The Fascination With Astrology - How Good

In the 1920's, there was a big sensation in the US. Two sisters had photographed fairies flying around flowers in their garden. It was an unbelievable event. The two gave interviews and talked stuff. It was after more than sixty years that one sister revealed the whole thing was a hoax. The fairies were made of paper. Nonetheless they captured public imagination. It was something different and unbelievable, but was revealed a hoax later. But thousands of paranormal and supernatural things remain the way they are- uncanny and unimaginable. No one has explanations. All the same, people love to know more and indulge in these pursuits.

Very often we have astrologers predicting events. Most people love the opportunity to get one's palm read by an astrologer. Believe the stuff or scoff at it. But the whole idea is fascinating to humans. Many people read the headlines of a newspaper later, but read their horoscope first. Astrologers and fortune tellers may talk in deceptive and ambiguous terms. Knowing the same, people flock to them.

Science and scientists try a lot. They never come up with satisfying explanations to paranormal and psychic stuff. Human beings are a curious lot. Issues with explanations satisfy them. But things with no explanations fascinate them. Take this one. Former US presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy - Kennedy's life was very nearly a copy of Lincoln's. Both became presidents after similar victories. Held office for nearly same number of days. Both were assassinated outside a theater near their car. The name of the killer was the same in both cases. These two incidents happened more than eighty years apart. Science does not have any explanation to this. People are intrigued by such happenings.

Human minds are adventurous. Always in search of thrills. No wonder, why horror movies are so popular. Everyone knows it's all make believe. People still get white with fear inside cinemas and dream of ghosts for next few days. Calling spirits of dead people has become an industry in Britain. You have Gypsy ladies peering in a psychic glass ball and calling spirits of the dead people you want to get in contact with. Forget the common man, British aristocracy has been known to visit them more than anyone else.

Science-fiction -a word that sums up the topic. All the science-fiction novels, movies is make-believe. Nothing is real but every thing's in a proper scientific way. Giant spaceships, alien landings, UFOs kidnapping people all happen in science fiction. Actually there's a group of people in US who claim to have been kidnapped by UFOs. They believe, they have had extra-terrestrial contact. What's true, what's not only time will tell. Now if there were a time machine to travel in the future like in the movies...

 CD Mohatta writes about different aspect of life- love, inspiration, pains, humanity, truth etc. He is currently a dedicated content writer for ecards, wallpapers and screensavers in http://www.screenenetwork.com websites. He writes text for ecards in http://www.valentinesday-cards.com and http://www.inspirationaldesktops.com

East meets west astrology: capricorn in relation to the chinese zodiac

Read how a Capricorn can be influenced by the year he was born under his Chinese zodiac sign. Information on two different astrological systems.

CAPRICORN THE GOAT (born December 22 to January 20): The Capricorn is a very pragmatic, down to earth, dependable individual. He can also be stingy, pessimistic and cold. He is not the most social of creatures, and generally has few friends. Though he may enjoy the company of a close friend or family, he needs equal time alone. He is not very aesthetically inclined, and tends to prefer function over form. If something works, he doesn't worry too much about how it looks, and no matter how well something works, if it isn't useful, he doesn't need it. He rarely has high ambitions- if he simply sees a need for something, he tries to fill it.

GOAT/RATS: Born in 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996. With the Rat's influence, the Goat is inclined to be a bit of a pack rat. He will always worry if he might need something, stash it away and refuse to part with it on the off chance he might get stuck without it some day. He particularly loves gadgets- he'll have a gadget to do just about anything you can think of. If he doesn't have it already, he wants it. He is more likely to give his romantic interest a blender than a bouquet of roses- to the Goat/Rat, the blender is a superior expression of love. The roses will only die in a few days, but the blender will be useful for years to come. Family is important to the Goat/Rat, and he prefers to live in a family in which everyone keeps to their assigned role and function.

GOAT/OX: Born in 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997. The Goat born in the year of the Ox may appear to others to be stuck in a rut. He is all about routines, and he hates to have to waver from his daily rituals. To the Goat/Ox, however, a rut is not only acceptable, but preferable. Don't expect a life of excitement if you want to become permanently involved with him. You can, however, expect a life of consistency and dependability. He has a hard time getting along with people because of his stubborn nature- it will be very difficult to make him vary from his chosen path.

GOAT/TIGER: Born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998. If there is any tedious, mundane task that needs to be tackled, call on the Goat/Tiger and he will take care of it. He works tirelessly. He may seem a bit quirky, as he will come up with creative solutions to solve his daily problems and use items in ways they were not intended to be used. He'll plant an herb garden in some old shoes he came across, or use a hair dryer to blow the leaves off his porch. The Tiger, who is creative and rebellious in his own right, will influence the Goat to fly in the face of convention. As long as something serves his purpose, he is happy with it.

GOAT/HARE: Born in 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999. The Goat/Hare is gentle, soft spoken and has the capacity to be very kind. However, don't irritate him, or he'll lash out at you and run away to brood. He won't invite many people into his life or home, but when he does he is a gracious host and will provide for all of your basic needs. He is not very judgmental- live and let live is his motto. As long as you are not bothering him, quite frankly, he doesn't care much what you do. He's a very cautious individual, particularly with his money. He will make sure his family's basic needs are met, but will not be tempted to spend on anything he sees as excessive.

GOAT/DRAGON: Born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000. The Goat/Dragon has a tendency to be gentle one moment, and harsh the next. This is because he cares deeply for his cherished friends and family, but will not coddle or indulge people. If he thinks you need to take your medicine, he'll give it to you straight, just as he takes it. Though he can be irrational at times, particularly when he wants his way, he is not petty. He is not one to play games, and expects to be treated with dignity. He will be straight-forward with you, and expect you to be the same with him.

GOAT/SNAKE: Born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001. The Goat/Snake is often socially withdrawn. When he finds himself with other people, he will be the observer rather than the participant. He will listen when you talk, but have few words of his own to say. He will watch you as you act, but rarely join in. It is hard to know what he is thinking or what he will make of a situation. He can be downright miserly with his money, and most people will think he is much more financially worse off than he is. He is not easily fooled. He is likely to be very superstitious, however, and will take old wives tales seriously.

GOAT/HORSE: Born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002. The influence of the Horse makes for a very perceptive Goat- nothing gets by him. He watches and observes everything, and if you are close to him he may share his insights. He likes to solve problems, for himself or for others, and feels it is his duty to go where he is needed. In his determination to solve it he will work around the clock until he is satisfied. Everything in the household is likely to revolve around him, and he probably won't notice that it does. The Horse/Goat is not as much a slave to routine as other Goats; he takes every moment, decides what needs to be done and proceeds with it, no matter what time it might be or what might be going on.

GOAT/SHEEP: Born in 1919,1931,1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003. The Sheep has a way of softening the Goat's commonly harsh ways. He is much more gentle, and much more flexible under the influence of the Sheep. He is often prone to depression, for he is sensitive and harbors insecurities. He doesn't come out and talk about things easily, he'll let them stew until you pry it out of him. Once he is able to get his problems off his chest, he'll feel better for a while. He will frequently bounce back and forth from optimism to pessimism, depending on how things are going for him. When the outlook is bright, he'll see only good; when things are bad, he'll expect them to just get worse.

GOAT/MONKEY: Born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004. The Goat/Monkey has a more playful nature. He'll always look for the fun in his daily work and as he goes about his routine. He'll try to draw you into the fun, particularly if you look like you need a good time. He is comfortable participating in social situations, though he won't often seek them out. Every now and then he likes to break the monotony and does something spontaneous, though it is short lived. He is willing to try new things, though he will quickly revert back to his old favorites. He has a good disposition and is not easily depressed.

GOAT/ROOSTER: Born in 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005. The Rooster teaches the Goat that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. With much self-control and self-discipline, he will work straight through to get the job done before he lets anything distract him. He is very direct, sometimes even thought to be rude, even though it is without mal intent. Even though he is practical by nature, the Rooster's love for things that are colorful and gay will rub off on the Goat, and he may have a collection or two of something frivolous. It will be his pride and joy and he will spend hours delighting in it.

GOAT/DOG: Born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006. For the Goat/Dog, his world is his home, and he loves it dearly. He will care for it, protect it, and want to make it as comfortable as possible for himself and his family. He is a good listener. You can tell him your innermost thoughts and know that your secrets will be safe with him. He is honest and trustworthy, the one all the neighbors leave their keys with when going out of town. He wouldn't even think of betraying a confidence- it's just not in his nature. He is very affectionate with his family for a Goat, and will enjoy rough-housing with his kids or just sitting by the fire with his spouse in a contented, mutual silence.

GOAT/BOAR: Born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007. The Goat/Boar is often a very plain, simple person. There is nothing extravagant that he wants or needs in his life. He takes pleasure in simple joys, such as a clean home or a job well done. He is behind the times- he doesn't adapt easily to new technology or drastic changes. He prefers to do things the old-fashioned way. He doesn't mind if it will take longer or be more work- he will take his time and do things his own way. He is quiet, polite, and somewhat naive (though he's nobody's fool).

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Compatibility, Love, and Astrology - More than just Sun Signs

When it comes to astrology and compatibility there is more to it than just the compatibility of the sun signs. When it comes to the relationship between two people there is of course much more that has to do with the success or the failure of their future than astrology. But for those people that follow astrology and the sun signs, looking at the sun charts can make for interesting comparison. There are many aspects to astrology that are much more complex that they first seem. Comparing charts can sometimes seem far more complicated than beneficial. However, there are some theories that can be simplified without the use of a chart.

When you first go to an astrologer there are several pieces of information that you're going to need to provide so that the astrologer will be able to get an accurate reading on you and your star sign personality. You'll need to have your exact date of birth, including the time that you were born. If you don't know that time you were born your chart won't be quite as precise and accurate as when you have this information. The time that you were born will give the astrologer information about your ascendant and descendant axis, as well as where you are in the house placements. When your time of birth information is missing your compatibility chart won't be very accurate. The other piece of information that you're going to need do provide is where you were born. You many wonder what your place of birth has to do with your sun sign and astrology. This bit of information is needed so that the chart can be as complete as possible.

Once the astrologer has finished your chart you'll have some idea as to what other astrology charts are compatible with you. This way when you meet someone you can find out what their sun sign is and see how well matched you are. Of course you should never take this too seriously, but you can however have a fun conversation over the dinner table about how compatible you are.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at www.best-in-astrology.com

Astrology: Fact Or Fiction

?So, what?s your sign?? More than just a corny pickup line, astrology in various forms, has been with mankind for a very long time. People from various countries and cultures, have often looked up to the stars for guidance. Million of people read their daily horoscopes, though most look at it as a mere form of entertainment. Other people genuinely take the art of astrology very seriously and think it is a valid medium with which to predict a person?s personality, as well as their immediate future (though most serious astrologers view magazine horoscopes as just being entertainment).

So where did it all get started? Around 3,500 years ago, the ancient Babylonians were attempting to correlate events that happened on earth (e.g. good crop yields, bad diseases) with things they noticed in the night sky. This was not the first time that this happened, either. Other ancient cultures, such as the Mayans and Aztecs, developed their own form of astrology too. Most of the astrology we see today, though, comes from India, Europe and China. All of it, though, is either deeply routed, or deeply influenced by Babylonian astrology.

Early astrologers simply correlated earthly events with celestial ones. It wasn?t until mathematical astronomy developed (which allows us to predict the movement of stars and planets), around 612-539 BC, that astrologers started to ?predict? the future. It was also around this time that the ?twelve? signs of the zodiac, were created. The oldest recorded horoscope dates back to April 29th 410 B.C. It comes from an old clay plate that was made for the birth of a Grecian man. The tablet is very similar to the natal horoscopes given out today. Even more similar, though, is the vague prediction given about the person. The parts of the tablet that have still survive, state:

??things will be good for you.?

Early Babylonian astrologers were called: Chaldeans. They would set up shops in cities, and offer their services to passersby. Interestingly, it wasn?t until they did this in Greece, that the concept of free will was entered into the equation. Ancient Greeks viewed these chaldeans as jokes, and their predictions to be patently false. They refused to believe that the stars themselves dictated their actions, and that they had no free will. Because of this, astrologers adopted the belief that the stars can only show ?possible pathways? through life. This turned out to be a greater boon for the chaldeans and future astrologers, than it did for the Greeks. Now astrologers had a viable excuse for why their predictions did not always come true.

Finally, we come to the most influential man in astrology: Claudius Ptolemeaus. Also known as Ptolemy, he wrote the book: Tetrabiblos. In it, Ptolemeaus attempted to consolidate all the various aspects of astrology at the time, into some sort of viable standard. Tetrabiblos is generally regarded as the modern astrological ?bible,? from which all western astrology derives.

Okay, so now we see where it all got started, but what?s with the surge in popularity? Astrology was on the downturn back in the 1600?s, as astronomy really took off. It wasn?t until the relatively recent events of World War I, that astrology really started to pick up again. So, why is it that in this day and age, with the knowledge available to most industrial and post-industrial nations, that astrology is so popular? Could it actually be a viable means of telling the future, or a person?s psychology?

So far, that answer is an emphatic NO, from the scientific community. Despite the fact that one Gallup poll found that an estimated 50% of Americans believe in astrology, there has been no scientifically valid evidence to back up this belief. On the contrary, there are quite a lot of counterexamples for it. In fact, there are so many counter-examples to the validity of astrology, that most scientists just dismiss it as a fun diversion. Still, for the sake of closure, a few such examples are given below.

For starters, we have the arbitrary nature of astronomical symbols themselves. All the traditional planets of our solar system (i.e. none of the recently discovered planetary candidates), were named after Roman gods. This assignment was completely arbitrary. There might have been some logic behind it (Mars is red, war has blood, etc.), but overall there is no real reason to think that just because Venus was named after the goddess of love, that it should hold any sway over one?s relationships. If the ?effects? of the planets on people, had any real relationship to the planets themselves, then Venus should be the ruler of bad gas, not love.

Other things to consider are the fact that many astrological terms, are holdovers from a time when the Earth was believed to be the center of the universe (geocentric). As such, astrologers still talk about cycles and epicycles. How many times has one heard an astrologer (or astrology minded individual) say that ?Mars is in retrograde.?

Then there is the fact that Uranus, Neptune and Pluto have only been discovered within the past 250 years. Many astrologers assert that astrological techniques have been accurate for numerous centuries. If planets affect people, then one cannot discount these three; which is to say nothing of the recently discovered ?10th planet.?

Another nail in the proverbial coffin is the mysterious omission of the 13th sign of the zodiac: Ophiuchus. This constellation falls along the ecliptic, and houses the sun during one month of the year (December). Yet modern astrologers choose to ignore the ?serpent bearer,? in favour of the 12 zodiac symbols. The reason, they cite, is the turbid history of the constellation. Ophiuchus lies in a spot in the sky, which once housed multiple constellations. This argument tends to fall apart, though, when one considers that the ancient Greeks, as well as ?father of modern astrology,? Claudius Ptolemeaus, both considered Ophiuchus to be a valid constellation. The more likely scenario seems to be that 12 zodiac symbols fit rather well with the 12 months in the Gregorian calendar. As such, the reason for the omission seems to be convenience and aesthetics, rather than any real problem with the constellation itself.

Two more examples of where astrology fails the test of validity include twin studies and the affect of precession. With twin studies, one sees how two people born at the same time and same place are able to lead lives completely different from each other, even though their astrological horoscope should work for both of them. The affect of precession is even more interesting.

As Earth spins through the universe, it ?wobbles? along its axis due to the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. This wobble can be compared to the wobble that we see when we spin a top. Even when the top spins very fast, one can still see it make a small circle on the area it is spinning. The Earth does something very similar to this. The geographic North Pole makes a 23.5◦ arc around, what?s known as, the ecliptic pole. This precession proceeds at a rate of 1◦ for every 180 years.

Because of this, the placement of the constellations in the night sky, no longer conforms to their position in the original tropical zodiac. Every zodiac symbol is now off by 1 month. So if one is born in the constellation Virgo, they are actually in the constellation Libra, and so on. There is a separate type of astrology called: Sidereal Astrology. It does take into account, the precession of the planet. It does this by deducting ~24◦ from the constellations. Both versions still suffer from the fact that the constellations themselves, are not of equal size, and thus, do not fit neatly into the 12, 30◦ ?slices? of the sky, that astrologers have assigned them to. As such, constellation overlap still occurs.

More examples include the affect of gravity (why worry about Saturn?s pull, when the moon?s pull is so much stronger!), to magnetic field affects (modern electronics produce magnetic fields much more powerful than Earth?s).

Astrology can be a fun and entertaining diversion for many, but one should always keep in mind that it is for entertainment purposes only.

"There is hardly an absurdity of the past that cannot be found flourishing somewhere in the present." - Will Durant

 The Iconoclast is a student at the University Of New Mexico and part of the web building team at http://www.gifteteria.com/.