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The Difference Between Astronomy and Astrology

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Astronomy and astrology have not been related for centuries. Astronomy is simply the observation and measurement of celestial bodies, while astrology is an attempt to find some sort of "meaning" or "influence" in the planetary positions. The interesting thing, though, is that astrology, which gave birth to astronomy, has been out of date with the actual sky for most of modern history. Oddly enough, considering that astrology has to do with planetary movements, astrologers no longer look at the sky, and haven't for hundreds of years. No one ever bothered, over the years, to update or correct the various charts and tables from which astrological readings were made. There was finally an attempt to correct all the various charts just a few years ago, but it wasn't very successful. For this reason, no modern astronomer will ever be an astrologer, simply because the data used by astrologers bears no relation to what is actually seen in the sky.

Let's grab a wide-angle lens from our eyepiece case and have a look at the bigger picture. Whether astrological predictions are correct or not is somewhat irrelevant. More significant issues involving astronomy vs astrology are these:

Astronomy is a science that compels us to seek beyond ourselves and our small world, a science of discovery that enriches our lives by exercising our brain and our intellect. It empowers you to think clearly and rationally. It improves and sharpens critical thinking skills.

Astrology disempowers you. By placing your future in the accidental configuration of planets and stars, you avoid taking responsibility for your actions, you fail to make decisions based on your own best self interest, and you give up the power to control your own destiny.

It's the sheer fascination for space and the possibilities of worlds beyond our own and a science beyond our current understanding that encourages the astronomer to think outside the box and develop his or her intellect to the fullest.

To the astrologer, planetary movements are interesting only because they are believed to be significant to personal life events. Can you see why an astronomer would consider this tantamount to wearing blinders? Of course, it can easily be demonstrated that astrological predictions have very little connection with real events beyond what is statistically coincidental. To believe otherwise requires strong emotional, not logical, reasons, and requires significant self-deception, ignoring the facts, and an absence of logical thought processes.

Belief in astrology results in a degradation of critical thinking skills, which, combined with the loss of power to control your own destiny, can only serve to degrade your life, not enrich it.

Carl Sagan wrote : "Some of science is very simple. When it gets complicated, that's usually because the world is complicated, or we're complicated. When we shy away from it because it seems too difficult, or because we've been taught so poorly, we surrender the ability to take charge of our future." (The Demon Haunted World, Ballantine, 1996, p29).

Be in charge of your life. Experience the mystery, awe, and excitement of observational astronomy. Be an astronomer, not an astrologer!