This paper documents my research into the working practices of astrologers and to discuss the methodology I have employed. For the purposes of this research, I have conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with practising astrologers based in Glastonbury in Somerset, all of whom work face-to-face with individual clients. I am attempting to ascertain how they approach their work, the steps taken in preparing for a consultation, the nature and extent of any ritualised activities undertaken in the process and the importance that they attach to these. Through this, I hope to discover something of the motivations behind the astrologers’ approach, what it is that astrologers consider they are doing and why, and the role they believe themselves to be playing in the client’s life.

Taking the proposal that all astrology is divination as a basic hypothesis, this pilot study explored the phenomenology and experience of divination during the consultation between the astrologer and the client. The study collected qualitative data in ninety-minute taped interviews with six experienced astrologers. The in-terview schedule was semi-structured so as to allow the subjects to explore their experiences at length. The results showed a very rich and varied experience of divinatory features with altered states of consciousness in the consultation being common. All the subjects acknowledged that divinatory processes play a part in astrological practice. The high level of use of intuitive processes reported in the interviews led to a sample of astrologer delegates at an Astrological Association conference being given a short questionnaire asking them about the use of intuition in their practice. 80% of a 26% sample of 246 delegates often used intuitive processes in their astrological work and 20% did not. The results of this pilot study are discussed in terms of the current literature and the possibility of further work to test the hypothesis.

Anecdotal and historical evidence suggests that solar eclipses have a powerful effect on those who experience them. This qualitative study, conducted by email, used emailed questionnaires and semi-structured personal interviews in order to record first-hand testimony from eclipse-watchers. The results support the propo-sition that the direct observation of a solar eclipse tends to be an emotionally profound experience

The objective of this study was to analyse whether the number of admissions for gastrointestinal bleeding to our bleeding unit increases during the full moon. In a propsective study, we included 447 consecutive patients with gastrointestinal haemorrhage admitted to our bleeding unit during a period of two years. The number of admissions was allocated to the corresponding day of the lunar cycle, and full moon and non-full moon days were compared. A wide variation in the number of admissions throughout the lunar cycle was observed. There were 26 admissions on the 25 days of full moon and 421 admissions in the remainng 713 days of non-full moon. This difference was mainly related to a higher incidence of haemorrhage in men and variceal haemorrhage at full moon. The results of this study suggest an increase in the number of admissions related to gastrointestinal haemorrhage in our bleeding unit during the full moon, especially in men and in patients experiencing variceal haemorrhoage. However, the wide variation in the number of admissions throughout the lunar cycle could limit interpretation of the results. Therefore, further studies are needed to clariy the possible influence of the moon on gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

The study is in response to the question of whether the moon can influence daily levels of stress. Method: 4 years of telephone call frequency data were obtained from a single crisis-call centre. We used the method of lunar day numbers 1 to 29 for analysis. We also tested the concept of “strong moons” as occurring when the Sun was near to the lunar-node axis. Results: an increase in calls was recorded from females and a decrease in calls by males during the new moon period, suggesting a sex difference in response, and there were proportionally more calls by males a fortnight later. A comparable swing in the nale/female call-ratio on a weekly basis over Fridays and Saturdays was noted. Limitations of staffing at the call centre prohibited comment on seasonal correlations. Conclusion: lunar related studies of stress should endeavour to separate the data by sex or the effect can be lost. Distress calls by women were more strongly linked to the lunar month than were those by men.

Disappointment can drive infertile couples to consider unusual or unconventional tactics for ensuring a successful pregnancy. Ancient lore associates particular astrological arrangements with fertility, and the possibility that astrology can be valuable in identifying optimal dates for fertility treatments is intriguing. This article discusses how astrology ahs been successfully used as a counselling vehicle for managing concerns such as infertility and chronic pain and also presents a summary of research into selection of fertility treatment dates (using strology) and fertility treatment outcome in two studies.

Geomagnetic theory is tested on the Gauquelin professional data and shows that lunar time has a controlling influence on the strength of the Gauquelin Effect in key sectors. Other predictions reveal effects due to lunar perigee and nodal cycles. Traditional astrological categories are more relevant than modern because they are closer to those of geomagnetic theory. The question of solar activity in the Gauquelin data must be re-opened.

In this study, hypotheses of astrologers about the predominance of specific astrological factors in the birth charts of serial killers are tested. In particular, Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces), the 12th principles (12th house, Pisces, Neptune) and specific Moon aspects are expected to be frequent among serial killers as compared to the normal population.
A sample consisting of two datasets of male serial killers was analysed: one set consisting of birth data with a reliable birth time (N=77) and another set with missing birth times (12:00 AM was used, N=216). The set with known birth times was selected from AstroDatabank and an astrological publication. The set with unknown birth times was selected from three specialised sources on the Internet.
Various control groups were obtained by shuffle methods, by time-shifting and by sampling birth data of 6,000 persons from AstroDatabank. Theoretically expected frequencies of astrological factors were derived from the control samples. Probability-density functions were obtained by bootstrap methods and were used to estimate significance levels.
It is found that serial killers are frequently born when celestial factors are in Mutable signs (with birth time: p=0.005, effect size=0.31; without birth time: p=0.002, effect size=0.25). The frequency of planets in the 12th house is significantly high (p=0.005, effect size=0.31, for birth times only) and the frequency distribution of Moon aspects deviates from the theoretical distribution in the whole sample (p=0.0005) and in the dataset with known birth time (p=0.001).
It is concluded that, based on the two datasets, some of the claims of astrologers cannot be rejected.

A list of abstracts relating to this field of interest is presented which include scientific articles that may strike chords in the astrological conscioiusness, all dealing with the earth’s magnetosphere

The full version of an article by Garth Allen published in American Astrology, July, 1968 discusses and presents the findings of these researchers. In this summary of the article, detailes are presented of research showing a remarkable correlation between the phases of the moon and rainfall in the United States, covering the period from 1900 to 1949. (See also “Harmonic Analsyis” a comment by John Addey, Correlation 2 Winter 1968-1969 pp 7-8)