Oh, astrology fails entirely; I was simply bringing up that the idea of the month of birth having some effect on personality has some merit, and that is also one of the most basic precepts of astrology (even a broken clock, eh?).
But like you said, there are many factors in personality, from genetics to name to birth order, etc. In fact, the very fact that one is a twin is going to influence a twin’s personality.
And I also want to make the point that one should not dismiss pseudoscience or non-scientific cultural practices out of hand, because oftentimes there is some sort of rational basis for since pieces of those beliefs. Not always, but a huge amount of modern medicine is built on the practice of ethnobotany, which is effectively applying the scientific method to traditional medicines from around the world.
and that is also one of the most basic precepts of astrology
But it’s not because astrology signs don’t match the weather. Signs close to each other by month have radically different results. Sagittarius in December and Capricorn in January should have similar results.
Then there’s all of Australia, South America, and Sub Sarahan Africa where astrology should be opposite because the seasons are opposite when you are south of the equator.
Agreed. That’s why I said astrology fails completely. When I said “it’s one of the most basic precepts of astrology” I meant the idea that season of birth can affect personality, no more. I didn’t mean that astrology gets any of the specifics right, for all the reasons you suggest and more.
Oh, astrology fails entirely; I was simply bringing up that the idea of the month of birth having some effect on personality has some merit, and that is also one of the most basic precepts of astrology (even a broken clock, eh?).
But like you said, there are many factors in personality, from genetics to name to birth order, etc. In fact, the very fact that one is a twin is going to influence a twin’s personality.
And I also want to make the point that one should not dismiss pseudoscience or non-scientific cultural practices out of hand, because oftentimes there is some sort of rational basis for since pieces of those beliefs. Not always, but a huge amount of modern medicine is built on the practice of ethnobotany, which is effectively applying the scientific method to traditional medicines from around the world.
But it’s not because astrology signs don’t match the weather. Signs close to each other by month have radically different results. Sagittarius in December and Capricorn in January should have similar results.
Then there’s all of Australia, South America, and Sub Sarahan Africa where astrology should be opposite because the seasons are opposite when you are south of the equator.
Agreed. That’s why I said astrology fails completely. When I said “it’s one of the most basic precepts of astrology” I meant the idea that season of birth can affect personality, no more. I didn’t mean that astrology gets any of the specifics right, for all the reasons you suggest and more.