Forecast for 1941

Astronomer Bart Jan Bok was born under Taurus and thinks nothing of it. But he is disturbed by the fast-growing number of U. S. citizens who look to Taurus, Gemini, Mercury and Venus, for solace and advice. This week he turned from his work at the Harvard Astronomical Observatory to report for the American Association of Scientific Workers on the status of astrology in the U. S. today. Astronomers generally hold it beneath their dignity to refute astrologers. But the time has come, Bok thinks, for scientists to attack the revival of a pernicious superstition.

It is "not limited to the less educated sections of our population"--nor to low-income groups. Hollywood, like Wall Street, "appears to be a veritable astrologer's paradise." Some 20 of the U. S.'s sizable newspapers, chiefly in larger cities, carry astrological columns. U. S. newsstands distribute over a half dozen astrology magazines. Astronomer Bok's com mittee plans a campaign to strengthen all State anti-astrology laws.

The other half of the committee's campaign against astrology calls for education. Scientists, following their duties to a democracy, must explain emphatically that:

> There is no basis in physical science for astrology. Example: When a person is born, "only under the most favorable conditions can the gravitational attraction of the planet Mars equal that produced by the doctor in charge of the delivery."

> There is no correlative statistical basis for astrology. Example: Most astrologers agree that a person born under Libra should have musical talent. A Stanford psychologist studied the birthdates of 1,498 musicians, found fewer born under Libra than under any sign except Scorpio.

Forecast for astrologers in 1941 : trouble.

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