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A Special Report Series by the N,C. Department of Human Resources, Division of
Health Services, Public Health Statistics Branch, P.0. Box 2091, Raleigh, N.C.
No. 6 July 1977
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MORTALITY AND ASTROLOGICAL SIGN AT BIRTH
- Something Whimsical for a Change -
For the most part, health statistics are grim and depressing, for even
those signalling progress and hope seem always counterbalanced by signs of new
or unresolved strife. We have reported, for example, that North Carolina has
made great strides in the area of infant mortality (1); yet we still find our¬
selves better than only three states (2). We have reported outstanding pro¬
gress in the area of infectious diseases and malnutrition, showing that some
diseases have been eradicated; and we simultaneously point to the emergence of
new disease patterns for which we have no cure (3). Again, we examine mortality
patterns across the state and allude to North Carolina's "healthy mountains";
but adverse mortality conditions in eastern counties are the focus of the
analysis (4). Recently also, we have reported statistical associations between
mortality and various everyday facts of life including marital status, socio¬
economic conditions and nutritional factors (5~7)-
Is it any wonder then that health statisticians might occasionally
require some light-hearted research! Such was the case when we sought to
determine if births, homicides or suicides are more frequent during the full
moon; they are not, according to North Carolina statistics for 197^ (8). Such
is the case now as we seek to determine if time and manner of death are statis¬
tically associated with signs of the zodiac. Whimsical perhaps, and yet,
according to those who know, vulnerability to various health conditions is part
of one's horoscope (9).
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Deaths occurring during 1976 are the first for which the North Carolina
statistical file includes date of birth. Hence, deaths used in this study
are those occurring during 1976 to North Carolina residents, irrespective of
place of death, and to nonresidents who died in North Carolina.
Due to the fact that dates of the zodiac signs are fluid and change with
the motion of the Sun each year, and in the interest of achieving purity in
mortality traits, we have eliminated decedents who were born at the edge, or
cusp, of a sign. We also excluded infants (under 1 year of age) since pre¬
natal and environmental factors are likely to influence these events to a
decisive extent. Thus, this study includes a total of 31,980 decedents one
year or older at death whose birthdates corresponded to the following 3-week
i nterval s:
