Zodiac

Zodiac

The zodiac is a band of twelve constellations seemingly wrapped around the sky in the apparent annual path of the Sun through the heavens.

The root of the word Zodiac is that for zoo, because the zodiacal constellations, like Hydra or Leo, are mainly fancied to be animals.

In fact, a million years from now, the constellation of Leo will look less like a lion than it does today and perhaps our remote descendants will call it the constellation of the radio telescope – although we can guess that a million years from now the radio telescope will have become more obsolete than the stone spear is now. Anyway, constellations were given the names of the signs and asterisms could be connected in a way that would resemble the sign's name.

Although the zodiac remains the basis of the ecliptic coordinate system in use in astronomy besides the equatorial one, the term and the names of the twelve signs are today mostly associated with horoscopic astrology.

The Zodiac constellations are known to have been in use by the Roman era based on concepts inherited by Hellenistic astronomy from Babylonian astronomy of the Chaldean period (mid-1st millennium BC). Besides the construction of the zodiac is described in Ptolemy's Almagest (2nd century AD).

Babylonian astronomers at some stage during the early 1st millennium BC divided the ecliptic into twelve equal zones of celestial longitude to create the first known celestial coordinate system: a coordinate system that boasts some advantages over modern systems (such as equatorial coordinate system). The Babylonian calendar assigned each month to a sign, beginning with the position of the Sun at vernal equinox, which, at the time, was depicted as the Aries constellation, for which reason the first sign is still called "Aries" even after the vernal equinox has moved away from the Aries constellation due to the slow precession of the Earth's axis of rotation.

Because the division was made into equal arcs, 30º each, they constituted an ideal system of reference for making predictions about a planet's longitude. However, Babylonian techniques of observational measurements were in a rudimentary stage of evolution and it was probably beyond their capacity to define in a precise way the boundary lines between the zodiacal signs in the sky.

The Babylonian star catalogs entered Greek astronomy in the 4th century BC, via Eudoxus of Cnidus and others, but horoscopic astrology first appeared in Ptolemaic Egypt. The Dendera zodiac, a relief dating to ca. 50 BC, is the first known depiction of the classical zodiac of twelve signs.

Planets as seen by Megan Jorgensen. Illustration by Megan Jorgensen.

Under the Greeks, and Ptolemy in particular, whose work Tetrabiblos laid the basis of the astrological traditions, the planets, Houses, and signs of the zodiac were rationalized and their function set down in a way that has changed little to the present day. Capricornus (Goat-horned - the Sea-Goat).

Curiously enough, the Hindu zodiac signs and corresponding Greek signs sound very different, being in Sanskrit and Greek respectively, but their symbols are nearly identical. For example, dhanu means "bow" and corresponds to Sagittarius, the "archer", and kumbha means "water-pitcher" and corresponds to Aquarius, the "water-carrier". The correspondence of signs is taken to suggest the possibility of early interchange of cultural influences. Pisces (the Fishes). 

It is important to distinguish the zodiacal signs from the constellations associated with them, not only because of their drifting apart due to the precession of equinoxes but also because the physical constellations by nature of their varying shapes and forms take up varying widths of the ecliptic. Thus, Virgo takes up fully five times as much ecliptic longitude as Scorpius. Scorpio (the Scorpion).

The zodiacal signs are an abstraction from the physical constellations designed to represent exactly one twelfth of the full circle each, or the longitude traversed by the Sun in about 30.4 days. Aquarius (the Water-Bearer).

Due to the constellation boundaries being redefined in 1930 by the International Astronomical Union, the path of the ecliptic now officially passes through thirteen constellations: the twelve traditional zodiac constellations plus Ophiuchus, the bottom part of which interjects between Scorpio and Sagittarius. Ophiuchus is an anciently recognized constellation, catalogued along with many others in Ptolemy's Almagest, but not historically referred to as a zodiac constellation.

The star. Illustration par Megan Jorgensen.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia

Read this text to learn more about causes of schizophrenia, signs to watch for, treatment available.

What is schizophrenia? 

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects about 1 in every 100 persons.

People with schizophrenia sometimes do not know the difference between what is real and what is not real.

For example, they may hear “voices” of people who are not real. This may leave them mixed-up, upset and afraid. They sometimes say and do things that appear unusual or do not make sense to other people.

Severe types of this illness can cause problems at home, school, work or in a person’s social life.

What causes schizophrenia?

There is no one reason why someone develops schizophrenia, but researchers are studying its causes.

• Scientists believe that abnormal brain chemistry is responsible.
• It may be a partly inherited illness.
• Stress can play a role in making the symptoms worse.
• Signs and symptoms:

Not everyone with schizophrenia has the same symptoms. Symptoms are usually first seen in teens and young adults.

Delusions:

Delusions are false personal beliefs that can be quite strange to others and are very hard to change.

For example, some people with schizophrenia may believe that others are trying to hurt them, or that he or she is famous or has special powers.

Hallucinations:

Hallucinations are experiences that are not really true.  Hallucinations can be experienced as images, sounds, feelings, tastes or smells.

Hearing voices is the most common hallucination in schizophrenia. These “voices” may talk to each other, warn of dangers, or even tell the person to do something.

Thinking, speaking or behaving in a disorganized way:

Schizophrenia can make things difficult. People with schizophrenia may not be able to concentrate on one thought for very long and may be unable to focus their attention. The way they speak or may appear strange or disorganized as well.

Negative symptoms

A person with schizophrenia may not show a lot of emotion. The person may not want to be around others, may have very little to say or may not be interested in doing things. These symptoms are often the hardest part of the illness for families and friends to understand. Sometimes people misunderstand these symptoms as laziness, but they are really one of the most difficult parts of the illness to treat.

What are the treatments?

Medication: Currently, medications are available which often reduce or eliminate the symptoms of schizophrenia. But the symptoms very usually keep coming back without medication and ongoing treatment is needed.

Sometimes the doctor may need to change the treatment plan to manage the illness effectively. For example, the doctor may change the type or dose of medication. Sometimes people can get depressed or even suicidal because of their symptoms.

Other supports that can be helpful:

• Family, friends and self-help groups;
• Close follow-up with a professional;
• Coping and problem-solving skills education;
• Job training.

 Dr. Bell, I presume, has already told you that Ruy has lost the ability to read and write. Ordinarily that's indicative of advanced dementia praecox, isn't it? However, I think Mr. Jacques' case presents a more complicated picture, and my own guess is schizophrenia rather than dementia. The dominant and most  frequently observed psyche is a megalomanic phase, during which he tends to harangue his listeners on various odd subjects.

We've picked up some of these speeches on a hidden recorder and made a Aipg analysis of the word-frequencies. 

A Zipf count is pretty mechanical. But scientific, undeniable scientific.... Back in the forties, Zipf of Harvard proved that in a representative sample of English, the interval separating the repetition of the same word was inversely proportional to its frequency. He provided a mathematical formula for something previously known only qualitatively: that a too-soon repetition of the same or similar sound id distracting and grating to the cultured mind. If we must say the same thing in the next paragraph, we avoid repetition with an appropriate synonym. But not the schizophrenic. His disease disrupts his higher centers of association, and certain discriminating neural networks are no longer available for his writing and speech. He has no compunction against immediate and continuous tonal repetition.

Just listen: “Behold, Willie, through yonder window the symbol of your mistress's defeat: The Rose! The rose, my dear Willie, grows not in murky air. The smoky metropolis of yester-year drove it to the country. But now, with the unsullied skyline of your atomic age, the red rose returns. How mysterious, Willie, that the rose continues to offer herself to us dull, plodding humans. We see nothing in her but a pretty flower. Her regretful thorns forever declare our inept clumsiness, and her lack of honey chides our gross sensuality. Ah, Willie, let us become as birds! For only the winged can eat the fruit of the rose and spread her pollen...

Did you keep count? The author used the word “rose” no less than five times, when once or twice was sufficient. He certainly had no lack of mellifluous synonyms at his disposal, such as “red flower”, “thorned plant”, and so on. And instead of saying “the red rose returns” he should have said something like “it comes back.”

(And lose the triple alliteration. We can re-examine that diagnosis very critically. Everyone who talks like a poet isn't necessarily insane.)

(The Rose. Charles L. Harness)

Severe types of this illness can cause problems at home, school, work or in a person’s social life. Illustration: © Megan Jorgensen.

Antidepressant Medication

Antidepressant Medication

Antidepressant medications are used to treat many psychiatric illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsory disorder.

These medications help treat and prevent symptoms from returning. A patient and his or her doctor will choose the best antidepressant medication for the patient.

What are antidepressant medications used for?

These medications are used to treat many symptoms, including feeling sad, low energy, nervousness, repeated and unsetting thoughts and actions, thoughts of suicide.

How long will this medication take to work?

It can take four to six weeks before you start to feel better. Do not change the dose or stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor. Antidepressants take time to work.

How long do I need to take this medication?

The length of time you take an antidepressant will depend on what illness you have. You should talk to your doctor about how long you will need to take this medication.

What are the possible side effects?

Not everyone has side effects. If you do have side effects they usually are not serious. Most of the time side effects will get better with time.

Common side effects include:

• Constipation (difficulty going to the bathroom)
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Feeling less interested in sex or difficulty having sex
• Feeling nervous
• Feeling tired
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping
• Upset stomach

(This not a complete list of side effects. If you are worried about these of other side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist).

Some side effects can be serious such as:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Difficulty breathing
• Skin rash or itching
• Change in mood to unusually happy or excited
• Feeling very nervous, confused or upset
• Thoughts of suicide
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others.

If you have any of these side effects, you should tell your doctor right away.

Interactions with other medications

Antidepressant medications can change how other medications work. Antidepressants may not work properly when taken with other medications. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medications, vitamins or herbal medicines.

Things to consider:

• Do not stop or change the dose of your medication without talking with your doctor
• Tell your doctor about any changes in the way you are feeling or acting
• If you feel sleepy, do not drive a car or do other things where you need to be awake
• Do not drink alcohol while taking an antidepressant.

Do not change the dose or stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor. Antidepressants take time to work. Illustration: Megan Jorgensen.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is OCD? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder. People with OCD have repeated, upsetting thoughts or images that may make them do things over and over. The obsessive thoughts or images are called “obsessions”. The actions that are done over and over again to make the thoughts go away are called “compulsions”. These actions give only brief relief from anxiety. Many people with OCD know that their actions are not normal but they cannot stop or control them. OCD can be so severe that it stops people from having a normal life.

What causes OCD?: There is no one reason why someone develops OCD. Family history, brain chemistry and stress play a big role in producing the illness.

OCD occurs in people of all ages but symptoms are usually first seen in teens and young adults.

Signs and symptoms

Examples of obsessions include:

• Keeping things neat or in special order
• Fear of germs
• Fear of being hurt
• Fear of hurting others
• Upsetting thoughts about sex
• Upsetting thoughts about religion

Examples of compulsion include doing one of these things over and over:

• Washing hands
• Cleaning
• Arranging things
• Counting
• Repeating words silently
• Praying
• Checking things (such as whether the stove if off or the door is locked).

What are the treatments?: OCD generally responds well to treatment, such as medication and psychotherapy.

Medication will help reduce anxiety, unwanted thoughts and repeated actions.

A type of psychotherapy called Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) teaches how to deal with anxiety and how to stop doing unwanted things.

Support from family, friends and self-help groups can also be very helpful.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) teaches how to deal with anxiety and how to stop doing unwanted things. Image: © Megan Jorgensen.

Morality in Psychology

Morality

What's a goon to a goblin? - Lil Wayne

Let's face it: Life can be pretty unfair. After all, to be a supermodel you must have inherited an above average height, a particular bone structure, a low appetite, natural beauty and so much more. And you have to start young. Does that mean we should ban all supermodels? While the Dove self-esteem campaign celebrates all shapes and sizes of attractiveness, and minimum BMIs have been introduced at many fashion shows, the female tall, thin ideal continues to push many young women and girls towards eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

Along these lines, morality is of interest to many social scientists, including psychologists. One of the most famous discussions on the topic involves Lawrence Kohlberg, and the subsequent feminist-leaning reaction by Carol Gilligan. Kohlberg argued that morality spans several stages, and used the sick wife paradigm to gauge one's stage of moral development.

Does the end justify the means? The sick wife paradigm:

A man's wife is dying of a disease that can only be cured with medication neither of them can afford. Deeply in love, the man breaks into a pharmacy and steals the drug to save the life of his loved one. Stealing is wrong, but his intentions were pure. Should he have done it… at all? Should he go to jail alongside the opioids addict who broke in to get money for their next fix?

Is morality weak? Some people try to dominate others, and not the type of consensual domination seen in BDSM, but outright bullying. Of course to dominate, one preys on the other's weaknesses, be it insulting the person's crooked teeth, or stepping on their arthritic foot. But sometimes, the perpetrator may simply use your strengths against you - your goodness of heart, your compassion, the fact that you are a good, caring, sensitive person… I am of the Judeo-Christian tradition and believe most people are positive, but when the manipulative aggressors come out, I stand by the question: If the roles were reversed, how would they treat me?

A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true (Socrates). Illustration: Megan Jorgensen.