The Political Asylum

adrien · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:49 am Post subject: Astrology and other beliefs

I recently read in a French weekly about how so many French people believed in astrology. One out of four people read his horoscope regularly !

There also was an interview with an French astrologer, who predicted peace in the Middle East for 2007 - the guy has some references: he had already predicted the fall of the Soviet Union for 1989...

And apparently, some Human Resources Managers use astrology to select candidates for different jobs...

So, do you feel the same trend where you live, that astrology is taking more and more importance? Or do you yourself believe in it?
_________________
Sit on the banks of the river and wait for the corpse of your enemy. - Indian proverb.

JuanaLaLoca · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:11 pm Post subject:

I haven't noticed any resurgence in the popularity of astrology lately. It was at its most popular in my memory during the 70s, when it was all over the place.

I do think that there is something to the personality profiles of the different signs. I can definitely see some of the traits in various people that I know, and in myself. I'm not so sure about the day-to-day horoscopes, and I don't follow them. I am into the use of divination tools, such as Tarot cards. Those are really more subtle and are at a deeper level than just a sentence or two predicting what is going to happen; they are not really for telling the future in stone.

AngryLiberal · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject: Re: Astrology and other beliefs

wakeyboy · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject:

I find horoscopes to be a load of bollocks.

Despite what some say, I haven't met anyone who strongly conforms to the traits of their zodiac sign.

How can everyone born within the same several weeks throughout time have the same personality? - they cant.

adrien · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject:

Regarding horoscopes, ever heard about the Forer effect? T' always amused me.
_________________
Sit on the banks of the river and wait for the corpse of your enemy. - Indian proverb.

AngryLiberal · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:51 pm Post subject:

Yeah its spot on!
_________________
David
This post is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Star Wars films: Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Padme, Obi Wan, Yoda, Stormtrooper #5, Qui Gon, Dak, Biggs, Stormtrooper #22, Palpatine. Everyone on the Death Stars and sadly not Jar Jar Binks.

wakeyboy · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject:

BlueEmperor · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject:

I regard horoscopes - and astrology generally - as a load of old humbug and pay them no heed whatsoever.

My friend's mum once told me that she knew someone who wrote the horoscope page for their local newspaper. It was just a task allocated to her. She had no knowledge of astrology. She admitted quite candidly that she just made them up. The idea that people plot their life around these things is frightening!!

B.E.

Michele · Guest

I think some people actually try to conform to their star sign description. No, I definitely don't believe in Astrology, and I don't know many people at all who do.

adrien · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:49 pm Post subject:

Michele · Guest

I've been to several psychics, for the fun of it. My mom, who was a very firm believer until I finally got her to see the light (no pun intended) even paid for me to receive an HOUR long reading. I have the tape somewhere. Anyway, they all tell you the same thing. If you have a boyfriend, they ask you if it's possible he's been unfaithful. If you don't have a boyfriend, they tell you that you'll meet him at school or at a "multi-level nightclub." They all say the same thing. My mom was also a real addict to watching the John Edwards: Crossing Over show (about communicating with dead relatives,) but again, I got her to see it's a hoax. The bottom line is, these psychics know people WANT to believe, and it's made easy for them.

diamond lil · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 825

I only believe the good stuff and disregard the rest. However a friend of mine sent my details away somewhere , and in the reply was the fact I have a lock of hair that won't lie down...now that is very strange. There is no way the friend concerned could know that.
_________________
In Manchester, did Tony Blair
A state owned pleasure dome decree

Oh gentle geezer, Oh blood. 'Tis not for you to hear what I speak. Dunfor has OD'd.
theonlylil@yahoo.co.uk

Michele · Guest

Was everything else the psychic said about you, true? Would you hate me if I told you that most people have cowlicks, and a psychic would know to say something like that?

diamond lil · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 825

Most of it was true...my sunny nature, my generosity of spirit, my beautiful soul, my laughter like the sound of angels singing. It's uncanny really.
_________________
In Manchester, did Tony Blair
A state owned pleasure dome decree

Oh gentle geezer, Oh blood. 'Tis not for you to hear what I speak. Dunfor has OD'd.
theonlylil@yahoo.co.uk

Vintage Girl · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 9:53 pm Post subject:

What a load of bollocks!

Oops, I meant horoscopes obviously, not Lil's post. Embarassed

diamond lil · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 825

quite right.
_________________
In Manchester, did Tony Blair
A state owned pleasure dome decree

Oh gentle geezer, Oh blood. 'Tis not for you to hear what I speak. Dunfor has OD'd.
theonlylil@yahoo.co.uk

Merak · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 214

Mpls Druid · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:58 pm Post subject:

merak, you've hit the nail on the head. Well done!

JuanaLaLoca · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

I think I'm up to about a dozen Tarot decks, now. I wish I could find more time to work with them.

kitchenwitch · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

JuanaLaLoca · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:55 pm Post subject:

Merak · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 214

What decks have you got? I've got the Aquarian deck.

This could be quite interesting if you want to swap thoughts and feelings about any card in particular? I find The High Priestess a really difficult card to read. She's too secretive and won't talk to me.

JuanaLaLoca · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject:

Hmmm, off the top of my head:

Swiss 1JJ (my first deck, had since the early 70s, but never had any luck with it, as it has pips rather than pictorial Minor Arcana)

Rider-Waite
Gilded
Druidcraft
Medieval Cat
Russian Tarot of St. Petersburg
Housewife's
Jane Austen
Halloween
another one with people's names, very similar to Rider-Waite, in a mini deck (I can never remember the name of that one)

I think that might be it. I have a lot of other oracles, too, though, some are cards and other forms, like stones. I never can find the time to thoroughly learn them, although I always try them out.

My favorite card is the Nine of Pentacles. I identify with her.

I just checked out the Aquarian; that's an attractive deck (although it only showed four of the cards - are you familiar with this site?http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/ ). I like the Rider-Waite-based decks best, and when I've been away from them a while, I try to go back to Rider-Waite for a while to refresh my memory. I don't like the really abstract ones, like Thoth; they don't make any sense to me.

One of the reviewers of your deck really liked the High Priestess:

Merak · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 214

I got my cards by mail order and the rider waite deck is what I ordered, but the aquarian deck turned up instead and quite liked it, so I've stuck with it.

Not sure if I have a favourite card as such - they all chop and change just depending, but the 7 of cups is quite nice. There's just so much going on in there all at the same time.

I don't know that website btw, I tend to steer clear of them just for information overload avoidance.

JuanaLaLoca · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject:

I like the 7 of Cups, too, although on most decks I can't figure out what all the different things are.

I remembered the name of the deck I forgot - Sharman-Casselli, or something like that.

I did a Daily Draw last night, and got the 2 of Cups. I was going to get out my book for a detailed description, but then I noticed that there is a caduceous on that card, and I am having a medical procedure today, so that makes a lot of sense. I think that was what was significant, rather than the actual usual meaning of the card.

Merak · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 214

Just drawn a card for today: Death (reversed) - and I know what he's on about as well. He's on about changes I've been promising myself to make, and he's nudging me now by being reversed and is saying hey mate, you've been saying it for ages, but it's high time now that you actually done it. Cheeky fekker! Laughing

kitchenwitch · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject:

I don't read the cards with reversals. You can take them either way in most cases.

JuanaLaLoca · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject:

I don't do reversals, either. Just goes to show that it is up to the individual to find their own way of reading that works for them - there are no wrongs or rights!

Merak · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 214

I always pay attention to reversals. Depending on surrounding cards they lend a less/more - positive/negative emphasis to what else is being said roundabout it, rather than just the fact that the card itself is reversed, unless of course it's the only card drawn.

Mpls Druid · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject:

In my household, we have 4 decks:

Druidcraft
Sacred Circle
Arthurian
Tarot of Transformation

What kind of spreads does everyone use? I use either a 4 card or a 10 card spread.

JuanaLaLoca · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:29 am Post subject:

I like the 1-card Daily Draw. For an issue, variations on the 3-card spread. My Gilded Tarot book has a good 5-card daily spread. If I have a lot of time and an in-depth query, the 10-card Celtic Cross. I have a book of all different spreads, so I've tried a few of those. The Housewife's Tarot has fun spreads, like the Neapolitan, Clothesline, Martini, and Dinette (that is really a Celtic Cross in a different pattern). I even invented a spread as an exercise when I was taking a class.

But I usually don't find the time to do even a Daily Draw!

Mpls Druid · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:31 am Post subject:

The 4 card spread is the PMS spread: Physical, Mental, & Spiritual +Core of the Problem cards; and the Mega PMS spread: Physical, Mental, & Spiritual cards in each of the Past, Present, & Future +Core cards.

Merak · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 214

I usually stick with the celtic cross or the 21 card Romany for a fuller reading but use the daily draw, 3 cards, 3 Aces yes/no spread. I used a couple for the big spreads on occasion - not for years now mind you - the 3 fans using 54 cards, and the yearly forecast that uses 73 cards. Both a bit time consuming as you can imagine!

kitchenwitch · Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:

I like the celtic cross and I often use a 3 card draw. I've found a website that I think is useful and I've tried a couple of the layouts people have recommended for various things.

http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/meanings/

BlueEmperor · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:00 pm Post subject:

And, to think, people mock me for believing in God.

Rolling Eyes

B.E.
_________________
The doctor is in!

kitchenwitch · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject:

JuanaLaLoca · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject:

BlueEmperor · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:43 am Post subject:

Whether or not I'm mocking you depends on whether this is a thread about Tarot card games or 'divination'.

B.E.
_________________
The doctor is in!

Merak · Inmate of the Asylum Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 214

here BE... i'll tell your fortune for you:

kitchenwitch · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject:

BlueEmperor · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:48 pm Post subject:

Good one.

B.E.
_________________
The doctor is in!