(1982–88) convincingly shows that not only are famous professionals born under typi-
cal planetary constellations, but unknown individuals as well. The Horoscope Revisited
explains how to use the Gauquelin findings in current practice.
Sources:
Gauquelin, Françoise. Series A: Professional Notabilities.6 vols. Paris: Laboratoire d’Etude des
Relations entre Rythmes Cosmiques et Psychophysiologiques, 1970–71.
———. Series B: Heredity Experiments.6 vols. Paris: Laboratoire d’Etude des Relations entre
Rythmes Cosmiques et Psychophysiologiques, 1970–71.
———. Series C: Psychological Monographs.5 vols. Paris: Laboratoire d’Etude des Relations
entre Rythmes Cosmiques et Psychophysiologiques, 1972–77.
———. Series D: Scientific Documents.10 vols. Paris: Laboratoire d’Etude des Relations entre
Rythmes Cosmiques et Psychophysiologiques, 1976–82.
GAUQUELIN, MICHEL
Michel Gauquelin, a French researcher prominent for his statistical investigation of
astrology, was born on November 13, 1928, in Paris. He received his doctorate in psy-
chology and statistics from the Sorbonne. He and his wife, Françoise Gauquelin, pro-
vided the most rigorous scientific evidence for the validity of astrology, although their
work departs from traditional astrology on certain points.
Investigating earlier statistical studies of astrology, the Gauquelins found them
lacking proper controls and other elements of sound research. Beginning in 1949, they
collected birth data on thousands of people from records across Europe and analyzed
natal planetary positions with respect to such factors as profession and personality.
Their most celebrated discovery was that for specific professions—particularly for
writers, sports champions, and scientists—the positions of certain planets were found
in statistically significant patterns. The planet Mars, for instance, was often found to
be near the horizon or near the meridian of the birth charts of sports champions (the
so-called Mars effect). The horoscopes of eminent scientists exhibited a similar pat-
tern with respect to the planet Saturn; the writers’ with respect to the Moon.
The Gauquelins’ studies have withstood repeated attacks, and replications of
their research by others have verified the original findings. Through their laboratory
they published a complete record of their research, which filled 23 volumes. They also
published numerous short works, including The Cosmic Clocks(1967), The Scientific
Basis of Astrology(1969), Cosmic Influences on Human Behavior(1973), and Birthtimes:
A Scientific Investigation of the Secrets of Society(1983). To avoid professional prejudice
against them, the Gauquelins tended to discuss their findings in terms of “cosmic
genetics,” “planetary heredity,” or “cosmobiology.”
Because the Gauquelins’ work differs in many respects from traditional astrolo-
gy, astrologers tend to refer to it as neoastrology. The significance of their work is such
that no research validating astrology is more frequently cited. Michel Gauquelin died
in Paris on May 20, 1991.
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Gauquelin, Michel