What's your take on astrology?

[Natasha]

Are you a firm believer? Partial believer? Someone who thinks horoscopes are fun but not meaningful? Or do you think the whole concept of having a "sign" and/or reading horoscopes is a waste of time and total bunk?

I think I do demonstrate some traits that my sign (Aquarius) says I have, and have noticed the same with some other people I know. Still, I am generally skeptical about astrology. Given a choice, though, I would rather read about zodiac signs generally than read day-to-day horoscopes. In any event, the most I do is occasionally read horoscopes when I come across them in the paper or a magazine - for a laugh or just because they're "there" and I have a minute to read. I find them so general that they could apply to anyone.

What do you think? I'd love to hear your views and engage in a lively yet diplomatic discussion! And I don't, don't, don't mean to say that anyone who believes in astrology is wrong or anything. It's just not something I personally hold much stock in.

Natasha

[SandyM]

Morning Natasha!:)

I'm pretty much along the same lines as you. I know people who hardly know me, but yet can figure out that I'm a Libra. My neighbor across the street is a Libra also, and she keeps telling me I display the classic signs. She follows astrology, and it's interesting to hear her talk, but it never goes beyond that for me.

I'll admit though, that the morning before an interview or a long trip or something like that, I'll check my daily horoscope! :D

[SueK]

I don't really follow astrology, but I definitely believe I fit the traits of my sign, which is a Gemini. DD is also very much a Taurus!

I get a kick out of reading my horoscope, but I don't take too much stock in it.

[JHolcomb]

Hmmm...I read my horoscope at www.theonion.com, but just because they're hilarious. I've been told I'm a classic Aquarius (I always took that to mean I was a weirdo), but I don't believe in horoscopes for predicting stuff in your life at all.

[SandyM]

Jen, you absolutely crack me up!

[SusanMac]

Another Onion horoscope fan here! It's probably the most accurate :-)

P.S. I'm a Gemini, for what it's worth, and do have a few traditional traits, but not all.

[lindrusso]

I too display some of the qualities of being a Leo, but I don't put much stock in horoscopes, though they are fun to read sometimes. I find that horoscopes are really quite geared to the working, single folks! If I read them now they are always telling me that I will meet my true love or that I will encounter problems at work. Considering I'm a happily married SAHM, I wouldn't find much use for these sorts of predictions even if I did put stock in them! :)

[Jewel]

I'm another one that seems to display the classic traits of my sign. I am a Moon Child. (I don't like being called "A Cancer" :rolleyes: )

I believe in the daily horoscope about as much as I believe in Fortune Cookies, which doesn't say much! ;)

[MrsReber]

I like to read my horoscope, but I don't plan my day around it! I am a Sagitarius and I do have many of the traits (we're very nice people!). My sister is a Scorpio and boy can you ever tell!

"Moon child" eh? Well, that would explain Bart...

[Jewel]

Originally posted by MrsReber
"Moon child" eh? Well, that would explain Bart...

:eek: I didn't even think of that! Heck, maybe there's something to this astrology thing after all! :eek:

[lorilei]

I always hate it when people ask me this question :)

I am a dyed-in-the-wool, unmistakable, can't-be-anything-else Libran. And I've been told it by complete strangers. So, I definitely think that there's something to be said for personality traits being inexplicably tied to one's birthdate. And that intrigues me. I think it can be a useful tool.

Horoscopes, on the other hand, are for entertainment purposes only. I would never even BEGIN to trust my life decisions to a horoscope. Or a BOOK of them for that matter. I truly believe that horoscopes become self-fulfilling prophecies when you invest in them too highly.


just my humble little opinion :)

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by MrsReber
I like to read my horoscope, but I don't plan my day around it! I am a Sagitarius and I do have many of the traits (we're very nice people!). My sister is a Scorpio and boy can you ever tell!


What about us Scorpios? Are you implying that we aren't nice?;) :p

Even though I don't believe in the day to day forecasts, it is fun to read them. I feel that I do have a lot of Scorpio traits. I am a fiercely loyal friend, passionate, hardworking, and no, it is not a good idea to cross or underestimate us - we have long memories about some things.;)

[Gail]

Originally posted by Wendy w


What about us Scorpios? Are you implying that we aren't nice?;) :p



If she doesn't, somebody else will. Dontcha just LOVE the looks you get from people when they find out your sign?

[lhall]

Another Libra checking in. I have all the traits of a Libra with some Virgo mixed in (I'm the tail end of a cusp).

I rarely read my horoscope, but one day last fall I read it in the morning at work. It said something along the lines of it not being a good day to deal with someone in authority above you at work. I avoided my boss for the entire day...

Leigh

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by Gail


If she doesn't, somebody else will. Dontcha just LOVE the looks you get from people when they find out your sign?

You make a good point;)

[kirkbyky]

I am on the cusp of Leo/Virgo, which translates to being stubborn and confused!:p
I occasionally read mine for fun, its amazingly creepy when I get one that's right on. Kinda counters the one that says I'll be having 9 kids and moving to Wyoming in a week. :rolleyes:

Wendy w: My sister's a Scorpio & your description fits to a T!

Kyle

[boisewinesnob]

Whenever someone asks me what sign I am I always give the standard answer:

Feces!!!

Sorry, just couldn't resist, but it pretty much sums up my opinion of that stuff. I am supposedly a Taurus, but don't know what their characteristics are. Maybe somebody could list them, and I'll let you know if they fit me. :)

Suzy

[Meg O'C]

I am definitely a Sagitarius and my DH is definitely a Scorpio - as far as the personality traits and other characteristics go . . . same is true for many people I know well . . .

but horoscopes are just fun . . . and rarely on target in my experience.

[JHolcomb]

Originally posted by SandyM
Jen, you absolutely crack me up!

:D

So after reading this discussion, DH (scorpio) decided to go online and read about our signs. http://www.astrology-online.com if anyone else is interested. I AM a classic, can't be anything but, Aquarius. It was a little creepy...it had me down to a T-even the part about me needing to drop out of society every once in a while and become a hermit (I used to do this all the time before I was married, and it's the hardest thing for me about being married, that I can't just disappear and be alone for a couple of weeks). I'm not THAT cold and emotionally unattached, though I was very much so before I met DH. I'm creative and original sometimes to the point of eccentricity, intellegent (least I like to think so), very concerned about my fellow man's well being, and have a good sense of humor. I also have some of the less desirable traits like being able to hold a grudge for forever, being judgemental of people who don't meet my standards (I've been trying to work on this, but...), and I CAN have an "ivory tower" kinda attitude. Though, once I decide I like someone, I'm fiercely loyal and very kind and loving. Kinda weird, I must admit the hairs on my arms were standing on end.
DH, on the other hand, cannot possibly be a scorpio. He IS very, very intellegent and the sexuality thing was right on, but he's not argumentative or passionatly emotional at all. At all. Oh, he was born the 19th of November and he does exhibit a lot of Sagittarius's traits, so maybe he can be considered on the cusp. Or maybe astrology is just a lot of hogwash.

[MrsReber]

My sister is all that and more! She is definitely a scorpio. It's funny becuase I don't put much faith in astrology, but I can always tell a scorpio- maybe from living with one while growing up? She's argumentative, she's stubborn, very intelligent, always has been attractive to men, but don't ever cross her. She does not easily forget. She doesn't dwell on things, but she also doesn't forget them!

Apologies to the scorpios out there, but I have a feeling that you all know it's sort of true ;)! At least Wendy can admit it!

[Gail]

If nothing else, it is definitely amusing being born under what seems to be the most controversial sign of the zodiac. And, no, Mrs. Reber-- we aren't all argumentative. What would be the point when we're always right? :p

[Natasha]

Thanks for your responses. Most interesting reading! Sounds like most of you are not huge believers.

I hadn t realized that Scorpios had such a bad (or maybe just controversial reputation). :D Come on, what s wrong with Scorps? Of course I have a soft spot for them. ;) My SO is one (and is loyal and passionate about life, but not at all argumentative). I also have a few great Scorpio friends, including my esteemed drinking buddy. She isn t argumentative either - just a lot of fun. :)

Natasha

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by Gail
If nothing else, it is definitely amusing being born under what seems to be the most controversial sign of the zodiac. And, no, Mrs. Reber-- we aren't all argumentative. What would be the point when we're always right? :p

Amen - especially about our libido!! My Aries sister and my Virgo mother have always been MUCH more argumentative. When I am, which is not often, watch out! Newly ExBF (we have ended in a civilized manner) has always said that although he wasn't fond of being around when I was p(*&(ed off, I was always right when I was.

[Gail]

Originally posted by Natasha
...My SO is one (and is loyal and passionate about life, but not at all argumentative). I also have a few great Scorpio friends, including my esteemed drinking buddy. She isn t argumentative either - just a lot of fun. :)

Natasha

Okay, Phil-- you can let her out of the hammerlock now! :p

[Natasha]

Okay, Gail, it s my birthday, so how come you re having all the fun razzing me? That s the last time I stick up for Scorpios for your benefit! ;)

Natasha

P.S. Did I forget to mention that my drinking buddy has a wacky sense of humour? :D

[LynnSC]

I guess I am the "Odd man out " on this one. I do not believe in astrology at all! I think the time of year you are born has NOTHING to do with your personality. Neither do the alignment of stars.God made you who you are with your personality for a reason. He planned you and designed you. Astrology gets into that area of things I don't get involved in because I think it is very dangerous. End of sermon! :)

[lorilei]

Originally posted by LynnSC
I guess I am the "Odd man out " on this one. I do not believe in astrology at all! I think the time of year you are born has NOTHING to do with your personality. Neither do the alignment of stars.God made you who you are with your personality for a reason. He planned you and designed you. Astrology gets into that area of things I don't get involved in because I think it is very dangerous. End of sermon! :)

Not to be argumentative, Lynn, but just to get an itsy bitsy fact straight about astrology and Christianity... there is actually a relationship between the two.

The Hebrews (Israelites) were actually encouraged to use astrology in the Old Testament as a guide for their lives (yet another way God revealed his plan to them) -- when it became WRONG for them was when they started using it to PREDICT the future. And that's when God put the kabosh on their misguided usage.

This latter command is generally what discourages Christians from using astrology in any way/shape/form. But I think it's important to keep the facts in order and maintain a bit of perspective.

All IMHO of course! :)

[LynnSC]

I do not think you are being argumentative at all! Thanks for the information. I would like to know where your facts came from, however. Are there scriptures I can read on this issue? I am very interested in knowing more.

I think most people now use astrology for predicting future events, thus the horoscope. I stay away from that.
Lynn

[lorilei]

Lynn -

First of all, I want to clarify that I don't advocate the misinterpretation that Scripture fully supports astrology as it stands today. I don't believe it does. But I do believe that we discredit much of what it does say about the time and place for using the stars in our daily lives.

I'm not an expert in this field, by any STRETCH of the imagination (most of my exposure was through the study of ancient history/paired with a personal interest in the Bible as both holy book and literature), but I've done a bunch of reading (here and there) which covers the connections between astrology and Christianity... I don't know if I can give you sources (my reading has been much and varied), but I can tell you what I remember:

Genesis 1 (the creation account, verse 14, I think) in the King James version talks about the creation of planets. I believe it says: "let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years" (there are other passages, but I can't remember them exactly enough to give them to you off the top of my head).

Stories in the Bible seem to support the idea that astronomical symbolism was intimately connected with the lives of the early people. King David, for instance, carried his shield on which the six pointed Star of his natal chart was displayed.

The "wise men" or magi referred to in Matthew followed a "star" and came from out of the East to find and worship Jesus, would be called "astronomers" today. In a modernized edition of the New Testament published for Catholics, called "The Way", the magi ARE referred to as "some astrologers". Quite honestly, if the Bible were against every aspect of using the stars to guide behavior, the 'Wise Men' would have been stoned or crucified, or driven off.

There is a great deal of star symbolism in the Bible, overall, not the least of which is the correspondance between the twelve astrological signs and the twelve tribes of Israel -- though I don't remember them all, one of the most obvious is the tribe of Judah, whose symbol of the lion corresponds with the sign of Leo.

I know there is tons of information out there on this topic, which you can find if you're interested. I would only advise that you be somewhat "choosey" when you decide what/who to believe. For as many historians there are out there who know what they're saying, there are also some real crackpots out there.

[Jewel]

Jen's comment about being a true Aquarian got me to thinking. I'm married to an Aquarian who turns 42 tomorrow incidentally! ;) My FATHER is an Aquarian also, and they are very similar in many ways. My husband is far more social than my father, who is more of a homebody.

I am a Cancer (MOON CHILD! :cool: ) and I've always been told I fit right in with that mold, being very emotional and somewhat conservative, kind of a homebody. I thought I'd get on Jen's site and see exactly how compatible DH and I are? Well guess what...we're NOT! :eek: He's supposed to be independent? A loner at times? Not my husband! He's a social butterfly! Check this out, and put in Aquarius and Cancer on the 'love' section of the sidebar...

http://www.astrology-online.com/frames.htm

According to this we're gonna end up in a dominant/subservient relationship. In that case, I'm confused...which one of us is supposed to wear the leather and which one of us is supposed to wield the leather whip? :confused: I wanna make sure I get this right! :p

[LynnSC]

Thank you for your quick response and information. I have been doing some research since I read the first message you posted. I will continue to look into this subject. You can probably tell that I don't believe everything I read and will be very cautious about which sources I believe. I think we really are thinking along the same lines....

I interpreted the question on the BB to be in reference to the way astrology is being used today as far as predicting the future. That is really what I was answering. (What I believe to be true).
You have really given me something to think about though and really plan to read further. Thank you!

Lynn