Sun sign astrology
Encyclopedia
Sun sign astrology is the form of astrology most commonly found in many newspaper
and magazine columns. It is a simplified system of astrology
which considers only the position of the Sun
, which is said to be placed within one of the twelve zodiac signs depending on the month of birth. This sign is then called the sun sign or star sign of the person born that month.
Sun sign astrologers take this basic twelvefold division and relate all the current movements of all the planets to each other, using traditional rules to divine meanings for each sign separately. Paradoxically, because the Moon
has the fastest apparent movement of all the heavenly bodies, it is often used as the main indicator of daily trends for sun sign astrology forecasts.
Despite its vast popularity with the general public (e.g. in the UK over 60% of adults are said to read their "stars" first on opening a newspaper, a slightly higher proportion in the USA), there is much argument about the validity of sun sign astrology, particularly amongst astrologers of different persuasions. The more traditional the astrologer, the more likely they are to dislike sun sign astrology.
As with all astrology, it is considered pseudoscience
by astronomers
and most other scientists.
in the 17th century was the first newspaper astrologer
(in fact some people believe that newspapers began as largely astrological prediction-sheets), sun sign astrology was not invented until 1930. The astrologer R. H. Naylor
was claimed by his newspaper to have predicted the crash of the R101
airship. This led to pressure on Naylor to come up with a simplified system of astrology suitable for a newspaper column. After some experimentation, Naylor decided on sun signs.
columns in many newspaper
s and magazine
s, it is sometimes erroneously believed that sun sign astrology is the whole extent of astrology. Some horoscopic astrologers
view these predictions as highly generalized and of little value.
For example, each person also has a Moon sign, a Mercury sign, a Venus sign, etc. These do not conform to the above dates and change greatly from year to year. Sun sign astrologers are unable to take these and many other variables into account.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
and magazine columns. It is a simplified system of astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
which considers only the position of the Sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
, which is said to be placed within one of the twelve zodiac signs depending on the month of birth. This sign is then called the sun sign or star sign of the person born that month.
Sun sign astrologers take this basic twelvefold division and relate all the current movements of all the planets to each other, using traditional rules to divine meanings for each sign separately. Paradoxically, because the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
has the fastest apparent movement of all the heavenly bodies, it is often used as the main indicator of daily trends for sun sign astrology forecasts.
Despite its vast popularity with the general public (e.g. in the UK over 60% of adults are said to read their "stars" first on opening a newspaper, a slightly higher proportion in the USA), there is much argument about the validity of sun sign astrology, particularly amongst astrologers of different persuasions. The more traditional the astrologer, the more likely they are to dislike sun sign astrology.
As with all astrology, it is considered pseudoscience
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
by astronomers
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and most other scientists.
History
Although William LillyWilliam Lilly
William Lilly , was an English astrologer famed during his time. Lilly was particularly adept at interpreting the astrological charts drawn up for horary questions, as this was his speciality....
in the 17th century was the first newspaper astrologer
Astrologer
An astrologer practices one or more forms of astrology. Typically an astrologer draws a horoscope for the time of an event, such as a person's birth, and interprets celestial points and their placements at the time of the event to better understand someone, determine the auspiciousness of an...
(in fact some people believe that newspapers began as largely astrological prediction-sheets), sun sign astrology was not invented until 1930. The astrologer R. H. Naylor
R. H. Naylor
Richard Harold Naylor , better known as R. H. Naylor was the first sun sign astrologer.Newspaper astrology columns began in August 1930 in the Sunday Express, just after the birth of Princess Margaret. Editor John Gordon wanted a story on her birth but with a new angle, so Cheiro was asked to do...
was claimed by his newspaper to have predicted the crash of the R101
R101
R101 was one of a pair of British rigid airship completed in 1929 as part of a British government programme to develop civil airships capable of service on long-distance routes within the British Empire. It was designed and built by an Air Ministry-appointed team and was effectively in competition...
airship. This led to pressure on Naylor to come up with a simplified system of astrology suitable for a newspaper column. After some experimentation, Naylor decided on sun signs.
Criticisms
Owing to the popularity of horoscopeHoroscope
In astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, the astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from Greek words meaning "a look at the hours" In...
columns in many newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
s and magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
s, it is sometimes erroneously believed that sun sign astrology is the whole extent of astrology. Some horoscopic astrologers
Horoscopic astrology
Horoscopic astrology is a form of astrology that uses a horoscope, a visual representation of the heavens, for a specific moment in time in order to interpret the inherent meaning underlying the alignment of the planets at that moment...
view these predictions as highly generalized and of little value.
For example, each person also has a Moon sign, a Mercury sign, a Venus sign, etc. These do not conform to the above dates and change greatly from year to year. Sun sign astrologers are unable to take these and many other variables into account.
See also
- Sun sign
- Horoscopic astrologyHoroscopic astrologyHoroscopic astrology is a form of astrology that uses a horoscope, a visual representation of the heavens, for a specific moment in time in order to interpret the inherent meaning underlying the alignment of the planets at that moment...
- HoroscopeHoroscopeIn astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, the astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from Greek words meaning "a look at the hours" In...