Astrological Evidence?

There are an interesting relationships between solar cycles and planetary cycles, and there are many other solar cycles besides the daily and yearly cycles. Here is a site that shows the correlations between 11 year sun spot cycle and human activity. Here is a paper from a medical journal looking at various causes of moodiness including solar and lunar cycles. Here is a review of a book about astrology written by an astrophycisist (Dr. Percy Seymour). The reviewer quoted the author describing a theory of how astrology could be explained:
[P.263]“It is now accepted by almost all scientists that the sunspot cycle effects the magnetic field of Earth, and the agency responsible for this effect, the solar wind, has been detected. It is also beyond doubt that the moon causes tides in the upper atmosphere which give rise to electric currents, and these generate the lunar daily magnetic variation. There is also plenty of evidence that both the steady state as well as the fluctuating behavior of the geomagnetic field can be used by organisms, including man, for purposes of finding direction and keeping internal body time. This much is all well documented, and widely accepted.
There is evidence, largely ignored, that positions and movements of planets as seen from the sun, play a major role in the solar cycle. Furthermore, there is some evidence – highly controversial but difficult to dismiss – that some positions of the planets as seen from Earth at time of birth and linked to personality characteristics of individuals. [Gauquelin]
This evidence exists. What my theory does is to prepare an interpretation, based on this evidence, which can be scientifically tested. Very briefly the steps are:
within the geomagnetic field, which in turn are influenced by the solar cycle and positions of the planets. Resonance is the phenomenon by which the fetus is phase locked to specific cycles.
To put this in more specific terms, my theory proposes that the planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune control the direction of the convective motions within the Sun, which generate the solar magnetic field. They do so because they play the major role in moving the sun about the common center of mass of the solar system. As the solar cycle builds up to a maximum, so certain configurations of all the planets, at different stages, play a part in the disrupting the magnetic field of the sun, by means of the tidal tug (due to gravitation) of the planets on the hot gases in the Sun.
Thus the planets play a role in the modulation of Earth’s magnetic field by the solar wind. I am also proposing that the tidal tug of the planets on the hot gases trapped within our magnetosphere will, because of resonance, lock some of the vibrations of the Earth’s field in step with the planetary movements. The resulting fluctuations of Earth’s field are picked up by the nervous system of the fetus, which acts like an antenna, and these synchronize the internal biological clocks of the fetus which control the moment of birth. The tuning of the fetal magnetic antenna is carried on by the genes which it inherits, and these to some extent will determine its basic genetically inherited personality characteristics. Thus the positions of the planets at birth are not altering what we have inherited genetically but are labeling our basic inherited personality characteristics.”
The reviewer also quotes the author’s opinion about Michel Gauquelin:
“Battling with heroic courage and tenacity against the immense scientific prejudice and hostility of his colleagues in the scientific community, he was able to conclusively demonstrate, through repeated and stringently controlled experiments, that, as the ancients had believed, outstanding individuals in different professions tend to be born at times when appropriate planets were close to the horizon or the meridian.
He was able to show that top military men, athletes, and entrepreneurs tend to be born “under Mars”, while scientists favor Saturn, poets and politicians favor the Moon, and actors Jupiter. He was able to show that the more outstanding the individual the more likely appropriate planets would be prominent. He went on to demonstrate that, in the case of natural births, children tend to be born with the same planets prominent in the sky at birth as their parents.”
Michel Gauquelin’s research on the Mar’s effect came up in the commentary of one blog here on Gaia. Julian blogged about the forer effect in astrology (here), and the discussion that followed was fairly interesting.
A while back, I looked into lunar cycles and found some intereting articles:
The lunar cycle: effects on human and animal behavior and physiology
Lunar Cycles and Menstrual Cycles
The Wikipedia entry on the Lunar Effect has this to say:
The notion behind the lunar effect has fascinated many behavioralists and warranted many experiments and studies. Most experiments, however, have found no correlation between the variables and, thus, refuted the theory.
There are some studies which have results the researchers claimed supported the theory. For example, a study concluded that schizophrenic patients show signs of deterioration, in terms of quality of life and mental well-being, during the time of a full moon.[2] Some researchers have claimed that there were strong positive correlations between physiological changes such as induced seizures in epileptic and non-epileptic people and the full moon period in studies they conducted. One study concluded that a statistically significant correlations for gastrointestinal bleeding among males in particular during this time.[3] However, most of these findings are based on small-scale research.
On the other hand, the majority of scientific research seems to refute the theory of the lunar effect. Psychologist Ivan Kelly of the University of Saskatchewan (with James Rotton and Roger Culver) did a meta-analysis of thirty-seven studies that examined relationships between the moon’s four phases and human behavior. The meta-analysis revealed no correlation. They also checked twenty-three studies that had claimed to show correlation, and nearly half of these contained at least one statistical error.[4] Kelly, Ronnie Martins, and Donald Saklofske evaluated twenty-one studies of births related to the phase of the moon and found no correlation. The scientific data “supports the view that there is no causal relationship between lunar phenomena and human behavior”.[4] (Diefendorf 2007:113)
A study of 4,190 suicides in Sacramento County over a 58-year period showed no correlation to the phase of the moon. A 1992 paper by Martens, Kelly, and Saklofske reviewed twenty studies examining correlations between Moon phase and suicides. Most of the twenty studies found no correlation and the ones that did report positive results were inconsistent with each other.[4]
Psychologist Arnold Lieber of the University of Miami reported a correlation of homicides in Dade County to moon phase, but later analysis of the data – including that by astronomer George Abell – did not support Lieber’s conclusions. Kelly, Rotton, and Culver point out that Lieber and Carolyn Sherin used inappropriate and misleading statistical procedures. When more appropriate tests were done, no correlation between homicides and the phase of the moon was found.
Astronomer Daniel Caton analyzed 70,000,000 birth records from the National Center for Health Statistics, and no correlation between births and moon phase was found. Kelly, Rotton, and Culver report that Caton examined 45,000,000 births and found a weak peak around the third quarter phase of the Moon, while the full moon and new moon phases had an average or slightly below average birth rate.
In 1959 Walter and Abraham Menaker reported that a study of over 510,000 births in New York City showed a 1 percent increase in births in the two weeks after full moon. In 1967 Walter Menaker studied another 500,000 births in New York City, and this time he found a 1 percent increase in births in the two-week period centered on the full moon. In 1973 M. Osley, D. Summerville, and L. B. Borst studied another 500,000 births in New York City, and they reported a 1 percent increase in births before the full moon. In 1957 Rippmann analyzed 9,551 births in Danville, PA and found no correlation between the birth rate and the phase of the moon [5]
A fifteen month study in Jacksonville, Florida also revealed at least no lunar effect on crime and hospital room admittance. In particular:
- There was no increase in crime on full moons, according to a statistical analysis by the Jacksonville Police Department. Five of the fifteen full moons had a higher than average rate of crime while ten full moons had a lower than average rate. The higher-than-average days were during warmer months.
- Statistical analysis of visits to Shands Hospital emergency room showed no full moon effect. Emergency room admissions consistently have more to do with the day of the week. [6]
Here is a website about cycles in general. It covers every type of cycle including astronomical and astrological.
Domi333 said
i’ve been trying to read about vedic and chinese astrology, i find that they’re a lot more complicated and interesting, in fact i was told vedic astrology is studied for four or five years at indian universities…anyways…
one really big thing about astrology and prophecies, knowing them beforehand or believing them can reproduce their emotions in you…unless it’s something that was really accurate and was unknown and then fulfilled or was very accurate, it’s hard to know it actually works… then you’d wonder if it was that or that the person doing the analysis was really a telepath in disguise?? Dom
Marmalade said
Hey Dom – I’m aware of other astrology systems, but I’ve never read much about them. Vedic astrology seemed interesting because, unlike Western astrology, it has remained closer to actual astronomical observations. Supposedly, Western astrology has become out of alignment with the actual constellations in the sky.
The other two points you made are on the mark. Julian’s blog was about the forer effect. We tend to interpret things according to our expectations. And when you mention telepathy, you’re touching upon the challenge of all paranormal research. How do scientists study something that if true undermines the scientific method? However, astrology is easier to scientifically study than most other “paranormal” hypotheses. Even so, its in the same boat with parapsychology research because no institution is going to give much if any funding to this kind of research.
Domi333 said
yes, vedic astronomy looks at lunar and zodiac phases, it has shifted with the ecliptic movement(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_astrology#R.C4.81shi_.E2.80.93_the_signs_.28zodiac.29) unlike the western calendar…
yes, telepathy is one of those parascientific notions(i told you about my friend’s dream on the train right?), i’m hoping it’ll be properly understood soon, have you read karl pribram’s theory on consciousness and the holographic universe? they tie into this a lot…
Dom
Centria said
I simply can’t believe the amount of research and attention you put into writing your blogs and comments on the pods. You have an awesome mind….the way you think and explore and dig deep.
The word around the lake is that you’re not suppose to go fishing during the full moon. My husband says that tends to be true in winter during ice fishing but not in summer. I’ve tended to think the whole theory may have some small basis in fact, but in the overall scheme some people catch fish during the full moon and some don’t.
Interesting research behind these sun & moon theories… Thanks, Ben
Marmalade said
Hi Centria,
I do dig deep sometimes. Every now and then, something catches my attention and then I can’t let it go until I’ve at least given it a thorough looking over. I didn’t intend research this subject as I did, but someone mentioned it and one thing led to another.
I’ve heard of lots of folklore about solar and lunar cycles, and I’m sure some of them are based in real observations. There is folklore about when to plant, prune, and pick; and science has shown that plants are influenced by certain astrological cycles. The fullmoon fishing theory seems more straightforward. When the moon is full, there might be more insects out and/or the fish can see the insects better.
Marmalade said
Dom, I can’t remember if you told me about your friend’s train dream. Would you mind telling it again? And I haven’t read anything by Pribram. When I have the time, I’ll do a websearch about his ideas.
Domi333 said
http://domdom.gaia.com/blog/2008/6/consciousness_pt_2#comments
you commented there…
karl pribram’s theory is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holonomic_brain_theory
there.
1Vector3 said
Karl Pribram is a good man, a good thinker. My path and his intersected decades ago when I was a student and he a teacher.
In case anyone is interested, Ken Wilber ponders astrology and the evidence in One Taste, (Tuesday July 29 entry) Shambala paperback pages 163-168, including Gauquelin’s research.
Solar influences include sunspot cycles, someone was telling me really interesting stuff recently which I don’t remember enough to repeat.
FWIW.
Blessings, OM Bastet
Marmalade said
OM – Thanks for mentioning that passage from One Taste. I’ll check it out.
Centria said
I LOVED the book One Taste. Definitely check it out, Mr. Marmalade.
– – –
Further discussion:
Re: Astrological Evidence?
Nicole said Aug 4, 2008, 4:46 AM:
peace
nicole
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Re: Astrological Evidence?
Marmalade said Aug 4, 2008, 1:50 PM:
Basically, its the same kind of thing as parapsychology research. Like parapsychology, if astrology is ever “proved” to mainstream scientists, it will most likely happen through physics. But it might never be proved for all that I know. Anyways, such research is useful for science in general as it helps scientists to clarify how research methods can be improved.
Blessings,
Marmalade
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Re: Astrological Evidence?
Mr. said Aug 7, 2008, 11:45 PM:
I also recall a computer program I had about 15 years ago, I believe it was called biorythum. It used astrology and predicted biorythums of people on a given date based on the position of the planets on that day, I remember using it to see what days my girlfriend or my boss had incompatible biorythums with me so I could be sure to be careful in my interactions (if any) with them on those days.
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Re: Astrological Evidence?
Marmalade said Aug 11, 2008, 11:39 AM:
Blessings,
Marmalade
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Re: Astrological Evidence?
Sherrilene said Aug 8, 2008, 12:07 AM:
Some noted astrologers out of the UK are primary reference points for me. They are Jonathan Cainer, astrologer to the royal family and more recently Steve Judd.
As a test, why don’t you look at their predictions and see if they have relevance to your life at present.
For Steve Judd I chose a more long range one and I am pleasantly watching to see how it will turn out. These guys have been doing this successfully for years!
There is a great guy on GAIA called Christopher Witecki who is a stand-up Astrologer. He does Soul Horoscopes 😀 Check his most recent forecast and again see if it made sense of your day yesterday.
To put it simple, I don’t even listen to the weather news anymore, it’s quite predictable, isn’t it? But the big stuff! Now that’s quite interesting!
The proof of the pudding is in the eating!
Do take care. sherri
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Re: Astrological Evidence?
Nicole said Aug 11, 2008, 4:19 AM:
Love and light,
Nicole
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Re: Astrological Evidence?
Marmalade said Aug 11, 2008, 11:55 AM:
How have you been including all of this in your activities?
I’ve only studied it off and on, but never enough to try to apply it. I don’t require proof either for my personal practices. In this case, I was looking at the proof merely out of curiousity. On the personal level, I’ve had a hard time connecting with astrology except on the archetypal level.
I became more interested in astrology a few years ago when I came across Tarnas’ book Cosmos and Psyche and Goddard’s online book Transpersonal Theory and the Astrological Mandala. Tarnas looks at historical cycles in terms of astrology which made both astrology and history more interesting. Goddard included Tarnas’ view and put it into a larger transpersonal/integral context. Also, Goddard was looking at how the archetypal patterns structure not only socio-historical cycles but also personal experience.
Still, its hard to apply these theories to one’s everyday life. As time permits, I’ll look more into the personal side of astrology… such as with the astrologers you mentioned. I’m definitely open to testing what others say in my own experience.
Thanks for the offer of pudding. It looks delicious! 🙂
Blessings,
Marmalade
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Re: Astrological Evidence?
Eli said Aug 17, 2008, 8:29 AM:
Quote “Obviously, the solar cycle influences us quite a bit such as with Season Affective Disorder, but the complication for astrology is that the seasons are opposite for Earth’s hemispheres. So, why should there be the same effect for someone born in winter as for someone born in summer on the other side of the planet? ” Unquote
When one casts the horoscope of a person, in addition to the “time of birth” two other factors determine how the horoscope would look like. These are the Latitude and the longitude of the place of birth.
We all know that the horoscope is divided into 12 Houses, the cusp of the first house is commonly known as the Ascendant.
(If one was following the “stellar astrology system” the horoscope would be further subdivided into 13 degree 20 mins each, thus making a total of 27 divisions, instead of the more commonly used 12 divisions)
Assuming that a person was born at 12 noon LMT at a certain place, the horoscope of this person will have the Sun’s position placed at the cusp of the 10th house. On the other hand, another person, born at the same time, at exactly opposite side of earth, will have the Sun posited at the cusp of the 4th house.
Much of the astrological reading depends on the house position of the planets in a given horoscope and the sign owner of the particular house.
Because of the complete change in the ascendant and the house cusps, the occupancy of the planets in houses would be totally different for these two persons, inspite of being born at the same time.
Assuming that the Sun was in the Sign Libra at that time, one person will have Libra as 10th house cusp, with the Sun in 10th house, while the other would have Libra as the 4th house cusp with the Sun in the4th house.
Other planetary occupancy would change similarly (for example if the Saturn was posited in the sign Virgo at that time, in one case Saturn would occupy 9th house while in the other it would occupy the 3rd house)
The Ascendant also plays a very Important part in Astrological readings. Please note that the Ascendant would change with the Place of birth, for the same time of birth.
Hence the Astrological readings of two persons born at the same time, but on opposite sides of earth would differ radically.
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Re: Astrological Evidence?
Nicole said Aug 17, 2008, 8:35 AM:
Love,
Nicole