The Ethics of Prediction
Astro Catherine joins me to TALKTALKTALK the history and relevance of astrological prediction
A while back I sat down for a conversation with astrologer and author Catherine Urban to discuss the idea of prediction in astrology. Not whether to predict, but what it means to predict in a world where one cannot escape prediction — think everything from intrusive algorithms to the pervasiveness of prediction markets.
It’s a question I’d been chewing on for some time when I approached her, and one I’d continue to mull over in the wake of our talk, until finally clearing it from my system after a clarifying interview with Dr. Ali A. Olomi.
Conversation is where I work things out, and I’m grateful for Catherine’s patience with me as I stumbled along searching for my thoughts. Along the way, she steers the talk beyond the ethics of prediction to deliver a mini lesson on the history of astrology.
When I approached Catherine, I had no idea she would be giving the keynote lecture at NORWAC a few weeks later on the very same topic! If you missed it, Prediction: Life or Death is now available for purchase on her website.
The following notes contain extracts of our conversation. I encourage you to listen to the podcast for the full experience.
When Kings Kept Astrologers
The kings, the caliphs, the shahs — they employed astrologers. And so astrology was a political tool to try to understand: how do I maintain my power? How do I accrue more power? Astrology was used in battle strategies — when we attack, when we depart. Astrology was used to determine heirs, looking at the children’s charts. It was used for marriages, religious ceremonies… Those of us who are looking at it to gather some sense of control, some sense of being able to anticipate what’s around the corner — it’s always been used that way.
From the King’s Chart to Yours
Astrology was always used in a collective way. Looking at the king’s natal chart or the emperor’s natal chart, it had an impact on the collective. You had to be a very privileged person to have your birth recorded.
Coming into the modern context, astrology has become a tool of personal awareness, and more people are using natal astrology than ever.
Out of a Job by Morning
Those highbrow astrologers of the 9th century — they were employed by the kings, the caliphs, the emperors, and if they got something wrong, they’d be stripped of honors, out of a job… Imagine you have a client who comes to you for an hour reading. You tell them a lot. They come in the next day, book another hour: “Tell me more.” Imagine after day seven. No wonder they’re pulling dodecatemoria. No wonder they’re looking at the decans. You’re gonna run out of stuff to say to people.
Passed Down, Hand to Hand
Astrology has historically always been a student-teacher dynamic, and we see that in a lot of lineages. We see that in a yoga lineage… that’s how professions were mostly passed down over the years, parent-child, teacher-apprentice. If you’re serious about practicing astrology, and especially if you wanna teach it, you should definitely study with someone at least once. There’s just certain ways your brain is gonna take in and process information in a group setting versus reading a book.
Waiting for Magic to Be Real
I lived in New York, and to be fair, I was going through a crazy spiritual crisis at the time, but this lady stopped me, and she’s like, “Honey, come here. I see that you’re suffering.” And I was like, “Yes, I am.” And I was waiting for that magical experience… yearning for magic to be real, and someone to stop me and be like, “This is what you need, child.” And then she just kept asking for money. And I don’t think I gave her any, to be clear.
About Catherine
Catherine Urban (NCGR-PAA IV, ISAR-CAP) With over 17 years of astrological immersion, Catherine’s practice is steeped in classical, medieval, natal and horary technique, centering compassion for human experience. Specializing in forecasting, Catherine empowers her clients to become alchemists of their own charts while gaining confidence and clarity on their path. Catherine is an astrology teacher, a mama of two, and the author of Your Astrological Cookbook: The Perfect Recipe for Every Sign. Tune into her weekly forecasts on IG + YouTube @astrocatherine or book your year-ahead reading at www.CatherineUrban.com
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Further Reading
Notes on Forecasting: Daily Horoscopes, Prediction Markets & World Astrology
“Omen is a latin word meaning warning, and so the idea behind omen divination is that one is talking to the gods and goddesses, not to find out what will happen, but to find out what might happen. If you are looking at what might happen, it presupposes that you can change it, a point that is worth emphasizing.”