The Influences of Astrology

Taking much of the nation by shock, and causing a vast number of adverse reactions, was when it became publicly-known that then-president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy not only regularly consulted an astrologer, but based various important decisions on astrology. Some of these decisions included Reagan's probability in the 1976 presidential election, and his eventual selection of George Bush as his vice-president. While governor of California, Ronald Reagan signed into law a new chapter and component of the government code, which granted astrologers the right to practice astrology for compensation. Even more remarkable was learning that a number of prior presidents had also followed this practice as well as such renowned world-leaders as Winston Churchill.

Celebrities are also known to believe in and follow the paths of astrology when deciding the walkway of their careers...regularly being quite candid about their beliefs. David Cover dale, of the celebrated group White snake, has commented that he and his little woman rigorously follow astrology; actor Robert Downey, Jr., and singer Britney Spears are also amongst those who consult astrologers on a routine basis. J.K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter books series, liberally sprinkles astrological symbolism in her material. "Astrologers to the stars" sometimes become as much in the spotlight of the public eye as the stars who consult with them.

If world-honored politicians and stars in the entertainment industry have been placing so much esteem on the topic of astrology, is it any wonder that innumerable average Americans are doing similarly? A recent Harris Poll has concluded that at least thirty-one percent of Americans maintain some degree of confidence in astrology...nearly half of these being in the twenty-five to twenty-nine-year old age group, with the belief in this practice falling to fourteen percent for those above sixty-five years of age.

The highest percentages of American adults who believe in astrology as being a legitimate and significant influence in one's life are women, democrats, and those who possess a high school or less education-- yet even Benjamin Franklin professed and wrote about his own individual dependence in astrology, which illustrates that this subject is by no means restricted to any certain categories of individuals. Its popularity is most undoubtedly not new, as it has long been embraced by sufficiently-known, respected men and women in all fields.

Astrology is described as studying the celestial bodies in relation to their influence on natural events and human experiences. It is called pseudoscience, proven science, superstition, anti-Christian, and a host of other descriptions based primarily on individual viewpoints on the subject. But for celebrities, politicians, world leaders, and a large segment of the population of average citizens alike, it is frequently a very strong influencing factor in people's lives.