Hello, friends! If you or anyone you know believes in astrology, fasten your seat belts. This blog might shock you. Today, we will expose the biggest fraud industry that has fooled millions of people: astrology. Why do I say it’s a fraud? I’ll explain that. And why do so many people fall for it? We’ll uncover that too. If you believe astrology works for you, don’t worry, I’ll make some astrological predictions for you that will shock you to your core.
Astrology Predictions Gone Wrong
Some weeks ago, the Indian cricket team was eliminated from the T20 World Cup after losing the semi-final match against England. According to 11 astrologers on a news program, India’s victory was guaranteed. But in reality, it was a one-sided match with England winning effortlessly. This wasn’t the first time astrological predictions failed.
In 2020, India’s famous astrologer Bejan Daruwalla predicted that Covid-19 would be eradicated by 15th May 2020. That didn’t happen. Historically, many such predictions have failed. In 1499, astrologer Johannes Stöffler predicted a world-ending flood in 1524. It didn’t happen. David Meade and Harold Camping predicted the end of the world on various dates, none of which came true.
Scientific Basis of Astrology
Astrological predictions lack even 0.1% scientific basis. Nobel Prize winner Dr. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan stated that the movement of stars and planets has no effect on human lives. Gravitational force, the only force exerted by celestial bodies on Earth, does not influence personal lives or destinies.
Consider the example of sun signs. According to astrology, people born between 20th January and 18th February are Aquarius, while those born on 19th February and onwards are Pisces. This means someone born on 18th February has a completely different horoscope from someone born on 19th February, despite their birthdays being just a day apart. This makes no sense scientifically or logically.
Astrological Predictions and Cold Reading
Astrologers often use cold reading techniques. They make vague and general statements that could apply to anyone. For example, they might say, “You need variety in your life,” which is a statement most people would agree with. They also use the Barnum Effect, making broad statements that people perceive as uniquely applicable to themselves.
In 1948, psychologist Bertram R Forer conducted an experiment where students were given identical personality sketches. Most students rated the sketches as highly accurate. This shows that people tend to believe general statements about their personalities, a trick often used by astrologers.
Fraudulent Techniques Used by Astrologers
Astrologers sometimes resort to outright fraud. They gather information about you through secret channels. For instance, Shyam Manav, founder of Akhil Bharatiya Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, exposed how information given to a receptionist or even a rickshaw driver could reach the astrologer, making their predictions seem accurate.
Why Do People Believe in Astrology?
- Weak Minds and Need for Certainty: Uncertainty about the future bothers people. Positive astrological predictions provide a sense of security and certainty.
- Cold Reading: Astrologers make general statements that apply to many people, making individuals believe the astrologer understands their unique situations.
- Barnum Effect: People believe broad and generalised statements are tailored to them because they like hearing positive things about themselves.
Astrology is a scam that relies on psychological tricks and general statements. The future is uncertain, and while we cannot control external circumstances, we are largely in control of our destinies. Spread the truth and stop falling for these falsehoods. Your future is in your hands.
If you liked this blog, check out more posts like this one, such as our blog on “The Truth About Ghosts”. Stay informed and thank you for reading!