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| ID388 | |
| Title | Astrological birth signs in suicide: hypothesis or speculation? |
| Author | Salib E |
| Address | Liverpool University, Consultant Psychiatrist, Hollins Park Hospital, Warrington,UK |
| WebSite | |
| Publication | Med Sci Law |
| Issue | 43(2) |
| Date | April 2003 |
| Pages | 111-114 |
| Keywords | suicide, astrology, science, signs, health, Sagittarius, Scorpio, predict, Virgo, method |
| Abstract |
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| Astrology is no longer regarded as a science by many, because its claims are almost impossible to test empirically in controlled laboratory conditions and it cannot meet the scientific need to be reproducible. However, the majority of those who read their "star signs" can identify aspects of their personality in what they read and it is possible that this may influence their attiudes and actions. The literture has neglected astrological signs as a possible predictor of suicide ideation. To see whether astrological birth signs are associated with suicide and the method used, data was collected from the Public Hdalth Department in North Cheshire representing all the Cheshire Coroner's verdicts of suicde, and open verdicts, in all deceased aged 60 and above between 1989 and 2000. The observed occurence of deaths due to natural causes and suicide, in relation to birth signs did not differ from what would be expected from chance. However, the distribution of suicide by hanging appeared significantly higher in those with a birth sign of Virgo and lowest in Sagittarius and Scorpio. The distribution of violent and non-violent suicides in relation to star signs showed higher occurence of violent death in persons born in the summer months. | |
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