Two Full Moons Means…

The Barnum effect is named after P.T. Barnum, the showman who declared "there is a sucker born every minute." He found many ways to separate "suckers", as he called gullible people, from their money.

The Barnum effect in psychology refers to the gullibility of people when reading descriptions of themselves. By personality, we mean the ways in which people are different and unique. However, it is possible to give everyone the same description and people nevertheless rate the description as very very accurate.

They way I used to run this test was to give people some personality test on paper, then give everyone an envelope with a printout of their personality, have them rate the accuracy, and then reveal to everyone that they all got the same description. So, how can it be called accurate?

On August 1st, the full moon in your interpersonal angle can lead you to make things more official in a relationship or call it quits. It encourages you to strike a better balance between me and we in all your one-to-one connections. A couple of hours later, a Mars-Jupiter confab could enable your hard work to pay off. Lobby for a promotion or put your talents to excellent use and relish the rewards. With the right strategic move, you can make headway in your career now. The Leo sun prods Jupiter on the 6th, motivating you to make a name for yourself. You have the drive to chase after huge goals and could achieve something significant if you’re careful not to fly too high.

The next day, the sun and Neptune hold their annual summit in your sign, which could make you feel extra sensitive and vulnerable. If you get overwhelmed, take a step back from the world and meditate, listen to music or indulge in another healthy escape. With the Pisces sun squabbling with Mars on the 16th, you could get into a disagreement, especially if you’re already irritable. Need to vent pent-up aggression? Find a good physical outlet! If you’re not up for working out, tackling a home project would be a smart choice. When Venus and Pluto battle a couple of hours later, your personal values and desires could clash with group interests. Confidence could also be an issue, and it’s important not to let others determine your self-worth. It may seem like other people have the power to give you what you want, but that belief places the locus of control outside yourself. Know what you desire and what you’re worth. A friendship may be changing, and a dispute over money or possessions is liable to bring things to a head. Your goals for the future are also in flux, and as you form new interests and objectives, it’s inevitable that the network of people in your life won’t remain exactly the same. Soon after, Venus dances into your thinking-and-talking arena, bringing positive thoughts and pleasant interactions in the next few weeks. Express your affection and soak up the warmth and beauty around you. The sun exits your sign on March 20th and segues into your worth house. Now your attention will shift from who you are to what you have and what you need. You’re apt to identify with your finances and possessions in the coming month and should consider what is most important to you. After the new moon lands there on the 21st, you’re encouraged to create a budget, develop a new source of income, set a financial goal and acquire resources you need. Mars zooms into your joy sector on the 25th, where he’ll be hanging out for the next couple of months, mobilizing you to get out and have some fun. This is your cue to be bolder in pursuing what your heart wants — and you’re brave enough to take risks during this cycle. You’re much more inclined to do as you please than tackle unpleasant tasks. On March 30th, Mars clicks with Saturn in Pisces, suggesting that you’ll win big when you bet on yourself. Put a plan in place that leads to personal happiness. Take your growth seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously! Go after what completes you — and be sure to include a mélange of love, creative expression and joy. A few hours later, Venus’s rendezvous with Uranus can lead you to bump into someone out of the blue or enjoy an impromptu interaction with a sibling or neighbor. Creative ideas can strike like a bolt of lightning; keep track of them because Uranus’s energy is fleeting. Happy thoughts are likely to flit through your head, so you’ll be in an upbeat mood. You’ll probably have extra-engaging conversations, and meeting people will stimulate you. A quick trip — or exploration of an unfamiliar neighborhood — is also possible.

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Researcher Bertram Forer originally named it the "fallacy of personal validation". The term "Barnum effect" was coined in 1956 by psychologist Paul Meehl in his essay "Wanted – A Good Cookbook", because he relates the vague personality descriptions used in certain "pseudo-successful" psychological tests to those given by showman P. T. Barnum.

Don’t judge your track record. Self-awareness should be a means for growing and learning, not a stick to beat yourself up with. Let your understanding of the past enhance your perspective and inform your vision of what’s next. A dustup between Venus retrograde and Uranus on August 9th is a repeat of the fight they had on July 2nd. Once again, part of you wants to let go and drift, but you also have an urge to pursue new experiences. Set boundaries if you’re in a vulnerable position. When the sun and Venus coalesce on the 13th, you might be inspired to act selflessly out of compassion. Love doesn’t feel abundant, but a sacrifice for someone you care about can give you quiet satisfaction. You might also be nursing a covert crush, conducting a private love affair or reminiscing about someone from the past. On the 15th, a sun-Uranus skirmish can trigger an impulse to break out of a rut, have new experiences, broaden your mind, meet people and travel — even though another side of you wants to lie low. You’re craving peace and quiet, but you also want to shake things up. Find healthy escapes that—at the very least — transport your mind. The new moon on August 16th coaxes you to ease your soul with tranquil solitude. You might begin a new spiritual practice or do something kind and selfless for the benefit of others. Hours after that, Mars colludes with Uranus, clearing your path for an exciting experience. Seeing things differently will allow you to do things differently. On the 22nd, Venus and Jupiter continue their battle from June 11th — only this time, Venus is in reverse. Again, you might be torn between savoring downtime and getting out and expanding your horizons. This planetary entanglement increases the danger of pursuing an imagined pleasure. The truth is probably not what it appears to be. However, this could be a good time for seeing the light and letting go of an old attachment. When Mars faces off with Neptune later that day, even though you’re on your game, other people may wear you out or guilt-trip you or confuse you. Compromise is usually the best strategy with oppositions, but it may be hard to meet someone halfway if you don’t understand where they’re coming from. If you can act based on empathy, go ahead and engage. The sun’s arrival in Virgo on August 23rd heralds the beginning of your birthday season and gives you full permission to focus on yourself and what you want out of the year ahead. You’ll be full of vitality in the month ahead and can make a lasting impression. Hours later, Mercury pivots retrograde in your sign, though, making it harder to get a verbal message across. Postpone big decisions, and instead, rethink your personal choices and consider what you want to say when communication clears up in a few weeks. And try not to worry too much about being misunderstood. Maybe the less said, the better. Mars in your sign syncs up with Pluto on August 24th, indicating you have the power to do something that will transform your love life, creative self-expression or personal fulfillment. In other words, your actions can make you happier! Pursuing what you desire can result in an intensely pleasurable experience. A sun-Saturn faceoff on August 27th can make it seem like someone or something is standing in your way, and a choice between putting yourself first and honoring your obligations to others may arise. Look for a mutually agreeable compromise, and don’t let this bump in the road deflate your spirits. Soon after, Mars moves into your worth sector for a six-week stay, shifting some of your focus to making good use of your resources. You might get busy earning money, shopping for what you need or dealing proactively with possessions. The

After the new moon lands there on the 21st, you’re encouraged to create a budget, develop a new source of income, set a financial goal and acquire resources you need. Mars zooms into your joy sector on the 25th, where he’ll be hanging out for the next couple of months, mobilizing you to get out and have some fun. This is your cue to be bolder in pursuing what your heart wants — and you’re brave enough to take risks during this cycle. You’re much more inclined to do as you please than tackle unpleasant tasks. On March 30th, Mars clicks with Saturn in Pisces, suggesting that you’ll win big when you bet on yourself. Put a plan in place that leads to personal happiness. Take your growth seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously! Go after what completes you — and be sure to include a mélange of love, creative expression and joy. A few hours later, Venus’s rendezvous with Uranus can lead you to bump into someone out of the blue or enjoy an impromptu interaction with a sibling or neighbor. Creative ideas can strike like a bolt of lightning; keep track of them because Uranus’s energy is fleeting. Happy thoughts are likely to flit through your head, so you’ll be in an upbeat mood. You’ll probably have extra-engaging conversations, and meeting people will stimulate you. A quick trip — or exploration of an unfamiliar neighborhood — is also possible.

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