A simple question?

Can one "test" astrology? 

This is one of the questions I have been pondering since the start of looking at horoscopes. In more simplified terms: When one compares the predictions made by astrology, do they come true? I decided to do some research and look at what studies have been conducted on testing the reliability and accuracy of astrology.

Naturally, many tests of this caliber have been done. I am definitely not the only one to ask this "brilliant" question. One of the most famous tests of astrology was performed by Shawn Carlson. His paper, “A Double-blind Test of Astrology”, was published in the peer reviewed scientific journal Nature, in 1985. The test went like this:  An expert astrologer draws up your detailed chart based on your accurate natal data. You are given this horoscope, and those of two other different people. Can you accurately tell which one is belongs to you?

Test #1: Astrological charts were prepared for 83 subjects, based on natal data (date, time and place of birth), provided by the subjects. Each subject was given three charts: one chart based on their own natal data, and two charts derived from natal data of other people. Each subject was asked to identify the chart that most correctly described them. In only 28 of the 83 cases, the subject chose their own chart.  This is the exact success rate expected for random chance. The astrologers predicted that the subjects would select their own chart more that 50% of the time.

Test #2: 116 subjects completed California Personality Index surveys and provided natal data (date, time and place of birth). One set of natal data and the results of three personality surveys (one of which was for the same person as the natal data) were given to an astrologer who was to interpret the natal data and determine which of the three CPI results belonged to the same subject as the natal data. In only 40 of the 116 cases, the astrologers chose the correct CPI. As with test #1, this is the exact success rate expected for random chance. The astrologers predicted that they would select the correct CPI profiles in more that 50 per cent of the trials.

Carlson's conclusion:
We are now in a position to argue a surprisingly strong case against natal astrology as practiced by reputable astrologers. Great pains were taken to insure that the experiment was unbiased and to make sure that astrology was given every reasonable chance to succeed. It failed. Despite the fact that we worked with some of the best astrologers in the country, recommended by the advising astrologers for their expertise in astrology and in their ability to use the CPI, despite the fact that every reasonable suggestion made by advising astrologers was worked into the experiment, despite the fact that the astrologers approved the design and predicted 50% as the "minimum" effect they would expect to see, astrology failed to perform at a level better than chance.
My conclusion: The simple question comes with a simple answer. Astrology, and horoscopes, are bogus, bullshit, and phoney. Want to give them your own name, go ahead.

So how does this affect me? Not so much. I leaned in this direction from the beginning. However, I guess I chose to deny it because I thought it would make sense for me to never read a horoscope again after learning that they are basically FAKE. Then I contemplated some more and realized I have not been reading horoscopes to learn about what my day is going to consist of, what to expect, how to live my life. Horoscopes are fun, interesting and I would rather sit and waste my time on them than refreshing the comments tab on Facebook.

- the Astro-LOGICAList