All assertions (from Astrodienst)were couched in very elaborate conditioning clauses.

Sorry bout all these posts, but I just reread your post and noticed this, Purple Foxx. I'd like to point out that human beings are very complex. Individual reactions/responses, even to identical conditions/stimuli (ie Mars conjunct the Sun in the 1st House, to use an astrological example), are as varied as human nature and the circumstances of life itself.

So for example, while Mars conjunct the Sun in the 1st House always implies an abundance of energy and passion, a fiery personality and a strong will, people will express these qualities in highly individual ways. One might become a star athlete, another the passionate outgoing "Don Juan" type, and yet another the most determined, flamboyant, accomplished and influential Buddhist monk imaginable.

Computers are wonderful as time-savers, but they only "see" as progammed. A computer does not take into account subtle nuance, and it cannot "read between the lines". It is not a psychologist or a counsellor. And that's why, for the sake of being as useful as possible to as many people as possible, the computer at Astrodienst is programmed to "couch it's assertions in very elaborate conditioning clauses". Humans are very elaborate creatures, the products of ongoing and extremely complex conditioning and circumstance.

Even so, I find the analyses and interpretations at Astrodienst very helpful and accurate, most days. But if I wanted the very best analysis of my natal chart possible (and I could afford it!) I'd take it to the very best HUMAN astrologer I could find.