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- Astrologer
passes Challenge at Radio Norge - |
| The popular
science-program 'Kosmo',
hosted by Marianne Moe, at Radio Norway
invited Astrologer Andrew Bevan to guest their shows on
Jan 30. and Feb 13. 2011. The first program, on Jan 30., was divided into two sessions; the first
dedicated to Astronomy, the second to Astrology and it's
relationship to Science. With music and commercials removed the
12 minute clip with Andrew Bevan may be listened to
in Norwegian 'here'.
At the end of the show, Marianne Moe challenges the
astrologer to return in a later program and deliver
interpretations on two charts to see whether the natives behind
the charts can be recognized and distinguished beyond reasonable
doubt.
The Radio Channel provided the astrologer with accurate birth data of two staff members, the
one being the host herself – the other an unknown colleague of
the approximately same age but not giving away any other details or letting
on to who was who. The host said that they
had relatively similar personality traits in some ways but
differed in offers. With the general criticism of astrology
being that chart readings can be made to fit everyone, the
challenge was to describe the women so that they could
distinguish the one from the other and recognize themselves in
these descriptions beyond reasonable doubt.
The second program, with the verdict on
the Astrological Challenge, was sent on Feb 13. and included
other contributions from both a reputable astronomer, a
scientist, a researcher and a zoologist. The report on the test of astrology appeared towards the end of the show
and may be listened to in Norwegian 'here'.
The verdict of Radio Norge
being that the astrologer had - BLOWN
THEM OFF THEIR CHAIRS!
For non-Norwegian
speaking visitors follows an English transcript of Radio Norway's
introduction to the interview of Jan 30, which largely deals
with the History of Astrology. Further below follows a
transcript of the verdict given by RadioNorge
after the astrologer had met their Astrological
Challenge.
| 'Quote
- Kosmo,
RadioNorway, January 30. 2011' |
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In spite of having failed empirical tests under
supervised conditions and the lack of scientific
evidence, the belief in astrology is widespread. And
this is how it has been since Man for the first time
began studying the stars.
The first astrological inscriptions we know come from
Mesopotamia. In the ruins of a royal library from about
650 BC there were found astrological texts. In the 1st
century BC the historian Pliny the elder relates of how
astrology was developed in Chaldea and introduced to
Greece from Babylon. Greek scientists were of the
opinion that the Egyptians were the origin of astrology.
At least one of the principle texts from about 150 BC
was written by two Egyptian authors.
The importance of the elements in the different signs
was introduced by one of Pythagoras pupils, Pherekydes,
in the year 475 BC. The astrologer Aristotos from Salmos
claimed in 280 BC the Earth and the planets were in
orbit around the Sun but this notion was not warm
heartedly received at the time. It was the Greek that
combined their own God lore with the celestial heavens
and that became determining for the nature and
influences associated with the different astrological
signs, the position of a planet in the sky and what will
happen when these qualities perform at the same time in
a horoscope.
The Romans adopted the astrology of the Greek. They kept
the Greek astrological meanings but added different
parts their own names and it was now in the Roman age
that astrology really blossomed. Caesar Augustus was a
follower of astrology. He had his own Sun sign Capricorn
inscribed on several coins. His successor, Caesar
Tiberius, was also a practicing astrologer. All the
same, it was at this time, under the Roman Empire, that
the critic of astrology was also raised. The Christians
denied astrology and the Muslims were even more
categorical in their condemnation. In spite of this more
people became better acquainted with the secrets of
astrology.
Astrology spread from Rome and north to Europe. In the
13th century astrology was taught at the University of
Oxford. The famous doctor Paracelsus wrote a 500 page
book on astrology. Nicolas Copernicus, Tycho Brahe,
Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler were all both
astrologers and astronomers. They all cast and
interpreted astrological charts on different occasions.
But in spite of this it was Galileo Galilei who formed
the theses; “Only that which can be measured is
valuable scientifically” and with this he excluded
astrology from the scientific collegium.
All the same, as curious as WE are, we will not let
astrology lie with that.
This takes us to our next guest....
Entire sound track: Here
- 12 min.
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| From
'Kosmo',
RadioNorway, February 13. 2011: |
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Host
Marianne Moe and Inger Dahle's reactions to the interpretations:
Marianne
Moe: Yes, Inger, what do you have to say to this?
Inger Dahle:
It’s just a matter of saying ‘Wow!’ (laughter)
Marianne:
I think we both need to sit down a bit. First we will listen to
some music and then we will give our verdict. (Introduction to
music..)
Marianne
Moe: You are listening to Kosmo at RadioNorge and we've
sat ourselves down, Inger.
Inger:
I was both astonished and overwhelmed at the same time. This was
impressive! I was expecting something sweet and messy about my
love-life and personal happiness, but then he went through real
things that have happened both in my life and in your life, too.
Marianne:
Astrologer Andrew Bevan has been allowed to leave the studio now,
but we must say that it wasn’t difficult to recognize either
of us. What was it that caught your attention?
Inger:
Well, different things really, both in regards to the distant
relationship to my parents, because this is a fact, and also the
things occurred in my professional life 1 ½ years ago. It was
the specific details that took me by surprise because when you
read about astrology in newspapers and weekly magazines
everything seems to have to do with love and happiness – but
here it was just like he was picking up on our universal threads
and the footprints of our lives.
Marianne: Yes,
don’t you think? 1 ½ years ago there were professional
changes in your life. For me he described it on the dot - 3
years ago. The positive thing is, as well, that you already,
according to the astrologer, are in a very good ‘run’
professionally.
Inger:
Yes, and you are approaching a very good period. It’s a good
job we weren’t told that our best periods were behind us –
because that would have been a bit sad (laughter).
Marianne:
I just took note that my peak period starts 6 years ahead in
time, which is the time when our use of the FM-wave length is
due to be suspended (more laughter).
Inger:
You could be the new Minister of Culture, for all we know.
Marianne:
Yes (laughter), but I think we can conclude that Andrew Bevan
literarily blew us off our chairs? And passed the test, don’t
you agree?
Inger:
Yes, and particularly because we are two critical women in our
40’s, who ask questions regarding the validity of things every
time we are presented with something new. - And that's a
needle’s eye it isn’t always easy to get through.
Entire Sound track: Here
- 9 min.
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