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Adorno brings his considerable intellect to bear on a seemingly trivial subject -- Astrology -- but it is valuable to go through this exercise on how mass culture provides ways of coping with complexity. Adorno's is ultimately an empathic approach these issues. Since he is a central figure in the tradition of critical theory, he of course looks at astrology as a modern reincarnation of ancient tropes that used to serve humankind but are now irrevocably lost. It is a corrupted remnant of what used to be absolutely true for humans. Modern astrology becomes quasi-scientific, muddled in "facts" and generally lives in a world of plausible deniability, and a mingling of personal agency with deterministic celestial commands to take the edge off the heavy burden of being a lone individual in mass society. In short, it is symptomatic of our long, continuing crisis of modernity.

Theodor W. Adorno (1903–1969) was a German sociologist, philosopher and musicologist who was also a leading member of the Frankfurt School. He wrote other books such as Dialectic of Enlightenment,Negative Dialectics,Prisms, etc.

The Editor’s Introduction to this posthumously-published book states, “This volume brings together four texts written by Theodor Adorno between the late 1930s and the mid-1950s. The longest, ‘The Stars Down to Earth’ is for the most part a content analysis of an astrology column in the Los Angeles Times which Adorno wrote in 1952-3 during a return visit to the United States from Germany… The title of the final piece, ‘Anti-Semitism and Fascist Propaganda’ explains its topic clearly enough. Published in 1946, the paper draws extensively on a much longer study which Adorno had written in 1943, but which was not published in his lifetime.” (Pg. 1)

In the essay on astrology, he says, “It pretends to a higher level of scientificness than the supposedly more primitive forms of esoteric wisdom without, however, entering into the argument itself: the lack of a transparent interconnection between astronomical observations and inferences pertaining to the fate of individuals or nations… Astrology attempts to get away from crude and unpopular fatalism by establishing outward forces operating on the individual’s decision, including the individual’s own character, but leaves the ultimate choice to him… Astrology undertakes the constant encouragement of people to take decisions, no matter how inconsequential they may be. It is practically directed towards action in spite of all the lofty talk about cosmic secrets and profound meditation. Thus, the very gesture of astrology, its basic presumption that everyone has to make up his mind at every moment falls in line with what will later come out with respect to the specific content of astrological counseling: its leaning towards extroversion.” (Pg. 44)

Later, he adds, “the column tends to reinforce guilt feelings, compulsive patterns and various other unconscious motivations instead of working against them. It tends to make the socially dependent even more dependent psychologically.” (Pg. 105) He asserts, “astrology mirrors exactly the opaqueness of the empirical world and implies so little transcendent faith, is so opaque itself that it can be easily accepted by supposedly skeptical, disillusioned people. The intellectual attitude it is expressive of is one of disoriented agnosticism. The cult of God has been replaced by the cult of facts, just as the fatal entities of astrology, the stars, are themselves viewed as facts, things, ruled by mechanical laws. One could not grasp the specificity of astrology and of the whole frame of mind it stands for if one would simply call it a reversion to older states of metaphysics: what it is characteristic of is the transfiguration of a world of things into quasi-metaphysical powers.” (Pg. 116)

He observes, “During the so-called enlightened era of the last 200 years, no stratum of the population has been free from anti-Semitism.” (Pg. 142)

After quoting Fr. Charles Coughlin, he comments, “The transformation of Christian doctrine into slogans of political violence could not be cruder than in this passage… The actual shedding of blood is advocated as necessary because the world has supposedly been redeemed by the shedding of Christ’s blood. Murder is invested with the halo of a sacrament… Psychologically, all fascist propaganda is simply a system of such symbols.” (Pg. 170)

This is clearly not one of Adorno’s “major works”; but he comments on subjects that he does not treat elsewhere in his better-known works.

Theodor W. Adorno (1903–1969) was a German sociologist, philosopher and musicologist who was also a leading member of the Frankfurt School. He wrote other books such as Dialectic of Enlightenment,Negative Dialectics,Prisms, etc.

The Editor’s Introduction to this posthumously-published book states, “This volume brings together four texts written by Theodor Adorno between the late 1930s and the mid-1950s. The longest, ‘The Stars Down to Earth’ is for the most part a content analysis of an astrology column in the Los Angeles Times which Adorno wrote in 1952-3 during a return visit to the United States from Germany… The title of the final piece, ‘Anti-Semitism and Fascist Propaganda’ explains its topic clearly enough. Published in 1946, the paper draws extensively on a much longer study which Adorno had written in 1943, but which was not published in his lifetime.” (Pg. 1)

In the essay on astrology, he says, “It pretends to a higher level of scientificness than the supposedly more primitive forms of esoteric wisdom without, however, entering into the argument itself: the lack of a transparent interconnection between astronomical observations and inferences pertaining to the fate of individuals or nations… Astrology attempts to get away from crude and unpopular fatalism by establishing outward forces operating on the individual’s decision, including the individual’s own character, but leaves the ultimate choice to him… Astrology undertakes the constant encouragement of people to take decisions, no matter how inconsequential they may be. It is practically directed towards action in spite of all the lofty talk about cosmic secrets and profound meditation. Thus, the very gesture of astrology, its basic presumption that everyone has to make up his mind at every moment falls in line with what will later come out with respect to the specific content of astrological counseling: its leaning towards extroversion.” (Pg. 44)

Later, he adds, “the column tends to reinforce guilt feelings, compulsive patterns and various other unconscious motivations instead of working against them. It tends to make the socially dependent even more dependent psychologically.” (Pg. 105) He asserts, “astrology mirrors exactly the opaqueness of the empirical world and implies so little transcendent faith, is so opaque itself that it can be easily accepted by supposedly skeptical, disillusioned people. The intellectual attitude it is expressive of is one of disoriented agnosticism. The cult of God has been replaced by the cult of facts, just as the fatal entities of astrology, the stars, are themselves viewed as facts, things, ruled by mechanical laws. One could not grasp the specificity of astrology and of the whole frame of mind it stands for if one would simply call it a reversion to older states of metaphysics: what it is characteristic of is the transfiguration of a world of things into quasi-metaphysical powers.” (Pg. 116)

He observes, “During the so-called enlightened era of the last 200 years, no stratum of the population has been free from anti-Semitism.” (Pg. 142)

After quoting Fr. Charles Coughlin, he comments, “The transformation of Christian doctrine into slogans of political violence could not be cruder than in this passage… The actual shedding of blood is advocated as necessary because the world has supposedly been redeemed by the shedding of Christ’s blood. Murder is invested with the halo of a sacrament… Psychologically, all fascist propaganda is simply a system of such symbols.” (Pg. 170)

This is clearly not one of Adorno’s “major works”; but he comments on subjects that he does not treat elsewhere in his better-known works.

Studies demonstrating Adorno's 'authoritarian personality' conceptual model. His fascinating analysis of the LA Times astrology column demonstrates the power and mechanisms of primitive belief forms in modern society. I would say the very reaction of the person who gave this book one star because they didn't realize it was a critique of astrology (LOL) rather shows Adorno hit a nerve! The reader is sure to recognize the entirely contemporary propaganda techniques of the right-wingnut media in Adorno's razor-sharp insights. Alone making the book a worthy addition to one's shelf is the accompanying essay on Anti-Semitism; an absolute must-read. The introductory materials are furthermore top notch and very helpful.