CORRELATION

The Astrological Association Journal of Research in Astrology

Correlation was established in 1981, as the Astrological Association’s  international biannual Journal of Research into Astrology. It publishes the finest peer-reviewed astrological research. Studies address empirical evidence and methodology of the correlation between the positions and movements of celestial bodies and their relation to life and physical processes on Earth.

EDITORIAL APPROACH

robert currey

“Robert Currey serves as the Editor of Correlation Journal, and the current edition 35.2 (2023) will mark his sixth publication in this role. All past editions, including the latest one, are now accessible online to subscribers.

He sets rigorous standards, ensuring that each study undergoes peer review by an independent referee outside the field, along with an expert in the relevant topic. As a result of this meticulous approach, the published studies, including evidence lists and meta-analyses, are robust enough to withstand the harsh scrutiny imposed by critics of astrology. This establishes the journal’s credibility and reliability.”

Roy Gillett, President of the Astrological Association

“Priority is given to studies that are data-driven, that contribute to the advancement of astrological knowledge and practice and those that address questions relevant to astrology.

Studies are judged on merit, regardless of the researcher’s background or affiliation. Whether the author is an astrologer, sceptic, independent researcher, arts-educated, or a professional statistician, it does not impact our assessment.

Papers must be written in a manner that can be understood by individuals who are not astrologers, academics, or statisticians, without any loss of meaning. The clarity of presentation is paramount in making astrological research more accessible to a broader audience.

Authors should demonstrate their awareness of and acknowledge existing research relevant to their study. Building upon previous work is essential for progress in the field.”

Robert Currey, BSc.(Hons), D. F.Astrol. S., Cert. A*C*G Int
Editor
Correlation Journal

NEW FRONTIERS IN ASTROLOGY

Exciting opportunities are opening up for astrologers seeking a deeper understanding of astrology, how it works and what it means.

Recently the interdisciplinary peer-reviewed academic journal Journal of Consciousness Studies (JCS) published an authoritative study by Canadian researcher and writer Kenneth McRitchie, entitled Clearing the Logjam in Astrological Research. See review of the article and how to obtain a copy.

FIND OUT ALL ABOUT

  • Research Grants for the Critical Study of Astrology (www.astrology-research.net) which is set up to support and advise researchers registered at UK universities. RGCSA has evolved out of the establishment of a centre for research in astrology at one of Britain’s leading universities, Southampton University.
  •  Astrology’s increasing presence in academia. RGCSA supports and has supported research at a number of different UK universities and continues to add to these.
  • Possible funding for research proposals in astrology in the arts and the sciences for successful applicants.
  • Current developments in astrology relating to philosophy, social science, psychology, techniques and the continued support of ground breaking research in all areas of the arts and sciences.

AUTHORS

Recent Authors
Dr Kyösti Tarvainen, Vincent Godbout, Dr Johnson Holt, Vital Coron, Robert Currey, Graham Douglas, Arthur Mather, Roy Gillett, Dr Garry Phillipson, Prof. Suitbert Ertel, Robert Tulip, Renay Oshop, Kenneth Irving, Nicola Smuts-Allsop, Philip Graves, Paul Westran, Jan Kampherbeek, Kennet Gillman, Peter Fraiss, Dr Glenn Perry

Past Authors
Michel Gauquelin, Prof. Suitbert Ertel, Dr Geoffrey Dean, Prof. Percy Seymour, Dr Nicholas Campion,  Dr Pat Harris, Dr Jan Ruis, Dr Bruce Scofield, T. Prof. Chris Bagley, Dr Patrick Curry, Patrick Davis, Rudolf Smit, Bruce Denness, Robin Heath, Theodor Landscheidt, Clare Martin, Dr Frank McGillion, Prof. Peter Roberts, plus many others who have made and continue to make valuable contributions to ensure the future of astrology.

Whatever your particular field of interest, if you want to keep up to date with new developments in serious astrology, you should subscribe to this periodical.

EXAMPLES

A Model for Planetary Dominance: Convincing Evidence from Biographical Analysis

by Vincent Godbout & Vital Coron

Correlation, Vol. 35(2) 2023, pp 11-29

Abstract
When analyzing birth charts, astrologers are often struck by certain planets, and they give them more importance. Many astrology authors claim traditional rules of what they call “dominance”, which is placements within a natal chart where the astrological influences of the planets are strongest. Planetary dominance would be the first factor in power, the one that takes precedence and has the most influence helping us considerably increase the accuracy of astrological interpretation.

There are several methods to determine planetary dominance. But none of them has been tested on a large scale and validated. Our goal was to identify the combination of astrological factors allowing us to arrive at the biographical dominance only from the information contained in the astrological chart. 

Therefore, we have designed a protocol to establish dominant planets from biographies by using automated matches between whole charts and biographies, a method that has already demonstrated success (Godbout, 2020). 

To do this, we had each of the ten planets play the dominant role in turn; then, by examining each of the ten portraits thus obtained in Mastro software, we identified the optimal dominance by choosing the portrait that best matched the biography. These biographical dominant planets became targets that were checked for a match with planetary dominance calculated according to rules determined solely from the astrological chart. 

For 189 subjects, if we compare the dominant planets according to our model of Adjusted Planetary Dominance with the dominant planets according to biographies, the success rate obtained could only be achieved by pure chance two out of one million (p < 2.08E-06). 

Refuting False Self-Attribution through Empirical Analysis of the Astrological Elements in Personality Assessments

by Robert Currey

Correlation, Vol. 35(2) 2023, pp 53-61

Abstract
After conducting extensive research between 1981 and 1986, Dr Geoffrey Dean concluded that no evidence was found that astrological factors correlated with psychological profiles. However, in 2017, using Dean’s original dataset of 288 subjects with extreme scores on the Eysenck Personality Index (EPI), I found a significant correlation between Eysenck’s personality types (extraversion, introversion, neuroticism, and emotional stability) and the astrological elements (Currey, 2017). Subsequently, in 2022 Dean and his co-authors criticised my methods and conclusion. They claim that the significant findings could be explained by the subjects’ false self-attribution, whereby individuals adapt their personality or manipulate their responses to personality tests to align with the traits associated with their Sun Signs. The authors persist in this claim, despite the absence of evidence indicating any knowledge or interest in astrology among the subjects. Furthermore, in his original paper, Dean asserts the impossibility of false responses given the inclusion of a lie detector response within Eysenck’s test. This current paper aims to eliminate all reasonable doubt by demonstrating that the positions of the Moon and the Ascendant (acknowledged by Dean as not susceptible to false self-attribution) independently hold strong significance (p = .006; r = .13) according to a binomial sign test. When combined with the Sun sign (the third but more controversial theoretical factor), the probability becomes p < .0001; r =.15. The likelihood of such a result occurring by chance is less than one in ten thousand.