Understanding Astrological Predictions

Opinions about astrological prediction are generally divided: "Mysterious! Magical!", say some; "Nonsense!", reply others. In fact, both views are based on a misunderstanding of the nature of how astrology really "works". In this article, I will use a story to show both the true value of astrological prediction, as well as its limits.

Let's imagine that a girl named Ellen goes to an astrologer, who, after studying Ellen's natal chart in relation to this month's planetary positions, tells her that next weekend she will meet a fine young man with whom she will begin a relationship. And that's exactly what happens. Ellen exclaims to Sue, a friend of hers: "It's magic! Everything happened just like my astrologer predicted!" Sue, impressed by this, makes an appointment with the same astrologer. In her session, she is told that yes, she will indeed find that job she's been looking for, and will have it by May. Sue, delighted, goes home and waits for a response from the company to which she had applied, yet May comes and goes, and she doesn't receive a call from them. "What a fool I was!", she remarks when she sees Ellen, "I should have known: astrology is nonsense!"

Which one of the two girls is correct in her opinion? One might say that they both are, since after all, astrology seems to have "worked" for Ellen, yet not for Sue. Yet I think it would be more correct to say, on the contrary, that neither girl was correct in her conclusion, since in each case, that conclusion was based on the acceptance of a faulty idea of astrology, that idea being one which many people, both "believers" as well as "sceptics" share: namely, that astrology indeed purports to be able to reliably predict what will happen in the future.

At this point, many readers, both the believers and the sceptics, will be disagreeing with me: "Well, astrology DOES INDEED claim to predict the future, doesn't it?", you may say. And you are right in a way: many astrologers do say that they can tell you what is awaiting you in the future. This is a claim which no "true believer" would ever dispute, and one that no self-respecting sceptic would fail to criticize, or even ridicule. Opinions on the subject thus would seem to be hopelessly polarized. The solution lies in distinguishing what many astrologers CLAIM from that which in fact astrology can really DO.

More than twenty-five years of experience as an astrologer has convinced me that

• astrology cannot make precise predictions about your future

• astrology can indeed reveal the tendencies of your future

And what is the difference? Well, if an astrologer tells you that next Tuesday you will be walking down the street, and will accidently trip and fall, breaking your left wrist as it cracks against a fire hydrant, that would be a pretty precise prediction, wouldn't it? But no astrologer I've ever known makes predictions of such a nature. More likely, an astrologer would say: "There is danger of an accident next Tuesday; try to be more careful than usual!" This is not a precise prediction, but a statement, based on astrological techniques, about an increased probability of a certain type of event occurring. This is the real strength of astrology: not to tell you what is going to happen (since that is beyond its capabilities), but to inform you about the probabilities of certain types of events happening.

Those of you who may be seeking to know just what's going to happen in the future might be disappointed by that last sentence, though you shouldn't be. After all, if the future were totally predetermined, and if it were possible to predict future events exactly, what would be the point? If something unpleasant were predicted for you, you'd have to be living in constant dread, and if a positive event were foretold, you might just sit back smugly and wait for it to happen, and would thus be robbed of that sudden, wonderful sense of amazement that you would have felt if you hadn't known it was going to happen!

The true value of predictive astrology is to show you the probabilities so that you may take full advantage of the fortunate times in order to fully prosper, and take special care during the more unfortunate periods, and thus have a better chance of avoiding mishaps, overcoming negative thoughts, making the best out of unpleasant situations, etc.

Using astrology to find out when to expect the "ups and downs" of life will not only give you concrete advantages in many situations, but above all, it can help you achieve a greater understanding of the intimate relationship which exists between our lives and the cosmic forces which are continually shaping them.

About The Author

David Bolton, astrologer, harpsichordist and language teacher, is co-creator of "Omnicycles" astrology software, that creates personal graphs showing the future trends for many areas of your life. Get your free demo at: http://www.omnicycles.com

omnicycles@omnicycles.com

---

Crazy Horse

My ancestry includes Colonel Miles (or Myles) Keough (or Keogh) through a relationship that apparently was not formalized with a lady who attended his grave, in a story made famous by many books... Read More

Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 3

Our Self is the true center of our being and the place from which our individual truth emanates. It's where we can come to know our passions, our place in the world, our... Read More

African Masks The Art of Creation

With western eyes we tend to view a tribal mask as a piece of fantastic sculpture. It is a decorative object to be displayed and enjoyed as a work of art. A piece... Read More

Elvis Presley, Lifting Off

He seems to live forever. A network television movie about his life is scheduled for 2005.Three years ago,in 2002, the month of August was set aside for him. He was everywhere, as if... Read More

Jewelry Making for Fun and Profit

There is an old adage that says work isn't really work if you enjoy what you're doing. If one of your hobbies is jewelry making, why not turn this activity into a source... Read More

In Seach Of Heroes - Matrimonial Heroes (Part One)

Just as our arrival at destination is tied to the supply of fuel, even if we are travelling by a perfectly functioning vehicle, so are our destinies tied to the Heroes in our... Read More

Mars, the Mighty and Marvelous

Martius, the month of March, is named after him. So is the fourth planet from the sun and a bar of chocolate, but we know him mainly as the god of war.If you... Read More

Native American Astrology: The Hawk (March 21 - April 19)

The Hawk is the first sign of the Native American astrology, it heralds spring and the end of winter. If you are born under this sign, you were born at the "Time of... Read More

Arthur Koestler

ARTHUR KOESTLER:Humanitarian, historian and scientist are just a few of the labels associated with this most excellent man of letters. Here is a quote from his book The Act of Creation."The oldest and... Read More

Mexican Living: Myth Busting

Myth One: Mexicans are lazy, good-for-nothings.I mention this one first because it is one of the vilest myths and an excellent example of Americans' xenophobic stereotyping. The idea that Mexicans spend their lives... Read More

Creating a Virtual Art Gallery

To the online artist, it might seem a paradox, at first glance, to hear a recommendation to hold back work. The artist on the Internet often overproduces and displays their entire body of... Read More

A Billion Cheers At 40: Lets Celebrate Mummy Jessy

Ooh the depth of literary riches, how terrific they are! In less than 40 hours time, our sister- J. K. Rowling would roll into her 40th birthday anniversary (on the 31st July). While... Read More

Bad Mouthing Fellow Authors

The creative mind is a gift to humanity; but unfortunately it comes with some baggage. We often find people who are creative also have negative and self-defeating personal character flaws. I recently had... Read More

Medieval Siege Weaponry: Castle Walls Beware

Medieval siege weaponry was required in any self-respecting war leader's arsenal in a time when castles with thick defense walls were common and cities surrounded by large, fortified walls were not out of... Read More

Moissanite Earrings, The Modern Brazilian Beetle

The history of earrings is a varied history indeed. And the latest in the long line of female body adornments known as earrings are Moissanite earrings. Moissanite is taking the jewelry world by... Read More

Working With The Generations

For the first time in history, there are four generations in the work force. Although this is an exciting time, it is not without challenges. Working with the generations requires patience and understanding.... Read More

Copper Keels and Red Ochre

Copper Keels:Nature provides varying resources in different parts of the world. In Ireland the use of leather in boat-building made sense. Leather craft going underwater led to glass or other submersibles to reach... Read More

How to Make Your Civil War Uniform Shirt

Your own shirt designed and made by you for your own Civil War Uniform Impression is easy and economical. Follow these simple directions, and your Civil War uniform shirt will be exactly how... Read More

A Look at the Heart of American Beauty

Sam Mendes' darkly comic portrayal of suburbia in his first movie, American Beauty (1999) takes a hard look at what happens when you've accomplished the American Dream only to realize that it isn't... Read More

The New Age Movement

New Age - A Paradigm Shift to Divine Consciousness & a Universal PhilosophyThe New Age Movement (NAM) is a revival of spiritual and divine values and can be called as a Divine Regeneration... Read More

Timbuktu and Brotherhood Too

Juba II in America:Ahmed Osman tells us about the destruction of all knowledge around the end of the 4th Century Ad as a result of Roman edicts and the desire to make people... Read More

OM to Ogham

Plato observed that the advent of an alphabet making writing efficient for average people actually lead to less knowledge or disciplined communication. We need not blame the Phoenicians for this because people really... Read More

The Trickster of Folklore

Folklore includes a traditional trickster figure, the subject of many stories in a cycle. Trickster tales are in the animal tales genre, with the trickster himself -- he seems always to be male... Read More

How I lost A million Dollars In A Bank Robbery

The Million dollars was my life-savings earmarked for prime the pump money for my biotech start-up. I am the Gerald Armstrong the owner of Gen Cells Cures?Gen Cells Cures is focused on private... Read More

What About Those Pyramids?

'Mr. Rhodes aspired to be the creator of one of those vast semi-religious, quasi-political associations which, like the Jesuits have played so large a part in the history of the world. To be... Read More

History of the Royal Barges - a Timeless Tradition

The history of the royal barges dates back to the Sukhothai era in the 13th century when the first royal barges were reportedly seen. The barges were originally troop carriers at a time... Read More

She Wrote the Book on Fakin It

She brought the guitar into vogue. She created the first "fake" books designed for regular folks who didn't want to or were unable to invest the time and effort to master the guitar.... Read More

Precious Stones The Big Five-Part 5 The Pearl

Since pearls are so rare and possess such a high degree of natural beauty, they have been considered to be among the most splendid of gems for many centuries.The people of India and... Read More

Smart Art Investments - Buy What You Love!

Collecting art can be one of the most enjoyable ways to spend your money. But a painting can provide you with more than just viewing pleasure. It can be a financial investment. This... Read More