Will Salem Massachusetts Be The Next Local To Outlaw Astrology?

10 Responses to “Will Salem Massachusetts Be The Next Local To Outlaw Astrology?”

1. Marc says on 6/18/07 at 4:05 pm:
   

   Outlaw? I think you’re overstating the issue here. In fact, once you read the article its clear that they’re trying to aid the legitimacy of those who do readings… seems like they’re moving in the opposite direction of “outlawing.”

2. Twilight says on 6/18/07 at 4:07 pm:
   

   How dare they mention astrology and tea leaves in the same sentence - not to mention some of the other stuff in the list!!

   What about the ‘Freedoms’ America prides itself on?
   I don’t understand this at all. I’m not an astrologer and I’m not American (yet), but it still makes me cross.

3. Elsa says on 6/18/07 at 4:13 pm:
   

   Marc - no I did not read it carefully because I have seen it before. A law like this was just recently passed in PA (I think it was)… they actually did make astrologers “illegal” and this is a trend at this time.

   I thought I posted that here, but I must have put it on the astrology news… anyway this is a grave concern for people who read charts for pay. And as a gay man, you should understand this better than anyone. Do you want them passing laws about who can have sex with who and what kind… even a little?

4. Becca says on 6/18/07 at 4:50 pm:
   

   I’d heard that Philadelphia had decided to enforce an old law against fortune telling, then backed down a week later on advice from the City Solicitor’s office. However, a town near where I live in Louisiana recently passed a new law prohibiting fortunetelling of any kind. Some friends of mine are planning to go there to read Tarot cards and try to get arrested.

   I heard about all this through the Wild Hunt blog here: http://www.wildhunt.org/labels/psychics.html

5. Linea Van Horn says on 6/18/07 at 5:29 pm:
   

   Folks,
   This is exactly why AFAN (Association for Astrological Networking) was established. They have successfully overturned these antiquated laws (irrespective of when they were legislated) based on First Amendment rights. They’ve got a legal team, lots of experience and are willing to go to bat for any professional astrologer who contacts them.
   It’s a great organization, and no, I’m not on the board.

6. Elena says on 6/18/07 at 5:32 pm:
   

   wow that sucks. I though people loved reading horoscopes here. I see it in all the magazines. Back home they are quite respected, one even has a TV show!
   I just remembered watching Lutin on the Today show…Sucks having a federal state, carzy ppl can overtake one and do witch hunts. hope it doesn’t spread.

7. Chris Brennan says on 6/18/07 at 6:40 pm:
   

   Again with the witch trials??? Oh Massachusetts… For shame. Bad times.

8. Marc says on 6/18/07 at 9:01 pm:
   

   Elsa — this is different from regulating the bedroom… this is about regulating business. I had to pass the bar exam in order to practice law, other professions must do the same. I don’t see anyone up in arms because their hair stylist has to get a license. I’d think that legitimate astrologers, psychics, etc. who have spent a lot of time and effort studying, refining their talents, and establishing a good reputation would want to protect that reputation from some yahoo dressed like Miss Cleo who doesn’t know what they’re doing and is just trying to make a buck. The few bad apples end up giving everyone else a bad name.

9. silverfoot says on 6/20/07 at 6:46 pm:
   

   hmm… it is about regulating business, but it’s also about granting ‘legitimacy’ - which, on the surface, doesn’t seem like such a bad thing. not when it comes to lawyers, cops, security guards, or even (as you pointed out) hair stylists.

   however, how do you determine criteria in this situation? it’s not like there’s a series of centralised schools with standardised tests - and even if there were, we’ve seen how well standardised tests work for the “real subjects” people study in school.

   and in a sense, it is like regulating sexuality, if you consider the business from a spiritual point of view. someone who has been traditionally trained at home might not have a piece of paper, but that doesn’t mean they know any less about herbal medicine if they’ve been studying at their grandmother’s knee since they were old enough to stand. is she not a ‘real’ practitioner? is someone who doesn’t go to church but reads the bible and believes in god not a ‘real’ christian? likewise, someone who *did* have that piece of paper might not know a damn thing - look how many people graduate university and can’t get a job in their field.

10. Aaron says on 8/7/07 at 8:25 am:
    

    Hi, as a professional and certified astrologer,
    I recommend you join AFAN.
    Keep up the good work!

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