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Astrology is a method of divination that does not involve random selection. If you want to choose randomly, there are other methods of divination, that do invol

Astrology is a method of divination that does not involve random selection. If you want to choose randomly, there are other methods of divination, that do involve random selection (e.g. cartomancy). Sometimes it does not matter that much if the method of divination involves random selection or not. And, sometimes it does not matter much if a pseudo random number generation is actually deterministic anyways. Sometimes these features are beneficial but sometimes not.

dredmorbius 2y ago
Not directly, true, but arguably indirectly. That is, any given astrological methodology has a fixed set of inputs (e.g., birth signs, ascribed qualities). Arbitrariness (I'm leaning away from "randomness") is introduced both by the subjects seeking an astronomical prediction, and by the application of signs, charts, and divinations by a given practitioner. If the results of TFA are to be believed, the results of this are randomness. Contrast with, say, the I Ching in which straws are used to create hexagrams which are then consulted from the I Ching itself, or Tarot in which cards are drawn (at random) and interpreted. I'm reminded of Suzanne Vega's song "Predictions", which is a compilation of divination methods: Let's tell the future Let's see how it's been done By numbers, by mirrors, by water By dots made at random on paper By salt, by dice By meal, by mice By dough of cakes By sacrificial fire By fountains, by fishes Writings in ashes Birds, herbs Smoke from the altar (etc.) <https://genius.com/Suzanne-vega-predictions-lyrics https://genius.com/Suzanne-vega-predictions-lyrics> <https://yewtu.be/watch?v=L7TklT11fA8 https://yewtu.be/watch?v=L7TklT11fA8> As to how astrology came to be associated with predictions, my suspicion (somewhat informed by reading though I can't find specific sources presently) is that astrology emerged from early astronomy which was principally associated with timekeeping and navigation, and could make predictions about regularly occurring events, such as the coming of floods on the Nile, or monsoon rains elsewhere, critical for early agricultural empires. A combination of factors probably made it useful for both astronomers/astrologers and rulers/priests to presume that other sorts of predictions could also be made: of military conquest, personal actions, and the like. The motives might have been comfort in making decisions, as a propaganda tool, or other tools of control. Belief in this may have been sincere (see the "Clever Hans" case), or hypocritical (practitioners / users were aware of the bogus nature but saw the pragmatic political use). Eventually the idea that the heavens influenced personal affairs on Earth came to be commonplace. Researching this response, I'm learning Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos is apparently the basis for much modern astrological divination practice. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrabiblos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrabiblos>

dredmorbius 2y ago

Not directly, true, but arguably indirectly. That is, any given astrological methodology has a fixed set of inputs (e.g., birth signs, ascribed qualities). Arbitrariness (I'm leaning away from "randomness") is introduced both by the subjects seeking an astronomical prediction, and by the application of signs, charts, and divinations by a given practitioner. If the results of TFA are to be believed, the results of this are randomness. Contrast with, say, the I Ching in which straws are used to create hexagrams which are then consulted from the I Ching itself, or Tarot in which cards are drawn (at random) and interpreted. I'm reminded of Suzanne Vega's song "Predictions", which is a compilation of divination methods: Let's tell the future Let's see how it's been done By numbers, by mirrors, by water By dots made at random on paper By salt, by dice By meal, by mice By dough of cakes By sacrificial fire By fountains, by fishes Writings in ashes Birds, herbs Smoke from the altar (etc.) <https://genius.com/Suzanne-vega-predictions-lyrics https://genius.com/Suzanne-vega-predictions-lyrics> <https://yewtu.be/watch?v=L7TklT11fA8 https://yewtu.be/watch?v=L7TklT11fA8> As to how astrology came to be associated with predictions, my suspicion (somewhat informed by reading though I can't find specific sources presently) is that astrology emerged from early astronomy which was principally associated with timekeeping and navigation, and could make predictions about regularly occurring events, such as the coming of floods on the Nile, or monsoon rains elsewhere, critical for early agricultural empires. A combination of factors probably made it useful for both astronomers/astrologers and rulers/priests to presume that other sorts of predictions could also be made: of military conquest, personal actions, and the like. The motives might have been comfort in making decisions, as a propaganda tool, or other tools of control. Belief in this may have been sincere (see the "Clever Hans" case), or hypocritical (practitioners / users were aware of the bogus nature but saw the pragmatic political use). Eventually the idea that the heavens influenced personal affairs on Earth came to be commonplace. Researching this response, I'm learning Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos is apparently the basis for much modern astrological divination practice. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrabiblos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrabiblos>