I think what you are talking about, s3raphita, is "self-fulfilling prophecy":
Well, if going to an astrologer means your marriage is more likely to be a success that nicely makes my point. Which is? That skeptics ask "is astrology true?". The more interesting question might be "does astrology work?". In certain, limited applications it probably does. ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <turquoiseb@...> wrote : I think what you are talking about, s3raphita, is "self-fulfilling prophecy." From: "s3raphita@... [FairfieldLife]" <FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com> To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, March 6, 2015 3:26 AM Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Maybe this is why things get so screwed up? I've never found astrology a convincing science and have had little time for such shenanigans. There are always exceptions. I think most readers would find the book How To Spot A Bastard By His Star Sign an amusing (and sneakingly apologetic) approach to the subject. And there is a certain *aesthetic* appeal in astrological symbolism - as also with Tarot cards - which appeals to my sensibilities. However, there is one approach to astrology that does strike me as positive and defensible. Here's an example: consider a couple who are arranging their wedding. They go to an astrologer who casts their horoscopes. After the usual examination said astrologer decides on a fortunate date and time for the wedding which has positive aspects of the planets. No date can be 100% positive; perhaps Mercury and Mars have a troubling relationship. But, says our astrologer, not to worry: if the bride wears an emerald necklace on the day that will nullify the baleful influence. So complete baloney, no? But if the couple really believe in astrology won't this give them a strong psychological boost on the fateful day? And I'd even claim there's something more going on here. The whole business of the consultation and the follow-up action means that the couple are performing a ritual. A ritual performed with appropriate seriousness bypasses the conscious, superficial self and activates (through imagery) the deeper - more powerful - unconscious self. So it's not (just) a case of the gullible following the unscrupulous. The couple *really are* aligning their core selves with the flow of Life all around them. Their marriage vows are now supported by the inertia of the universe. I would wager serious money that statistics would show that those couples who do consult an astrologer are more likely to have successful marriages than those who don't.
