Astrology: Source of Hope or Silly Hoax?

By Ian Hackmann, 12.6.06

With the New Year approaching, shoppers see the annual plethora of horoscopes and tabloids near checkout counters. Each boasts the answers to next year’s dilemmas. Shoppers may even be encouraged to call 1-900 numbers to get their personal futures foretold. But as some people turn to the stars for answers, scientists reject the validity of astrological readings.

“The first thing you must understand is that astronomy is vastly different than astrology,” said Rachel Peters, a member of the astronomy club and the University of California at Davis. “People unfortunately get the two confused. Astronomy is based on evidence, testable theories, and peer review. Astrology is bunk.”

Peters said that if people knew the basis of astrology, the practice would disappear.

“When I was younger, I didn’t know there was a difference between astronomy and astrology,” Peters said. “But the astrology charts which the signs of the zodiac are based on are horrendously wrong. Any amateur astronomer could point out the errors. If the basis of your practice is wrong, then how can you make accurate predictions?”

Gretchen Bronson of Washington D.C. seeks astrological consultations on a regular basis. She believes true astrological readers can accurately predict the future by studying the stars.

“I wouldn’t trust the stuff you can buy at the supermarket. They’re not true readers” Bronson said. “Anyone can make up stuff and write it down.”

Bronson said true astrology readers possess a special gift. Bronson said she believes each person is different and the stars are a guide, not a true foretelling.

“Astrology readers get to know you and what specifically separates you from everyone else,” Bronson said. “With the information you give them, they can then read where you fit in this universe and what the stars have in store for you.”

Bronson said she trusts astrological readers because they have been accurate in the past, but it is important though to remember they are only guides.

“Ever since my mother took me to my first guide I’ve considered them reliable,” Bronson said. “The guide told me what was going to happen and it did. But I was the one who made the decision as to what I was going to do about it.”

Not everyone is a supporter of astrology. Stacie Cruden of Washington D.C. used to believe in astrology. Cruden now believes that astrology is a fraud.

“I used to waste my time and money on astrologers,” Cruden said. “I wanted answers, but I was looking in the wrong place.”

Cruden said she changed her mind after a severe crisis in her life.

“Before I got married, both astrologers I went to told me he was the perfect man for me,” Cruden said. “He ended up being an abusive, cheating jerk.”

Cruden said that is when she began looking for answers from other sources.

“I didn’t want to look toward religion,” Cruden said. “But I figured it couldn’t be any worse than astrology. It was during that search that I found Jesus. He hasn’t let me down yet.”

While astrology may have no scientific basis, Cruden believes a desire for hope keeps the practice alive.

“People want to hear what they want to hear. People want hope,” Cruden said. “If an astrologer tells them everything is going to be grand, then they’re going to accept it as true. I never had an astrologer tell me there were horrible things in my future and there was nothing I could do about it.”