Do Horoscopes Actually Exist?

Astrology, a popular diversion, has long been debated by scientists as it is not a scientific way to answer questions about the natural world. Astrology has evolved from ancient astronomy and has a fascinating history behind humans attaching meaning to the stars. Over 25 people believe that astrology is “very scientific” compared to only 7 for horoscopes. Astrology is not a very scientific way to answer questions, but there is a real history behind star signs or zodiac signs.

Horoscopes are super generalized peeks at what overarching cosmic forces might be affecting an individual at a given time, so it is not realistic to think that hyper-specific or overly-grandiose claims are. This is due to the Barnum effect, which explains why we find ourselves believing horoscopes, fortune-tellers, Tarot card readers, and bogus personality. Astrology has not demonstrated its effectiveness in controlled studies and has no scientific validity, making it regarded as pseudoscience.

In 2012, the General Social Survey found that 34% of Americans considered astrology to be “very” or “sort of scientific”. Astrology is a blend of psychology, storytelling, and mythology, and as Carl Jung said, it helps in understanding our emotions and environment. However, there is doubt whether the key ideas of astrology are testable, something most scientists agree is crucial to a scientific discipline. Astrology has been scientifically tested many times despite the slipperiness of adherents’ claims, and it seldom performs well.

Do zodiac signs exist?

The zodiac is a belt-shaped region of the sky that extends approximately 8° north and south of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. It is divided along the ecliptic into 12 equal parts, each occupying 30° of celestial longitude, and roughly corresponds to the astronomical constellations Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

The signs have been used to determine the time of the year by identifying each sign with the days of the year the Sun is in the respective sign. The zodiacal system, which has an angular measurement of 360 sexagesimal degree, originated with Babylonian astronomy during the 1st millennium BC and was communicated into Greek astronomy by the 2nd century BC. The zodiac forms a celestial coordinate system, specifically an ecliptic coordinate system, which takes the ecliptic as the origin of latitude and the Sun’s position at the vernal equinox as the origin of longitude.

Is horoscope true in Islam?

The Hadith, a collection of Islamic religious teachings, is a significant part of the Islamic faith. It outlines the instructions and practices of Muhammad, who criticized the legality and illegality of astrology. According to Abu Dawud, seeking knowledge from the stars is considered witchcraft, which is inherently forbidden in Islam. The Hadith also emphasizes that rain is a blessing bestowed only by Allah, and any belief that rain is a result of other beings is considered disbelief.

The Hadith also mentions the stars, stating that those who suggest rain originates from a star are considered disbelievers in Allah. This concept of astrology and the belief in celestial beings’ influence on anything other than what is enshrined in the Quran and Hadith constitutes shirk (blasphemy) and leads one to leave the fold of the religion.

Second-century Islamic scholar Imam Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam and cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, views astrology as fundamentally forbidden in the Islamic religion. He warns followers not to learn the science of stars except for guidance on land or sea, as it leads to divining and an astrologer is a diviner. This aligns with the Quran, which points to stars and astrology as only a means of navigation.

However, prominent scholars like Ibn Arabi and Ikhwan argue that planets are not considered God but do suggest each prophet with a specific planet/celestial being. Prophet Idris, also known as Enoch, was gifted with great knowledge of the stars and used his gift to meditate upon God’s grandeur and teach others. He believed that the stars and moon contributed to mankind and founded the study of the stars.

Different sects of Islam offer varying perspectives on the concept of astrology.

Is there any truth in horoscope?

Astrology has been criticized for making falsifiable predictions, with the most famous test conducted by Shawn Carlson revealing that natal astrology performed no better than chance. Astrology has not demonstrated its effectiveness in controlled studies and has no scientific validity, making it regarded as pseudoscience. There is no proposed mechanism by which the positions and motions of stars and planets could affect people and events on Earth in the way astrologers say they do, which does not contradict well-understood aspects of biology and physics.

Modern scientific inquiry into astrology primarily focuses on drawing a correlation between astrological traditions and the influence of seasonal birth in humans. Most professional astrologers rely on performing astrology-based personality tests and making relevant predictions about the remunerator’s future. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson emphasized the importance of knowing how the laws of nature shape the world around us, as without this knowledge, individuals can easily become victims of people seeking to take advantage of them.

Does horoscope really work?

Astrology, a long-standing scientific field, has been criticized for lacking clear evidence that stars and planets affect us. Astrology relies on stories and ideas that are difficult to prove with science, as it relies on guessing about patterns in the sky rather than conducting experiments. Additionally, astrology’s workings are based on old ideas about the universe, which have evolved over time. This has led to some astrologers’ predictions not aligning with current knowledge.

For example, the zodiac sign may not be accurate due to precession, which has caused stars to move since the first invention of astrology. Furthermore, astrology lacks a clear explanation for how stars and planets could affect us, with some astrologers suggesting it is due to the stars, but scientists argue these theories are too weak to have a significant impact on us.

What does Allah say about astrology?

The prohibition of zodiac signs in Islam is based on hadiths and transmissions from Ibn ‘Abbas and al-Bazzar. Abu Dawud narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that anyone learning astrology has learned a branch of witchcraft. Al-Bazzar narrated that the Messenger of Allah is not one who practices augury, fortune-telling, or witchcraft. He stated that anyone who claims to know the unseen is either a fortune-teller or acting like one, as Allah is the only One who has knowledge of the unseen. Allah states that “none in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghayb (Unseen) except Allah”.

Are horoscopes bad for you?

Astrology can be damaging due to the random information it provides, and it can hinder personal growth by interfering with decision-making. While Vyse doesn’t recommend acting on a horoscope, it may boost confidence and improve performance. However, Sandbek and Vyse agree that there are more reliable ways to build self-esteem. They suggest that using random information to feel good is not healthy and that people should focus on strengthening their support system, relationships, and weeding out bad ones. Technology and resources can help improve people’s lives by enhancing their support systems and relationships.

Are horoscopes against God?

In Matthew 28:18, Jesus asserts that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him. This contradicts biblical wisdom, as chasing after false gods is a sin. There is no biblical evidence that God has given authority to stars or astrologists. Pursuing predictions about our destiny or personality is biblically sinful, as it takes power from God and gives it to something other than God. A horoscope cannot change what God has already ordained before we were even created.

Can Muslims read astrology?

A Muslim believes in God and the Prophet’s message, believing everything he has told is true. They cannot combine this belief with palmistry, astrology, or any method of predicting the future, as it contradicts their faith. Therefore, a Muslim should not read horoscopes, which are often published in newspapers and magazines. Even the editors of these publications do not believe their horoscopes, as they are aware of the trick they use. This highlights the importance of adhering to the teachings of Islam.

Why do people think horoscopes are real?

The “Barnum effect” refers to the tendency for people to find personal meaning in generic future predictions or personality assessments. This effect is heightened when predictions have personalized labels or are overly positive, and when they are delivered by high-status messengers. For instance, a fortune cookie, a popular Chinese takeaway, may offer insights into an individual’s personality or future forecast.

However, the power of a mass-produced cookie wafer lies in its vagueness, as it may be entertaining but meaningless. The cookie wisdom suggests that people attribute meaning when it simply isn’t there, such as a pleasant surprise, better luck, and understanding how to enjoy solitude.

Is there any truth to horoscopes?

Astrology predictions have never been more accurate than those expected by chance alone, and blind experimentation has been used to test astrology quantitatively. Michel Gauquelin, a renowned astrologer and psychologist, in 1955 found positive correlations between the diurnal positions of planets and success in professions, such as doctors, scientists, athletes, actors, writers, and painters. This is known as the “Mars effect”.

A study by seven French scientists attempted to replicate this claim, but found no statistical evidence. They attributed the effect to selective bias on Gauquelin’s part. Geoffrey Dean suggests that the effect may be caused by self-reporting of birth dates by parents, rather than any issue with Gauquelin’s study. A small subset of parents may have changed birth times to be consistent with better astrological charts for a related profession.

The sample group was taken from a time where belief in astrology was more common, and Gauquelin had failed to find the Mars effect in more recent populations. The number of births under astrologically undesirable conditions was also lower, indicating more evidence that parents choose dates and times to suit their beliefs.

Why do people trust horoscopes?

Astrology is a popular coping mechanism for people experiencing life’s complexity. It helps people make sense of their lives and provides comfort during challenging times. Interest in astrology has been increasing during tumultuous times, such as the Great Depression and the coronavirus pandemic. This is due to the lack of meaning maps provided by traditional institutions and the welcoming nature of astrology, unlike other institutions that have failed to do so. Astrology has become a tool for comfort and understanding during challenging times.