This paper explains the true locations of the main horoscopic angles for charts cast in respect of events that occur within the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. In view of continuing controversy, it includes descriptions of apparent motions both of the ecliptic and the Sun, observed from within the northern Polar region. The study of Circumpolar horoscopy, though largely ignored, demonstrates perhaps more than any other how far practitioners have become removed from the real sky. It has been the subject of much misguided debate, with erroneous opinion gaining undue credibility. This is amply demonstrated by the fact that most current astrological software yields either incorrect circumpolar charts, or none at all. The paper is the first of a series and conclusions outlined are further developed in subsequent articles.

According to John Addey, harmonic analysis of the Gauquelin trait data reveals the existence of planetary harmonics in the diurnal circle beyond the simple emphasis on key sectors. This result became central to Addey’s dream of a unified astrology based on harmonics. But both the data and procedure are problematic. First, the trait data were not extracted blind and can be shown to contain bias due to Gauquelin’s knowledge of planetary postions during the extraction process. Second, Gauquelin’s own statistical tests were faulty, leading to conclusions that have led everyone astray. Third, the author’s computer simulations show that Addey’s sample sizes are too small, and the sampling errors too large, for his results to be meaningful to the extent required. (The sampling requirements in harmonic analysis are more stringent than in other types of analysis.) Other weaknesses are ineffective criteria for selecting amplitudes, non-independence of traits, sector bias (which creates spurious odd-numbered harmonics), incorrect expectancies, non-uniform expectancies, and subjective follow up. Collectively these weaknesses are fatal. Notwithstanding Addey’s inspiring vision and astonishing labor, it seems that most of his results can reasonably be attributed to artefacts and the rest to Gauquelin bias in trait extraction. The conclusion is drawn that planetary harmonics do not exist beyond the emphasis on key sectors. The same procedural weaknesses apply to Addey’s harmonic work in general, which leaves his harmonic theory of astrology with no secure basis.

A summary is given of each of the 29 entries to the Truth of Astrology Competition. Roughly half the entries conclude in effect that the truth delivered by astrology is actually satisfaction (it provides meaning, it enriches life, it does good) rather than accuracy (freedom from error), which due to the fallibility of astrologers is held to be undeliverable despite the underlying Greater Truth. By contrast the other half focused on accuracy, either by implication, observation (I.e., experience), statistical tests, or chart interpretations, to show how astrology delivers accuracy and therefore truth. This division of truth into satisfaction vs. accuracy matches the division obtained and discussed four years earlier in KT1. Although the entries collectively provide stimulating reading for the uncritical reader, for the critical reader they contain a disturbing level of error and faulty inference even among the big names, indicating an urgent need for a better general education among astrologers right across the board. Some possible requirements for a better education are discussed.

It can be suggested that one of the main problems facing the astrologer is the attitude of many scientists towards the subject. The claim can be made that the scientific world view is so different from that of the astrologer, that science simply cannot engage with the astrological model at all. Thus science’s dismissal of astrology ste11lS, essentially, from its inability to understand and, even worse, its inability to recognise that it has failed to understand, what the astrologer is talking about. Even attempts to ask the astrologer, in effect, to set up a situation which could be tested, is to ignore that, nevertheless, it will be tested according to the paradigm of science. After all, it is from science that the main concept of testing emerges. Other ways of thinking – and testing – are not considered. In this article the author presents an overview of common scientific attitudes, and then looks with a little more detail at some particular research examples. It begins with an organisation which claims to represent mainstream scientific attitudes, the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims for the Paranormal (CSICOP). It is asserted that to designate a certain phenomenon paranormal’, prior to its investigation, is to proceed from the prejudiced position of normative assumptions.

It is possible that one of the attributes of good astrology’ is in being able to deduce meaning from pattern. But before we expend time and energies in wrestling over astrological meaning, should we .first ask “what is pattern ? ” A corollary would be, if pattern apparently exists, is “how probable is it for this structure or geometry to arise? “To use the well-tried and tested yardstick of p = 0.05, pattern is assumed to be present in the geometric arrangement of data points if it occurs 5% of the time or less. Then begins the wedding of celestial geometry with astrological meaning. sometimes beautifully so. Coherent astrological symbolism crossed with statistical significance offers another kind of marriage and is redolent with beauty. Two tests are described which may help in the hunt for astrological meaning. The function of these tests is to quantify the amount of structure in a given data set. It may be possible to answer the time-honoured question “are there really faces in the fire?”

The number of cars stolen in the Avon and Somerset Constabula1)’ area from owners of each of the twelve birth signs exhibits an approximately sinusoidal variation of one year period and amplitude approximately 10% of the monthly mean. The distribution of owners’ births throughout the year, the potential victim sample, also varies approximately sinusoidally by the same period albeit of amplitude approximately only 5% of the monthly mean and transposed a month or so earlier. Allowing for the variation in numbers of potential victims leaves a residual cycle of owners, birth signs that corresponds closely to that of young thieves. This may suggest that thieves and owners share the same preferences, which differ according to zodiacal sign.

A recent article in Correlation is criticised for applying an inappropriate methodology in attempting to verify astrological accounts of human motivation. It is argued that astrology can offer only partial explanations of human motivation and behaviour, just as no single variable identified by social and psychological science can explain such behaviour with any more than partial success. Two case histories from a longitudinal study illustrate the complexity of making predictions, and explaining human behaviour. The potential role for astrology and astrological counseling in this process is discussed.

The moods and behaviour of prison wardens and inmates were observed over a three month period where subjects were required to keep a mood diary. Levels of mood ranging from very happy to sad were recorded daily and the times and changes of mood compared with phase changes in the lunar cycle. The study showed that there was more use of control and restraint during the first quarter and last quarter moon than there was during a full moon. However, it was concluded that the results were inconclusive because the study was conducted only for three months and a study conducted over a greater length of time was needed.

Although a family history of schizophrenia is the best-established risk factor for schizophrenia. environmental factors such as the place and season of birth may also be important. Using data from the Civil Registration System in Denmark, we established a population-based cohort of 1.75 million persons whose mothers were Danish women born between 1935 and 1978. We linked this cohort to the Danish Psychiatric Central Register and identified 2669 cases of schizophrenia among cohort members and additional cases among their parents. Results: the respective relative risks of schizophrenia for persons with a mother, father, or sibling who had schizophrenia were 9.31 {95 percent confidence interval, 7.24 to 11.96), 7.20 {95 percent confidence interval, 5.10 to 10.16), and 6.99 {95 percent confidence interval, 5.38 to 9.09), as compared with persons with no affected parents or siblings. The risk of schizophrenia was associated with the degree of urbanisation of the place of birth {relative risk for the capital vs. rural areas, 2.40; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.13 to 2.70). The risk was also significantly associated with the season of birth; it was highest for births in February and March and lowest for births in August and September. The population- attributable risk was 5.5 percent for a history of schizophrenia in a parent or sibling, 34.6 percent for urban place of birth, and 10.5 percent for the season of birth. Conclusions: Although a history of schizophrenia in a parent or sibling is associated with the highest relative risk of having the disease, the place and season of birth account for many more cases on a population basis. {N Engl J Med 1999;340:603-8.) {Copyright 1999, Massachusetts Medical Society.)

A re-assessment of Jung’s astrological test of synchronicity provides no convincing reason to believe in either. Nevertheless, precisely because of this, Jung’s results still provide food for thought.