Lois’ guest, Anne Cowles, talked about both the eclipse (21 August 2017) and about her belief in astrology.
We began with an explanation of the mechanics of any eclipse -- three celestial objects lined up so that the one in the middle casts a shadow on the one furthest from the sun -- and discussed the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse.
We then discussed astrology -- the belief that the location of all the celestial objects (sun, moon, planets, stars) in relationship to you at the exact time/place of your birth explains much about who you are and what your attributes and talents are. An exact "natal chart" contains many dozen individual objects and their directions; and such a chart is different if the birth time differs by 15 minutes or more, or if the birth happened a few mile away. Anne says that computer databases make it much easier to make precise charts now than it was when one had to do them by hand.
Lois had a lot of questions about astrology; including how the direction to a star could have any effect upon a person (Anne said it was electro-magnetic energy), how astrology can still be valid once the clendar changed and the current months no longer match the older zodiac signs (Anne said that interpretations have changed over time), and how accurate newspaper horoscopes are (Anne said not very -- your natal chart is the most important). When talking about what she thinks is in the works for us now, Anne says, “The total solar eclipse, visible all the way across Middle America, holds the power to reboot the American consciousness over the next year. Astrology has predictions!"
Whether you believe the stars can guide your personal journey or that the stars are distant suns which might hold alien life, this month’s solar eclipse is the talk of the nation. Hope you are sparked to find out more about the stars and planets.
See my 17 Aug 2017 show with UCD astronomer Matt Richter for the science of the eclipse and current and past research in astronomy.
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