Why There Are Twelve Signs

If I am to explain what astrology is, there is no way of getting around its core method - numerology. At first glance, that would seem to take away even more credibility away from astrology, but that is only because numerology is today equally misunderstood. It is necessary because it shows that astrology uses precisely defined operations and generally has logical reasons for why it does things the way it does them. It also offers the missing link to mathematics and therefore any hope of maybe using computers one day not only to generate pictures of star charts, but also for making genuine astrological interpretations as well as living astrologers. Or much better, at least in the reliability department. None of that necessarily makes astrology true, but it does make it systematic, methodical, logical and (hopefully) testable - things that its critics don't attribute to it at all.

The Mystery of the Missing Method

Before I get into any explanation of what I conclude are the concrete features of real astrology, one other basic objection of skeptics needs to be dealt with. Astrology, to date, has not sufficiently explained the mechanism by which it works. Yes, that is a fact. But just in case you think that alone is enough to dismiss it entirely, or even find it patently wrong, look at what Carl Sagan, the patron saint of astronomy, has to say about this line of criticism in his book, The Demon-Haunted World:

"The statement stressed that we can think of no mechanism by which astrology could work. This is certainly a relevant point but by itself it's unconvincing."

Astrology Should Be Studied

First, please let me exorcise politics out of this blog's way. The purpose of this blog is to explore astrology. I do not argue that it definitely is true. I also do not argue that it definitely is false. I would like to start by arguing about what it is, and more importantly, what it is not. Most people I have ever talked to on either side of the fence have decided about the accuracy of astrological claims before ever trying to learn what those are, exactly. As far as that is concerned, I have only this to say - wanna-be astrologists, shame on you. Wanna-be skeptics, shame on you too. And actual scientists, try being actual scientists in this matter for a few minutes, okay.