An observation by a British astronomer points to the need to teach astrology in the schools if only as a check and balance for the pronouncements of some astronomers.
On April 1, 1976 British astronomer Patrick Moore announced on BBC Radio 2 that at 9:47 AM a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event was going to occur that listeners could experience in their very own homes. The planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, temporarily causing a gravitational alignment that would counteract and lessen the Earth’s own gravity. Moore told his listeners that if they jumped in the air at the exact moment that this planetary alignment occurred, they would experience a strange floating sensation. When 9:47 AM arrived, BBC2 began to receive hundreds of phone calls from listeners claiming to have felt the sensation. One woman even reported that she and her eleven friends had risen from their chairs and floated around the room.
Here in this instance, had the people of Britain been afforded a general basic education in astrology, they would have known to pick up their ephemeredes to note that Pluto was no where near the position of Jupiter and therefore could not pass in back of it. Furthermore, in direct contraction to some astronomers assertion that astrologers know little about the motion of the planets, the people of Britain, had they had the benefit of education in astrology, would have known something else. The conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto rather than being a once in lifetime event is quite a common occurrence, happening about every twelve to thirteen years. While astrologers have drawn parallels between political and economic upsets during this conjunction not once did anyone mention phantom floating experiences.
So take care about what some astronomers might tell you. And until astrology is taught in the schools consult your local astrologer for the real 4-1-1.
Have a fun April Fool’s Day!
