I talk to a professional astrologist named Ophira Edut. I myself don’t believe in astrology but I was interested in asking her questions I’ve wanted to ask about astrology — and the meta-level topic of people’s belief in astrology. Topics include: why she believes in astrology; how her beliefs in that relate to other beliefs (like Reiki or other metaphysical ideas); people’s negative views about astrology (including the view that astrology is a gateway to other bad ideas); if some pregnant women try to time births to get specific astrological signs; the importance of engaging respectfully with people we disagree with; and more.
Episode links:
- YouTube (includes video)
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
TRANSCRIPT OF INTRODUCTION
Hello and welcome to the People Who Read People podcast, hosted by me, Zachary Elwood. This is a podcast aimed at better understanding other people, and better understanding ourselves. You can learn more about it at PeopleWhoReadPeople.com.
In this episode, I talk to a professional astrologist named Ophira Edut (e-DOOT). To be clear upfront: I don’t believe in astrology, and this isn’t the type of thing I’d usually cover for my podcast, but this was a chance for me to ask some questions that I’ve always wanted to ask about astrology – and, more interesting to me, people’s belief in astrology; why they believe it, what those beliefs are like, how they relate to other beliefs. I think whether you are into astrology or whether you’re completely skeptical of astrology, you’ll like this episode; it’s one of the stranger and more unique episodes I’ve done but, for that reason I think it’s one of the more interesting.
I’ll give you a quick backstory on how this talk came about. I often get publicists reaching out to me asking me if I’d interview the people they’re promoting. Someone doing publicity for Ophira reached out to me and asked if I’d be up for talking to her about astrology. I say no to pretty much all these requests, as most of them aren’t really connected with my interests or the theme of the show. But this one did pique my interests. Here’s what I wrote to the publicist:
I’d be interested in talking to them only if they were interested in having a tough (but always respectful) conversation where I ask them questions like “What would you say are the best arguments that astrology is really a thing to people who believe it’s all bullshit?”
I think this stuff is nonsense but I am interested in why people believe this stuff and think it would be interesting to engage in a way that is all too rare: talking openly and honestly about that and doing that in a respectul way (related to my work on reducing toxic political polarization, which I’d tie the convo into).
It could be quite unique!
To my surprise, Ophira was into the idea, and I do want to say that I respect her for coming on to talk openly and honestly about her beliefs despite my obviously not very inviting email and my skepticism. I think not a lot of people are willing to do that for many things they believe, so I do respect that.
A 2022 yougov survey found that quote “a little more than one-quarter of Americans (27%) – including 37% of adults under 30 – say that they believe in astrology, or that the position of the stars and planets influences people’s lives. About half of Americans (51%) say they don’t believe in astrology and 22% are unsure. Younger American adults are more likely to say they believe in astrology than older Americans are.” end quote. And surveys have found support in astrology going up significantly in the past few years.
I’m going to read verbatim the full, unedited bio of Ophira that the publicist sent me:
About Ophira Edut:
Ophira Edut is one of the most sought-after astrologers and intuitive advisors of our times. As the longtime resident astrologer for ELLE and the author of over 20 books, she is a private advisor to a roster of CEOs, celebrities, global leaders and successful entrepreneurs.
Ophira has spoken at universities, conferences and events for the past 20 years, delivering keynotes and live interactive workshops. Her productivity training has been presented to entrepreneurs and executives at companies including Nike and Saks Fifth Avenue, and at event spaces such as Luminary NYC, 92Y, Soho House and Barcelona’s Joan Miro Museum.
On television, Ophira has appeared as a guest expert for Bravo, MTV, Good Morning America, and the Today Show, and created the first streaming reality TV dating show based on astrology, Cosmic Love (Amazon Prime Video, 2022).
Ophira’s book, The Astrology Advantage, to be published by Simon and Schuster in August 2024, introduces The AstroTwins’ revolutionary IAM System, which simplifies the birth chart into three archetypes: Innovator, Authority and Maven. Her work on the subject of “spiritual technology” as an essential tool for business success has been featured in Fast Company and at leadership conferences around the world, including the Milken Global Conference (2024) and the WIN (Women in Negotiation) Summit.
Okay here’s the talk with Ophira Edut…