ASTROLOGY
A certain respected thinker and teacher had written a book on astrology. Some people said that he must be a magician or insane; others believed that this action had shown that there was truth in astrology.
Ultimately a dervish who had travelled many miles to see the sage asked him about the problem, saying, 'Surely astrological work is inconsistent with the Path of the Wise, and the Work of the Elect?'
The sage answered:
'I make absolutely sure that all my pupils study my book on astrology. In this way they are able to understand that astrology does not work. Whey they are completely skilled in the art, I make them interpret horoscopes. These are compare, and we always find such discrepancies in interpretation, when properly tested, that it becomes self-evident that the system is useful only for imaginings.'
The visitor said:
'Could you not simply tell them that astrology is not a true science, as others do?'
'Firstly,' said the sage, 'if the telling had been effective when done by others, who would still believe in astrology? When did telling equal understanding? Secondly, when you have thoroughly investigated one superstition, you are unlikely to be able to sustain, or adopt, another.'
'so it is not astrology in particular which you seek to dispose of?'
'No. Astrology is one of the easiest absurdities to study, because its practioners have allowed themselves to be pinned down to rules.'
Idris Shah