ASTROLOGY IS NOT EXTINCT
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Abstract
Last spring, with the world at war and the front pages of the newspapers reserved for major events, Calif ornians in general probably did not know how close their Legislature came to making them a laughing stock among the states. At that time Assembly Bill No. 1793 was introduced, which, if passed, would have made the practice of astrology legal in California. By establishing a State Board of Astrological Examiners with the power to grant licenses to persons over twenty-five years of age who had studied the subject for five years, California would have placed astrology, defined as "the study, research or interpretation of the influence of celestial phenomena upon all terrestrial objects and living creatures," on a footing similar to that of the professions of law, medicine, and architecture. After being juggled back and forth between the Committee on Governmental Efficiency and Economy and that on Ways and Means, the bill was given no further action. While it is easy to overrate the significance of the attempt to put it through, the fact that this bill could be introduced into the California Legislature indicates what a foothold astrology has gained, even among educated people persons with trained minds and astute in business. To increasingly large numbers it is not just an amusing and harmless parlor game or a strange medieval curiosity, but a trustworthy guide for solving the problems of life. In spite of their large following, most astrologers are not satisfied with their position in the community ; in some states and cities the practice is actually illegal, in most places it is carried on in a rather furtive manner. By the regulations of the draft for the Army, the occupation of fortune-teller (including astrologer) is defined as unessential. Through this California bill the astrologers undoubtedly hoped to clarify their position and regain something of the prestige they had in medieval times. From its beginnings in Babylonian days through the Dark Ages to the early part of the seventeenth century, astrology