Twenty interesting facts about astrology:
# Seventy-five per cent of astrology readers are women, according to a study by the website, stariq.com.
# Astrologers claim that the moon has the same effect upon humans, as it does upon the ocean. If the moon can affect the huge tides it cannot fail to affect the human body, which consists of 75 per cent water. The moon is also associated with provoking deep emotions and humans when the emotionally charged are brought to tears. The moon's powers are also thought to affect women's monthly menstrual cycles.
# A third of Americans believe in astrology. Executives and professionals are the fastest-growing group of believers, according to a study by USA Today.
# After the American president, Ronald Reagan was shot, his wife Nancy employed an astrologer to forecast his future safety.
# The most famous astrologer is Nostradamus, who is said to have predicted events such as the Second World War, the assassination of the American President John F. Kennedy and, most recently, the attack on the World Trade Centre.
# A search for astrology on google.com brings up nearly 2 million websites.
# The Zodiac was originally a natural agricultural calendar that dated the sowing of crops, harvesting, etc. by the rising and setting of the stars (especially Sirius), and the Pleiades or other recognisable constellations
# The Kepler College of Astrological Arts and Sciences in Seattle, USA, is the first institution in the western hemisphere to issue BA and MA degrees in Astrological studies. The first courses started in July 2000. They cost $5000 a year and consist of a home study programme with a one-week symposium at the Seattle campus once a term. The college is named after Johannes Kepler, the noted German mathematician and astronomer who also practiced astrology.
# The words, astrology and horoscope are the most searched topics on the Internet, according to a 1999 study by searchterms.com.
# Astrology is thought to be both a science and an art. It claims scientific status because it requires mathematics and an understanding of Astronomy. It is an art because interpretation is necessary to bring the different aspects together and formulate an idea of the individual's character traits and tendencies
# In the middle ages, a number of Catholic popes were intimately familiar with astrology: Sixtus IV was the first pope to draw and interpret a horoscope, Julius II choose his coronation date astrologically, and Leo X and Paul III relied heavily on astrologers for advice.
# Adolf Hitler is thought to have used an astrologer throughout the Second World War.
# The practice of astrocartography looks at how you are affected by your geographical location. It is believed that, by comparing your birth chart to different areas in the world, the area where you will be most successful and happy can be determined.
# According to a 1999 survey, Americans spend $100 million a year on astrology. · Astrology offers an explanation for crop circles. The crop circles occur in cereal and grain, which is the signature of Virgo. Virgo, is the grain mother who feeds and nourishes the earth, not only with crops but with the new direction of our beliefs, she asks that we exercise discernment.
# There are 6,000-8,000 professional astrologers in the United States.
# German astrologer, Frau Elsbeth Ebertin, was given Hitler's birth chart by a female fan in 1924. She accurately predicted that he would become Fuhrer.
# Science presents many arguments against astrology. It is argued that your genetic characteristics are developed from conception and not birth. Astrologers, according to scientists, ignore matters such as the gravitational force of non-solar bodies e.g: asteroids and comets, the motion of the sun in respect to other stars and the wobble in the earth's rotation axis, which has by now shifted the sun signs by 1 or 2 constellations.
# Former White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan said: "It's common knowledge that a large percentage of Wall Street brokers use astrology."
# A research group into the critical study of astrology has been set up at Southampton University. PhD students attached to the group are currently researching alcoholism's link to Jupiter, the correlation between prostitutes and their date of birth and also the link between women's infertility and correlations of Jupiter and Saturn.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Fast facts about Astrology
Public Acceptance
* One-third of Americans believe in astrology (USA Today 6/20/00), with the fastest growing segment among executives and professionals (USA Today, 1996).
* According to The Harris Poll, nearly 41 percent of adult Americans believe in astrology (The Harris Poll, #52 9/13/00).
* An eight year, worldwide study by Roper Starch reported a 30 percent increase in the belief in astrology (USA Today, 1996).
* In 1976, 17 percent of Americans believed in astrology. In 1998 that number jumped to 37 percent (biz.journals.com, 3/3/00).
The Market
* 75 percent of astrology consumers are women (StarIQ registrants).
* An estimated 80 percent of women make most of the household purchasing decisions (Harris Interactive 2000).
* Americans spend $100 million on astrology each year (Business 2.0, 3/1/99).
* An estimated 38 million people spend approximately $44 billion annually on new age products and services including astrology (New Age Cities, 12/00).
* There are 6,000–8,000 professional astrology practitioners in the United States (based on membership to the National Council for Geocosmic Research, NCGR).
* A growing academic community of psychologists, statisticians, stock market analysts and professional astrologers effectively uses individually calculated astrological data for purposes beyond diversion (based on membership lists from the International Society for Astrological Research and NCGR).
* Astrology products are unique because they cut across normal demographic lines. Research indicates that astrology users span the spectrum from blue-collar National Enquirer readers on one end, to white-collar Psychology Today readers on the other.
Astrology and the Internet
* "Astrology" and "horoscope" are consistently among the most searched topics on the Internet (searchterms.com, 1999).
* Astrology provides completely personalized information that can be created and delivered electronically at any frequency (hourly, daily, weekly, etc.).
* Astrology allows for vertical market application and the creation of specific subject matter to target audiences.
* A simple search for "astrology OR horoscope" on AltaVista returns over three million web pages (AltaVista).
* Time Inc.'s Pathfinder.com reported that "astrology" was the fifth most searched and "horoscope" the seventh most searched word on the site (Time.com, 6/19/98).
* One-third of Americans believe in astrology (USA Today 6/20/00), with the fastest growing segment among executives and professionals (USA Today, 1996).
* According to The Harris Poll, nearly 41 percent of adult Americans believe in astrology (The Harris Poll, #52 9/13/00).
* An eight year, worldwide study by Roper Starch reported a 30 percent increase in the belief in astrology (USA Today, 1996).
* In 1976, 17 percent of Americans believed in astrology. In 1998 that number jumped to 37 percent (biz.journals.com, 3/3/00).
The Market
* 75 percent of astrology consumers are women (StarIQ registrants).
* An estimated 80 percent of women make most of the household purchasing decisions (Harris Interactive 2000).
* Americans spend $100 million on astrology each year (Business 2.0, 3/1/99).
* An estimated 38 million people spend approximately $44 billion annually on new age products and services including astrology (New Age Cities, 12/00).
* There are 6,000–8,000 professional astrology practitioners in the United States (based on membership to the National Council for Geocosmic Research, NCGR).
* A growing academic community of psychologists, statisticians, stock market analysts and professional astrologers effectively uses individually calculated astrological data for purposes beyond diversion (based on membership lists from the International Society for Astrological Research and NCGR).
* Astrology products are unique because they cut across normal demographic lines. Research indicates that astrology users span the spectrum from blue-collar National Enquirer readers on one end, to white-collar Psychology Today readers on the other.
Astrology and the Internet
* "Astrology" and "horoscope" are consistently among the most searched topics on the Internet (searchterms.com, 1999).
* Astrology provides completely personalized information that can be created and delivered electronically at any frequency (hourly, daily, weekly, etc.).
* Astrology allows for vertical market application and the creation of specific subject matter to target audiences.
* A simple search for "astrology OR horoscope" on AltaVista returns over three million web pages (AltaVista).
* Time Inc.'s Pathfinder.com reported that "astrology" was the fifth most searched and "horoscope" the seventh most searched word on the site (Time.com, 6/19/98).
Saturday, September 15, 2007
How valid is the science of astrology?
Validity of anything is determined by the results and consequences of that particular thing to most people. If you have a positive experience with something, then you tend to treat it as valid, and the opposite is true if you have a negative experience.
Astrology, according to those who practice it and believe in it, is a combination Art and Science. The making of the horoscope, or the birth chart, is based on scientific and mathematical calculations, which measure the relationship between the planetary elements against their galactic locale. The interpretation of such calculations, and their proper conveyance to the respective individuals, is where the art lies. This art, as in the case with all arts, has to be mastered by people before making such interpretations and predictions.
Over the centuries, there have been various arguments, for and against astrology and its validity. There is much documentary evidence available to uphold the validity of astrology and to refute fallacies about it. Even then, there are many who believe in it and also many who don�t.
In such a scenario; one question bears consideration, �If Astrology and astrological predictions were not valid, then would the practice of astrology have withstood the test of time, and lasted for the thousands of years that it has?�
Astrology, according to those who practice it and believe in it, is a combination Art and Science. The making of the horoscope, or the birth chart, is based on scientific and mathematical calculations, which measure the relationship between the planetary elements against their galactic locale. The interpretation of such calculations, and their proper conveyance to the respective individuals, is where the art lies. This art, as in the case with all arts, has to be mastered by people before making such interpretations and predictions.
Over the centuries, there have been various arguments, for and against astrology and its validity. There is much documentary evidence available to uphold the validity of astrology and to refute fallacies about it. Even then, there are many who believe in it and also many who don�t.
In such a scenario; one question bears consideration, �If Astrology and astrological predictions were not valid, then would the practice of astrology have withstood the test of time, and lasted for the thousands of years that it has?�
Will an astrological reading from 5 years back and now be the same?
Astrological profiles are interpretations of your birth chart. Any person�s birth chart is made according to the place, date, and time of your birth. So your birth chart is always going to remain the same, irrespective of whether you have an astrological reading at 6 or sixty.
Although your astrological profile, in terms of who you are, will broadly remain the same over the years; different aspects of your personality will be apparent at different points in your life. At a certain age, some aspect of your character may have been stronger and will have thus reflected in your astrological reading, whereas at some other age, a new part of your personality may be stronger, and thus you may get an astrological reading which interprets that.
Astrological readings are based on the comparison of the position of your planets at the time of reading in connection to their positions at the time of your birth. Thus, you will get different readings due to the change in planetary positions, depending on the times of such readings.
And lastly, because astrological readings are made by astrologers, who all have their different styles and different interpretations; any reading from one astrologer may focus on a certain aspect of your life, whereas a reading from another astrologer may focus on an entirely different aspect, with both being accurate but just in different areas.
Although your astrological profile, in terms of who you are, will broadly remain the same over the years; different aspects of your personality will be apparent at different points in your life. At a certain age, some aspect of your character may have been stronger and will have thus reflected in your astrological reading, whereas at some other age, a new part of your personality may be stronger, and thus you may get an astrological reading which interprets that.
Astrological readings are based on the comparison of the position of your planets at the time of reading in connection to their positions at the time of your birth. Thus, you will get different readings due to the change in planetary positions, depending on the times of such readings.
And lastly, because astrological readings are made by astrologers, who all have their different styles and different interpretations; any reading from one astrologer may focus on a certain aspect of your life, whereas a reading from another astrologer may focus on an entirely different aspect, with both being accurate but just in different areas.
Can astrology predict future?
Apart from its ability to predict future trends, astrology can also be used to create the future. For example, a friend, a professional musician, was about to audition for a gig. I advised him to show up early, before a void-of-course Moon kicked in (nothing comes of things started during a void-of-course Moon). He did as suggested, leaving all the other candidates to audition while the Moon was void-of-course. As luck would have it, the band leader chose someone else for the job -- but that choice was made while the Moon was void-of-course (yes, we took that into account). As it turned out, the person picked had a scheduling conflict and couldn't perform with the band, so my friend received an "unexpected message" a few days later (shown by his own natal chart) offering him the job instead.
How do you Choose an Astrologer?
Astrology is increasingly becoming more and more popular and the leading question in peoples� minds is how and where to find an astrologer. Hope the following suggestions are helpful in this regard.
There are hundreds of astrologers and astrological services being advertised about nowadays, some who are ethical and trustworthy and some who are just out to make a quick buck. So, you need to assess any astrologer in the following areas to see if they are honest and good at their job.
* An astrologer should be capable of quickly, but accurately, calculating your horoscope and making your birth chart. Although, with the advent of computers being used to make horoscopes, this has become quite a simple task, you still need to ensure that the astrologer knows what he is doing and what a horoscope is all about. It is better to choose an astrologer who has access to modern tools, so that you do not need to pay him for the time spent on actually hand making your horoscope, even though that is still a very accurate way to do it.
* The most important thing to look out for when choosing an astrologer, is their ability to understand your horoscope and evaluate it. This is where the art in astrological readings comes in. Skills needed to interpret an astrological chart are not something that can be learned through study courses, and is something that comes with practice and experience. Intuition also plays an integral part in any astrologer making his interpretations. Thus, your interest will be best served by finding an astrologer who has the necessary experience, in addition to the natural intuitive skills.
* An astrologer should not only have good interpretive skills, but should also be a good counselor and able to convey those interpretations to you in a manner that you understand. Very often, astrologers come across people, whose problems or concerns are out of their scope and whom they cannot help. In such cases, the astrologer should be willing and able to refer you to competent specialists such as psychologists, therapists, or other professionals. So, ask a prospective astrologer about their counseling background and if they use any backup services of other professionals. If you get acceptable answers to these questions, then that astrologer should be worth consulting.
* Astrologers should be forthcoming about answers relating to their experience, background, references, and the cost of their services. If any astrologer does not give you such answers readily, then he or she may not be ethically suitable and should be avoided.
Once you are aware of what to look for in an astrologer, you can find one by asking your family or friends to refer you to an astrologer, whom they have had positive experiences with.
The American Federation of Astrologers (AFA) has many qualified astrologers who can be of help to you. Astrologers, who are members of AFA, have to pass one of two tests, based on which they may either be advanced members or professional member astrologers of the organization.
The National Council of Geo-Cosmic Research (NCGR), is another organization, which has qualified and certified professional astrologers, who can be of great service to you.
For those who do not live in the United States; you can find out if there are any such organizations in your area of residence, and can look for professional astrologers from those organizations.
There are hundreds of astrologers and astrological services being advertised about nowadays, some who are ethical and trustworthy and some who are just out to make a quick buck. So, you need to assess any astrologer in the following areas to see if they are honest and good at their job.
* An astrologer should be capable of quickly, but accurately, calculating your horoscope and making your birth chart. Although, with the advent of computers being used to make horoscopes, this has become quite a simple task, you still need to ensure that the astrologer knows what he is doing and what a horoscope is all about. It is better to choose an astrologer who has access to modern tools, so that you do not need to pay him for the time spent on actually hand making your horoscope, even though that is still a very accurate way to do it.
* The most important thing to look out for when choosing an astrologer, is their ability to understand your horoscope and evaluate it. This is where the art in astrological readings comes in. Skills needed to interpret an astrological chart are not something that can be learned through study courses, and is something that comes with practice and experience. Intuition also plays an integral part in any astrologer making his interpretations. Thus, your interest will be best served by finding an astrologer who has the necessary experience, in addition to the natural intuitive skills.
* An astrologer should not only have good interpretive skills, but should also be a good counselor and able to convey those interpretations to you in a manner that you understand. Very often, astrologers come across people, whose problems or concerns are out of their scope and whom they cannot help. In such cases, the astrologer should be willing and able to refer you to competent specialists such as psychologists, therapists, or other professionals. So, ask a prospective astrologer about their counseling background and if they use any backup services of other professionals. If you get acceptable answers to these questions, then that astrologer should be worth consulting.
* Astrologers should be forthcoming about answers relating to their experience, background, references, and the cost of their services. If any astrologer does not give you such answers readily, then he or she may not be ethically suitable and should be avoided.
Once you are aware of what to look for in an astrologer, you can find one by asking your family or friends to refer you to an astrologer, whom they have had positive experiences with.
The American Federation of Astrologers (AFA) has many qualified astrologers who can be of help to you. Astrologers, who are members of AFA, have to pass one of two tests, based on which they may either be advanced members or professional member astrologers of the organization.
The National Council of Geo-Cosmic Research (NCGR), is another organization, which has qualified and certified professional astrologers, who can be of great service to you.
For those who do not live in the United States; you can find out if there are any such organizations in your area of residence, and can look for professional astrologers from those organizations.
What is Astrology?
Astrology is a way to determine the forces of the universe by tracing what effects they have upon the planets. In Astrology, the planets and their coordinate systems are used to make predictions.
Astrology can be referred to as the study of cycles. Everything in this universe is cyclical, meaning that is follows a certain cycle, including human beings. Those who do not believe that our lives are cyclical are ignorant about the clear proof provided by the daily, weekly, and yearly patterns of our lives. Astrology not only looks at this obvious cycle but also at the cycles of life which are not that obvious, such as the ones that go on for three years, ten years, 25 years, etc.
Just as our lives follow a cycle, the planets follow these cycles, too. Tracing the planets in their relatively simple paths is much easier to comprehend than it is to appreciate how human actions flow in the same rhythms, what with them being so complex. Because it is not easy to evaluate your own self, tracking the planets enables you to look into our nature in an approach so as to make predictions which can be the difference between success and failure. This is the heart of astrology and is how astrology works.
Hence astrology can be correctly called the study of the outcome of planetary movements on our lives. It is a science that has its foundations in astronomy, and astrologers have to know the exact positions of the planets at any given time, and also the proper positions of the zodiacal fixed star signs, at any given time, in relation to any place on earth, to be able to make astrological predictions.
The fundamental principle on which astrology works is that all things are linked. Your karma, destiny, fate or fortune, whatever you choose to call it, is determined by a predestined cosmic design. Astrologers believe that every body is just a soul present in the body at a very particular time and place, and that the life of people is just a reflection of the larger whole into which they are born. The study of this pre-set destiny is known as Astrology.
Astrology can be referred to as the study of cycles. Everything in this universe is cyclical, meaning that is follows a certain cycle, including human beings. Those who do not believe that our lives are cyclical are ignorant about the clear proof provided by the daily, weekly, and yearly patterns of our lives. Astrology not only looks at this obvious cycle but also at the cycles of life which are not that obvious, such as the ones that go on for three years, ten years, 25 years, etc.
Just as our lives follow a cycle, the planets follow these cycles, too. Tracing the planets in their relatively simple paths is much easier to comprehend than it is to appreciate how human actions flow in the same rhythms, what with them being so complex. Because it is not easy to evaluate your own self, tracking the planets enables you to look into our nature in an approach so as to make predictions which can be the difference between success and failure. This is the heart of astrology and is how astrology works.
Hence astrology can be correctly called the study of the outcome of planetary movements on our lives. It is a science that has its foundations in astronomy, and astrologers have to know the exact positions of the planets at any given time, and also the proper positions of the zodiacal fixed star signs, at any given time, in relation to any place on earth, to be able to make astrological predictions.
The fundamental principle on which astrology works is that all things are linked. Your karma, destiny, fate or fortune, whatever you choose to call it, is determined by a predestined cosmic design. Astrologers believe that every body is just a soul present in the body at a very particular time and place, and that the life of people is just a reflection of the larger whole into which they are born. The study of this pre-set destiny is known as Astrology.
What is a Horoscope?
A Horoscope is a person�s Birth Chart or the Natal Chart. It is a figurative analysis of the positions of all the planets in the zodiac, for a specific place, and for an exact time and date. This means, that any person�s horoscope, is based on the planetary positions according to their place of birth, date of birth, as well as the precise time of birth.
A horoscope is usually in the form of a table, the format of which can differ from country to country as well as from culture to culture. But whatever forms your horoscope takes, one thing is common to all horoscopes, and that is that it is based on your place, date, and time of birth.
A horoscope is a chart which shows the positions of the sun, the moon, and other constellations, in addition to the planetary positions. These positions are plotted on the chart according to their relation to the Earth, at the time of the birth of any individual. A horoscope is what astrological predictions are based on, as every horoscope is different and is a representation of the personality and destiny of the individual.
A horoscope is usually in the form of a table, the format of which can differ from country to country as well as from culture to culture. But whatever forms your horoscope takes, one thing is common to all horoscopes, and that is that it is based on your place, date, and time of birth.
A horoscope is a chart which shows the positions of the sun, the moon, and other constellations, in addition to the planetary positions. These positions are plotted on the chart according to their relation to the Earth, at the time of the birth of any individual. A horoscope is what astrological predictions are based on, as every horoscope is different and is a representation of the personality and destiny of the individual.
What is Vedic Astrology?
Vedic Astrology is also known as Hindu Astrology or Indian Astrology, and is a very ancient form of Astrology, that has been practiced in India for several thousand years.
In India, Vedic Astrology is called �Jyotish�, which means the �Science of Light�. This form of astrology is famous and is renowned worldwide, for its divine profundity and precision in forecasting future events. Vedic astrology is founded on the sidereal zodiac, and reproduces an astrologer's interpretation of the position of the heavenly bodies in the constellations.
Vedic Astrology is an ancient science that has its foundations in real astronomy. The Indian Vedas are considered as the oldest writings available and known to man, which had references to astrology and its predictions.
The study of Vedic astrology is made up of 27 constellations, which are in 12 lunar houses. The Sun, the Moon, and five planets, namely Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mercury, are taken into consideration in Vedic Astrology. Pluto, Neptune and Uranus are the three planets that are not acknowledged in Vedic Astrology. Vedic astrology gives a lot of importance to the Moon and its placements for making accurate astrological predictions.
In India, Vedic astrology is practiced by many astrologers and is a part of most peoples� lives. Indians use astrology in all areas of life, and almost all marriages take place or new jobs are started, only after consulting astrologers and ascertaining auspicious astrological times for such activities.
This strong belief of Indians in Vedic astrology has made the science very popular and sought after in all parts of the world, so much so that many European and American celebrities have also been known to use Vedic astrology to their benefit.
In India, Vedic Astrology is called �Jyotish�, which means the �Science of Light�. This form of astrology is famous and is renowned worldwide, for its divine profundity and precision in forecasting future events. Vedic astrology is founded on the sidereal zodiac, and reproduces an astrologer's interpretation of the position of the heavenly bodies in the constellations.
Vedic Astrology is an ancient science that has its foundations in real astronomy. The Indian Vedas are considered as the oldest writings available and known to man, which had references to astrology and its predictions.
The study of Vedic astrology is made up of 27 constellations, which are in 12 lunar houses. The Sun, the Moon, and five planets, namely Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mercury, are taken into consideration in Vedic Astrology. Pluto, Neptune and Uranus are the three planets that are not acknowledged in Vedic Astrology. Vedic astrology gives a lot of importance to the Moon and its placements for making accurate astrological predictions.
In India, Vedic astrology is practiced by many astrologers and is a part of most peoples� lives. Indians use astrology in all areas of life, and almost all marriages take place or new jobs are started, only after consulting astrologers and ascertaining auspicious astrological times for such activities.
This strong belief of Indians in Vedic astrology has made the science very popular and sought after in all parts of the world, so much so that many European and American celebrities have also been known to use Vedic astrology to their benefit.
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