Astronomy versus Astrology
Why Astrology is an Irrational View of the Heavens
From this confusion came great thinkers, great observations, and great understanding. This achievement of the human mind is the subject of astronomy. Just as chemistry grew out of the blind alley of alchemy, science has completely surpassed our previous wonderings about the night sky.
There are No Plausible Mechanisms of Astrology
The planets are huge bodies of matter that exert gravitational effects upon their surrounding space. However, they are at such large distances from the Earth that the effects upon an individual are utterly negligible compared to that from the Earth itself.
The stars are much larger, but are at vast distances (literally astronomical), and have no gravitational effect upon living creatures whatsoever.
What about light? Or heat? Is there any another possible effect from the planets and stars that could have some sort of influence upon a human being? Apparently not. A child born in a closed room would receive far more light and heat from a small desk lamp than from all of the stars and planets in the entire universe combined.
Set aside the mechanisms for a moment. What about the notion that 6 billion people can be divided into 12 groups, each displaying different characteristics? There is only anecdotal evidence for this, and for each pair of people of the same ‘Star sign’ with similar traits, there is a pair with utterly different personalities.
An Undiscovered Mechanism?
Could there be a means by which the positions of the stars could affect the lives of human beings? It is possible, and perhaps science will one day discover such a mechanism. But the chances are extremely slim, as it is simply not required. All astrological results can be explained by statistical chance and wishful thinking. A Piscean who believes in astrology will make a Piscean prediction fit.
Is Astrology Harmless?
Astrology, in general, is harmless. There are two areas, however, where society is harmed.
The first is the taking of money for astrological predictions. There is no evidence that human affairs follow astrological predictions, and there are surely better ways to spend money than on superstition.
The second negative effect of astrology is that it distracts the general population from the correct and awesome understanding of the universe. It is known, thanks to astronomy, that the universe is 13.7 billion years old, that there are hundreds of billions of galaxies, each containing hundreds of billions of stars. It is understood that the universe is expanding, how and why the planets orbit the Sun, and what the surface of Mars is like. These facts should fill people with awe and pride in the abilities of their species.
Astrology, in contrast, may suggest that the reader is about to receive money, or get a new job. It cannot compare with a real understanding of the universe, and there are no means by which it could be true.
References:
Sagan, Carl. The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (1 Mar 1997)
