A few words in defence of Astrology
So as many people know, I have been in love with Astrology since I was in grade 7 when I broke my arm and was given a mini encyclopedia on the subject to pass the time.
Since then, I have found to view the world with an astrological theme. As a socially retarded child, I needed it as a guide to understanding people. With all the levels and shades to astrology, it was a ready-made psychological mechanism filled with ancient culture and beauty that opened my mind to the possible motivations and behaviours of others. I have often read about it as an interesting subject to keep me sane in times of need. And like an old friend, it's always provided for me.
Mainly because it is nothing but FASCINATING. Be it the mythological stories behind each sign or the symbolism it has created in our culture, there are millions of things to captivate a curious mind.
Now I'm just going to say that I don't really believe in horoscopes. Just to get that out of the way. I read them as a sort of fun bit of vague advice for the day, but really, I find them arbitrary. Especially in contrast to the rich history that is astrology.
So when the Toronto star published this article: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/style/113100139.html
You can understand I was a little upset.
Thankfully, my dear cousin Vanessa sent me the article that was made in response: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/13/no-your-zodiac-sign-hasnt-changed/
So now people are coming to me with jokes and smug grins tarnishing this subject that I love. All with the ignorant claim that science makes it a venture for fools.
Well let me just state that astrology was one of the FIRST sciences.
Do you think people just looked at the sky and decided a certain formation of stars made people act a certain way? OF COURSE NOT. They observed a pattern in psychological dispositions and tried to understand how and why it was happening. It was formed over thousands of years! It was the first psychology and one of the first religions (as all religions were formed with the scientific questions: How and Why).
And this thirteenth sign is total bullshit. It's always existed too, but it's really a useless sign because it was (originally) situated on the cusp of Scorpio and Sagittarius and surprise surprise, the traits associated with it are a combination of Scorpio and Sagittarius.
Seriously, it doesn't count and Astrology needs to be symmetric in nature (give or take a few days) to reflect the cycle of the year.
So yes, I liked several theories about how astrology might work. As a physicist, I was particularly interested in the one involving the magnetic fields of planets. The truth is that it would be very difficult to prove this theory in the best of circumstances. As any scientist knows, one must always be open to the possibility that she is wrong.
A far more likely theory is the one involving the behaviour of people at different times of the year and how it affects the subconscious in early childhood.
There are dozens. Really.
I feel like astrology is the oldest man at the retirement home, and although he's done incredible things in his lifetime, all the nurses talk down to him.
Even if he's come up with a few things lately that are a little senile, does this discredit him of all his accomplishments?
The point is that there are enough interesting things about astrology to merit my respect and curiousity and I can't tolerate the shame people place on those who agree.
Since then, I have found to view the world with an astrological theme. As a socially retarded child, I needed it as a guide to understanding people. With all the levels and shades to astrology, it was a ready-made psychological mechanism filled with ancient culture and beauty that opened my mind to the possible motivations and behaviours of others. I have often read about it as an interesting subject to keep me sane in times of need. And like an old friend, it's always provided for me.
Mainly because it is nothing but FASCINATING. Be it the mythological stories behind each sign or the symbolism it has created in our culture, there are millions of things to captivate a curious mind.
Now I'm just going to say that I don't really believe in horoscopes. Just to get that out of the way. I read them as a sort of fun bit of vague advice for the day, but really, I find them arbitrary. Especially in contrast to the rich history that is astrology.
So when the Toronto star published this article: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/style/113100139.html
You can understand I was a little upset.
Thankfully, my dear cousin Vanessa sent me the article that was made in response: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/01/13/no-your-zodiac-sign-hasnt-changed/
So now people are coming to me with jokes and smug grins tarnishing this subject that I love. All with the ignorant claim that science makes it a venture for fools.
Well let me just state that astrology was one of the FIRST sciences.
Do you think people just looked at the sky and decided a certain formation of stars made people act a certain way? OF COURSE NOT. They observed a pattern in psychological dispositions and tried to understand how and why it was happening. It was formed over thousands of years! It was the first psychology and one of the first religions (as all religions were formed with the scientific questions: How and Why).
And this thirteenth sign is total bullshit. It's always existed too, but it's really a useless sign because it was (originally) situated on the cusp of Scorpio and Sagittarius and surprise surprise, the traits associated with it are a combination of Scorpio and Sagittarius.
Seriously, it doesn't count and Astrology needs to be symmetric in nature (give or take a few days) to reflect the cycle of the year.
So yes, I liked several theories about how astrology might work. As a physicist, I was particularly interested in the one involving the magnetic fields of planets. The truth is that it would be very difficult to prove this theory in the best of circumstances. As any scientist knows, one must always be open to the possibility that she is wrong.
A far more likely theory is the one involving the behaviour of people at different times of the year and how it affects the subconscious in early childhood.
There are dozens. Really.
I feel like astrology is the oldest man at the retirement home, and although he's done incredible things in his lifetime, all the nurses talk down to him.
Even if he's come up with a few things lately that are a little senile, does this discredit him of all his accomplishments?
The point is that there are enough interesting things about astrology to merit my respect and curiousity and I can't tolerate the shame people place on those who agree.