PREVIOUS THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY April 12 2010 to April 18 2010 Monday April 12 Testing Time Dear Jonathan, You recently questioned whether an astrologer can retrospectively work out someone's birth time. An Indian system called Krishnamurti Paddhati is very analytical. If the questioner does not know his birth time, a chart of the current moment is calculated. Complex factors are considered and the birth time is worked out. Mukesh Dear Mukesh, This may be a valuable mystical technique, but I dare not endorse it. Several fierce critics have written to me since I invited readers to complain about a TV show that called astrology rubbish. They'd ask how you can objectively test such a system. Tuesday April 13 Watch This Space? Jonathan, There is a carving amongst the South American ziggurats that possibly shows a humanoid with a space helmet. Some people think Atlantis could have been another planet. There are tales of an African tribe who dance to a beat that matches the pulse of a star. Perhaps we resonate with the rhythms of space because that's where we come from. Duncan Dear Duncan, Ah, where DO we come from? That's the question. And where do we go to? That's the other question! I suspect the answers to both are not so much in outer space as inner space! Wednesday April 14 Smoke and Mirrors Dear Jonathan, You recently mentioned a Russian plan to lock six volunteers into a box for 18 months whilst they all imagine they are going to Mars. It reminded me of Christmas as a child when one of the local stores created a 'spaceship'. We went 'aboard' through one door. They played us sound effects. Lights flashed and scenery was moved past the pretend windows. We then came out through a different door and found ourselves on 'another planet' where Father Christmas was there to greet us. It worked on me! Perhaps the Russians are on to something. Ann Thursday April 15 The Dark of the Moon... The Dark Of The Moon is not just important to mystics. In some cultures, it is a time to fast for greater spiritual strength. Traditional gardeners who still plant by the Moon claim better results from beets and potatoes, sown under a dark moon. The argument goes that as they grow in darkness, they should be planted in darkness. In our modern world of streetlamps and bright signs, such subtleties seem remote but if you'd care to test the power of the legend tonight, turn off your electricity and go to bed hungry. You may have magical dreams! Friday April 16 Belief Systems... Dear Jonathan, I can accept parallel 'belief systems' without difficulty. But astrology has to be seen as a 'faith' because it does not meet the modern criteria for a science. We could say there are two 'churches', one of faith, one of science. Neither should interfere in the other's 'church'. You recently complained about a British TV series where an astronomer called astrology rubbish. But this was said within a science programme and therefore within the science 'church'. Doug Dear Doug, Had he used the phrase, 'I believe', I could not have complained. But he didn't. So I did! Saturday April 17 Your Week Ahead If you now trace Mercury's movements through the zodiac, you'll see it doesn't move from night to night. Mercury is usually the speediest planet in the solar system. It only stands still if it is about to change direction. When it appears to be moving backwards, many people experience communication problems; emails going astray, negotiations breaking down, delays and difficulties in commerce or problems with transport. In my experience, though, a retrograde Mercury is a time for reflection and a chance to revisit old decisions. Things don't turn tricky when it is in reverse... but when it is stationary. Sunday April 18 Your Week Ahead Part Two - Love Focus If you now trace Mercury's movements through the zodiac, you'll see it doesn't move from night to night. Mercury is usually the speediest planet in the solar system. It only stands still if it is about to change direction. When it appears to be moving backwards, many people experience communication problems; emails going astray, negotiations breaking down, delays and difficulties in commerce or problems with transport. In my experience, though, a retrograde Mercury is a time for reflection and a chance to revisit old decisions. Things don't turn tricky when it is in reverse... but when it is stationary. Back to Index   Click here for Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts