Proposed theories of astrology
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Contents |
[edit] Introduction
This article presents various theories of astrology as proposed through-out its long history. No attempt is made here to qualify or validate any of these views.
[edit] Process context
[edit] Proposed physical mechanisms
[edit] Addey
[edit] Harmonics in astrology
[edit] Brown
[edit] Gauquelin
[edit] Landscheidt
[edit] Nelson
[edit] Seymour
[edit] Astrology: The evidence of science
[edit] The scientific basis of astrology
In 1992 Dr. Percy Seymour, an Astronomer/Astrophysicist from Plymouth University, UK, published his book The Scientific Basis of Astrology ISBN 0-312-07795-5, in which he puts forth his theory of resonance as a possible explanation for the validity of astrology.
A brief quote from his book outlining his thesis:
- Planets effect the solar cycle in specific ways.
- The solar cycle affects the geomagnetic field.
- The geomagnetic field affects life on Earth in certain observed ways.
- Specifically, many species, including man, can be influenced by particular states of the geomagnetic field.
- The particular influences appear to correlate with the planetary positions.
- The behavior of the fetus at the time of birth is linked to the cycles 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.
Skeptics point out that Dr. Seymour is begging the question. He assumes astrology is valid and then attempts to propose mechanisms to explain this validity. Also, astrologers frequently interpret charts of inanimate things and intangible events, such as ships, disasters, the births of ideas, or the founding of nations. These charts do not involve any fetus or organ of receptivity and cannot be explained by mechanisms of magnetic resonances. The idea of electromagnetic influence does not rationally fit with astrological traditions.
