Astrology Vs. Astronomy

Home , Aries (astrology), Gemini (astrology), Ophiuchus (astrology), Sagittarius (astrology), Virgo (astrology), Zodiac

Name: Pd. Date:

Astrology vs. Astrono my

Astrologists claim that a person’s character and destiny can be determined by the position of the sun, moon, and stars at the time of his or her birth. A person’s sign is the constellation that the sun is in at the time of birth. To say that the sun is in a sign is to say that the constellation, the sun, and the earth are in a straight line. Astrologists use 12 constellations, found in a circle around the sky. The dates that the sun is in each constellation vary by approximately 4 ½ weeks, and have not changed for millennia. Astronomers know that the sun actually travels through 13 constellations, and that the sun stays in each constellation for a different amount of time, depending on the size of the constellation. Astronomers also know that the direction the earth is pointing in changes slightly over a thousand years, so the position of the constellation the sun is in has changed slightly.

Zodiac Dates according Dates according Zodiac Dates according Dates according Sign to astrologers to astronomers Sign to astrologers to astronomers

Aries Mar 21-Apr 20 Apr 19-May 13 Scorpio Oct 24-Nov 22 Nov 23-Nov 29 Taurus Apr 21-May 21 May 14-Jun 19 Ophiuchus Not recognized Nov 30-Dec 17 Gemini May 22-Jun 21 Jun 20-Jul 20 Sagittarius Nov 23-Dec 21 Dec 18-Jan 18 Cancer Jun 22-Jul 22 Jul 21-Aug 9 Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 20 Jan 19-Feb 15 Leo Jul 23-Aug 23 Aug 10-Sep 15 Aquarius Jan 21-Feb 19 Feb 16-Mar 11 Virgo Aug 24-Sep 23 Sep 16-Oct 30 Pisces Feb 20-Mar 20 Mar 12-Apr 18 Libra Sep 24-Oct 23 Oct 31-Nov 22

Today, we’re going to try to test Astrology, by seeing how you judge yourself, against a list of personality types. Each personality type (which has both positive & negative qualities) matches an astrological “sun” sign.

1. My birthdate is ______. My partner’s birthdate is ______.

2. Ask your partner questions about themselves for a few minutes so that you can judge what personality type they are without asking them specific questions about character traits listed. I am personality type ____. My partner is personality type ___.

3. After the personality number for each sign is revealed and given you your own zodiac tables, write down which signs both of you actually are, and if you match:

Sign you guessed: You: Your Partner:

Actual sign by birthdate: You: Your Partner:

Does this Match?(Yes or No) You: Your Partner:

Answer these questions!: 1. If the stars really controlled your personality, how often should you be right at matching the zodiac sign to the personality? [What percentage?]

2. If personality traits were chance/random, how often should you be right based on the signs of the zodiac? [1 of of every ____. What percent?]

3. What percentage of people in this class picked the correct sign for themselves?

4. Does astrology really determine your personality? Explain how you can tell.

5. Why might a person think that his or her horoscope seems to be true?

Activity revised by Dottie Edwards (Strasburg HS, VA), “Fleshed-Out” by Richard Pearson, Jr. (Bloomfield HS, NJ) from a procedure sheet from Tom McGuire (ret. NY ES Educator); data from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac and http://www.12astrologyzodiacsigns.com/zodiacsigns/charactertraitsofzodiacsigns.shtml, pictures from http://vividstitches.net/cart/images/zsall.jpg, combined w/information from J. Zuhl.

Personality # Pos itive Traits Negative Traits 1 Adaptable and versatile Nervous and tense Communicative and witty Superficial and inconsistent Intellectual and eloquent Cunning and inquisitive Youthful and lively 2 Diplomatic and urbane Indecisive and changeable Romantic and charming Gullible and easily influenced Easygoing and sociable Flirtatious and self-indulgent Idealistic and peaceable 3 Generous and warmhearted Pompous and patronizing Creative and enthusiastic Bossy and interfering Broad-minded and expansive Dogmatic and intolerant Faithful and loving 4 Practical and prudent Pessimistic and fatalistic Ambitious and disciplined Miserly and grudging Patient and careful Over conventional and rigid Humorous and reserved 5 Modest and shy Fussy and a worrier Meticulous and reliable Overcritical and harsh Practical and diligent Perfectionist and conservative Intelligent and analytical 6 Optimistic and freedom-loving Blindly optimistic and careless Jovial and good-humored Irresponsible and superficial Honest and straightforward Tactless and restless Intellectual and philosophical 7 Friendly and humanitarian Intractable and contrary Honest and loyal Perverse and unpredictable Original and inventive Unemotional and detached Independent and intellectual 8 Patient and reliable Jealous and possessive Warmhearted and loving Resentful and inflexible Persistent and determined Self-indulgent and greedy Placid and security loving 9 Determined and forceful Jealous and resentful Emotional and intuitive Compulsive and obsessive Powerful and passionate Secretive and obstinate Exciting and magnetic 10 Emotional and loving Changeable and moody Intuitive and imaginative Overemotional and touchy Shrewd and cautious Clinging and unable to let go Protective and sympathetic 11 Imaginative and sensitive Escapist and idealistic Compassionate and kind Secretive and vague Selfless and unworldly Weak-willed and easily led Intuitive and sympathetic 12 Adventurous and energetic Selfish and quick-tempered Pioneering and courageous Impulsive and impatient Enthusiastic and confident Foolhardy and daredevil Dynamic and quick-witted