Astrology

[Joseph27]

Does your date of birth influence your basic characteristics?

I usent ever think so however now I am less scepitical. I am a cancerian - with scorpian rising - and piesies moon.  This according to a few books helps define a large part of my personality and for the most part it is accurate.  

Now if think about different friends who fit into a particular zodiac they seem to fit.  Some examples - Gemini females are usually very annoying - after you get to know them.  Librans females are to avoided and kept as distant friends.  Tauran females are nice -and fit well with me. (Please take this part lightly)

Now for all you who read this and are used to my normal posts you may find this bizarre - but i honestly would like to hear your feed back on what you think of astrology

[Fat Bob]

If astrology was correct, then 1/12th of the worlds poputlation would be with you in you characteristics. And even if you did start including all the other stuff from the various zodiacs (moon sign, throw in the chinese one as well), then there's still a lot of people who should have the same characterisitics as you.

On top of that, there are about 20 "perfect jobs" someone with my sign can have. They are all pretty vague, and guess what...I end up with a job that vaguely fits the description!!

Loads of rubbish, but like most superstitions and beliefs, then enjoy, and as long as it does no harm, continue!

[SoSo]

When in Hong Kong a few years ago we moved office and naturally had the Feng Shui done. Excellent guy - and appeared to help no end. He even told me to move my desk forward by 2cm. Utter bullsh*t I thought at the time, but did it just so as not to upset my chinese colleagues. It wasn't until 2 months later I found out why - if I left my desk where it was, I'd have had arguments with the treasurer. As it happens, up until that time I had been arguing the toss with the old b*gger. After moving my desk, they faded... No question of being fed that info.

We also had our personal forecasts given by this guy and his predictions at times were not only specific but also accurate. I have to say that I do have a lot of sympathy for the topic of Feng Shui and Astrology.

In terms of Fat Bob's suggestion that 1/12th of the world's population being "the same" - not quite. Time/place of birth is important and as Joseph said, what rising sign etc you have. I'd even go further and say that your parents signs and rising signs also have an influence, also the country of birth/upbringing. Astrological charts of countries can also be created.

However, if you talk about the stuff they put in newspapers - forget it... total fiction.

[hellame]

Hee...what's wrong with Libran women?  And fully 1/12 of the female population is too annoying to go around because they're gemini?  I reckon there are plenty of annoying women, but they cross the full zodiak spectrum.    Are you sure this isn't personal experience/hurt cloaked behind woo woo new age labels?

[Joseph27]

FatBob - not 1/12 - you are unique in your astrological chart - I'm talking about the silly ones in the back of a paper (unless they are written by John Cainer)

As for Gemini's - well yes I must admit it - bad experiences and i have a knack for generalising.

My View I dont know your chart - i hope i didnt offend

[Light Bulb]

What about Scorpios?  They always seem to have the worst reputations.

[KatyF]

I think I've mentioned before that I used to write horoscopes, which I was totally unqualified to do, but the money was good ...!  Still, I have to say that I'm a typical Virgo.  I think that there is something in it, but perhaps Joseph got it right when he was going on about Scorpio rising or whatever - alright, you can lump people into a 12th, but then you add the variations of this or that rising or setting, when you were born, etc and perhaps that explains why we're all a little different, but still fit vaguely into the profile.

[Joseph27]

(My view) and KatyF – I agree that most of it is crap – though it would be a fun job to make it up.  I only started paying a bit more attention because my younger sister is very into it and has done up my chart and it is okay by me.  Personally if it said I was going to die tomorrow I would ignore it – but generally it only says nice things so I don’t mind.  

As for Scorpions Light Bulb – goodness – they have a reputation and the deeds to warrant a reputation.  Personally as said I am a scorpion rising and it gives me a nasty streak and a very sharp tongue.  I'm just lucky i have the picies moon to keep me sweet at other time  

[bluemousemonkey]

Boo hoo ... why do Scorpios get such bad press? Richard Burton was one and that's good enough for me then. C'mon, they're not THAT scary - they just sometimes have a built in b***sh*t detector that won't let go.

[Velveau]

why don't you go and get your charts done at www.astroadvice.com  ? I found them to be pretty good there.

Usual disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with blah blah blah

[Sue C]

I like to read all the horoscopes in the paper and then pick which one will apply to me for that day...

[NewKid]

I think that all astrology is utter rubbish. It's only value is as a mildly amusing conversation topis.

Example - as a Virgo, does my personality match the "expected profile" of a Virgo.

I usually take a hardline stance on astrology (probably more so than reqd) because I come from a country where I see a lot of people who are blind believers in astrology. Including highly educated professionals. I have seen the damage that this blind belief can do, and am therefore vehemently opposed to it.

As long as people treat it as something amusing, but unimportant - fine.

But there is a real danger of greater numbers of people actually believeing in such "pseudo-science".
 

[nev]

I used to write horoscopes too, once a week for a newspaper. I did it because the other editord thought it was "degrading"   But it was fun. Of course I had no qualifications whatsoever, but somebody's gotta do it.

It's actually quite easy to write horoscopes. Just find something general but vaguely related to the starsign.

e.g. Aries: Not a good day for you, beware of moving vehicles (d'uh #1, but some people actually buy it!)

Taurus: Taurus are notorious for being flashy and overly generous at times. Don't spend more than you can earn. (d'uh #2, ever heard of "common sense"?)

Some astrologers are quite good though. I've met one that actually told me things that happened in my childhood, and foretold that my parents were going to get separated (they are now).

The scarier type of astrologers are those who actually have psychic powers. I have yet to meet one, but I'm keeping my eyes and mind open.  

[expat1]

Nev (and Joseph), sounds like you may be interested in reading some of Shirley MacLaine's books, e.g., Out on a Limb.  In one she describes meeting and having sessions with some kind of channeler that hypnotized her and then took her through some of her past lives.  Pretty cool!

[Joseph27]

Aparantly I was a priest in my last life.  My fiancee had a tragic accident in her last life.  I dont know how this is determined but like with most of this stuff i just shrug my shoulers and say ok.  Maybe there is destiny and my life is already defined but i dont really think so and i will conduct my life under the premise that i am responsible for my actions