The Horoscope Habit
Typically, most people who are swayed by astrology know as little about it as any numbers of religious people know about the doctrines of their churches.
Few, it seems, ever ask: "Does it really work?"
The average housewife merely looks in the daily astrology columns in her newspaper or in the horoscope magazine she may buy. By checking the list under her "sign" (the one she was born under) she can find out what the syndicated astrological columnist has in store for her during that day. (Women outnumber men four to one as devotees to the astrology game)
It's as simple as looking up the answer to yesterday's crossword puzzle.
A much smaller number are completely addicted to astrology. They have their personal horoscope cast. Casting a horoscope can be an expensive business running into the hundreds of dollars. The exact minute of birth needs to be known for a completely "accurate" horoscope, say the "experts."
A staggering number of influences are "taken into account." This gives the casting of a horoscope a scientific and ritualistic flavor — all part of the psychology.
As any astrologer will admit, there is no general agreement as to how these influences are to be taken into account. Two astrologers looking at the same horoscope may come up with completely different predictions about an individual's future.
If misfortunes happen, it may be blamed on two factors. One, since the exact minute of birth was not known — and who knows that? — then you see, one cannot expect the horoscope to be completely accurate.
But more importantly, if misfortunes come, one is simply not living "in harmony" with the stars and planets. "The stars impel," say professional astrologers, "they do not compel."
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ARIES (March 22-April 20): You have an impressive personality. You are an individualist — unique, strong-willed, forceful.
TAURUS (April 21-May 21): You are the salt of the earth. Dependable, determined, responsible, mature, you are the sort of person whom everyone admires.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21): You have an agile mind. You absorb all that comes your way . . . your friends find you a wonderful companion.
CANCER (June 22-July 23): Cancer be-stows upon its natives the most loving, giving, sympathetic personality. Yours is really the open heart, and the open hand. The expression, "a friend in need is a friend indeed," describes you perfectly.
LEO (July 24-Aug. 23): Generous, magnetic, dynamic, vital, you possess an unforgettable personality.
VIRGO (Aug. 24-Sept. 23): You have a highly developed intellect, a strong critical sense, and probably a considerable amount of artistic and literary taste and talent.
LIBRA (Sept. 24-Oct. 23): Your personality is so pleasant and amiable, your kind nature so appealing, that you can be described as a truly winning person. You can literally "charm the birds off the trees."
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22): Power and determination are the keynotes of your personality . dominant, forceful, even ruthless at times, you make your mark upon people, and upon life!
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 22): Your personality is characterized by imagination, practicality, and most of all, independence. You are a veritable ray of sunshine, cheerful, optimistic, good humored.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 23-Jan. 20): You possess, in large measure, the important qualities: strength, dignity, honesty, reliability.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19): You are, in the true sense of the word, a humanitarian . . . you are concerned with mankind as a whole . . . you are dedicated to truth, to the progress of the world . . . you have great depth of character.
PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 21): In a sense, you are the summation of all that has come before you. In your nature are blended the qualities of the other signs, matured, and brought into final evolution.
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Psychology and Astrology
Astrologers tell people what they want to hear.
Here is how a simple astrological forecast might work. You were born at a certain time of the year. At the moment of birth a map supposedly was formed of you in the heavens. The secret of success is to discover this pattern. And how simple it all is!
The astrology books will tell you, "The pattern of the stars and planets guides your life. Plan your life in harmony with the stars and you are in harmony with yourself." The work is done for you. All you have to know is the date of your birth. Look it up under your horoscope and see what you are like, your talents, personality, sex life, your future.
For example, here is a descriptive summary of characteristics as they appeared in a monthly magazine under the section about personality. (Each description was actually about a page long)
Sounds wonderful doesn't it?
For example, if you are "Aries" you supposedly have a wonderful personality! But Leo also has a terrific personality; so does Libra; so does Scorpio; so does Sagittarius. In fact, if the entire character analysis of all the signs were published, you would see that practically ALL of them had great personality traits. And if you are Pisces, then you have ALL the characteristics of ALL the preceding eleven signs.
Now, that's convenient!
Astrologers know human nature. They understand that we see in ourselves whatever we want to see. Are we intellectual? Well, yes . . . there was this book we once read. How about persuasive? Of course, did we ever wow them at that last club meeting. Are we reliable? Yes. Humanitarian? Of course; Dependable? Certainly.
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Are Predictions Accurate?
But then what about worldwide predictions of astrologers? For example, statements predicting who will run for president; when an earthquake will come; will so-and-so die. Without going into ramifications, we simply let an astrologer answer:
"It is true that there have been many inaccurate predictions made by astrologers . . . how then, in view of these facts, can astrology be justified? It can be justified in the same way as other theories which are practicable, but not infallible." (Astrology for Everyday Living, pp. 9, 10)
Many inaccurate predictions? Not infallible? Then there is no concrete foundation, is there?
Just to set the record straight, here are a few astrological faux pas.
Great crowds of Hindu holy men sat up half the night waiting for the end of the world on the night of February 5, 1962. It obviously didn't come.
British astrologers didn't fare too well in 1939. They all predicted there would be no war. According to astrologers, Walter Reuther was supposed to be a candidate for the presidency in 1964. One looks in vain for his name on the list of American presidential candidates.
The one keynote to astrological predictions is that they are UNPREDICTABLE!
Besides, the average housewife, student or even businessman who secretly scrutinizes the smudgy type of his newspaper horoscope cares little for such magnanimous predictions. He or she is interested in, "What does this horoscope tell me about MY life, my future, my business."
Then, of course, there are the mere dabblers in astrology, who are interested in it only so far as it makes cocktail conversation.
Trying to Justify Astrology
Amazingly, a few astrologers have actually claimed that the Bible, of all books, sanctions astrology.
Let the Book speak for itself:
"There shall not be found among you any . . . that use divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an ABOMINATION unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God does drive them out from before you." (Deuteronomy 18:10-14) No astrology here!
Where to Find the Answers
There is a way for you to find personal success. There is a purpose and meaning to human life. You can find happiness and personal success. There are also solutions to the big problems that threaten the very extinction of human life — in this generation!
Those answers are not found in astrology or the occult! The Romans found that out!
If you are earnestly interested in WHY you were born and where you are going — you can find the answers. There is a purpose for your life. The answers to financial, marriage, health, business problems are available, but not in astrology.
There is a reason why only the very few — men or women — are successful in life. The laws of success have been too often overlooked in the pursuit of success.
No human ever need be a failure. But very few have ever discovered the reason for failure and how to achieve fulfillment in life. The ancient Romans are proof of what can happen to a whole society that fails to discover the principles of lasting success.
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