Astrology

Astrology has been making a strong comeback since the last half of the 20th century. As differentiated from the strongly scientific discipline of astronomy - the science involved in the mapping of the universe and the formulation of cos­mology or the origins of the universe — astrology is concerned with the interpre­tation of celestial phenomena as they affect mankind. With the insecurities generated by the technological advances in he nuclear age, humanity seeks in­formation of its futures. The failures of the predictive techniques developed by the Think Tanks of the 50's caused the resurgence of so-called occult methods of predictions in order to assure mankind of alternative futures which it hopes could be controlled by knowing them.

Modern day astrology is utilizing various statistical methods, and the facts of astronomy in the study of the destinies of men and nations. The advent of computers provided serious practi­tioners of astrology the tools to validate or discard traditional astrological inter­pretations of celestial patterns through the rapid calculations of correlations between such patterns and human events. There are even psychologists and psychia­trists which tie in astrology with Jungian psychology, adopting, for one, the con­cept that the horoscope in its circular form is a mandala of the psychological development of the individual.

In the Philippines, there are only a handful of professionals engaged in the serious pursuit of modern astrology. Drs. Melencio Ongsiako and Roman Uy, both medical practitioners, specialize in natal and mundane astrology. Some, like Ms. Rebecca Santos and Georgina Soli-na, concentrate on natal astrology as a tool for counselling. On the other hand, Drs.. Serafin Talisayon (biophysics) and Romeo Solina (social psychology) engage in researches in most of the branches of astrology.