Astrology for Doubters

So there's this episode of Lovett or Leave It, a podcast hosted by comedian/political pundit/former Obama speech writer, Jon Lovett, where Lovett's first guest is a string theorist physicist.  As they settle into their banter in front of a live Portland, Maine audience, Lovett asks a question about dark matter and ghosts.  The physicist immediately scoffs, declaring that ghosts aren't real.  Ohhhhkay.  Moments later, Lovett made some kind of comment related to astrology and the physicist bristles once more.  "Please tell me we're not going to talk about astrology," she condescends.  "I thought this was a crowd that believed in science."

I can't express how much that made me want to discount everything else she was going to say.

And here's why:  I believe in science.  And I also know ghosts are real and that astrology is worthy of consideration.  Anyone who so blatantly discounts supernatural or metaphysical possibilities is either very blocked or very inexperienced.  

I said what I said.

I did listen to the rest of the interview, though, and followed very little of it because physics is hard.  But I didn't just decide she was a liar because I couldn't understand it or didn't have first-hand knowledge of it.  And as a scientist, being open to the unknown is almost your job description.  That's one of the reasons I like science -- it's trial and error and theories that stand until they are proven incomplete or inaccurate -- it's the certainty of not knowing but forever striving to know.  It's a beautiful and precise field that evolves by way of breakthroughs.

So how can you say that ghosts aren't real.  Why, because you think they're silly?  Well, gravity used to be silly.  A round earth used to be silly.  Science shouldn't put a limit on possibilities -- it should say "maybe, prove it."  

Astrology, though? I can understand to an extent why some folks might have their quibbles about this practice.  But I would venture to say that most people who are doubters have never really explored it beyond perhaps reading their horoscope in the Sunday paper.  Sure sure, those might be very generic or bullshit or auto-generated.

However, that's barely even a scratched surface of astrological understanding.

To be clear, I am in no way shape or form an astrology expert.  I don't know where Venus shows up on my chart or what a transit is or how Pluto conjunct with Mars factors into my day-to-day.  With that disclaimer out of the way, my favorite framing of astrology is through the wisdom of Jessica Lanyadoo, host of Ghost of a Podcast.  She equates astrology to a weather report -- you check the weather before you go to do something outdoors, right?  Well, if it says it's going to rain, you can choose to bring an umbrella or not -- you can even choose not to go or change your plans.  Astrology doesn't necessarily predict anything definitive in your life -- it's a live-action roadmap that tells you, hey, watch out -- construction ahead or nothin' but blue skies and no traffic or there is a detour around the bend.  It doesn't say don't go that way, it says if you do, this is what to prepare yourself for.

That sounds pretty useful to me.

But I like astrology -- and I've found astrology to be a useful tool because I've allowed myself to be open to what its offering.  I also like psychics and believe in ghosts, so make of that what you will.

If you'd rather live in a world of disbelief, go at it.  That sounds miserable to me, though.

Over the years, I've gained a lot of insights from astrological perspectives.  I have lived enough of my life in this human body to know that I have a psychic connection to the universe.  I also know that I have intentionally (though gently) closed that door so I can focus on the here and now.  So when messages "from the other side" break through -- when this friend connects me to a psychic or that friend introduces me to an app like The Pattern, I say thank you and receive the messages that come through these channels.  And when the messages coming through both of these channels align, well.  Then I really pay attention.

I know there are people out there like that String Theorist Physicist who belittle and discount and roll their eyes about things outside of the confines of academic science -- and I also know there are people who utilize tools like astrology to mislead and confound those they're hoping to manipulate, too.  I know that there are lots of reasons to shelve things like astrology or write them off.

But those arguments are the same as those to shut down Facebook or Twitter or Instagram -- these platforms aren't inherently evil -- they are tools.  A hammer can be used to bash in a skull, yes -- but is that it's intended purpose?  No.  So let's not blame the tools for how the humans are using them.

Quick example: my baseball twitter account.  I only follow baseball teams, baseball writers (especially those connected to Cleveland), and personal accounts that tweet about Cleveland baseball.  I do not follow other kinds of accounts -- and so my twitter experience is phenomenal!  I have made friends on the platform that have elevated my enjoyment of following the team and the games.  

Twitter doesn't have to be a cesspool, that's all I'm saying.  

We, as people who use these platforms, need to take better ownership of how we're using these apps and not just point fingers.

[I do offer the caveat that I am aware of research that has been done to prove that social media platforms are intentionally designed to be addictive, but my point is that our experiences on these platforms isn't inherently bad or malicious -- we still have options as users of these platforms to curate our experience on them -- and if we realize they are hugely negative forces in our lives, there are countless ways to combat that -- just like any addiction we might admit we have.  End of caveat.]

Anyway, what was I talking about?

Oh right.  Astrology.

I believe in its wisdom and offerings because I have seen how its mysticism has enhanced my life in productive and positive ways.  Just like I check the weather app before I go out for a long walk, I want to know if I should wear a coat or not.  I won't ever be convinced that it's better not to know when a blizzard is coming.  I'd rather be prepared.  So I will periodically check in with psychics to see if I'm on track and I will poke around in astrology to see what's coming up.  

Go ahead and doubt astrology if it suits your narrative -- but astrology enhances, validates, and elevates mine.

Not long ago I attended a training for Mandel School field instructors and task supervisors, co-facilitated by Nicole Parker (who was my field advisor when I was an MSASS student) and Dr. Adrianne Fletcher (who I never had the fortune of having for class but got to work with on a research project my second year in the program).  While Dr. Fletcher was doing her presentation, a participant mentioned calling out harmful behavior -- and Dr. Fletcher, in her calm and infinite wisdom, said, "Maybe we could call folks in instead of calling them out."  And what she means by that is instead of approaching life in accusatory fashion, why not approach it with curiosity and wonder.  Maybe we should not insist that we are right and our perspective is the only one and that there is no reality beyond what we can grasp and, instead, invite conversation; invite external wisdom; and for god's sake, listen instead of waiting for our turn to speak our own version of the truth.

There is room and need for doubt, for boundary-setting, and for self-defined perimeters of thought.  I'm not suggesting we live life in a free fall into oblivion.  But I am suggesting that we lean in with a sense of wonder at that which we don't understand.  Maybe we'll learn something in the process.

Or maybe we'll just keep getting stuck in the rain without an umbrella.

We each get to choose.  That's the beauty of it all.

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#ShamelessPlug: if you are looking for an astrology expert, I invite you to visit shirabrenner.com -- Shira knows her shit!

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