Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions - James Randi [35]
The biggest rub of all, however, occurs with the all-important and most powerful of influences, the "birth-sign" designation. There are two general classes of astrology being followed today: "Sidereal" astrology and "Tropical" astrology. The first deals with the actual constellation in which the sun is located at the moment of birth. The second handles the sector, a 30-degree-wide slice of the zodiac. This division became necessary, you see, because constellations such as Virgo, which bulges beyond the confines of that allotted 30 degrees, and Libra, which occupies only half the allotted area, created a situation in which mythical figures were hanging over everywhere, and so someone had to "draw the line." Some constellations are barely within the traditional 16-degree-wide band of the zodiac, while the Man-Killing-a-Snake-or-Dragon (take your choice) is on the zodiac but not used. Ever hear of anyone born under the sign of Ophiuchus? Early Greek zodiacs were very awkward, with thirteen signs including the Pleiades, but the latter was dropped to make things neater.
In spite of the clumsy solutions to these problems in dividing the not-so-cooperative heavens, a glaring defect remains which is not generally known to the public. Were you born on August 7, for example? Astrologers tell us that this is smack dab in the middle of the sign of Leo, which extends from July 23 to August 22. Thus, one born on this happy day is certainly a classic Leo, correct? Wrong. You were actually born while the sun was in Cancer. Similarly, April 7, which is said to be a strong Aries, is actually in Pisces. Is something fishy becoming evident? Besides Pisces, that is?
As an amateur astronomer, I have long been aware that the mythological constellation figures are not really there at all. Lest this seem rather basic and evident, you should be aware that there are countless adherents of astrology with whom I have spoken over the years who believe that, given a clear night and a little instruction, they would be able to spot the main signs of the zodiac in the heavens easily. They are wrong. Reproduced here is a pair of astrologically significant signs as sketched out by the stars. One is a lion, the other is a crab. If you can find them in there, you're a Gunga Din; if you can even draw the line separating the two, you get points.
In any case, the stars in a constellation are very unlikely to be close to one another. They are nearly always widely separated, only appearing to be close in the same way that the windshield wiper on your car might appear to be wiping the car ahead or the traffic light two blocks away.
A book somewhat facetiously titled Astrology for Adults, and described as "a must" by the Fort Worth Press, contains numerous statements that reveal much about the tactics of those who push astrology. The following passage is typical of their Catch-22 technique:
Pisces is the sign of both the highest types and the dregs of humanity. Neptune, the deceptive planet... is also the planet of high ideals. Occasionally, you may find that one of your descriptions [obtained from your horoscope] does not seem to refer to you at all but may instead resemble a person or persons intimately in your life. Neptune in Gemini can give mental fantasies and confusion, or it can add the superlative qualities of genius to the mind. Pluto is the planet of crime and its opposite, that is, work for the benefit of all humanity. Saturn in Aquarius can cause accidents to the lower leg or ankles, cancer of the lymph glands or strokes... colds and dental troubles are the most common of Saturn's health defects.
From this and mountains of other evidence, it is apparent that, logically, astrology should not work. Couple this with