Mechanism

An editorial published by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific reports that they can find no evidence for a scientifically defined mechanism by which celestial objects can supposedly influence terrestrial affairs.[8] Though physical mechanisms are still among the proposed theories of astrology,[39][40] few modern astrologers believe in a direct causal relationship between heavenly bodies and earthly events.[33] Some have posited acausal, purely correlative, relationships between astrological observations and events, such as the theory of synchronicity proposed by Carl Jung.[41] Others have posited a basis in divination.[42] Still others have argued that empirical correlations can stand on their own epistemologically, and do not need the support of any theory or mechanism.[35] To some observers, these non-mechanistic concepts raise serious questions about the feasibility of validating astrology through scientific testing, and some have gone so far as to reject the applicability of the scientific method to astrology almost entirely.[35] Some astrologers, on the other hand, believe that astrology is amenable to the scientific method, given sufficiently sophisticated analytical methods, and they cite pilot studies they claim support this view.[43] Consequently, several astrologers have called for or advocated continuing studies of astrology based on statistical validation.