Birth Order and Astrological Factors #

Introduction #

This project investigates the potential astrological correlates of Birth Order (e.g., First Born, Middle, Youngest, Only Child). Unlike previous theoretical attempts, this study utilizes real-world empirical data from two distinct sources to test whether specific planetary configurations or generational markers appear more frequently in specific birth order categories.

Alternative to crude "Sun Sign" pop-psychology, we employ rigorous astronomical calculations (Julian Day, Sidereal/Lahiri Ayanamsa) to analyze both Secular Trends (generational outer planet shifts) and Personal Aspects (Sun-Saturn, Sun-Jupiter).

Data Sources #

1. Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) #

• Description: A large-scale study of 10,317 graduates (Class of 1957) and their selected siblings.
• Sample Size: Total N = 34,762.
• Data Characteristics: Limited to Birth Year only (public release redactions).
• Usage: Ideal for analyzing Outer Planet trends (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) and identifying "Generational Signatures" that distinguish older vs. younger siblings in a specific cohort.

2. Pantheon Project (Enriched) #

• Description: A curated dataset of globally famous historical figures.
• Sample Size: N = 291 (Subset with verified sibling data).
• Data Enrichment: sibling counts and birth orders were fetched via Wikidata SPARQL queries.
• Data Characteristics: Full birth dates (Year, Month, Day), including BC dates.
• Usage: Allows for Sun Sign Elemental Analysis and planetary aspects (e.g., Sun-Saturn structure, Sun-Jupiter luck), free from the single-generation restriction of the WLS data.

Methodology #

Coordinate System #

• Zodiac: Sidereal (Lahiri Ayanamsa).
• Engine: swisseph (Swiss Ephemeris) for high-precision planetary positions.
• Date Handling: Custom parsing for historical dates (e.g., converting "566 BC" to astronomical year -565).

Key Metrics #

1. Circular Mean & Concentration (R): Used for WLS data to measure how tightly clustered a birth order group is around a specific zodiacal degree.
2. Elemental Distribution: Frequency of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water Sun signs.
3. Aspect Analysis: Frequency of Hard (Conjunction, Square, Opposition) vs. Soft (Trine, Sextile) aspects between the Sun and social planets (Jupiter, Saturn).

Repository Structure #

Data Files #

• birth_order_real_data.csv: Extracted WLS data (Year + Birth Order).
• pantheon_with_birth_order.csv: Enriched Pantheon data (Name, Date, Order, Siblings).
• pantheon_analysis_results.csv: Detailed statistical breakdown of the Pantheon analysis.

Scripts #

• extract_wls_data.py: Parsed the original WLS Stata (.dta) files.
• fetch_pantheon_siblings.py: Enriched the Pantheon sociopathy dataset with Wikidata sibling info.
• analysis.py: Main analysis script for WLS data (Outer Planets).
• analysis_pantheon.py: Main analysis script for Pantheon data (Sun Signs & Aspects).

Summary of Findings #

Full details are available in RESULTS.md.

• WLS (Generational): A clear "Saturn Shift" was observed. First borns in the 1957 graduate class are characterized by Saturn in Pisces, while their younger siblings drifted into Saturn in Aries/Taurus. This confirms the secular trend hypothesis.
• Pantheon (Archetypal):
  • First Borns showed a statistically high prevalence of Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), correlating with "Leadership".
  • Youngest Children showed a high prevalence of Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) and Hard Saturn Aspects, challenging the "spoiled youngest" stereotype and suggesting a "burden of structure."

Future Directions #

• Gauquelin Data: Incorporate the Gauquelin sector data to analyze Moon and Ascendant placements (requires precise birth times).
• Larger Historical N: Expand the Pantheon extraction to include figures with "unknown" birth times but known dates to increase sample size > 1,000.

Data Provenance #

Sibling Data #

• Source: Wikidata.
• Method: SPARQL retrieval of siblings with birthdates.
• Link: https://query.wikidata.org