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Tests
of Astrology
Two exciting
new books are crammed with research

Forty years ago the books on left were acclaimed by both astrologers
and scientists as the world's best surveys of evidence-based astrology
(that is, serious astrology, not sun sign nonsense). Today there are new
approaches, new data, and hundreds of new studies, but no new surveys.
So the original authors working together for the first time have updated
their surveys in the books on right. Both books are readable and
fully indexed. For astrologers, scientists, school libraries, and general
readers they are essential for understanding how astrology works (or doesn't
work) and how its application can be improved. Most of the information
is not available anywhere else, not in astrology books, not in science
books, not even on any website. It is your chance to be really informed!
More good news -- both books are available from the publisher at cost
and are ready for immediate delivery. Please scroll down for details.
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Astrology under Scrutiny
ISSN 0929-8614
Published July 2013. 364 B5 pages (176x250 mm), 201,000 words, 249
graphs/diagrams and photos. Indexes, hardcover, sewn binding.
Contents Brief history of Dutch research into astrology. Summaries
of the best 110 articles from 27 years of Dutch research including
every empirical study (about half of the total). Rudolf Smit describes
his life as a skeptical amateur astronomer who became a prominent
Dutch astrologer and then a skeptical doubter again. A memorial tribute
to Michel and Francoise Gauquelin whose work inspired generations
of researchers.
The main part (220 pages) covers meta-analyses of empirical tests,
the astrological literature, history of research, polls of astrologers,
prize competitions, symbolism, intuition, psychic ability, astrology
as divination, role of non-chart factors, lessons for astrology (from
graphology, palmistry, the Tarot, alchemy, phrenology, wrong charts
that work), use of astrology in counselling, how astrology was discovered,
future of astrology, case for and against astrology, and more.
Price 25 euros (about $A37). Postage and packing costs are
the same as for the other book, as are details for ordering, see below.
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What reviewers said about Astrology under Scrutiny:
"The most informed and informative book of its kind Correlation
2014.
"Future comments on astrology will hardly be possible without it" Zeitschrift
fur Anomalistik 2013.
"Remarkable ... will be a staple for the indefinite future" D&J Parker,
authors of The Compleat Astrologer
But that was before its international sequel was published, see next:
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Tests of Astrology ISBN
978-90-824929-0-3
Published March 2016 same publisher. 484 B5 pages (176x250 mm), 350,000
words, over 1200 references, and nearly 600 visuals. Rare material
is described in detail so access to originals is not needed.
Contents Unlike Astrology under Scrutiny this one is
international in scope and more test oriented. If empirical testing
is less relevant to your interests, choose the first book. Some material
appears in both.
The longest chapter (230 pages) summarises hundreds of empirical studies
1927-2015 taken from 57 books, 52 journals, 15 PhD theses, and other
sources such as conference reports and websites. Other chapters cover
personl experiences, discovery of astrology, evolution of tests, why
tests are needed, Gauquelin research, overviews of chart factors,
meta-analyses, funnel plots, symbolism, meaning, hidden persuaders
(artifacts), future of astrology, case for and against astrology,
and more. Glossary, author and subject indexes, softcover, sewn binding.
Price 29 euros (about $A43). Postage and packing 5 euros in
the Netherlands or 13 euros by air mail to all other countries. Please
email orders and queries direct to the publisher, see below. |
What reviewers said about Tests of Astrology
Review by Tim Trachet, Dutch skeptic journal Skepter, October
2016 (translated excerpts)
The bulk of this thick book consists of summaries of the studies that
have been carried out on astrology in the course of time, altogether more
than three hundred publications, in which the interested reader will find
a wealth of information. The final chapters are particularly instructive
for all who want to have a critical view of astrology. It discusses in
detail the many psychological means by which an astrologer can convince
his client -- cold reading, the Barnum effect, but there are many more.
And some pointed observations about the failure of astrologers. The authors
conclude that there is more to astrology than being true or false. They
give a number of arguments pro and con. For skeptics, the book contains
a lot of useful information.
Review by Ray Ward, The Skeptical Intelligencer Volume 19(4),
8-9, Winter 2016 (excerpts)
Recent Advances in Natal Astrology (1977), perhaps the most frequently
referred-to critical work on astrology, is now out of date and this book
constitutes the most comprehensive summary of the subject. It includes
personal stories of astrologers and believers who changed their minds;
the discovery of astrology; the evolution of tests and why they are needed;
a whole section on the Gauquelin work; hundreds of empirical studies over
1927-2015; test overviews; artifacts (including a good general discussion
of why people see what they expect to see); the future of astrology; the
case for and against; a glossary; and name, subject and book indexes.
The book ends with a summary: there is no physical way astrology could
work; hundreds of tests have shown it does not deliver useful factual
truth; the claimed as above, so below links do not exist; charts are meaningful
even when wrong; outcomes are explained by hidden persuaders; and claimed
experience is unfounded because it is never tested under controlled conditions;
hits are chosen, misses ignored, failures explained away, and unwelcome
test results dismissed because, it is said, astrology cannot be tested.
Review by Professor Ivan Kelly, for many years chairman of the astrology
subcommittee for CSICOP/CSI (Committee for Skeptical Inquiry), Skeptical
Inquirer 41(3), 58-60, 2017 (excerpts)
Perhaps the biggest challenge for investigators of astrology is actually
finding empirical studies, which is where this important book, Tests
of Astrology, comes in. It describes and evaluates hundreds or studies
from books, journals and PhD theses since the 1920s, which is when empirical
testing was getting under way. Most studies are in English; the rest are
in Dutch, French, German, or Spanish. It includes studies conducted in
2015, so the period spans nearly a century. Most are individually described,
not as brief abstracts but as English summaries with graphs and numerical
results, plus critical comments where appropriate. For anyone unaware
of the sheer extent of empirical studies, this book will be an eye-opener
as well as a huge labor-saver.
The book ends with one-page summaries of the case for astrology (a great
source of personal meaning) and of the case against (an equally great
source of untruths), with a guide to forming a personal view (do you want
meaning or truth?). As throughout the book, the compilers take no sides,
leaving readers to make up their own minds. The outcomes "may or
may not please astrologers, nor is it for us to say whether you should
prefer meaning or truth, but the chips fall where they may". The
amount of information packed between two covers is impressive. It is said
to have taken the four specialist compilers eight years to prepare, and
that is without including the time spent retrieving from astrology collections
around the world information that is not online and probably never will
be. The truth is that many critiques of astrology are weak and uninformed.
For that, this book is a timely corrective. The expression "belongs
on every skeptic bookshelf" is overused but applies in this case.
Buy a copy for your library as well as for yourself.
Unsolicited comments
From the first nine readers:
"Very impressive ... Prodigious effort ... Should be the definitive
account of astrology for the foreseeable future ... A high standard of
professionalism in layout and editing ... An absolute boon to have such
a huge amount of information collected in one source ... A perfect reference
... Impressive ... It is TERRIFIC, an astounding reference book ... Congrats
on another magnum opus!"
From Colin Bishop, UK researcher and key associate of John Addey:
"I must say that I am very impressed with the printing. Each page
is remarkably easy to read, even though it is dense with printed information.
... You have done an excellent job condensing large amounts of information
into straightforward and easy to read paragraphs."
From long-time US researcher Therese Hamilton:
"I am greatly enjoying Tests of Astrology. The book is very
attractively laid out, with an initial approach that is entertaining,
humorous and factual. The background research required for the thousands
of quotes and citations (articles, PhD theses, Internet links, personal
communications, 600+ books) can only be called massive. Even if Tests
of Astrology provides little or no support for astrology, I see this
book as a 'must have' reference for serious researchers. At almost 500
pages of meticulously formatted text and graphics, it is actually several
books bound into one volume. Congratulations on a Herculean task!"
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Both books are non-profit and
are published at cost. The sole aim is to show what modern
scientific research into astrology has discovered. So neither book
is available from retail booksellers because their profit margins
would inflate the selling price.
How to obtain copies
You can pay by euro cheque, PayPal or ebank. Sorry, no credit cards.
For how to pay via the above options, to check book availability,
and to receive answers to any queries, please email the publisher
wout DOT heukelom AT hetnet DOT nl. Books are in the mail within 3
days of receiving your payment. |
Please tell your friends about Astrology under Scrutiny and its
international sequel Tests of Astrology.
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