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Cited by 4Paranormal Experiences and BeliefsHistorical, Religious, and Philosophical StudiesReligious Studies and Spiritual Practices

Astrology

Open access
Carlson, S.·1988·Experientia
DOI 10.1007/bf01961265
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Abstract

As a divinatory practice, astrology is without equal in both its colorful history and modern day popularity. Astrology has grown, over thousands of years, into a huge and ornate superstructure that lacks a central design. Although astrology has been dimly veiled by its occult mystique for centuries, the light of modern day inquiry has shown its substance to be mostly illusionary and revealed its foundation to be the shakiest possible: that of self-justification and anecdotal evidence. Despite the many claims of its practitioners and followers, extensive investigation has revealed astrology to be a great teetering monument to human gullibility.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Carlson argues that astrology, despite nearly four thousand years of history and continuing mass popularity, rests on "self-justification and anecdotal evidence" rather than substance, and that extensive investigation has revealed it to be "a great teetering monument to human gullibility." The review surveys astrology's history, its modern institutional scale, and its underlying theoretical claims.

Key findings

  • Astrology is characterized as a large modern industry: assuming 1,000–10,000 full-time U.S. professionals each earning a marginal $10,000/year, Carlson estimates "a ten to one hundred million dollar per year industry in the U.S."; a typical one-hour counseling session costs $50–$200 or more.
  • Institutional scale: Europe has at least 18 major astrological associations; the U.S. has four associations with over 150 local chapters; more than 12,000 astrology titles reside in the U.S. Library of Congress.
  • Astrologers are described as united in the belief that planetary positions enable accurate statements about life on Earth, but the mechanism is "left unspecified" — some invoke gravity, electromagnetism, or "planetary vibrations," while most "admit ignorance."
  • Carlson notes astrology's influence on consequential decisions (marriage, medical treatment, relocation, career, business ventures, number of children), which he frames as a reason for concern.

Methods

  • This is a narrative review/essay (published in *Experientia* 44, 1988), not an empirical study; the text presents historical narrative, industry statistics, and conceptual critique.
  • Sources cited in the provided text are historical accounts (Babylonian origins circa 2000 B.C., medieval court astrologers) and estimated figures for practitioners, associations, publications, and fees.
  • No formal data collection, sampling, or statistical analysis is described in the provided text.

Limitations

  • The paper itself states no limitations in the provided text.
  • Evident from the text: the industry-size figures are explicitly speculative ("Assuming that…", "probably ten part-timers and fifty serious students"), and the review's empirical evaluations of astrological claims (e.g., the Mars effect, planetary heredity named in the key words) are not contained in the supplied fragment, so no test results or effect sizes can be reported here.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/bf01961265

Cites

12 of 12 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

  • Interpretationreasoning
    § Introduction

    Astrology is big business.

    “Adding their revenues to the money made from thousands of books and tens of thousands of magazine sales, one thing becomes obvious: Astrology is big business.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Astrology has millions of followers worldwide.
    • Rests on an assumption: Every year, international astrological conferences, boasting attendance of hundreds to thousands, are held in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and India.
    • Rests on an assumption: Europe has at least 18 major astrological associations; the U.S. has four associations with over 150 local chapters.
    • Rests on an assumption: More than 12,000 astrology 'how to' book titles reside in the U.S. Library of Congress.
    • Rests on an assumption: A typical astrological counseling session, lasting about an hour, costs between $50-$200, and often even more.
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 5
  • May combine two claims. 1

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Introduction

    If someone takes astrological advice seriously, it can have a profound effect on one's well-being and that of one's family.

    “Clearly, if someone takes this kind of advice seriously, it can have a profound effect on one's well-being and that of one's family.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Some people decide whether to get married on the advice of astrologers.
    • Rests on an assumption: Medical astrologers advise the clientele on what medical treatment they should or should not receive.
    • Rests on an assumption: Astrological advice is being taken seriously by many thousands in the West and millions in the Far East every year.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Introduction

    Astrology is still essentially medieval.

    “Astrology is still essentially medieval.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The basic beliefs of today's astrologers were passed down from distant times without change.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given
    § Summary

    Modern day inquiry has shown astrology's substance to be mostly illusionary and its foundation to be self-justification and anecdotal evidence.

    “Although astrology has been dimly veiled by its occult mystique for centuries, the light of modern day inquiry has shown its substance to be mostly illusionary and revealed its foundation to be the shakiest possible: that of self-justification and anecdotal evidence.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Although some astrologers try to invoke gravity, electromagnetism, 'planetary vibrations' etc., to explain how astrology functions, most admit ignorance.
    • Rests on an assumption: Astrologers simply know, they say, that astrology works.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § 9 BirkhS.userVerlag

    Extensive investigation has revealed astrology to be a great teetering monument to human gullibility.

    “Despite the many claims of its practitioners and followers, extensive investigation-has revealed astrology to be a great teetering monument to human gullibility.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Summary

    Astrology has grown, over thousands of years, into a huge and ornate superstructure that lacks a central design.

    “Astrology has grown, over thousands of years, into a huge and ornate superstructure that lacks a central design.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
5 of 5

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Astrology is without equal in both its colorful history and modern day popularity as a divinatory practice.

    “As a divinatory practice, astrology is without equal in both its colorful history and modern day popularity.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Astrology has millions of followers worldwide.

    “Astrology has millions of followers worldwide.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Every year, international astrological conferences, boasting attendance of hundreds to thousands, are held in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and India.

    “Every year, international astrological conferences, boasting attendance of hundreds to thousands, are held in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and India.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Europe has at least 18 major astrological associations; the U.S. has four associations with over 150 local chapters.

    “Europe has at least 18 major astrological associations; the U.S. has four associations with over 150 local chapters.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    More than 12,000 astrology 'how to' book titles reside in the U.S. Library of Congress.

    “of which more than 12,000 titles reside in the U.S. Library of Congress.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Some people decide whether to get married on the advice of astrologers.

    “Some people decide whether to get married on the advice of astrologers.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Medical astrologers advise the clientele on what medical treatment they should or should not receive.

    “Medical astrologers advise the clientele on what medical treatment they should or should not receive.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Astrological advice is being taken seriously by many thousands in the West and millions in the Far East every year.

    “And it is being taken seriously by many thousands in the West and millions in the Far East every year.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    A typical astrological counseling session, lasting about an hour, costs between $50-$200, and often even more.

    “A typical astrological counseling session, lasting about an hour, costs between $ 50-$ 200, and often even more.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The mystique of this occult knowledge instills in their clients the same reverence usually reserved for clergy.

    “The mystique of this occult knowledge instills in their clients the same reverence usually reserved for clergy.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Clients take their astrologers' advice very seriously.

    “Thus, clients take their astrologers' advice very seriously.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    All astrologers are united in the belief that knowing the positions of the 'planets' enables them to make accurate statements about life on Earth.

    “All astrologers are united in the belief that knowing the positions of the 'planets', (all planets, plus the Sun, Moon, and other objects that astrologers define) enables them to make accurate statements about life on Earth.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Astrologers believe that ancient peoples discovered subtle connections between the planets and all life on Earth, and passed this knowledge down.

    “They believe that ancient peoples discovered subtle connections between the planets and all life on Earth, and passed this knowledge down.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Although some astrologers try to invoke gravity, electromagnetism, 'planetary vibrations' etc., to explain how astrology functions, most admit ignorance.

    “Although some astrologers do try to invoke gravity, electromagnetism, 'planetary vibrations' etc., to explain how astrology functions, most admit ignorance.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Astrologers simply know, they say, that astrology works.

    “They simply know, they say, that astrology works.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The basic beliefs of today's astrologers were passed down from distant times without change.

    “The basic beliefs of today's astrologers were passed down from distant times without change.”
16 of 16

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

3 of the 15 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 21

  1. Clark, V., Experimental astrology. Aquarian Agent1 (1961) 22–23.
  2. Comité Para, Nouvelles Breves43 (1976) 327–343.
  3. Culver, R., and Ianna, P., The Gemini Syndrome: A Scientific Evaluation of Astrology, pp. 59–61. Prometheus Books, Buffalo, N.Y. 1984.
  4. Culver and Ianna,, capt. 7.
  5. Culver and Ianna,. pp. 143–147.
  6. Dean, G. A., The acceptance of astrological chart interpretations: A simple test of personality validation using reversed charts, Paper presented at the 2nd Astrol. Res. Conf. Inst. of Psychiatry, London. November 1981.
  7. Dean, G. A., Can astrology predict e(xtraversion) and n(eutroticism)? Part 1. individual factors. Correlation5 (1986) 4.
  8. Dean, G. A., Can astrology predict e(xtraversion) and n(euroticism)? Part 2. The whole Chart. Correlation5 (1986) 2.
  9. Dean, G. A., Kelly, I. W., Rotton, J., and Saklofske, D. H., The guardian astrology study: A critique and reanalysis. The Skeptical Inquirer9 (1985) 327–338.
  10. Dean, G. A., Planets and personality extremes. Correlation, vol. 1, pp. 15–18.
  11. Dean, M., The Astrology Game, pp. 247–251. Beauford Books, New York 1980.
  12. Gauquelin, M., The Cosmic Clocks, p. 84. Henery Regnery Company, Chicago 1967.
  13. Gauquelin, M., Reappraisal of Planetary Heredity in 50,000 Family Data, New Birthdata Series, vol. 2. Laboratoire d'etude des relations entre rythmes cosmiques et psychophysiologiques, Paris 1984.
  14. Gauquelin, M., Profession and heredity experiments: Computer re-analysis and new investigation on the same material. Correlation4 (1984) 8–24.
  15. Gauquelin, M., and Gauquelin, F., Replication of the Planetary Effect in Heredity. Laboratoire d'etude des relations entre rythmes cosmiques et psychophysiologiques, Paris 1977.
  16. Gauquelin, M., and Gauquelin, F., Series B (Hereditary Experiment), vols. 1–6. Laboratoire d'etude des relations entre rythmes cosmiques et psychophysiologiques, Paris 1970.
  17. Gauquelin, M., and Gauquelin, F., Series C, vol. 1, part 2. Laboratoire d'etude des relations entre rythmes cosmiques et psychophysiologiques, Paris 1972.
  18. Kelly, I. W., Rotton, J., and Culver, R., The Moon was full and nothing happened: a review of studies on the Moon and human behavior and lunar beliefs. The Skeptical Inquirer10 (Winter 1985–86).
  19. Kurtz, P., Zelen, M., and Abell, G., Four-part report on the claimed ‘Mars effect’. The Skeptical Inquirer4 (Winter 1979–80) 19–63.
  20. Niehenke, P., The whole is more than the sum of its parts. Astro-Psychol. Prob. vol. 1, pp. 33–37.
  21. Pawlik, K., and Buse, L., Self-attribution as a differential psychological moderating variable. Z. Sozialpsychol.10 (1979) 54–55.

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Related

Authors
Carlson, S.
Affiliations
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (US)
Corresponding author
Carlson, S.
Venue
Experientia
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
1988-04
Volume
44
Issue
4
Pages
290-297
ISSN
  • 1420-682X (ISSN-L)
  • 0014-4754
  • 1420-9071
DOI
10.1007/bf01961265
OpenAlex
W4229506521
Semantic Scholar
68dd473ed5e4db6f9251041e19a19478263fe685
Cited by
4
References
15
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1
FWCI
0.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices
Keywords
astrology, divination, pseudoscience, scientific skepticism, anecdotal evidence, self-justification, gullibility, history of astrology
MeSH terms
Astrology, Double-Blind Method, Fraud, Statistics as Topic, History, 20th Century, History, Ancient

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Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-24.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-24.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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