Thanks for the feedback, DD.
Do you use statistics? If so, what methods? My own meagre background in statistics is long ago and far away, but I'd be curious to learn what you're using.
As I've said multiple times (if not here) a lot of someone's personal appearance is explained by genetics. A horoscope doesn't say if the native has blue or brown eyes, for example. One's personal appearance is also affected by cultural norms for one's period and place that cannot be read transparently off a horoscope. I often note that we don't even know if a nativity is for a male or female without external, collateral information. So the ascendant, if it has astrological meaning, has to primarily show the personality that manifests through that physical body. This personality includes mannerisms and personal quirks.
Of course, the ascendant also determines the descendant, which says a lot about one's approach to relationships.
"Science", of course, has multiple definitions, from any old body of knowledge, to the precise and rigorous methods of physics and biochemistry.
To me, science has to do with the scientific method and the experimental methodologies that we would find in the established academic physical and natural sciences. Real science has methods for testing its data and methods, usually via statistics. Science also includes theoretical, modeling, predictive, and review research; but the ability to test the soundness of one's propositions is at its heart.
I just don't see anything approaching this kind of rigor in astrology, although I have not studied Magi astrology.
This is not to say that astrology research cannot be empirical. Academia has several disciplines that are empirical without being scientific, notably history and legal studies.
Astrology is a rare blend of the humanities and science (via astronomy,) but it is not the only integrative empirical discipline. (Cf. environmental studies, geography, physical anthropology, and architecture.)
I'm impressed if you can use electional astrology for sound business decisions. And an investment either pays off or it doesn't, so there is some way to verify the prediction.
On the other hand, I got into astrology during a Dark Night Of The Soul, when I didn't know why I was on the planet, and what I should be doing with my life. Not me as a subset of humanity, but me as an individual. I dimly realized that astrology treated people as individuals, and began to study it. I never did find out why I was on the planet, and after a while I gave it up as a bad job and stopped worrying about it. (Neptune in the first house, y'know?)
However, I had learned enough astrology in the process to try to be helpful to people who were undergoing identity crises, career decisions, relationship problems, family issues, poverty, and so on. And this is where basic empathy towards other people comes in.
More power to you if you can make businesss astrology work. However, so many of the "read my chart" posts are about more heartfelt, personal problems.
Thanks for the Magi website recommendations.
