Astrology

[Tiberius]

*sighs in relief*

[Rhizomorph13]

Yeah, forgot about the PS. I thought everyone saw those as a joke. Ok, admittedly they are also used to express something really obvious, but the line was about belief in astrology.

Even if I DID believe in astrology what the hell is with the agressive 'tude? You've seen me listen to and then change my beliefs while being on here before, so why the hopped up post directed at me? It was fucked up dude! Have you been waiting to jump my shit about something or what? It wasn't my fault that Arcanus left you ok!

Rhizo

PS Don't think I won't unfriend your ass on Facebook! <---this is a joke I do not mean it, well, maybe I would, but not over one overly-agressive thread.

---

Oooo, Adrian. You got told

So, I read this, as you think I am a jackass? At least this time? I wasn't that rough or well spoken so, how should I interpret this?

Just wondering,
Rhizo

[fr0d0]

Didn't you request Adrian start a thread Rhiz *confused*

Not that I don't grant you freedom to change your mind... just it seems to be moving rapidly ...yeah I got the dig at me was a joke. Shame you won't defend astrology just a lil bit. you sure you couldn't pimp it just a smidge?

[Rhizomorph13]

I know it would bring great joy to many people if I were to gush about the virtues of astrology but that just isn't how I feel. The reason I said make a thread is, because I find astrology interesting, much like I find the FSM, the IPU(BBHH), Discordianism, Christianity, Mormonism, and a whole bunch of kooky beliefs that go can-canning through my head on a regular basis. No, I don't believe those either. although there are many interesting ideas related to all of them.

I have a friend who thinks literally everything in her life can be explained through her astrological chart. When someone goes that far, it bugs me badly. She also thinks she can talk to plants and comes from a place that doesn't have stinging nettles. She truely believes that if you tell the plant that you mean it no harm that it will not sting you. I about fell down laughing when the plant stung her. She was hot so I didn't argue with her, but I wanted to tell her that knives have a soul and if you cooed softly to them they wouldn't cut you.

One danger I have seen from astrology would be that people who believe in it use it to justify annoying character traits that are supported by their horoscope, i.e. I'm a Taurus, we are bull-headed so they manifest intransigence. I questioned your sanity when you said it could be dangerous but then thought about it a second and realized that it can be dangerous. I have only known a few people who take it really serious. There are many others who have a low-grade belief that shapes their day when they read their horoscopes in the newspaper.

Rhizo

[fr0d0]

Thanks for explaining that Rhiz. I'd agree with your sentiments there. Interesting point about condoning annoying character traits. Blimey I could almost consider playing devils advocate and defend the reality of evil... but I don't think I'll bother! Thanks again.

[Edwardo Piet]

Astrology? Fun? I don't see what on earth could be fun about astrology whatsoever?

Astrology? At all believable? Sadly yes, some people believe in it even though there's no known valid evidence whatsoever to support it

In all seriousness, this is all ultimately unknowable I believe as are all matters. So I'm going to say that I at least (and others who are with me) know of no evidence whatsoever of astrology('s claimed validity). And anyone who claims to have any valid evidence to conclude that astrology is in fact a valid science, if they can present the evidence, sure. If they actually can, genuinely do that, I'm welcome to it. I'd also be very very very very very very very surprised.

EvF

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

One of the amusing issues with the myth of the nativity. (tell this to a Christian it really irks them) :

The three wise men,called "The Magi" from whence comes the word magician.These were pagans,astrologers who had predicted the birth of someone special from reading the stars,not divine intervention or prophecy. The science of astronomy did no exist for over another 1000 years.

I was an amateur astrologer for about 10 years and cast dozens of charts.I kept written records of all my predictions. Some hits were of minor interest, but not outside chance . THERE'S THE RUB:IF astrology was a useful tool,astrologers would make specific predictions,giving a firm time frame.The predictions would be accurate more often than not. They don't and they're not so it isn't.


Astrology uses a geocentric system. The information used to cast charts comes from astronomical ephemerides,which give the actual position of the planets at the moment of birth.Some astrologers also use some fixed stars.The really creative ones use imaginary planets. The Rosicrucians talk about angels a lot.
Astrology was huge in the late C19 and early C20 all over the European world.This was the age of Spiritualism, Theosophy,the downright certifiable Rosicrucians and the Cottingley Fairies. Sadly,people seem to be no less gullible today..

Make no mistake,astrology DOES claim to predict the future.Not what 'MAY' happen but what WILL happen.

I have never seen any proof any any form of precognition,prophecy or fortune telling whatsoever. Further,if the future us available, it infers we live an a deterministic universe. I'm aware of no proof of such a claim, only a lot of speculation.

It's also interesting to compare and contrast the very different Hindu and Chinese systems and reading of astrology with 'ours'.

[tackattack]

Thanks for explaining that Rhiz. I'd agree with your sentiments there. Interesting point about condoning annoying character traits. Blimey I could almost consider playing devils advocate and defend the reality of evil... but I don't think I'll bother! Thanks again.

ooohooohh looks like a thread starter. Challenge.

[Tiberius]

Yeah, forgot about the PS. I thought everyone saw those as a joke. Ok, admittedly they are also used to express something really obvious, but the line was about belief in astrology.

No, I'm pretty everyone sees them as "postscript", i.e. something written after the post / letter to either add to a point made, or add something that was left out.

Even if I DID believe in astrology what the hell is with the agressive 'tude? You've seen me listen to and then change my beliefs while being on here before, so why the hopped up post directed at me? It was fucked up dude! Have you been waiting to jump my shit about something or what? It wasn't my fault that Arcanus left you ok!

Hey, I get angry when people I thought were rational turn out to believe in some irrational thing. I directed the post at you because you requested a new thread for discussing this.

P.S. I know it wasn't your fault, but I just miss him so much!!!

P.P.S. See? I know how to use postscript.

[TruthWorthy]

Generally speaking, when someone says they believe in astrology...they believe in astrology. Or they were making a joke that was a little less obvious than usual ones.

Having said that, in another post you call astrology "not an exact science" and liken it to psychology in that respect. Psychology is a proper science though. It is the study of the human mind (or any mind for that matter). Astrology is the study of how the planets and their movements affect human lives, and is complete bullshit since it fails to even account for how it can do that.

Within a social psychological context, astrology has some residual truth among it's followers through self fullfilling prophesy, influence, and shared experience.