What's your opinion of Astrology?

[AGXStarseed]

Do you believe in it without question or is it just entertainment when you're at work?
Well, there's many different horoscopes to choose from. You have your normal horoscope or "Tropical" astrology as it's called.
Hindu Astrology (also known as "Sidereal" Astrology) is slightly different, with different dates for the current 12 signs as well as a 13th star sign.
There's also other horoscopes including the Chinese and Celtic horoscopes among others - Horoscope FAQs on Horoscope.com | Answers about different kinds of Astrology

One of the most notable times this debate has come up was on the BBC show 'Stargazing Live' with Brian Cox and Dara O'Briain. During one of the shows, Dara threw in a point about how when the Earth goes around in a year and then another, the other planets are all over the place and as such, stated how he felt that there would be 'no reason' why you'd share personality traits with someone born the year after you. Brian Cox then backed up Dara and stated that 'Astrology is rubbish'.
As you can expect, there was a severe backlash from (as Dara described them) "angry, medieval soothsayers" who were furious with what was said. Dara even made a joke about some of the things that had been said to him on Twitter about it.

Twitter Member: "If you're a real scientist, you'd be more open-minded about the evidence".
Dara: "Well lucky for me, I'm a f**king comedian".

Dara's opinion on astrology is that "it's a bit of fun" - something you read to your office colleagues and friends at work like "Oh John, you might be going on a long journey" or "Sarah, you're going to get some money".

He even made a joke in his 2012 DVD 'Craic Dealer' about having 3 prison officers at one of his shows in Newcastle and joking to them about how funny it would be if every day, the officers went around the cells and read the prisoner's their horoscopes. (I was cracking up at that bit. )

Officer: (to 1st prisoner) "Oh, you might be going on a long journey...*Shakes head* Noooooo..."
(to 2nd prisoner) "Oh, but there's new love...*Shakes head* Naaaaah..."

As well as this, during one of David Tennant's interviews with Catherine Tate, he argued about Catherine's belief in it - pointing out how he hates it when people talk about not been 'typical' versions of their horoscope symbols because of the hour they was born in, etc. - referring to them as 'get out clauses' and calling it 'absolute nonsense'.

Clip here:
[video=youtube;ni16WNbQUh0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ni16WNbQUh0[/video]

Personally, I feel it depends on what they say and if they have a bearing on what I'm currently doing. If they don't, I just tend to read it then forget about it.

 

[Slash]

I don't know too much about astrology, but I have been studying about Starseeds and Indigo's. Apparently there is a connection between that and being an aspie. I love looking at the stars, I've always felt I wasn't from here (earth) and I was born in the wrong era. The very word Pleaides made me feel very warm and calm, when I first heard it, and still does to this day.

 

[AGXStarseed]

I've been studying about Starseeds and Indigos as well. I was told by a spiritual adviser that I am in Indigo 'in transition' - meaning I'm changin from an Indigo to a Crystal Child.
Of course, it's up to you to choose what you believe.

I did a Starseed quiz and got a score of 86, stating I was a starseed. Of the origins I saw, Pleiades and Orion seemed to 'resonate' most with me.

 

[113]

I recommend watching James Randi's videos.

Here is one video that shows how easy it is to come up with something that sounds accurate to readers:

If you have time, the full video is great:

 

[AsheSkyler]

I enjoy horoscopes, tarot cards, and all that kind of stuff. There's a lot of genuine good advice in it regardless of how accurate it is individually. There's one I have come to my inbox, and it's always saying stuff like "work hard, but take time to smell the roses" and "enjoy your play time, but don't put leisure before priorities" and so on. Sometimes it applies to my life at the moment, sometimes it doesn't.

There is one thing for certain: from the Western Zodiac, to the Chinese Zodiac, to the Celtic Zodiac, to tarot cards, to palmistry, to overbearing bossy people, everybody and everything says I'm stubborn. Good grief, Universe, I can take a hint! Zip it already!

 

[Spiller]

Sorry 113, I'm not a Randi fan, I've no problem with scepticism, but he's a self confessed Skeptic (note the 'k'), ie: he utterly refutes anything 'paranormal'. You just can't do that and maintain an open mind, surely.
Fifteen years ago, acupuncture was an 'alternative' therapy, mumbo-jumbo to the medical profession.. now it's available on the UK NHS!
Astrology, like acupuncture, was developed in China and, as AGXStarseed pointed out, elsewhere in the world and in every culture, over the course of 3000 years or more, using observation and collating much data over that time. Science is still a baby in comparison! Admittedly, the tabloid single paragraph format's purely for amusement, but the full astrological chart can hit pretty close to home, I think.
I'm no expert at all, but I'd hate to have such a narrow world view that I couldn't accept the possibility that various methods of divining your present and near future could be effective.
How about ghosts, UFO's, telepathy, remote viewing, magic? Can you pick and choose what's rubbish and what isn't.. is it all true.. is it all crap?
I've had a few odd experiences I couldn't find an explanation for and talked to plenty who have also.. I'm for keeping an open mind thanks!

Edit.. this isn't a rant at you 113 btw, just my opinion.. and I don't like James Randi

 

[Judge]

I've had a few odd experiences I couldn't find an explanation for and talked to plenty who have also.. I'm for keeping an open mind thanks!

Yes, there's a difference between being a "believer" versus an "eye-witness". Such experiences tend to color one's perception and understanding of what actually constitutes the world around you. It changes you forever, IMO.

 

[Digger]

I'm a typical Cancer. I was born in April though.

 

[Spiller]

Yes, there's a difference between being a "believer" versus an "eye-witness". Such experiences tend to color one's perception and understanding of what actually constitutes the world around you. It changes you forever, IMO.

I'm not generally keen on the word 'believe', as it requires faith without evidence. I don't believe in ghosts or UFO's, but accept anecdotal evidence; at one time, saying you saw a stone fall from the sky was heresy, now we know what a meteor is.
I agree, Judge, such experiences do indeed change you!

 

[IContainMultitudes]

I've never really been into astrology myself, I generally don't get worked up about other people being into it (I would express my non-belief in it more politely than Sheldon) as long as it's for "entertainment purposes only" as they say and not something they use to make important decisions.

 

[wyverary]

This can be a touchy subject for many. Let's make sure it remains respectful.

 

[113]

Edit.. this isn't a rant at you 113 btw, just my opinion.. and I don't like James Randi

No worries - I don't take differences of opinion personally. I was just answering the question in the title with a video that I found interesting, but I don't mean to start a debate.

Studies show that acupuncture can ease pain, and I've had it done before. Article:
Acupuncture Provides True Pain Relief in Study - NYTimes.com

The k is due to US spelling.

I think Randi calls himself an "investigator" rather than a debunker. I think he has said that he would like those things to exist, but just hasn't found any cases yet, despite his searching.

Sometimes the skeptic movement behaves like a raving mob with torches and pitchforks, so it's understandable why some people don't like that scene.

 

[AsheSkyler]

Martial artists or self defense instructors and acupuncturists use a lot of the same pressure points. At one point I was being taught where and how to hit points to bring on specific reactions, like forcing somebody to open their hand and let you go. It'd be fun to study again, but I think I'll get a big lifelike dummy and a Sharpie to practice my targeting. At the time they told us to practice no more than 10-15 minutes on each other because it would cause too much stress on the heart. I have no intention of testing that theory. Thankfully, a good acupuncturist will induce pleasure/relief instead of pain.

 

[Spiller]

No worries - I don't take differences of opinion personally. I was just answering the question in the title with a video that I found interesting, but I don't mean to start a debate.

Heh, I reread my post a little later and it seemed like it was directed at you personally 113, hence the apology.. You're right though, Randi does call himself an investigator, but in all the documentaries and articles I've seen, he seems, like some others in the field, to be biased against the possibility, even though there's no proof either way.
I've had acupuncture for back pain and hypnosis for low self esteem; I don't feel either were effective in my case, but I'd try them again. I also had Reiki during a severe depressive phase and that was incredibly effective.. I'm still stunned, years later at the difference 20 minutes of this made to my wellbeing; truly effective or psychosomatic? I've an open mind.. But, why don't James Randi, Susan Blackmore and co. try these things themselves?

Martial artists or self defense instructors and acupuncturists use a lot of the same pressure points. At one point I was being taught where and how to hit points to bring on specific reactions, like forcing somebody to open their hand and let you go. It'd be fun to study again, but I think I'll get a big lifelike dummy and a Sharpie to practice my targeting. At the time they told us to practice no more than 10-15 minutes on each other because it would cause too much stress on the heart. I have no intention of testing that theory. Thankfully, a good acupuncturist will induce pleasure/relief instead of pain.

AsheSkylar, if I ever have the pleasure of meeting you, I certainly wouldn't want to upset you!

 

[AsheSkyler]

AsheSkylar, if I ever have the pleasure of meeting you, I certainly wouldn't want to upset you!

Heehee, I'd be like that one higher-level black belt lady who was interviewed after a mugging.
"I hear you got mugged. Did you use any of your kung fu moves on him?"
"Like any proper lady, I thrashed him with my purse!"
If I carried a purse, that is.

 

[Spiller]

Heehee, I'd be like that one higher-level black belt lady who was interviewed after a mugging.
"I hear you got mugged. Did you use any of your kung fu moves on him?"
"Like any proper lady, I thrashed him with my purse!"
If I carried a purse, that is.

I have been on the receiving end of a kung-fu purse.. with possibly a brick in it, judging by the lump on my head later! I came across a toddler wandering along the street, knelt down and asked her where her mummy was.. and Bam! Angry mum behind me, getting ready for a second swing
So the moral is, if I see you with a purse, I'll be afraid.. very afraid!

 

[Tom]

I guess I am mostly a non-believer, I can't see any tangible evidence and that's an important aspect, but I have noticed a remarkable accuracy all along often when looking at the personality descriptions. So I sometimes find myself thinking in astrological terms, like I have actually absorbed a portion of it. Such as when the context comes up, I do think of myself as very Piscean.

 

[apt-get]

It's ********.

 

[StephF]

I believe its tripe. Utter b****cks. Thats what I believe but of course feel free to think different , thats your right.

 

[Ste11aeres]

Well, I'm no expert, and I don't like to write criticisms of things that I don't have a deep knowledge of-even if I do disagree with those things. That being said, the personality characteristics that I have heard astrology assigns to people born when I was born are completely different than my actual personality.