I think this might be a good thing for mentalists.

Flap! flap! flap! (sound of this post flying over my head)

Agreed!

He's referring to the Mars effect -the finding that a statistically significant percentage of athletes were born when Mars was in a certain position. It was discovered by Michel Gauquelin, and later became the subject of a major scandal that caused a serious rift among the original members of CSICOP. Dennis Rawlins (an original member of the group) later wrote his essay "sTarbaby" in which he attacked the unscientific "debunking" of Gauquelin's work in the pages of their journal.

Rawlins article, which I have referred to many times over the years here on the Café, can be found at:

http://cura.free.fr/xv/14starbb.html

Thank you, Bob.

Yes, Bob--had forgotten about this. Thanks for providing the link.

"When the Moon is in the Seventh House,and Jupiter Aligns With Mars,Peace Will Guide the Planets and Love Will Steer the Stars,This is the Dawn of ..."

Behave yourself, Gary!!

Is there a Venus effect? If not there should be - or at least let's make one up

I absolutely love It when the facts point to something considered Paranormal. It makes me smiler!

Actually, neither side in the "Mars Effect" and "sTarbaby" dispute contended that the results indicated anything paranormal.

It was an interesting apparent anonomaly however.

Gauquelin found some evidence of a Venus effect but of more relevance to magicians is the Jupiter effect which was associated with actors.

This article is interesting

http://www.scientificexploration.org/jou......huys.pdf

Mike

Something potentially more useful as far as we’re concerned is related to Saturn (There is a “Saturn Effect”, but it refers to something entirely different).

Astrologers consider that when Saturn transits its own natal position (roughly 28-29 years; not the same as an orbital period) it creates a sort of zero-reset, when we reap the rewards of the previous cycle and begin a new “journey”. Actuarialists might recognize this as a common life-change point, but it makes for impressive patter when you’re doing a cold read. (Actually, every 7 years is either a conjunction, square, or opposition, plenty of hooks!)

This is the first time I’ve heard of the Mars effect. Time to go study…..

And the Uranus effect.... Hmmm better not go there

T'was on the good ship Venus, my god you should have seen us...

What about the Snickers effect?

Respect to all
Steve

P.S. I can't believe I just blew my centenary post on that!

Somebody had to....