"I'm querying the possibility or appropriateness of the scientific method here."

yes, I see that, but the WAY you do the querying indicates to me that you still view the scientific method as just one of several ways to evaluate the critical questions about certain claims....and at the end you continue as if you accept Astrological analysis as accurate & meaningful no matter what science says.

I am trying to somehow make the point that ANY claim in ANY field needs to be objectively investigated and analyzed in all its ramifications, and understood and given status based on objective criteria....and that properly understood and done well & thoroughly, good objective study & analysis IS the scientific method.

It is not as if the scientific method is just one odd type of opinion in a list, like political candidates. The scientific method can be done well, carelessly, with subjective bias, or with limited understanding....but the basic rules of theorizing, devising tests, conducting tests, evaluating results and re-formulating theories, **IS** the scientific method.
If one sees careful analysis that indicates that a favorite notion (flat earth, ether waves, Phogiston, Phrenology, Tarot, Crystal balls, seances, tea leaves, reading entrails, black cats, and forgive me, even Turtles all the way down) has problems, there are two ways to approach it....more research, or abandon it. But it doesn't make sense to base much of importance on it while you are doing more research.

Is Astrology fascinating? Sure! Does it have a long, complex history? Agreed... Do many people who 'seem' to be reasonable people accept it? It does seem so! Does this validate it? .....ummmmm, not exactly.
Will my appeal to reason and sense and restraint make much difference? *grin*...I am not THAT optomistic!

Have fun....but take it all with a grain of salt.