Free library talk in Philadelphia on… asteroid symbolism?
The blog malcolmxpark.org describes a dubious upcoming event in the Philadelphia Free Library’s Summer Reading program. Author Jacob Schwartz, PhD has written books, magazine articles and computer software on asteroid symbolism and “maintains an active astrological practice in a Philadelphia suburb.” He will be speaking at the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library on August 8 at 4 PM, where participants can learn about astrology and create their own birth chart.
Schwartz makes some peculiar claims about his Asteroid Signatures software package, purchase price $350:
Strangely, the names of asteroids relate to Earthly events and persons with the names! For openers, when Bill Clinton was born, the asteroids Monica, Paula, and Williams formed a stellium opposite asteroids Hillary and Gingerich! When George W Bush was elected president in 2000 and 2004, the asteroid Busch conjoined asteroid Washingtonia!
Where are the asteroids relevant to you at significant dates in your life? The collective names in your life are as unique as your signature! That’s why we call this program Asteroid Signatures! Type in your name, or any other name, and the program provides the positions of those asteroids at any time you select, the discovery dates and discoverers are listed, along with the keywords used in their original citation by the Minor Planet Center.
You’ll discover an awesome level of personal connection between asteroid names important to you and important dates in your life when those names connected.
Schwartz and his associates at astrosoftware.com reject accusations of pseudoscience and make detailed claims to scientific legitimacy. In fact, Schwartz runs fairly far afield from his degree in communications with this claim:
Asteroids point to an evolutionary breakthrough for humanity. If we accept the premise that the naming of new planetary bodies correlates with new centers of consciousness within us, then suddenly there are thousands of new centers of consciousness lighting up in the cosmos and in our minds. If we are on the precipice of a quantum leap of consciousness where a greater proportion of the brain will be utilized, then the awareness of asteroid relevance can stimulate those newly utilized brain cells. Is asteroid symbolism the next step in our evolution?
There’s a comprehensive collection of expensive products for sale through astrosoftware.com and, presumably, Dr. Schwartz himself. I hope the Free Library does not end up enabling a scam artist.
July 30th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
[...] See local biology blog thinkevolution.net for another take on asteroid-based divination, and while you’re there take a look at the celebrities who profess not to believe in [...]
August 1st, 2007 at 5:50 am
To clarify your comments, this program at the Blackwell Regional Library is about Astrology. The program is a fun program aimed at teens who are interested in astrological signs. It does not purport to be scientifically-based. No products will be endorsed by the presenter or offered for sale. You are more than welcome to attend on Wednesday, August 8 at 4 p.m. Thank you for posting this clarification.