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Why Do Just One Woo-Woo? PDF Print E-mail
Swift
Written by Jeff Wagg   
Tuesday, 22 September 2009 00:00

In Phoenix, AZ, people are gathering in a pub for pizza and astrology. Joseph Anthony, a person who proclaims himself to have "extraordinary sensory perception," will give you a 10-minute astrological reading for $20 while you enjoy your pizza.

There's nothing newsworthy about this, and yet he's been in the news frequently, including this reference from the local ABC affiliate. You'll notice not much critical thought going on there.

It's interesting to note that he's a "psychic astrologer." What does that mean?

I have no idea. "Psychics" claim to get information from "the other side" or something like that. Astrology is supposed to be a matter of looking at the stars and interpreting their positions in relation to when someone was born. In fact, many claimants say that astrology is science, not paranormal. They're wrong (it's neither, in my opinion), but what use would a psychic have for astrology?

This would be an interesting experiment. Visit Joseph Anthony, and ask for a psychic reading. Then, go to an astrologer and ask for an astrological reading. Then go BACK to Joseph Anthony and get an astrological reading. Compare. If Anthony remembered you, I'd guess his two readings would be the same, but I think the second astrologer's reading would be quite different. An explanation for this discrepancy could be amusing. Rest assured though: there would be an explanation.

Oh, and if you look at his site at planetswithin.com, you'll see that he's also giving lectures on the 2012 Doomsday Prophecy. In Sedona, AZ, Woo-Woo capital of the Southwest. Might as well cash in on that one while you can, eh? After that, you can move on to the 2038 Doomsday Prophecy for more longevity. Or maybe the 2045 one, or the 2056 one. OK, I made those up, but I wouldn't be surprised if they became real now.

My guess is that we have here someone who is willing to take advantage of gullible people of all stripes by using any form of woo-woo tactic he can think of.

How boring. At least his patrons have the chance to buy pizza.

 

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written by kenhamer, September 21, 2009
but what use would a psychic have for astrology?


It probably helps them predict the positions of the planets and stars.

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Psychic astrologer?
written by Michael K Gray, September 21, 2009
It is an anagram of "Oracle's Copyrights".
(Or, if you prefer: "A Psychic Ogler Rots")
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written by Lucky Rabbit's Foot, September 21, 2009
Or maybe the 2045 one, or the 2056 one. OK, I made those up, but I wouldn't be surprised if they became real now.
Not just that, but you'll be hailed as their prophet. "Hey did you hear, Jeff Wagg predicted the world would end in 2056!"
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written by dpskala, September 22, 2009
"There's nothing newsworthy about this, and yet he's been in the news frequently, including this reference from the local ABC affiliate. You'll notice not much critical thought going on there.

My guess is that we have here someone who is willing to take advantage of gullible people of all stripes by using any form of woo-woo tactic he can think of."

Hmmm --- on TV frequently, even when nothing newsworthy to say; not much critical thinking going on; someone who is willing to take advantage of gullible people by using any tactic. Sounds familiar.

Maybe this guy is prepping for a presidential run.

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written by Dooyoowoowoo, September 22, 2009
I'm guessing he's getting his information from dead stars.
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written by JeffWagg, September 22, 2009
Just a quick note.. an earlier draft this article accidentally got published. I removed the older version. Sorry about that.
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written by Cian, September 22, 2009
psychic astrologer? ..... would that be similar to a Telepathic Dowser?
As in, would it be similar in terms of its uselessness?

The term "as useful as a bull with t1ts" springs unbidden to the lips!!
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Dos woos, Dos Equis and dos cheese pizza!
written by CasaRojo, September 22, 2009
Well, clearly you get two woo for the price of one. What a deal! Much like Paranormal State mixing in a little religion here a bit of another there. And ya gitcher demons, ghosts and psychic frauds (Chip Coffey), and even your BDSM with psychic (?) Michelle Belanger! Your one stop paranormal+ aids shop. They're the X-rated Walmart of woo. Perhaps they could use Joseph Anthony to bring more of a luna-tic slant. As if it's not crazy/BS enough... "real... life... drama..." doncha know. I hear that A&E is changing it's name to B&S. An appropriate move seeing that there's nothing artful or entertaining about their network anymore.
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written by Alan3354, September 22, 2009
Maybe he could massage your feet at the same time.
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written by Alan3354, September 22, 2009
I once pain $30 for a 30 minute foot massage that was great.
The woman doing it claimed it would have an effect on my health. I didn't believe that, and it didn't, but it was worth almost $30.
$15 for 15 minutes would be better, imo.

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written by Alan3354, September 22, 2009
oops, paid $30...
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written by redwench, September 22, 2009
Perhaps he uses psychic powers to read the past, and astrology to predict the future. Or it could be the other way around, they both seem to make the same amount of (non)sense.
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And I'm the king of Michigan!
written by DrMatt, September 22, 2009
I'm a homeopathic astrologer. I dilute astrology 30C in sense in my statements.
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written by rosie, September 22, 2009
It's interesting to note that he's a "psychic astrologer." What does that mean?

My guess is that he would like to be an astrologer but can't do the math.
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written by Arts Myth, September 22, 2009
Perhaps a psychic astrologer is one who can give you your horoscope without asking for such pesky details as birthdate, because he already knows...
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written by cdion321, September 22, 2009
I communicate with dead astrologers. They're still full of crap.
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written by thatguywhojuggles, September 22, 2009
It probably helps them predict the positions of the planets and stars.



Predict the position of the planets and stars? Isn't that what astronomers do? Using science?
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Did they mentioned the name of the pizza place?
written by Xiphos, September 22, 2009
Because I would be happy to go by and heckle.
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written by garyg, September 23, 2009
> In fact, many claimants say that astrology is science, not paranormal

In fact the reporter herself says, "It's been around for 6,000 years and is arguably the oldest science known to man",
i.e. the only that's "arguable" in her opinion is whether it's the oldest profession, astronomers joke
that theirs is "the second oldest profession"
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written by Wave, September 23, 2009
I suspect that residents of Roswell, NM, would dispute the claim that Sedona is the "Woo-Woo capital of the Southwest." What would the criteria be?
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written by Wurmwyd, September 24, 2009
Hi there!

Back when I believed in Woo, I used to think that professional astrologers needed to have SOME psychic ability, otherwise any old fool off the street could pick up a newspaper and just read the horoscopes to people for $50 a pop. I assumed that Astrology was a mix of mathematical formulae, star charts, and psychic ability. It was the same when I read tarot cards for friends. Any combination of cards could have several different meanings, depending on the person, so I always tried to stretch out with my feelings and "read" the person as well. I thought all of the Woo methods were just a means to focus one's innate psychic ability.

The real learning comes when you find that you can tell people ANYthing, and they tend to believe it, even when the cards perfectly contradict what you're saying.
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written by jensfiederer, September 24, 2009
Actually, the 2038 doomsday prophecy is real - although not in a paranormal way. It is the end of the 32-bit Unix calendar, so I doubt you picked that at random!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_2038_problem

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 September 2009 10:53