":::::::::::Andy - I don't have the time to answer all your points now, but to clarify two points:
My analogy was with Star Trek and science.  Just because ignorant people believe it is science and it attracts more interest than science, it doesn't mean we have to redefine science. 
I don't believe sun sign astrology generates the funding for professional astrologers - either as a source of income or as a source of clients as in my experience, the emphasis on entertainment in sun sign columns tends to put people off getting into astrology. Robert Currey talk 

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