Have you heard? It's in the stars, next July we collide with Mars...

January 1, 2004 9:35 AM

A better 2004? A mixed look at what Indian and Chinese astrologers see for the new year. We're soon to move into the Chinese year of the monkey, a symbol of revolution, movement and changes... a year of more conflict and disharmony in international relationship but there are good chances of seeing new light and brighter future after struggles.
But on the brighter(ish) side, Stargazers agree that the coming 12 months cannot fare much worse than the seesaw ride that the world went through in 2003, dogged by war in Iraq, fluctuating financial markets and mysterious diseases.
posted by amberglow (16 comments total)

Perhaps I'm just cheesed off for being a goat - a chèvre cheese in fact - but it's pretty difficult to believe that everyone born during a whole year shares fundamental characteristics. At least "Western" astrology makes some pretence about the shifting positions of the planets and stars in every passing minute.

But then I think of the baby boomers, very much alike the world over despite sharing more than a decade, and I wonder whether, in fact, Chinese astrology is too precise!

Oh and another thing, amberglow, which you may be able to answer: why is it that astrology is supposed to be a frowned-upon superstition in Judaism (idolatry even!) and yet my (Orthodox, Sephardi) Rabbi is always mentioning the star signs when he mentions the Jewish calendar?
posted by MiguelCardoso at 10:04 AM on January 1, 2004

"Year of the monkey" eh?

I guess it's settled then... George W Bush is going to get re-elected to the White House.
posted by madman at 10:48 AM on January 1, 2004

Miguel, this says it's not odolatry, but that we're not supposed to pay attention to things like that, because they take away our freedom of choice.

and madman, I was hoping to find clues about the election too.
posted by amberglow at 10:56 AM on January 1, 2004

OU.org - that's not convincing, amberglow. That's downright definitive! Thanks!

*starts flipping through the yellow pages looking for Madam Maruschka*
posted by MiguelCardoso at 11:08 AM on January 1, 2004

It is always possible to define one's fate, by choosing behavior which is guided by morality and integrity, within the parameters - intellectual and emotional, physical and spiritual, which a person is given to work with.

A fine thought to start of a new year with (from amberglow's link...)
posted by weston at 1:20 PM on January 1, 2004

Yawn. It's time to look at my daily astrological sign. Nice! It tells me what I want to hear, and then gives me a muddy warning. I have to believe!

Good GW joke anyway.
posted by Keyser Soze at 1:32 PM on January 1, 2004

Disclaimer: For entertainment purposes only.
posted by rushmc at 3:19 PM on January 1, 2004

it's pretty difficult to believe that everyone born during a whole year shares fundamental characteristics

Hell, I don't even know what a whole year really is much less how it interacts with people. But it is interesting to view the shadows on the cave, astrology does get things right in a spooky kind of way at times.
posted by stbalbach at 8:16 PM on January 1, 2004

astrology does get things right in a spooky kind of way at times.
I find it does, but never when you want or expect it to.
posted by amberglow at 8:27 PM on January 1, 2004

Blavatsky net

"Dionne Warwick's Psychic Friends Network employs approximately 1,500 psychics logging an estimated 3 million minutes a month at about $4 per minute according to Baltimore-based Inphomation Communications, Inc....

....The Amazing Randi," has publicly exposed a number of psychics, spiritualists, channelers, and charlatans. One of Randi's first targets was Israeli psychic Uri Geller, tested by Stanford Research Institute (now SRI International) for his powers to bend spoons and levitate objects."
posted by clavdivs at 9:00 PM on January 1, 2004

Ah yes, the infinite optimisim of the credulous. Things can get a lot worse. A lot. Give it time.
posted by skallas at 11:36 PM on January 1, 2004

Ah yes, the infinite optimism of the credulous. Things can get a lot worse. A lot. Give it time.
If I had an attitude like that, I wouldn't stay alive...Optimism keeps a lot of us going--that, mixed with practical action.
posted by amberglow at 6:07 AM on January 2, 2004

Are you saying you require delusion to function, amberglow? That's pretty weak. An accurate assessment of one's environment and prospects is essential to successfully negotiating them. One needn't attribute an inevitable emotional desperation to it.
posted by rushmc at 9:41 AM on January 2, 2004

amberglow:If I had an attitude like that, I wouldn't stay alive

So facing reality is so hard of a task you flee to fantasy and take it as reality? I think its best to burn the damn astrology section, rationally consider your situation, and plan, plan, plan!

Case in point: Many people (even in the US!) have their passport and some money hidden away in case the political situation at home gets out of control. Those who flee will be survivors, those who read the astrology pages/religious books and smile the smile of a pangloss-like optimist might not be.
posted by skallas at 12:04 PM on January 2, 2004

Optimism and delusion are two different things, rush, and you know it.

And skallas, looking at astrology or even bibles or whatever people look at (some use literature or biography or science fiction or comedies or even music or other people for a little hope, especially when things are dim) in no way diminish or replace practical action, as I mentioned above, or reality. Don't extrapolate utter helplessness and cluelessness out of what i said, because it isn't so.
posted by amberglow at 12:36 PM on January 2, 2004

Optimism and delusion are two different things, rush, and you know it.

But, as I read it, what you were responding to was a condemnation of not just simple optimism but "the infinite optimism of the credulous." Clearly that is quite another thing altogether!

looking at astrology or even bibles or whatever people look at...in no way diminish or replace practical action

It doesn't have to, but it can and frequently does. One has limited time, energy, and motivation to put into the often hard and ongoing work of discerning truth. Spending them instead on false prophets and promises can steal from more pragmatic pursuit.
posted by rushmc at 2:51 PM on January 2, 2004