Gemini Syndrome: Star Wars of the Oldest Kind

by Roger B. Culver

In recent years, our society has witnessed a resurgence in astrology that has elevated that durable art form to a level of popularity it hasn't enjoyed since the eve of western European Renaissance. In what has thus far been a relatively successful attempt to cash in on the triumphs of twentieth-centiry science and technology, contemporary astrologers unashamedly claim far and wide that their craft is rationally consistent, that it is scientifically based, and, above all, that "it works."

In The Gemini Syndrome, two professional astronomers have produced a highly readable and well-referenced response to claims by astrologers that their theories are scientifically based. The authors elucidate the glaring internal inconsistencies associated with many of the basic concepts of "modern" astrology. They trace the historical development of the celestial "twins" of astronomy and astrology and leave little doubt concerning the differences, both historical and modern, between astronomical science and astrological art-form.

The book's most telling chapters are those dealing with the empirical evidence concerning the supposed astrological influences. Culver and Ianna offer the reader what is the most complete summary of the available data about sun-signs, houses, and aspects. In every instance the empirical astrologer is found to have no clothes on!

Finally, the oft-stated claim that "astrology works" is investigated and laid to rest under the debris of more than three thousand "busted" predictions made by the astrologers themselves, ranging from the start of World War III to the existence of an "anti-earth" orbiting on the other side of the sun.

Genres: Astrology

Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A REVISION OF AN EARLIER CRITIQUE OF ASTROLOGY

Authors Roger B. Culver and Philip A. Ianna are university professors of astronomy. (This book was originally published as ‘The Gemini Syndrome’ [GS] in 1984.) They wrote in the Preface to the 1988 revised edition, “One of the media sensations during the spring of 1988 was the allegation that the President of the United States, at the urging of the First Lady, had relied at least in part on the advice of an astrologer. With this revelation the role of astrology in contemporary U.S. society took a turn toward the more serious… to find a 5,000-year old superstition in the White House in any form other than for entertainment is quite incredible and more than a little frightening. Astrologers, of course, have hailed the acceptance of astrology at the highest level of government in one of the most powerful nations on earth as a confirmation of its legitimacy. Regardless of one’s viewpoint, knowing whether astrology is or is not valid becomes all the more important.

“The current text is in effect a retitled version … with an updated epilogue in which a brief summary of the results of some of the more recent astrological studies are described. Although this represents an efficient technique for the dissemination of recent information, it does not permit the full presentation this material deserves. Therefore, it is our intention to completely revise GS and in addition to write a less technical version of the book under the current title. We wish to emphasize the interim nature of this book and promise two completely rewritten and up-to-date discussions of astrology as soon as feasible.

“In the meantime the validity of this book’s fundamental conclusions is not affected. There is, for example, nothing more infuriating to the scientist, particularly the astronomer, than the continuing claim by a significant fraction of astrologers that astrology is a ‘science’… We hope that if this book does nothing else it will at least bring home the point that astrology is not now and has never been a science in any way, shape, or form. Whatever astrology may be… it is more assuredly not a science; and after making that point clear, we will let the reader decide if any human being or organization, in particular the commander-in-chief of one of the world’s superpowers, should be guided by its precepts.”

They continue in the Preface, “In our experience, many individuals are eager to hear objective scientific views regarding astrology. Unfortunately the attitude of the scientist is all too often one of detached disgust… Only half a dozen book-length works and a few scattered chapters in elementary astronomical texts currently offer any alternative to the plethora of astrological publications unanimously singing astrology’s praises. The well-publicized anti-astrology statement in the Humanist magazine of September 1975, signed by 186 scientists, including nineteen Nobel Prize laureates, had little effect on the popularity of astrology… We note in passing that we did not sign the statement. One of us (RBC) did not even know about it until well after the fact.” (Pg. xi)

They go on, “Both of us have long been intrigued by the astrological boast that no one who has carefully studied astrology has failed to become convinced of its validity. We started admittedly from a somewhat skeptical viewpoint, but nonetheless with a willingness to be shown that there was some evidence supporting astrology. After several years of consideration, including some data collecting and evaluations of our own, we are no longer tentative doubters. We have had no delusions that the contents of this book will provide a ‘knock-out’ blow to astrology… Astrology is clearly a firmly entrenched belief-system and its dedicated adherents are unlikely to be influenced by nonsupportive evidence even in they possess the intellectual courage to read a book like this… In particular, we hope that we have answered the many questions that have bene asked us down through the years regarding the relationship between science and astrology.” (Pg. xi-xii)

In the first chapter, they note, “Some of the more popular astrologers may have a somewhat less formal educational background. Linda Goodman admits her knowledge is based at least in part on her having been an astrologer in a previous reincarnation… and the Great Zolar was a man’s wear salesman who learned to cast horoscopes in Atlantic City, New Jersey from a boardwalk astrologer… It should be emphasized that this is not typical of the most serious astrologers who have followed the more arduous path of rigorous schooling.” (Pg. 4)

They point out, “the planet Pluto is supposed to exert significant planetary influences of the charts of individuals, yet we see for example that the satellite Titan of Saturn, and Ganymede and Callisto of Jupiter exert respectively about 20, 80, and 50 times as much gravitational force as does Pluto, yet nowhere are any of these satellites even mentioned in the casting and interpreting of horoscopes. Even more interesting is the fact that the force of gravity between the mother and child at the time of birth is exceeded only by the gravitational forces of the sun, moon, Venus, and Jupiter, and the force of gravity between the center of mass of the hospital building itself and the child is exceeded only by the gravitational forces of the sun and the moon… Thus if the astrologer is to case a horoscope in which gravity is assumed to be the influencing agent, then not only must he or she take into account the array at birth of many of the lesser bodies in the solar system, but the array of masses in the immediate vicinity of the child as well.” (Pg. 104)

They conclude, “During the course of this book, we have presented a more or less composite look at the affairs of contemporary astrology. The discussion has been far from complete, but given the many sides to astrology we could do little else in a text of this length. We are convinced however that astrology does not work… Nevertheless… we admit there always remains the remote possibility of finding an astrologer or astrological technique that may succeed where all else has failed… To allow for such an eventuality, we wish to offer the astrological community a chance to demonstrate what can do what they claim… Below are listed ten tests of astrological ability, all of which should be well within the framework of the claims made in the astrological literature… The tests, then, are as follows: 1. Given the times, dates, and places of birth of sixty individuals, half of which are violent criminals, and the other half are peaceful, law-abiding citizens, identify at least 27 of the 30 violent criminals…” (Pg. 209-210)

This book will be of great interest to those seeking critiques of astrology.