Do You Believe in Astrology? Saturday, Jun 24 2006

Usually a question to spice up a boring social gathering, but here it is used to introduce an anti-astrology editorial in a Yemeni (Yemeni?) Newspaper.

Another point worth noting: It is obvious that the writer knows astrology and is NOT conflating sun-sign astrology and “real” astrology.

They are told how mysterious forces in the universe around them, work to shape their intimate destinies. They are told relatively flattering things about their characters and life, and in the end they are naturally pleased that someone cares about them. In the hectic and generally disconnected modern society, they feel connected – both to another human being and to the world around them. Astrology shares this with many other beliefs, for example the idea that nothing in life is truly coincidental. On this view of life, everything which happens to us, even the smallest or seemingly most insignificant event, happens for some particular reason.

[snip]

A person who continually tries to live his life by a horoscope can become very depressed as he begins to see life as fatalistic, predetermined since his birth, with no opportunity to break free. “To believe in astrology, you must support the philosophy that you are either a ‘born loser’ or a ‘born winner.’’ A Psychologist said In spite that astrology is an attempt to find some sort of “meaning” or “influence” in the planetary positions. Oddly enough, considering that astrology has to do with planetary movements, astrologers no longer look at the sky, and haven’t for hundreds of years.

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Indian Astrologers Condemn Unethical Conduct Tuesday, Jun 13 2006

The other day I wrote about an astrologer who was busted and sentenced for some extremely nasty conduct within the context of his astrological practice in Aspen Colorado. A similar case has come to light in India, where astrology has long been a respected and integral part of Hindu culture, evoking enough outrage in the fortune-teller community that not only has the story has been picked up by the Times of India, but has also inspired a demand of a formal code of conduct.

Arun Dwivedi, an astrologer in Gwalior, was arrested on June 7 for allegedly making sexual advances towards a woman in his house on the pretext of reading her horoscope, police said.

[ . . . ]

The incident has shaken the astrologer community in Madhya Pradesh. Many agree that a model code of conduct should be enacted and those in the profession be registered with the government.

“We have been held in high esteem for ages. But if such elements are allowed to survive in this profession, people will lose faith in us. Already money minting by some astrologers has lowered our dignity,” said a city-based astrologer.

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