May 3, 1988

The Day The Death Cult Had A Little Esoteric Exposure

"May 4 - The White House said yesterday that Nancy Reagan occasionally has spoken to an astrologer about President Reagan's activities, but the President said none of his policy decisions "has ever been influenced by astrology."

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said, "It's true that Mrs. Reagan has an interest in astrology," an interest that intensified after the assassination attempt on the President on March 30, 1981.

"She was very concerned for her husband's welfare, and astrology has been a part of her concern in terms of his activities," said Fitzwater. He declined to say how seriously Mrs. Reagan takes the subject.

Reagan told reporters yesterday that "no policies or decisions in my mind has ever been influenced by astrology."

The White House statements came a day after sources close to the Reagans said that the President has made executive decisions, including the scheduling of major events, based on advice Mrs. Reagan received from a California astrologer.

Reports that the Reagans take the advice of astrologers have appeared occasionally for at least two decades, and the President has previously acknowledged a longstanding interest in the subject.

A soon-to-be-released book by former White House chief of staff Donald T. Regan is expected to cite several instances in which Mrs. Reagan, after consulting an astrologer, influenced the scheduling of events for the President."