Astrology: Valid Science or Controversial Sham?

Kat Starwolf

Over the last century, little else seems to have generated as much controversy as the belief in and practice of astrology. Not only have the majority of the world’s religions claimed that it is ‘evil’ and was spawned by the devil, but the scientific community has claimed that it is – at best – a superstition; at worst it is said to be inaccurate and those who offer these services, little more than charlatans.

It's understandable that most laypersons don't and can't understand the intricate nuances of astrology. However, it's infuriating – especially from an astrologer’s point of view – when those who actually know little or nothing about it attempt to discredit it.

Generally, these individuals are merely mimicking what they've heard others say. While it’s true that many of those debunkers are 'scientists,' we need to keep in mind that even scientists can be and often have been wrong.

As most of us are no doubt aware, Mankind does not have all the answers, which is one reason why academic textbooks are constantly being revised. A good example is Einstein and his Theory of Relativity, which is even now being revised by the String/Super String/M Theory. Scientists now realize that the laws that govern the 'universe' as we know it may be more localized than we, at first, believed. There may be no law of gravity (for instance) in another part of our universe.

In fact, recent research indicates that this very well may be the case. Additionally, according to the new physics, the fact that there are other dimensions -- multiverses -- which operate on different 'laws' should be enough to indicate that there's a very real possibility that astrology works off of one of these same principles.

What's misleading about all the so-called 'studies' that have been conducted on astrology and its validity or lack thereof, is that the 'scientists' who have conducted the studies focus mainly on one aspect: Sun Sign astrology. The fact is, there is so much more to take into account in an individual’s birth chart than just the Sun Sign.

Over the last one hundred years or so only one or two studies have, in reality, been conducted using a minimal number of control subjects and have given precious little source information which would prove beyond the proverbial shadow of a doubt that astrology is not efficacious.

I’ve been an astrologer for over 25 years, and during that time I’ve been able to verify its accuracy through data collection and comparison of the numerous astrological traits, characteristics and propensities of the various zodiac signs.

Further, I am currently back in college in order to obtain a degree in counseling psychology and have encountered this same prejudice even with psychologists and other scientists and academicians. While they espouse following empirical methods, they rarely follow these came criteria themselves. In fact, their dialogue with their students actually runs something like this:

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Cause and Effect*

STUDENT: Why does science accept electricity without knowing what it is, professor?

PROFESSOR: Because we have proved by its demonstrable effects that it exists, my boy.

STUDENT: Science also accepts magnetism without knowing exactly what it is, doesn't it, professor?

PROFESSOR: Yes, although we do not know whether it is force, fluid or quality - we have proved it by its demonstrable effects.

PROFESSOR: Of course! Anything that has a demonstrable effect must be accepted.

STUDENT: Then the demonstrable effects of astrology are entitled to serious scientific consideration, aren't they professor?

PROFESSOR: Certainly not! Science will not accept astrology on the basis of mere demonstrable effects!

* Astrology, Science of Prediction, Sidney K. Bennett, © 1945, Wynn Publishing, Los Angeles, CA. and Chart Interpretation Handbook, Stephen Arroyo, © 1989, CRCS Publishing, Sebastopol, CA, USA.

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A bit contradictory, wouldn't you say? The truth is, there are demonstrable effects with astrology, just as there are with electricity, magnetism and life -- all intangible substances we can not see with our physical eyes, and yet whose 'demonstrable effects' we can see, and which we know are there.

Another glaring red flag is that none of the so-called studies were conducted by anyone who knows enough about astrology to make a qualified statement as to its validity. Additionally, there are numerous forms of astrology. It is so detailed and complex that it takes an astrologer years (if ever!) to master any one form.

However, since there have been only 'two' studies which debunk astrology, I will reference 'two' different scientific sources which have proven its efficacy: 1) the astronomer Percy Seymour, one of Britain's leading astronomers, wrote of its validity in his book, Astrology, the Evidence of Science. Another source is the voluminous studies of the French psychologist, Michel Gauquelin. Two more excellent sources of validating data come from Astro Databank and from Avalon School of Astrology, among others .

But do the scientists who have attempted to disprove astrology reference the validating studies? Of course not. Because if they did it would disprove their own blather.

Because of this issue, I am currently working on what may well turn out to be a major psychology paper (possibly my dissertation) which will prove the efficacy, and thus, the validity of astrology.

And just for the record, as far as Sun Sign astrology is concerned, it's not that it's not accurate; the problem is that only one planet (for simplicity, the sun is considered a planet in astrology) is used, in this case the Sun. However, our natal charts include all the planets in the solar system, including the Moon and several asteroids. Therefore, when calculating a chart, much more is taken into consideration than just the Sun. The fact is, our Rising Sign or Ascendant and our Moon sign can significantly modify or offset the effects of the Sun sign, as can the signs in which our Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto and Chiron may fall.

If one is going to argue about the pros and/or cons of an issue, at least study it so that you do, indeed, know whereof you speak.