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Note, accordingly, how little it means to say something like 'Uranus moves into Aquarius'. Aquarius is a miscellaneous set of stars all at different distances from us, which have no connection with each other except that they constitute a (meaningless) pattern when seen from a certain (not particularly special) place in the galaxy (here). A constellation is not an entity at all, not the kind of thing that Uranus, or anything else, can sensibly be said to 'move into'.

Richard Dawkins#108

ScienceAstrologyAstronomyPerceptionStars

About this quote

What does it mean?
Constellations are arbitrary patterns from Earth, not real physical groups, so saying planets move into them is scientifically meaningless.
In plain terms
Constellations are just patterns we see, not real groups of stars.
What can you take from it?
Astrological claims about planetary movements lack astronomical basis.

Where it applies

  • debunking astrology
  • explaining astronomy
  • discussing star patterns

Putting it to work

  • correct astrology myths
  • explain constellation mechanics
  • teach astronomy basics

Questions to consider

  • What makes a star group real?
  • How do we define patterns?

Another view

It ignores the cultural and historical value of constellations.

More from Richard Dawkins

  1. There's this thing called being so open-minded your brains drop out.

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  2. The shape of a constellation, moreover, is ephemeral. A million years ago our Homo erectus ancestors gazed out nightly at a set of very different constellation…

    Permalink to quote #109
  3. We should take astrology seriously. No, I don't mean we should believe in it. I am talking about fighting it seriously instead of humoring it as a piece of har…

    Permalink to quote #106

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