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I like astrology. Other than some brief periods when I was of a more religious bent and turned away from it on principle, I have studied it for over 35 years.

The objections I've heard to the study come from groups with different agendas. Religious people say astrology is an occult science and therefore evil. Most religions are based upon the premise that we mortal beings should take direction for our lives from a specific outside being that we cannot see, based on faith. If a person is highly invested in their religion and it has worked for them, I can't argue.

The other two objections generally come from groups that are quite non-religious.

The first group of all-around skeptics will say there is no scientific validity for astrology. I disagree because in order to have a good understanding of astrology, it is necessary to perform mathematical calculations to determine the positions of the planets at a given time. Astrologers have been doing this for thousands of years. If they are willing to go to all the time and trouble to perform detailed calculations, why would this continue if there were no observable correlation between the positions of the planets and events here on Earth?

Of course, it is the interpretation of our calculations that give rise to the strongest objections to astrology. The other group of skeptics, which includes people like James Randi, say that those who lend any credence to astrology are gullible and easy prey for charlatans.

I prefer to think of astrology as an informational tool.

Suppose one day I go to the racetrack and decide to take a stroll around the paddock area. One horse, Number 4, has a crowd of people gathered around. They all look like business executives except for one, who is clearly a veterinarian. No one looks happy. Liniment is frantically being massaged onto the horse's leg; everyone is shaking their head and punching numbers into a calculator. However, it is clear that the horse will be run regardless.

That's information. It indicates something. I now have a choice of actions to take, based on the information I have.

I can go to the betting window and put all my money on Number 4, reasoning that he is probably such an extreme long shot, if he wins I'll be set for life (there are a lot of people who would do that).
I can put zero money on Number 4, not wanting to lose spectacularly and look like a fool in the bargain.
I can put some money on 4.
I can close my eyes, point my finger at the racing form, and bet completely

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