ASTROLOGY

DECEMBER 14th 2006
I have hesitated before dealing with this subject, as astrology provides some harmless fun to many and in certain hands can be used to give good counselling. It can be a way to anonymize the source of sound advice. But there is also a complex way in which patterns and rhythms of the terrestrial year and day can statistically relate to all sorts of patterns which in turn correspond to environmental influence and genetic characteristics, potential, vulnerabilities, possibilities and probabilities. The human race is made up of immensely complex genetic webs and strands. What we can do, may do and will do is the product of heredity and environment in a dynamic framework where there is group as well as individual interaction. The mathematics are beyond the comprehension of any one individual, though we can have wonderful partial insights into the nature of nature.

Today's headline (below) which gives me the cue to start this subject is not in the least surprising. Being a Leo I agree entirely with the findings, though not with the conclusions of the president of the insurance company - there's many an Aries who drives very safely. An individual's genetic relations have a tendency to be conceived and therefore be born slightly more often at the same time of year. By 'genetic relations' I do not necessarily mean all their siblings, parents or children - though these may indeed be such - the genetic web and its strands are far more complex and the dominant genetic complices can jump generations and resonate across bridges in the past that link to contemporaries that appear as strangers with whom we have a special rapport. When we add to this the tendency in past generations for many people to follow a trade in which their parent's established a living, it is obvious that the relationship between lives and dates and times of birth can never be random. It has nothing to do with the stars*, though of course an astronomical background can be used to simulate a pattern on which to construct the various characteristics and associated probabilities that apply to all human lives.

Had a car crash? It's all in the stars, study says

Thursday December 14, 01:02 AM

According to a study by InsuranceHotline.com, a Web site that quotes drivers on insurance rates, astrological signs are a significant factor in predicting car accidents.

The study, which looked at 100,000 North American drivers' records from the past six years, puts Libras (born September 23-October 22) followed by Aquarians (January 20-February 18) as the worst offenders for tickets and accidents

Leos (July 23-August 22) and then Geminis (May 21-June 20) were found to be the best overall.

* When I say "it has nothing to do with the stars" this is of course not strictly true. If you have studied cosmology you will know we are all the children of the stars and the apparent position of stars and planets relates to the terrestrial annual and diurnal rhythms, never mind if the signs of the zodiac change position. But your personal future is in your hands, not just in the stars. You are part of something bigger than yourself, but you have a part to play - your way!