Question about Astrology forecast columns...

January 12, 2009

I have been following the Sun Sign forecasts by various " media

astrologers " and have the following observations:

a) Daily Forecast is written for a sun sign persona and each persona

has some basic traits. So, as long as you touch upon the basic traits

in 100s of different ways, you can expect a " hit " . I can't say the

same about a Moon Sign persona because it is harder to define one,

without taking into account many more factors.

b) There are no predictions in the Sun Sign forecasts. The forecasts

are homilies giving random advice based on the person. Therefore,

there is a 'call to action' that makes it difficult for the forecast

to be true or false.

c) IMHO Forecasts are doing a great job of keeping the interest of the

general public alive to the possibilities of Astrology. And nobody

takes it seriously, which is great. It is the top of the funnel. The

bottom of the funnel are the serious users of Astrology for their

personal growth.

regards,

raj

, " Rohiniranjan " <jyotish_vani

wrote:

>

> Dear Forum members,

>

> For a long time general trends have been published in magazines,

> journals, news papers that have utilized the sun sign, the moon sign,

> the ascendant and a few other indicators of 'personal' import for the

> nativities.

>

> My questions are simple and not at all intended to provoke a heated

> discussion or anything personal.

>

> Has anyone ever followed for a period of time a given

> prediction/trend column and tried to see if these indeed come to

> pass? Partly, or fully.

>

> Has anyone ever compared predictions/trends given by different

> astrologers for the same period for the signs etc and examined the

> inter-reading consistency? Are the examined astrological columns

> indicating similar trends for a given period? To what extent are they

> concordant?

>

> These questions are not frivolous but important, I think...

>

> Rohiniranjan

>

> , " Marg " <margie9@> wrote:

> >

> > However David, wouldn't you say that if your moon is in one of

> those rasi's then the forecast for the moon rasi would also count as

> a general prediction?

> > kind regards M

> > -

> > David Hawthorne

> >

> > Saturday, January 10, 2009 4:30 PM

> > RE: Re: Planetary Transits for January 1 -

> January 7

> >

> > Dear Elfi:

> >

> > thank you for your email.

> >

> > the rising sign is the lagna or ascendent of the chart, and is not

> > necessarily the moon sign... (unless the moon is in the

> ascendant).

> >

> > best wishes,

> >

> > David Hawthorne

> > 508 N. Second St., Fairfield, IA 52556 USA

> >

> On

> > Behalf Of Elfi Pietsch

> > Saturday, January 10, 2009 8:02 AM

> >

> > Re: Planetary Transits for January 1 -

> January 7

> >

> > Question: Rising Sign = ascendent or

> > Rising sign = sign of moon at bithtime?

> >

> > Thank you for your answer.

> >

> > EP

> >

> > , " David Hawthorne " <david@>

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > Planetary Transits for January 1 - January 7

> > >

> > > Sun transits Sagittarius, from 16:58 to 24 " 06°.

> > >

> > > Moon transits Aquarius, Pisces, Aries and into Taurus.

> > >

> > > Mars transits Sagittarius, from 09:43 to 15:00°.

> > >

> > > Mercury transits Capricorn, from 05:48 to 12:42°, closely

> conjunct

> > Jupiter.

> > >

> > > Jupiter transits Capricorn, from 04:59 to 06:37°, closely

> conjunct

> > Mercury.

> > >

> > > Venus transits Aquarius, from 03:32 to 11:04°

> > >

> > > Saturn transits Leo, from 27:44 to 27:46°.

> > >

> > > Rahu and Ketu transit Capricorn and Cancer, respectively, from

> > 15:28 to

> > > 15:25°, and remain stationary in the 15-degree range until Feb.

> > 27.

> > >

> > > Persons with " even " rising signs (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo,

> Scorpio,

> > Capricorn,

> > > and Pisces) and planets in " even " signs around 14-16° should be

> > careful and

> > > patient.

> > >

> > > 2009 Predictions for each " Rising sign " (not " Sun sign " ):

> > >

> > > Note: Jupiter, transiting its debilitation sign of Capricorn,

> > will be

> > > closely conjunct Rahu during February 2009. This can disturb

> law,

> > religion,

> > > morality, banking, teaching, publishing, consulting, and

> advisory

> > roles on a

> > > worldwide level. Husbands and children will also be vulnerable,

> > along with

> > > the liver, gall bladder and hips. Do not take risks or chances,

> > especially

> > > from Feb. 6 to Feb. 20.

> > >

> > > Aries: Focus on your career and professional life during 2009.

> See

> > if you

> > > can connect these with publishing, teaching, consulting and

> > advisory roles.

> > > Law, religion, banking, and children will also be prominent.

> Bring

> > > spiritualism into your home life, and high energy and ambition

> > into your

> > > career.

> > >

> > > Taurus: Focus on your father, guru, religion, " dharma " ,

> spiritual

> > progress

> > > and long journeys of short duration during 2009. You will also

> be

> > able to do

> > > some independent activities and/or communicate about mystical

> > experiences

> > > and spiritual knowledge. You may be highly ambitious when it

> comes

> > to

> > > religious knowledge and self-development techniques.

> > >

> > > Gemini: Focus on research, marriage, mystical experiences and

> > occult

> > > knowledge during 2009. There may also be some transformations,

> > obstructions,

> > > vulnerability, accidents, windfalls, inheritance or easy money.

> > You can

> > > expect good fortune through your own efforts and initiatives

> > through Aug.

> > > and a focus on property and home life for the remainder of the

> > year.

> > >

> > > Cancer: Focus on your marriage, partners, relationships, and

> long

> > distant

> > > ventures during 2009. Be conservative when speaking, and be

> > patient with

> > > delays and obstructions with your wealth, status, and family

> life.

> > > Meditation, spiritual experiences, and mystical knowledge will

> > come to you

> > > quite easily. Take time for yoga, retreats, Vedic chants, etc.

> > >

> > > Leo: Focus on your health, finances, legal issues, social work,

> > psychology,

> > > and being of service to others during 2009. There will also be

> a

> > lot of

> > > energy around marriage, partners, and relationships. It is a

> good

> > year for

> > > mystical experiences and spiritual advancement. Go on a retreat

> or

> > long

> > > distant journey from time to time.

> > >

> > > Virgo: Focus on your children, education, investments and

> creative

> > projects

> > > during 2009. Your mind will be rich with ideas for publishing,

> > teaching,

> > > consulting and advisory roles. These can be connected with law,

> > religion,

> > > and banking. You can also gain through mystical experiences and

> > spiritual

> > > knowledge.

> > >

> > > Libra: Focus on your parents, property, fixed assets, and home

> > life during

> > > 2009. Consider doing some publishing, teaching or consulting

> while

> > working

> > > out of your home. You can also connect your career with

> mystical

> > experiences

> > > and spiritual knowledge. These include teaching yoga, religion,

> > meditation,

> > > etc.

> > >

> > > Scorpio: Focus on your own initiatives, communications, and

> > entrepreneurial

> > > activities during 2009. These may be connected with teaching,

> > publishing,

> > > consulting and advisory roles. There may be some interest in

> law,

> > religion,

> > > or banking. Be patient and work hard. Consider spiritual

> journeys

> > and a

> > > strong connection with your guru and/or religious advisor.

> > >

> > > Sagittarius: Focus on your wealth, status, and family life

> during

> > 2009. You

> > > will be able to easily speak as a teacher, publisher, and

> > consultant. You

> > > will also do well helping the labor force and blue collar

> workers.

> > > Manufacturing and industrial activities will be plentiful.

> Pursue

> > research

> > > and mystical knowledge.

> > >

> > > Capricorn: Focus on spiritual retreats, relocation,

> institutions,

> > and long

> > > distant ventures during 2009. Be patient with expenses, and

> take

> > care of

> > > your health. You should be able to do some teaching,

> consulting,

> > and/or

> > > publishing. There may also be an interest in law, religion, or

> > banking. Your

> > > partner is likely to focus on spirituality.

> > >

> > > Aquarius: Focus on spiritual retreats, institutional life, and

> > long distant

> > > ventures during 2009. Your income can be connected with these.

> > There may be

> > > some separations and expenses associated with your friends and

> > older

> > > siblings. Marriage and partnerships remain prominent through

> Aug.

> > Connect

> > > your health, finances, and legal issues with spirituality and

> > mystical

> > > knowledge.

> > >

> > > Pisces: Focus on your income, friendships, and older siblings

> > during 2009.

> > > You should be able to gain through publishing, teaching,

> > consulting and

> > > advisory roles. Be patient with expenses and separations and

> take

> > care of

> > > your health and finances. Your mind and education will be

> lively

> > with

> > > mystical experiences and spiritual knowledge.

> > >

January 12, 2009

Dear Rohini

I think the problem with doing an analysis of this nature is that the media

which publishes them sets so many limits upon the columns before they are

published that this would interfere with a proper understanding of why sun

columnists write what is published.

First of all the limit would be on space given where some columnists are allowed

a whole page, some a whole section of a magazine, and others feature as the main

writer and can cover two or more pages for predictions.

Secondly the editorial approach of the media would dictate which aspect of

interpretation would be prioritised by the astrologer before looking at the

transits for the week or month or day under scrutiny.

Thirdly the culture i.e geographical, specialist or laymen, young or old, east

or east, northern hemisphere or southern etc, which the magazine aims to appeal

to would also dictate what language and terminology the astrologer would use in

the column. So even before you start comparing predictions you have so many

factors influencing what an astrologer would write. In addition the media might

be specialist such as men only, women only, youth only, cyclists, health media

or general public etc so this too would vary the content and bias in the

prediction.

I suppose the best way to start comparing is to red across national news and see

if there is any correlation across these samples, then compare these with

national sun/asc/moon signs in comparative cultures.

I have done this myself but not in any systematic way, and the predictions vary

significantly in that each astrologer delivering sun signs in UK newspapers adds

their own preferences and personal touch to the predictions in ways which show

how diverse interpretations may be.

kind regards M

-

Rohiniranjan

Monday, January 12, 2009 12:48 AM

Question about Astrology forecast columns...

Dear Forum members,

For a long time general trends have been published in magazines,

journals, news papers that have utilized the sun sign, the moon sign,

the ascendant and a few other indicators of 'personal' import for the

nativities.

My questions are simple and not at all intended to provoke a heated

discussion or anything personal.

Has anyone ever followed for a period of time a given

prediction/trend column and tried to see if these indeed come to

pass? Partly, or fully.

Has anyone ever compared predictions/trends given by different

astrologers for the same period for the signs etc and examined the

inter-reading consistency? Are the examined astrological columns

indicating similar trends for a given period? To what extent are they

concordant?

These questions are not frivolous but important, I think...

Rohiniranjan

, " Marg " <margie9 wrote:

>

> However David, wouldn't you say that if your moon is in one of

those rasi's then the forecast for the moon rasi would also count as

a general prediction?

> kind regards M

> -

> David Hawthorne

>

> Saturday, January 10, 2009 4:30 PM

> RE: Re: Planetary Transits for January 1 -

January 7

>

> Dear Elfi:

>

> thank you for your email.

>

> the rising sign is the lagna or ascendent of the chart, and is not

> necessarily the moon sign... (unless the moon is in the

ascendant).

>

> best wishes,

>

> David Hawthorne

> 508 N. Second St., Fairfield, IA 52556 USA

>

On

> Behalf Of Elfi Pietsch

> Saturday, January 10, 2009 8:02 AM

>

> Re: Planetary Transits for January 1 -

January 7

>

> Question: Rising Sign = ascendent or

> Rising sign = sign of moon at bithtime?

>

> Thank you for your answer.

>

> EP

>

> , " David Hawthorne " <david@>

> wrote:

> >

> > Planetary Transits for January 1 - January 7

> >

> > Sun transits Sagittarius, from 16:58 to 24 " 06°.

> >

> > Moon transits Aquarius, Pisces, Aries and into Taurus.

> >

> > Mars transits Sagittarius, from 09:43 to 15:00°.

> >

> > Mercury transits Capricorn, from 05:48 to 12:42°, closely

conjunct

> Jupiter.

> >

> > Jupiter transits Capricorn, from 04:59 to 06:37°, closely

conjunct

> Mercury.

> >

> > Venus transits Aquarius, from 03:32 to 11:04°

> >

> > Saturn transits Leo, from 27:44 to 27:46°.

> >

> > Rahu and Ketu transit Capricorn and Cancer, respectively, from

> 15:28 to

> > 15:25°, and remain stationary in the 15-degree range until Feb.

> 27.

> >

> > Persons with " even " rising signs (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo,

Scorpio,

> Capricorn,

> > and Pisces) and planets in " even " signs around 14-16° should be

> careful and

> > patient.

> >

> > 2009 Predictions for each " Rising sign " (not " Sun sign " ):

> >

> > Note: Jupiter, transiting its debilitation sign of Capricorn,

> will be

> > closely conjunct Rahu during February 2009. This can disturb

law,

> religion,

> > morality, banking, teaching, publishing, consulting, and

advisory

> roles on a

> > worldwide level. Husbands and children will also be vulnerable,

> along with

> > the liver, gall bladder and hips. Do not take risks or chances,

> especially

> > from Feb. 6 to Feb. 20.

> >

> > Aries: Focus on your career and professional life during 2009.

See

> if you

> > can connect these with publishing, teaching, consulting and

> advisory roles.

> > Law, religion, banking, and children will also be prominent.

Bring

> > spiritualism into your home life, and high energy and ambition

> into your

> > career.

> >

> > Taurus: Focus on your father, guru, religion, " dharma " ,

spiritual

> progress

> > and long journeys of short duration during 2009. You will also

be

> able to do

> > some independent activities and/or communicate about mystical

> experiences

> > and spiritual knowledge. You may be highly ambitious when it

comes

> to

> > religious knowledge and self-development techniques.

> >

> > Gemini: Focus on research, marriage, mystical experiences and

> occult

> > knowledge during 2009. There may also be some transformations,

> obstructions,

> > vulnerability, accidents, windfalls, inheritance or easy money.

> You can

> > expect good fortune through your own efforts and initiatives

> through Aug.

> > and a focus on property and home life for the remainder of the

> year.

> >

> > Cancer: Focus on your marriage, partners, relationships, and

long

> distant

> > ventures during 2009. Be conservative when speaking, and be

> patient with

> > delays and obstructions with your wealth, status, and family

life.

> > Meditation, spiritual experiences, and mystical knowledge will

> come to you

> > quite easily. Take time for yoga, retreats, Vedic chants, etc.

> >

> > Leo: Focus on your health, finances, legal issues, social work,

> psychology,

> > and being of service to others during 2009. There will also be

a

> lot of

> > energy around marriage, partners, and relationships. It is a

good

> year for

> > mystical experiences and spiritual advancement. Go on a retreat

or

> long

> > distant journey from time to time.

> >

> > Virgo: Focus on your children, education, investments and

creative

> projects

> > during 2009. Your mind will be rich with ideas for publishing,

> teaching,

> > consulting and advisory roles. These can be connected with law,

> religion,

> > and banking. You can also gain through mystical experiences and

> spiritual

> > knowledge.

> >

> > Libra: Focus on your parents, property, fixed assets, and home

> life during

> > 2009. Consider doing some publishing, teaching or consulting

while

> working

> > out of your home. You can also connect your career with

mystical

> experiences

> > and spiritual knowledge. These include teaching yoga, religion,

> meditation,

> > etc.

> >

> > Scorpio: Focus on your own initiatives, communications, and

> entrepreneurial

> > activities during 2009. These may be connected with teaching,

> publishing,

> > consulting and advisory roles. There may be some interest in

law,

> religion,

> > or banking. Be patient and work hard. Consider spiritual

journeys

> and a

> > strong connection with your guru and/or religious advisor.

> >

> > Sagittarius: Focus on your wealth, status, and family life

during

> 2009. You

> > will be able to easily speak as a teacher, publisher, and

> consultant. You

> > will also do well helping the labor force and blue collar

workers.

> > Manufacturing and industrial activities will be plentiful.

Pursue

> research

> > and mystical knowledge.

> >

> > Capricorn: Focus on spiritual retreats, relocation,

institutions,

> and long

> > distant ventures during 2009. Be patient with expenses, and

take

> care of

> > your health. You should be able to do some teaching,

consulting,

> and/or

> > publishing. There may also be an interest in law, religion, or

> banking. Your

> > partner is likely to focus on spirituality.

> >

> > Aquarius: Focus on spiritual retreats, institutional life, and

> long distant

> > ventures during 2009. Your income can be connected with these.

> There may be

> > some separations and expenses associated with your friends and

> older

> > siblings. Marriage and partnerships remain prominent through

Aug.

> Connect

> > your health, finances, and legal issues with spirituality and

> mystical

> > knowledge.

> >

> > Pisces: Focus on your income, friendships, and older siblings

> during 2009.

> > You should be able to gain through publishing, teaching,

> consulting and

> > advisory roles. Be patient with expenses and separations and

take

> care of

> > your health and finances. Your mind and education will be

lively

> with

> > mystical experiences and spiritual knowledge.

> >

January 13, 2009

Dear Marg,

Your sincere, thoughtful and informative posting was truly

appreciated. I have heard similar accounts from others too who have

been approached to write such columns and all the biases and

constraints introduced -- nay imposed upon the scribe by the editors

of such magazines etc.

Would it be prudent to hope/assume that such columns when they appear

in astrology magazines, journals in the western system as well as in

jyotish would be less confining, editorially speaking? Perhaps the

exploration should initially include just the astrology-specific

magazine who carry a column which deals with astrological trend

forecasts? It would be very interesting to find out if there is

concordance there and really wonderful if a concordance is found

between journals and magazines dedicated (sincerely and seriously) to

different astrological systems.

For systems of astrology to survive even a few hundred years let

alone a thousand or two, tells me that it is wise not to toss out the

baby with the bath-water! Particularly, any astrological discipline

that has survived despite a lot of social resistance in the name of

progress and religions that shun 'fortune-telling!' It tells me

something!

My apologies if I spoke too much and caused anyone an offence.

Rohiniranjan

, " Marg " <margie9 wrote:

>

> Dear Rohini

> I think the problem with doing an analysis of this nature is that

the media which publishes them sets so many limits upon the columns

before they are published that this would interfere with a proper

understanding of why sun columnists write what is published.

> First of all the limit would be on space given where some

columnists are allowed a whole page, some a whole section of a

magazine, and others feature as the main writer and can cover two or

more pages for predictions.

> Secondly the editorial approach of the media would dictate which

aspect of interpretation would be prioritised by the astrologer

before looking at the transits for the week or month or day under

scrutiny.

> Thirdly the culture i.e geographical, specialist or laymen, young

or old, east or east, northern hemisphere or southern etc, which the

magazine aims to appeal to would also dictate what language and

terminology the astrologer would use in the column. So even before

you start comparing predictions you have so many factors influencing

what an astrologer would write. In addition the media might be

specialist such as men only, women only, youth only, cyclists, health

media or general public etc so this too would vary the content and

bias in the prediction.

> I suppose the best way to start comparing is to red across national

news and see if there is any correlation across these samples, then

compare these with national sun/asc/moon signs in comparative

cultures.

> I have done this myself but not in any systematic way, and the

predictions vary significantly in that each astrologer delivering sun

signs in UK newspapers adds their own preferences and personal touch

to the predictions in ways which show how diverse interpretations may

be.

> kind regards M

>

> -

> Rohiniranjan

>

> Monday, January 12, 2009 12:48 AM

> Question about Astrology forecast

columns...

>

> Dear Forum members,

>

> For a long time general trends have been published in magazines,

> journals, news papers that have utilized the sun sign, the moon

sign,

> the ascendant and a few other indicators of 'personal' import for

the

> nativities.

>

> My questions are simple and not at all intended to provoke a

heated

> discussion or anything personal.

>

> Has anyone ever followed for a period of time a given

> prediction/trend column and tried to see if these indeed come to

> pass? Partly, or fully.

>

> Has anyone ever compared predictions/trends given by different

> astrologers for the same period for the signs etc and examined

the

> inter-reading consistency? Are the examined astrological columns

> indicating similar trends for a given period? To what extent are

they

> concordant?

>

> These questions are not frivolous but important, I think...

>

> Rohiniranjan

>

> , " Marg " <margie9@> wrote:

> >

> > However David, wouldn't you say that if your moon is in one of

> those rasi's then the forecast for the moon rasi would also count

as

> a general prediction?

> > kind regards M

> > -

> > David Hawthorne

> >

> > Saturday, January 10, 2009 4:30 PM

> > RE: Re: Planetary Transits for January

1 -

> January 7

> >

> > Dear Elfi:

> >

> > thank you for your email.

> >

> > the rising sign is the lagna or ascendent of the chart, and is

not

> > necessarily the moon sign... (unless the moon is in the

> ascendant).

> >

> > best wishes,

> >

> > David Hawthorne

> > 508 N. Second St., Fairfield, IA 52556 USA

> >

> On

> > Behalf Of Elfi Pietsch

> > Saturday, January 10, 2009 8:02 AM

> >

> > Re: Planetary Transits for January 1 -

> January 7

> >

> > Question: Rising Sign = ascendent or

> > Rising sign = sign of moon at bithtime?

> >

> > Thank you for your answer.

> >

> > EP

> >

> > , " David Hawthorne " <david@>

> > wrote:

> > >

> > > Planetary Transits for January 1 - January 7

> > >

> > > Sun transits Sagittarius, from 16:58 to 24 " 06°.

> > >

> > > Moon transits Aquarius, Pisces, Aries and into Taurus.

> > >

> > > Mars transits Sagittarius, from 09:43 to 15:00°.

> > >

> > > Mercury transits Capricorn, from 05:48 to 12:42°, closely

> conjunct

> > Jupiter.

> > >

> > > Jupiter transits Capricorn, from 04:59 to 06:37°, closely

> conjunct

> > Mercury.

> > >

> > > Venus transits Aquarius, from 03:32 to 11:04°

> > >

> > > Saturn transits Leo, from 27:44 to 27:46°.

> > >

> > > Rahu and Ketu transit Capricorn and Cancer, respectively,

from

> > 15:28 to

> > > 15:25°, and remain stationary in the 15-degree range until

Feb.

> > 27.

> > >

> > > Persons with " even " rising signs (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo,

> Scorpio,

> > Capricorn,

> > > and Pisces) and planets in " even " signs around 14-16° should

be

> > careful and

> > > patient.

> > >

> > > 2009 Predictions for each " Rising sign " (not " Sun sign " ):

> > >

> > > Note: Jupiter, transiting its debilitation sign of Capricorn,

> > will be

> > > closely conjunct Rahu during February 2009. This can disturb

> law,

> > religion,

> > > morality, banking, teaching, publishing, consulting, and

> advisory

> > roles on a

> > > worldwide level. Husbands and children will also be

vulnerable,

> > along with

> > > the liver, gall bladder and hips. Do not take risks or

chances,

> > especially

> > > from Feb. 6 to Feb. 20.

> > >

> > > Aries: Focus on your career and professional life during

2009.

> See

> > if you

> > > can connect these with publishing, teaching, consulting and

> > advisory roles.

> > > Law, religion, banking, and children will also be prominent.

> Bring

> > > spiritualism into your home life, and high energy and

ambition

> > into your

> > > career.

> > >

> > > Taurus: Focus on your father, guru, religion, " dharma " ,

> spiritual

> > progress

> > > and long journeys of short duration during 2009. You will

also

> be

> > able to do

> > > some independent activities and/or communicate about mystical

> > experiences

> > > and spiritual knowledge. You may be highly ambitious when it

> comes

> > to

> > > religious knowledge and self-development techniques.

> > >

> > > Gemini: Focus on research, marriage, mystical experiences and

> > occult

> > > knowledge during 2009. There may also be some

transformations,

> > obstructions,

> > > vulnerability, accidents, windfalls, inheritance or easy

money.

> > You can

> > > expect good fortune through your own efforts and initiatives

> > through Aug.

> > > and a focus on property and home life for the remainder of

the

> > year.

> > >

> > > Cancer: Focus on your marriage, partners, relationships, and

> long

> > distant

> > > ventures during 2009. Be conservative when speaking, and be

> > patient with

> > > delays and obstructions with your wealth, status, and family

> life.

> > > Meditation, spiritual experiences, and mystical knowledge

will

> > come to you

> > > quite easily. Take time for yoga, retreats, Vedic chants, etc.

> > >

> > > Leo: Focus on your health, finances, legal issues, social

work,

> > psychology,

> > > and being of service to others during 2009. There will also

be

> a

> > lot of

> > > energy around marriage, partners, and relationships. It is a

> good

> > year for

> > > mystical experiences and spiritual advancement. Go on a

retreat

> or

> > long

> > > distant journey from time to time.

> > >

> > > Virgo: Focus on your children, education, investments and

> creative

> > projects

> > > during 2009. Your mind will be rich with ideas for

publishing,

> > teaching,

> > > consulting and advisory roles. These can be connected with

law,

> > religion,

> > > and banking. You can also gain through mystical experiences

and

> > spiritual

> > > knowledge.

> > >

> > > Libra: Focus on your parents, property, fixed assets, and

home

> > life during

> > > 2009. Consider doing some publishing, teaching or consulting

> while

> > working

> > > out of your home. You can also connect your career with

> mystical

> > experiences

> > > and spiritual knowledge. These include teaching yoga,

religion,

> > meditation,

> > > etc.

> > >

> > > Scorpio: Focus on your own initiatives, communications, and

> > entrepreneurial

> > > activities during 2009. These may be connected with teaching,

> > publishing,

> > > consulting and advisory roles. There may be some interest in

> law,

> > religion,

> > > or banking. Be patient and work hard. Consider spiritual

> journeys

> > and a

> > > strong connection with your guru and/or religious advisor.

> > >

> > > Sagittarius: Focus on your wealth, status, and family life

> during

> > 2009. You

> > > will be able to easily speak as a teacher, publisher, and

> > consultant. You

> > > will also do well helping the labor force and blue collar

> workers.

> > > Manufacturing and industrial activities will be plentiful.

> Pursue

> > research

> > > and mystical knowledge.

> > >

> > > Capricorn: Focus on spiritual retreats, relocation,

> institutions,

> > and long

> > > distant ventures during 2009. Be patient with expenses, and

> take

> > care of

> > > your health. You should be able to do some teaching,

> consulting,

> > and/or

> > > publishing. There may also be an interest in law, religion,

or

> > banking. Your

> > > partner is likely to focus on spirituality.

> > >

> > > Aquarius: Focus on spiritual retreats, institutional life,

and

> > long distant

> > > ventures during 2009. Your income can be connected with

these.

> > There may be

> > > some separations and expenses associated with your friends

and

> > older

> > > siblings. Marriage and partnerships remain prominent through

> Aug.

> > Connect

> > > your health, finances, and legal issues with spirituality and

> > mystical

> > > knowledge.

> > >

> > > Pisces: Focus on your income, friendships, and older siblings

> > during 2009.

> > > You should be able to gain through publishing, teaching,

> > consulting and

> > > advisory roles. Be patient with expenses and separations and

> take

> > care of

> > > your health and finances. Your mind and education will be

> lively

> > with

> > > mystical experiences and spiritual knowledge.

> > >

January 13, 2009

Dear Rohini

I'll answer in the order you present your response. First of all I do think

newspapers limit the content to fit in with their editorial approach. For

instance the Times would want something serious, intellectual and with a

financial business orientation. Other broadsheets would also ant similar serious

content but some with perhaps a touch of humour, though issues such as love and

romance would perhaps be frowned upon and not acceptable to the editor. The

tabloids would want the romance, more fun and entertainment and a light-hearted

column more entertaining than seriously inclined.Similarly many magazines. The

editor of all would select the astrologer that could address these types of

writing.

The tradition survives only less than one hundred years in terms of sun sign

columns which were started by a Brit astrologer who predicted some disaster as

part of his very first feature, which subsequently came true and the editor

asked him to continue with sun signs which is how they were 'born.'

Due to newspapers selling advertising space to recoup their profits and

expenses, very little space is now given to such columns, and most astrologers

would not be paid for their services, so many resort to giving tel numbers to

premium rate phone lines which is how such columnists earn some small fee for

their efforts at sun sign predictions. I don't think any make a huge profit,

though many might benefit in national media from the constant exposure to the

public.

I was asked very many years ago to write such a column monthly it took a lot of

time to be honest for no pay! However, it was a worthwhile exercise due to

disciplining myself to sit down and take a close look at transits on a regular

basis, which benefited me more than the readers I should think!

I do compare my own current weekly sun signs with those of David Hawthornes,

though not every week due to time constraints.

Also David does constellational transits while I use tropical transits so there

is clearly a difference in tools used to start with. However there are on

occasions some synchronicities between his predictions and mine which is quite

interesting to see.

On another note I also give multiple impromptu readings at exhibitions or in

other situations and use just the moon chart and lunar

transits--constellational-- for doing these. It is this kind of generalised

reading which I find has the broader appeal and meets a better target of

accuracy in prediction.For example last year most Arian people found they were

changing jobs or meeting career crisis or redundancy, while Sagittarians were

having major

family deaths or illness or troubles. So in my limited experience so far I would

say the moon sign predictions give a better chance of accuracy for this kind of

generalised delivery. However not everyone knows their moon signs therefore in

the west it is the solar chart which is most easily used to connect with readers

of such columns.

Clearly the solar chart has some merit otherwise Parasara would not have told us

to use this chart also to give predictions. It does have its limitations in

terms of what can be seen in it however.

I think that to do the research you refer to with magazines you would have to

restrict to say, a) age group, b)purpose of magazine, ie pop culture, sport,

fashion, c) gender d) financial background of readership ie wealthy,

millionaire, struggling and g)culture European, Asian, etc You would also have

to determine that each astrologer is an astrologer as some magazines get their

journalists to write such things, instead of getting a proper astrologer----so a

lot of work before you start!

best wishes

M

-

Rohiniranjan

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 2:21 AM

Re: Question about Astrology forecast columns...