If not otherwise specifically mentioned, do characters in epoch-shaping novels have birth dates, nativities? Did the author, for whatever literary reasons, or just for the fun of it (“mindless pleasures”), create the protagonist of the novel based on the astrological implications of some pre-imagined nativity, if not actually a definite birth date, time, and place?! Could the scholarly, serious, or curious reader benefit from knowing the horoscope of the character in question?Paperware to Vaporware, The Nativity of Tyrone SlothropHand-drawn Tyrone Slothrop Birth Chart
posted by carsonb
on Jun 6, 2010 -
11 comments
Oscarology is a system of astrology I invented -- excuse me, that was revealed to me in a powerful mystical experience -- based on what movie won the Best Picture Oscar for the year you were born. I have been communing with the Spirit of the Oscars and transcribing the visions it has vouchsafed to me.
posted by arcticwoman
on Jan 25, 2008 -
64 comments
Fate, Absolute Life and Death, the Aleph, the Zeitgeist, the sinking of the Atlantis, the
World Trade Center, the formation of the universe...what more could you want from art? There's probably already been a been a post on this guy, Paul Laffoley, but I should hope more people could get a glance at some of
this man's work. Crazy or brilliant, you make your decision. A
video from his website.
posted by moonbizcut
on Aug 31, 2007 -
24 comments
There's no need for you to record
short videos (youtube) of yourself singing impossibly cheesy songs about astological signs whilst a woman does interpretive dance in the background, because
Harvey Sid Fisher has already done it for you.
Thanks to Ryan at FFFF for bringing this to my attention
posted by Afroblanco
on Aug 13, 2006 -
16 comments
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
on Jan 1, 2004 -
16 comments
Astrology Takes the Semiotic Turn: CURA Promotes New Theories of the Fates
Almost a year ago, we discussed the case of Sorbonne PhD and famous French astrologer, Elisabeth Teissier (
1,
2). She caused a stir with her argument that astrology was a "human" science on par with anthropology and philosophy.
It seems her case bolstered the hand of other practicioners. CURA (Centre Universitaire du Recherche Astrologique) has an extensive collection of writings on astrology both ancient and modern. More recent papers examine astrological patterns as sign systems, a conceptual heuristic made popular by anthropology and later studies of popular culture. There's also some use of statistical methods, and concepts from cognitive psychology. It seems there's some movement in both directions;
Semiotica recently published a paper that's very popular among the astrosociologues (
1).
posted by rschram
on Mar 21, 2002 -
3 comments
Like tarot or astrology in that it's a tool for introspection, only without the occult trappings. Kinda fun to play with, though. Or maybe not. (Warning: annoying
The Weakest Linkesque music.)
posted by alumshubby
on Mar 5, 2002 -
20 comments
Detailed instructions on how to give birth to the reincarnation of Dr Hans Fink of Portland Oregon. Or Mother Teresa. Or Lady Diana. Or anybody else you feel like. Isn't modern technology something?
posted by signal
on Feb 22, 2002 -
2 comments
Prophets of doom In June 2000, Lynne Palmer, a 69-year-old Las Vegas resident, published her
Astrological Almanac for 2001... On page 95 of the book, buried among advice on the best days to go to the movies and worst days to lend people money, Palmer had written, in an odd combination of the obvious and the prophetic: "Avoid terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001."
posted by raaka
on Dec 31, 2001 -
23 comments
Astrologer Defends PhD Thesis in Sociology at the Sorbonne
Elizabeth Teissier, astrology columnist and PhD candidate, successfully defended her dissertation in sociology, entitled "The Epistemological Situation of Astrology in Relation to the Ambivalent Fascination/Rejection of Postmodern Societies."
Over the last few weeks, fueled by fresh revelations — like Ms. Teissier's having referred to Max Weber, one of sociology's founders, as a "pragmatic Taurus" — the debate has only gathered steam, pitting sociologists who insist that the case concerns a thesis that fails to meet minimum academic standards against those who argue that
the real target isn't Ms. Teissier but a maverick strain of sociology that has failed to win establishment approval. I don't know which is funnier, that there were fresh revelations, or that there's a pro-astrology strain of maverick sociology.
This is also hilarious.
posted by rschram
on Jul 6, 2001 -
28 comments
Belief in Astrology up 3% to 28% and belief in ghosts up 13% to 38%. I find the
new Gallup Poll on Americans' Belief in Psychic and Paranormal Phenomena depressing, but not surprising. Aren't we supposed to be headed in the other direction?
posted by quirked
on Jun 8, 2001 -
93 comments
