Download Astrology What do you know about it? Watch the clip. Jot down each

Astrology
What do you know about it?
Watch the clip. Jot down each character’s viewpoint regarding astrology.
• Waterboy
• Vicki
• Mama
What’s your sign?
Does that sound right?
Which one describes you best?
Here are samples of daily horoscopes:
ARIES (March 21 – April 20):
The sun moves into your birth sign today, so be bold, be brave and be ready to take advantage of the many
opportunities that will soon be coming your way. Also, swallow your pride and say “sorry” if there has been a fallingout with a loved one.
TAURUS (April 21 – May 21):
Because the sun is beginning its month-long journey through the most sensitive area of your chart you could get a bit
touchy – make that a lot if you are a bit grouchy by nature anyway. Stay calm. Don’t let your emotions get the better
of you.
GEMINI (May 22 – June 21):
The planets are now encouraging you to be less suspicious and to accept the fact that no one is deliberately singling
you out for criticism. Friendships are well starred over the next few weeks, so try replacing that frown with a smile.
CANCER (June 22 – July 23):
The sun’s move into the go-ahead sign of Aries will help you make more of your talents. The most important thing is
that you don’t sit back and expect good things to just fall in your lap. The rewards will be sweeter if the effort comes
from you.
LEO (July 24 – Aug. 23):
You will feel a lot more like your old self now that the sun is moving into your fellow fire sign of Aries. If nothing else it
will give you the confidence to try new things and visit new places. So many adventures await you out there.
VIRGO (Aug. 24 – Sept. 23):
If you feel that you have been hard done by you must speak up and let others know about it. They may not agree
with you but at least they will know what it is you desire. That alone makes it more likely you will get it.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23):
Others may say you are being too optimistic, and maybe you are, but it’s a sorry old world if you can’t treat yourself
to a few harmless dreams once in a while. An upbeat attitude is essential over the next few days. Anything can
happen!
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 – Nov. 22):
Life will be anything but boring over the next few days, so get your act together and get ready to meet challenges
head-on. Work-related activities will take up a lot of your time but you won’t mind as so many exciting changes are
taking place.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 – Dec. 21):
If someone makes you an offer of some kind today don’t immediately assume that there must be a catch. In fact, with
the sun moving into the most dynamic area of your chart even if there is a downside you can turn it to your
advantage.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 – Jan. 20):
It is no good just issuing orders and expecting other people to carry them out – you must lead by example.
Sometimes you can be a bit too assertive for your own good, so try showing instead of just telling. You’re a natural
born leader.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 – Feb. 19):
What happens over the next few days will prove that you were right and everyone else was wrong. Don’t waste time
gloating because there are huge rewards to be had and you are in pole position to make them your own. Turn your
ideas into cash.
PISCES (Feb. 20 – Mar. 20):
The sun leaves your sign today but your energy levels will remain high for some time to come. The only thing that
requires an instant change is that you must learn not to be so wasteful with your resources, especially your time and
your money.
Astrology: the study of how the positions of the stars and movements of the planets have a supposed influence on
events and on the lives and behavior of people (merriam-webster.com)
Astronomy: the scientific study of stars, planets, and other objects in outer space (merriam-webster.com)
Directions: As you/we read the article below, annotate: define words, highlight key p oints, jot down reactions
adapted from Gale Encyclopedia of the Unusual and Unexplained: Astrology (2003 )
The earliest humans soon learned that the fertility of the soil depended on the favor of the Sun, as well as that of
the rains. Both of these things came from the heavens. On the other hand, bad things also came from the
heavens such as lightning, wind, hail, and floods. These events were quite mysterious, as well as wonderful or
dreadful. Then, as now, people felt themselves at the mercy of these powers. And since these good and bad
energies all seemed to begin in the skies above, people began to believe that the heavens were home to the great
gods. After deciding this, they developed another theory. They believed there was a direct connection between
events observed in the skies and events that occurred on Earth.
There is no doubt that the people of the ancient world held the celestial bodies (planets, moons, and stars) in
great regard. There are many verses in the Old Testament that indicate that. Historical records show us that
Babylonian priests developed and perfected a system of interpreting the events observed in the heavens and
using those interpretations to determine the will of the gods. The Greeks enlarged the scope of astrology to
include all the known sciences.
In essence, astrology deals with the relationship between the positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets and the
life of an individual. According to astrology, the personality of all individuals is determined by the pattern of
the heavens at the time of their birth, plus their reactions to their environment during growth and maturity.
Many people associate astrology with the brief horoscopes in their daily newspapers and don't give it much
attention. However, there are millions of men and women today who still regard the celestial bodies with the
same respect as did the ancients.
While Western astrology was developed by the Egyptians, Babylonians, Chaldeans, and Greeks, Chinese
astrology developed independently of outside influences... The figures of the Chinese zodiac bear no similarity
to those of the West. The animals of the Chinese zodiac are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram,
monkey, rooster, dog, and boar. Astrology has been an important part of daily life in China for centuries and
remains so today.
Many of the great philosophers who shaped the ideals and concepts of the West employed astrology as an aid in
developing their thoughts. Pythagoras, who came up with the Pythagorean Theorem, used it. Aristotle, who
developed a system of learning and reasoning, used it. Ptolemy, who developed maps of the world and space,
used it. Nicolaus Copernicus, who gave science its first rational view of the universe, was a doctor, theologian,
astronomer, and astrologer.
In the Middle Ages, chemists, scholars, and even the leaders of the Catholic church (papacy) embraced
astrology. Pope Julius II trusted his astrologers to set the date for his coronation; Pope Paul III was guided
throughout life by his horoscope; and Pope Leo X established a chair of astrology at a major university. Church
scholars began to associate the signs of the zodiac with the 12 apostles, and cathedrals throughout Europe were
decorated with zodiacal symbols.
Many famous people throughout history have used astrology. Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, who built the
first astronomical observatory in the Western world, practiced and defended astrology. Brahe's exact planetary
figures allowed his student Johannes Kepler to work out his great Laws of Motion. Sir Isaac Newton, who
followed in Kepler's footsteps, used an eclectic mix of science and astrology to arrive at many of his theories.
U.S. Navy Admiral George Dewey and U.S. President Grover Cleveland consulted astrologers throughout their
lives. Psychiatrist Dr. Carl Jung used astrology charts to assist him in diagnosis and treatment of his patients.
John J. O'Neill, the first science writer to win a Pulitzer Prize, began as a skeptic and ended up a believer in
astrology. Former President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan were devotees of astrology long
before their tenure in the White House. The Reagans continued to confer with an astrologist regarding
important dates and meetings while in office. Indira Gandhi prime minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and
1980 to 1984, used astrology to assist in decision-making until her death by assassination in 1984.
The role of astrology, so say the astrologers, is comparable to a ship's compass. The compass points the way to
a destination, but it does not establish that destination. The captain of the ship must decide the destination and
must turn the ship’s wheel so that it heads in that direction. Similarly, astrology points to the way to a particular
path in life, but the individual person must decide to go that way and must steer his or her life in that direction.
Modern astrology recognizes that human beings were not created to be mindless marionettes able to move and
act only through the remote direction of forces they cannot comprehend, much less influence. [In
fact]…astrology requires its adherents to accept responsibility for themselves and for their actions. In one sense
it imposes an even greater responsibility, for having been made aware of their greatest potentials, according to
the best knowledge and techniques available, those who steer their lives by the stars can no longer plead their
failures due to blind chance and the fickleness of fate.
1. What is the main idea of the article? (Overall, what does it say about astrology)
2. According to astrologists, who controls your destiny?
3. What is the author’s purpose – inform or persuade?
4. What is his/her bias? How do you know?
5. What is your opinion about astrology: does it really determine your personality and can predict the
future OR is it all hogwash? Write a claim, cite, clarify paragraph in which you explain whether or not
astrology is valid. Cite evidence from the article.