Great Minds and Astrology

If you ever feel embarrassed that you’re into horoscopes or that you like astrology – or if you worry about what others would think if they knew, it’s understandable. But when you explore the history of looking to celestial forces for guidance, it may help to know that astrology has played – and continues to play – an extraordinary role in the lives of powerful people throughout the ages.

That’s right: the “scandalous” matter of U.S. President Ronald Regan and his wife, Nancy – who employed astrologer Jeane Dixon – was not the isolated case some people supposed it to be. Whether you look to the Founding Fathers (who, it’s said, timed the signing of The Declaration of Independence and all future presidential inaugurations with their eyes to the sky), or Elvis Presley (whose famous comeback concert was scheduled when astrological forces assured his great success), or Shakespeare (who made over 100 astrological references in his plays and sonnets), great minds have called on this ancient knowledge since the dawn of time.

Still feeling unnecessary shame? Then consider what others have said about looking to the stars:

“Astrology is one of the most ancient sciences, held in high esteem of old, by the wise and great. Formerly no prince would make war or peace, nor any general fight a battle – in short, no important affair was undertaken – without first consulting an astrologer.”

– Benjamin Franklin (1751)

Okay, you may argue that he was just commenting on history, and didn’t actually personally endorse anything. Well, ponder this:

“The cosmos is a vast living body of which we are still parts. The sun is a great heart whose tremors run through our smallest veins. The moon is a great nerve-center from which we quiver forever. Who knows the power that Saturn has over us, or Venus? But it is a vital power, rippling exquisitely through us all the time.”

-D.H. Lawrence, 20th Century British novelist

If you’re saying to yourself, “Yeah, but scientists and astronomers don’t believe in astrology,” then check out what one of the greatest astronomers to ever live is quoted as saying:

“A most unfailing experience… of the excitement of sublunary (that is, human) natures by the conjunctions and aspects of the planets has instructed and compelled my unwilling belief.”

– Johannes Kepler, 17th century German mathematician and astronomer

Now, if you’re thinking, “Yeah, but he lived a super-long time ago,” then see what the most famous astronomer of modern times said:

“That we can now think of no mechanism for astrology is relevant, but unconvincing. No mechanism was known, for example, for continental drift when it was proposed by Wegener. Nevertheless, we see that Wegener was right, and those who objected on the grounds of unavailable mechanism were wrong.”

– Carl Sagan, 20th century astronomer and writer

How cool is that? Are you still convinced that he was just being academic, and that he didn’t have any personal success, or results? Then read this:

“Millionaires don’t have astrologers, billionaires do.”

– J.P. Morgan, turn-of-the-20th-Century financier and banker

I bet that one got your attention! It’s pretty amazing that a billionaire would give credit for his massive success to something so many rational (and broke) people dismiss as nothing more than mere superstition.

But the most amazing quote of them all…

“There will be signs in the Sun, the Moon, and the stars.”

– Jesus Christ, The Bible, Luke – 21:25

(I swear it’s there – I checked it myself.)

So, see? By believing in the influence of the heavenly bodies above, you’re among the greatest thinkers mankind has ever known. So be proud of your open-mindedness, your excellent judgment, and the good company you keep. In short – give yourself a “high five” for being so enlightened… and quit worrying what anyone thinks of you.