Astrology - some questions answered

In My Humble Opinion
1

This thread arose out of a thread asking if there were astrologers on the SDMB.
At least 3 posted, thus answering the thread question.

However there were some follow-up questions, so I thought I would place them here.
I know that some posters have dismissed astrology, but I don’t want that here. :frowning: (Start your own thread!)
Please could the Mods help keep the tone polite here. (I want information, not an argument.)

Please could any astrologers answer the following questions.
I would also be interested in a reading of myself! I suggest this be done by e-mail (my address is in my UserCP), on the understanding that I will later publish it here.

  1. What things can astrology tell you?

For example, I am entering an international chess tournament next month. Can you predict how I will do?
I also have the opportunity to make a financial investment. Can you help with this?
Will you be able to describe my personality and traits?

  1. How much information does an astrologer need for a reading?

I know my birthdate, birth time (within about 15 minutes) and birthplace (within a mile).
Do you need other facts and do you need to ask me any questions?

  1. How do astrologers learn to do it?

Are there books + training courses?
How long does it take before you start?
Are there advanced courses?

  1. Is there agreement between astrologers on what methods to use?

Is there more than one method?
If so, what are they called?
Have there been any changes in methods over time?

  1. What does a reading look like?

The easiest way to do this would be to read me!
Please contact me to arrange this. :cool:

2

You want information on astrology? In GQ? But you don’t want any negative comments?

You can’t have it both ways. You can ask astrologers how they defraud the public (or themselves), but you can’t get any answer for what things astrology tells you other than “fiction.”

3

If I asked “What is The trinity?” I could get a factual explanation of the doctrine without comment on whether that belief was true or false. Why should it be any different for astrology? I don’t see why the OP’s questions can’t be answered as asked, regardless of the truth or falsity of astrology.

4

I covered the distinction between his first question and the others.

5

Well, astrology claims to be able to tell you things. What are those things?

If I said “My cat’s piss can cure many diseases” You might wonder what diseases I’m claiming it can cure, even though you know it can’t really cure any diseases.

6

Except I don’t think there is any “doctrinal” authority in astrology with regard to such questions, even to the extent that there is with regards to the Trinity in Christianity. (Even so, such a question about the Trinity would be odds-on to end up in GD anyway.) I suspect that the answers to the OP’s questions are going to vary widely between astrologers. Essentially what is being sought are individual opinions rather than facts.

I think for now the best place for this is IMHO. We’ll see if it can stay there rather than GD or the Pit.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator

7

For the purposes of this thread only, assume that astrology exists.

So speaketh the Moderator.

8

Of course, it exists. It’s just useless, is all. :stuck_out_tongue:

9

I didn’t think I would have to add “No snarky comments”-People, this thread is for gathering information from astrologers and those who believe in astrology. Take the cheap shots elsewhere.

10

I’ll be gutsy and answer a few of these questions. I’m not an astrologer but many years ago I got interested and took a few classes. I’m not a “believer” as such (and I took it all with a huge grain of salt even back then), but I did find it a useful tool to explore myself a little – just giving me food for thought.

1- No. If they say they can, they’re lying or scammers. Good astrologers recognize that it’s a fluid art, and don’t claim to predict the future.
2- See #1.
3- Probably - but only you can determine whether what they tell you has any validity or value.

Birth date, time, and place are all you need. You can get your own chart done online with that information and they have automated readings. (Take with an even bigger grain of salt than with an experienced astrologer.)

There’s an astrologer here in Mpls that teaches classes, so I imagine they have classes in most cities. She teaches advanced classes, too.

Hell no. According to my teacher, half the fun of going to conferences was getting into debates about what it all means.

You’ll have to wait for one of the others on this one. I barely remember anything about it except huge generalities.

11

Thank you for your response.

12

My understanding is that astrology claims that the stars exercise an influence on the lives of humans, rather than being absolutely determinative. Thus, if you are going to enter a chess tournament, they could say that 'Mars is in the ascendant with Venus overriding Libra, therefore you will wage a good fight, but you will not win because of an injustice done to someone dear to you" or such like. (I made this up, obviously.)

The idea is that you will tend to do better than you would if Pisces were on the cusp (or whatever), because Mars is good in situations of conflict, but does not guarantee that you will win, because the rest of your horoscope exerts other influences. And other people could have been born when Mars was even more ascendant than it was for you, so they will do even better.

Regards,
Shodan

13

I must have misunderstood the board’s motto. My mistake.

14

glee is ignorant about the opinions of astrologers, he’s trying to change that. There’s no conflict with the motto of the board.

15

I’d said I’d contribute for entertainment purposes only. I’m not sure exactly how entertaining this is going to be, and some of what I say will be a repeat of what I said in the other thread.

  1. What things can astrology tell you?

No predictions, no financial help.
I could tell you something about the symbols in your birth chart, what they mean, how they are inter-related. You would have to tell me how you think they apply to you, if at all.

  1. How much information is needed for a reading?

Date, time and location. Some interpretations will ask for sex. (Some interpreters might, too, but ignore them. That is totally improper.) Seriously, some consider certain symbolism to be sex-dependent (e.g., Mars or Venus in man’s chart vs. in woman’s chart, moon symbolism which relates to the mother can have additional meaning if you ARE a mother as well as having one.)

I’d ask questions, yes. I set out my non-traditional take on this subject in the other thread.

  1. How do astrologers learn to do it?

There are books, there are courses, there is the web.
Do you mean how long before you can consider yourself “qualified”? Professional? I have no idea. I consider myself neither. I’m just an interested bystander, really.
There are whole institutions devoted to it.
A couple of psychological approaches, this one founded by Jungian psychoanalyst
Get an international diploma here!
University of Wales has a cultural/historical/anthropoligical take on the subject.
Foundation, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced studies available.
Named for “the last scientific astrologer.”
A state licensed vocational school.

  1. Is there agreement between astrologers?

No.
Different cultures have different traditions. Chinese astrology is not like Indian or Vedic astrology, which is different from Western astrology (generally considered to have Babylonian roots which spread to Greece/Egypt/Rome).
Western astrology is usually Tropical (based on the earth’s relationship to the sun). Some Western and all Vedic astrology is Sidereal (based on the stars/constellations relationship to the sun). I think Chinese astrology is lunar. I don’t know a heck of a lot about this.
There is also difference of opinion between astrologers within the same cultural tradition.
There have been changes in method, but I don’t know much about that, either.

  1. What does a reading look like?

Varies quite a bit. A reading can range from simple analysis of a birth chart, to horary (answers a specific question), elective or electional (identifies auspicious times), synastry and composite (comparison of two people’s charts and their interaction), geographical or locational (where’s a good place for me to vacation/work/find lurve/etc.) and probably other stuff. And each type of reading will vary with the individual who does the interpretation.

16

That’s not the objective of every forum. If you want a debate about astrology, start one in GD. If you want to condemn it, start a thread in the Pit. As has been said, gathering information is a legitimate function of this forum. Since that seems to be mostly what the OP is after, I moved it here.

17

Gee, thanks for being so unhelpful in the first post. :rolleyes: :smack:

In case you haven’t noticed, people don’t like to post about subjects where people like you promptly call them frauds.

What I want is to ask astrologers questions and get information. Like the thread title says.

**Of course ** I don’t want any negative comments here. You are welcome to start your own thread in the Pit if you want, but mine will undoubtedly have more information.

18

What part of my OP "I know that some posters have dismissed astrology, but I don’t want that here. " didn’t you understand? :confused:

I’m asking politely for information. Your ‘contribution’ is just useless, is all. :stuck_out_tongue: :stuck_out_tongue:

19

Thanks for that. :slight_smile:

20

Thanks for stepping in. :cool:

I have some follow-ups:

  • if astrology can’t make predictions, what specific questions can it answer?

  • what sort of questions would you ask in a reading?

  • going back to the chess event; can astrology tell me whether the timing is auspicious for me?