BIRTH SIGN

OK - can somebody please explain just what the mechanism is by which the position of other hunks of rock can exert any influence on the psychological makeup of human beings? I'd really like to know...

Moon sign or moonshine?

The sam

The same mechanism that causes a crystal suspended over someone to diagnose thier vitamin deficiency and allows the practitioner to recommend which to buy. The same one that gives an amethyst the power to keep the wearer safe from intoxication, and an opal the ability to perceive what the wearer's star sign is, and punish them if it is wrong.

Is that the Great Mystical Sam, Elegran?

The mysterious power that sends posts before the "post message" button is pressed! Have I offended the stars?

I think Granny23 makes a very good point. There's no doubt that when you are born can affect how your life develops in various ways. The most obvious is that summer born children are put at a disadvantage when they start school. They can be almost a year younger than the oldest in their class and at 4 that's a real difference in development. Apart from that, you can pick the characteristics you think apply to you from any list. Not to be taken seriously!

I'm the worst Libran ever, I think. Can't make up my mind about anything. And not at all well balanced.

I'm Sagittarius. Appropriate if you think what my hobby is. Think it's a sun sign and I'm supposed to be outgoing and adventurous.
What timid, stay at home me?

My mother and I are both Capricorn and I can assure you that I am nothing like her!

Did anyone see the experiment that Derren Brown did re horoscope charts? He found out the star sign of each "subject" and then produced a detailed horoscope for each of them. They were all really impressed that its contents exactly reflected their personalities. When he asked them to exchange their horoscope with the person next to them, they found it was exactly the same as their own! What he had done was include feelings and behaviours that most people could identify with - " you feel nervous going to a party on your own" - or would like to identify with - "you are loyal and trustworthy". Negative traits featured less prominently, as most people are more resistant to identifying with them.

I also think that if you are told that your star sign means that you are "fun loving, spontaneous, ambitious", etc. etc. and you have faith in horoscopes, then you are likely to internalise that "role" and behave accordingly. It's similar to what happens when children are given particular labels - hardworking/intelligent, lazy/slow, etc. etc.

I'm a bit of a cynic about horoscopes and the like but, having said that, I'm also aware that there is no "rational" explanation for lots of things - the philosophy thread's question "why are we here?" for instance.

There are more things in heaven and earth than are thought of in your philosophy?

"There are more things in heaven and earth..." Certainly...
But filling the gaps with any old nonsense you can dream up gets us nowhere!

I didn't see Derren Brown's experiment - but I know James Randi did the same thing some years ago - with, of course, the same result.

@Nonu -- if I'd wanted to be a smartarse I would have said "Try Pisces" - and when you came back with my 'typical' Pisces characteristics I would have said - 'I only said try it - I'm actually Libra...' But that is a rotten trick to play! Although fun...

My date of birth was 21st July, 1937

I am a Virgo.

I've never really been that interested in horoscopes or even astrology (probably due to my mother reading me my horoscope and it always entailed information such as me tidying my room, going to the shop, offering to vacuum, peeling potatoes, etc).

Then my husband bought me an item, for a birthday, about Virgo and I was quite surprised how many traits I did have - both positive and negative. Naturally, I question the negative ones a bit more than the positive ones

Horoscopes are not always flattering.
I read one once that said Libran women should marry young, before their big appealing eyes turned into their baggy appalling eyes.

Ahaha but are you indeed the birth sign you thought you were? It seems the moon has realigned and it's all changed, see here:

According to the Minnesota Planetarium Society, here is where the real signs of the Zodiac should fall. Get ready for your world to change forever.

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.
Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11.
Pisces: March 11-April 18.
Aries: April 18-May 13.
Taurus: May 13-June 21.
Gemini: June 21-July 20.
Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10.
Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16.
Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.
Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23.
Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17. (Yep, this one is new — read all about the Ophiuchus way of life here)
Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.

I don't believe in all this stuff- but according to this I am no longer Pisces but Aquarius- and when I read the characteristics for Aquarius- they are spot on lol. OH is still Pisces- not surprising as we are like chalk and cheese, and totally complimentary. We always joked that like the Pisces sign, we swim in different directions, but still together ;)

Granny23

I am a late spring (nearly summer) Taurus baby and have just stocked up my cupboards with jams, jellies and chutneys, sorted out some cupboards (yet to restock my wardrobe but that sounds like a great idea!).

I do like a warm summer when all you have to put on is about 4 items of clothing and a pair of sandals (hate this time of year when feet have to be enclosed in shoes). However, I don't like it too hot or too cold - just a nice moderate 23C all year would suit me just fine.
Apparently it was pouring with rain all day long when I was born.
Hate to be in the rain.

When did it realign, granjura? Before or after we were born, if after then are we still the original? I had heard about the extra one but wasn't sure what it was called.

None of my immediate family are Opiuchuans (or whatever they are called).

I'm Cancer - my DH will tell you that I am very crabbie

Just had a quick compare and contrast and I'm not all that much like a Leo - spooky!

For interest to all.

In S india marriages are decided by the families based on the astrologers predictions, [a good little earner].

They compare the birth dates and time of birth etc, then the families negotiate re dowry, only after the couple have met a few times.

When all is sealed, advice is sought from the Aiyer [priest] for the auspicioua date and time for the marriage, the auspicious dates are marked on the calendar, and the marriage halls busy.

However month of Margazi mid Dec to Mid Jan is not auspicious for anything, so its V quiet.

A very traditonal society

I'm a Virgo and often think I was born under the wrong sign! But then, some people say that is typical of a Virgo!

Just read the earlier post about the realigned dates - yes, much more like a Leo!

Another Libran here, Nonu. I too weigh up both sides carefully.

My eyes aren't baggy yet, give them time...

However I don't believe any of it, even though I do fit the description very well usually. Can't bear ugliness around me and also have occasionally asked other people if they are Librans - and they have been!