Astrology By Any Other Name Is Still Astrology

An association between an elevated risk of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia with the season of birth has long been seen and studied. Now, scientific researchers at one of America’s leading universities have proved this suspicion to be correct. But Professor Douglas McMahon from Vanderbilt University is quick to say, “It’s important to emphasize that, even though this sounds a bit like astrology, it is not: it’s seasonal biology!”

My thought… Professor McMahon can call it seasonal biology if that makes things easier for him… But… I say astrology by any other name is still astrology.

This Vanderbilt research proves that the “perinatal photoperiod imprints the circadian clock,” bringing scientists a step closer to understanding that the position of the planets at the time of your birth influences your personality.

Researchers Demonstrate the Scientific Principle of Astrology

In the study, carried out by Professor of Biological Sciences Douglas McMahon, graduate student Chris Ciarleglio, post-doctoral fellow Karen Gamble, and two additional undergraduate students, proved that not only did the birth month impact personality, it also resulted in measurable functional changes in the brain.

Commenting on the study, Ciarleglio said: “What is particularly striking about our results is the fact that the imprinting affects both the animal’s behavior and the cycling of the neurons in the master biological clock in their brains.”

Of course, the idea that the position of the planets at the time of your birth can actually result in changes in your brain physiology and impact lifelong behavior is repugnant to a scientist unless, of course, they discover it for themselves and can then couch it in scientific jargon. But I wonder why Professor McMahon felt it necessary to mention astrology at all.

Indeed, skeptics must be bewildered by the new research because, as unintentional as it might be, these findings provide scientific support for the fundamental principle of astrology… namely, that the position of the Sun, Moon, and planets at the time of birth influences your personality.

Source: Vanderbilt University’s 2010 article ~ Babies’ biological clocks dramatically affected by birth light cycle 

Musings by Patricia Lantz, MAAS Member