Towards Falsification of Mundane Astrology with Bound Sign Subdivisions
Why Google can no longer survive with big data and machine learning
Originally published September 17, 2023. Read time: 90 minutes.
This paper proposes a bold, falsifiable framework for testing mundane astrology through a detailed exploration of Abu Mashar’s System of Distributors and Partners, also referred to as ‘directing through the bounds.’ This system is a specialized application of primary directions applied to the Regulus USA National Horoscope (Ascendant 26° Sagittarius 54′40”). Drawing on Karl Popper’s philosophy of science, the author argues that astrology must generate predictions open to refutation to escape its reputation as pseudoscience. Among the many traditional techniques revived since the 1990s, directing the Ascendant through the bounds has shown particular promise for tracking long-term social trends in U.S. history.
The paper offers a multi-decade case study of how this predictive model performed, including public forecasts made in 2015 for the Mars/Virgo distribution (2017–2026). These forecasts correctly anticipated the decline of craft beer (confirmed by metrics like hops prices, stock performance, and media coverage), the rise of fitness wearables and hard seltzer, the launch of the Pentagon’s Project Maven, and an unexpected but successful push for resource extraction in the Alaskan Arctic, even under a Democratic administration.
The upcoming Saturn/Virgo distribution (2026–2028) is used to generate four new falsifiable predictions, including a significant disruption to Google’s business model, the decline of fitness trackers, curtailing of Project Maven, and the fall of trends linked to prior Venus-, Jupiter-, and Mars-in-Virgo periods (e.g., gambling, beer, makeovers, and wearable fitness tech). These forecasts are offered with precise conditions under which they would be considered falsified, adhering closely to Popperian standards.
The paper concludes with a reflection on the epistemological implications for astrology and a call for greater methodological rigor. By generating measurable, testable, and time-bound predictions, the author positions the Regulus USA National Horoscope as a viable model for assessing historical and future social trends — and for advancing the broader credibility of mundane astrology.