm al-nujm, “the study of the stars”) was “by far” the most popular of the “many activities aiming to predict future occurrences or perceive hidden phenomena” in early Islamic history.
Despite Islamic prohibitions, some medieval Muslims were interested in studying the apparent motion of the stars. This was partially due to their belief in the importance of the celestial bodies, and partly due to the fact that desert inhabitants frequently traveled at night and relied on knowledge of the constellations for navigation. Muslims needed to determine the time of prayers, the direction the kaaba would face, and the correct orientation of the mosque after the arrival of Islam, all of which helped give a religious impetus to the study of astronomy and contributed to the belief that the celestial bodies had an impact on terrestrial affairs as well as the human condition.
The criteria for Islam’s attitude on astrology are laid out in Islamic jurisprudence, the Quran, the Hadith, Ijma (scholarly consensus), and Qiyas (analogy). The idea is further differentiated into that which is either halal (authorized) or haram (forbidden) (forbidden). The view that astrology is forbidden by the authorities, as enshrined in the Quran and Hadith, is shared by all Islamic sects and academics.
Who is the originator of astrology?
Jones stated, “This is possibly older than any other known case.” “It’s also older than any of the written-down horoscopes from the Greco-Roman period,” he said, adding, “we have a number of horoscopes written down as a kind of document on papyrus or on a wall, but none of them as old as this.”
The discovery was presented in the most recent edition of the Journal for the History of Astronomy by Jones and StaoForenbaher, a researcher at the Institute for Anthropological Research in Zagreb.
Forenbaher told LiveScience that the crew was working near the entrance of a Croatian cave in 1999, a site well known to archaeologists and residents of the surrounding hamlet of Nakovana who simply named it “Spila,” which means “the cave.”
Nobody realized at the time, however, that the cave featured a part that had been locked for over 2,000 years. Forenbaher’s girlfriend (now his wife) dug under the rubble and discovered a broad, low passageway that ran for over 33 feet in the dark (10 meters). “The unique King Tut experience, arriving to a spot where nobody has been for a couple of thousand years,” Forenbaher said of passing down the corridor.
When Forenbaher entered the cavern, “there was a very thin limestone crust on the surface that was splitting under your boots,” indicating that “nobody had gone there in a very, very, long time,” he added.
The researchers eventually discovered that it had been blocked off in the first century B.C., presumably as a result of a Roman military effort against the locals.
The archaeologists discovered a phallic-shaped stalagmite, as well as countless drinking containers deposited over hundreds of years and something more. “These very small bits and pieces of ivory came out in the course of that dig,” Forenbaher explained, “and we didn’t even recognize what we had at the time.”
The group got to work. “It took years to piece them together, find more bits and pieces, and figure out what they were,” Forenbaher explained. They ended there staring at the ruins of the world’s oldest known astrologer’s board.
Archaeologists aren’t sure how the board got inside the cave or where it came from. The Babylonians developed their own version of horoscopes around 2,400 years ago, which is where astrology began in antiquity.
Then, around 2,100 years ago, astrology went to the eastern Mediterranean, where it became popular in Egypt, which was ruled by a dynasty of Greek monarchs at the time.
Jones explained, “It gets transformed very much into what we think of as the Greek style of astrology, which is really the present type of astrology.” “The Greek style of astrology is the foundation of astrology that spans the Middle Ages, modern Europe, modern India, and beyond.”
The ivory used to produce the zodiac images dates back to 2,200 years, just before the advent of this new kind of astrology, according to radiocarbon dating.
The location of the board’s manufacture is unknown, though Egypt is a possibility. They believe the ivory came from an elephant that was slain or died in the area around that period. Because ivory is such a valuable commodity, it would have been preserved for decades, if not a century, before being utilized to make the zodiac. These signs would have been adhered to a flat (probably wooden) surface to form the board, which could have featured other features that did not survive.
It could have been loaded onto a ship sailing through the Adriatic Sea, a vital trade route that the cave overlooks. Illyrians were the people who resided in Croatia at the time. Despite the fact that ancient writers had a negative view of them, archaeological evidence reveals that they interacted with surrounding Greek colonies and were a vital part of the Mediterranean civilization.
An astrologer from one of the Greek colonies may have visited the cave to make a prediction. A consultation in the cavern’s flickering light would have been a powerful experience, if not particularly convenient for the astrologer.
Jones commented, “It doesn’t sound like a very practical site for performing horoscope homework like calculating planetary placements.”
Another hypothesis is that the Illyrians acquired or stole the astrological board without fully comprehending its use. The board, along with the drinking containers, would have been presented as an offering to an unknown deity worshipped in the cave.
“This astrologer’s board could have shown up as an offering along with other exceptional items that were either bought or robbed from a passing ship,” Forenbaher speculated. He noted that the drinking cups discovered in the cave had been chosen with care. They were made in another country, and only a few cruder amphora storage vessels were discovered with them.
“It nearly appears that someone was bringing out wine there, pouring it, and then discarding the amphora away because they weren’t good enough for the gods, or to be deposited in the shrine,” Forenbaher said.
The phallic-shaped stalagmite, which may have formed naturally on the site, appears to have served as a focal point for these offerings and rituals held in the cavern. Forenbaher cautioned that all stalagmites appear phallic in some way, and it’s difficult to know what significance it had to the cave’s inhabitants. “It had to mean something significant,” he said.
“This is a spot where goods of local importance were deposited with some type of supernatural power, transcendental being, or whatever.”