It’s not uncommon for presidents to consult a number of people before they make important decisions. They call upon their advisors, their friends, family, and … astrology consultants? Some presidents used astrology and psychics more than others to help guide their presidencies. Read on for a look at the presidents, vice presidents, and first ladies who dabbled in astrology, and how Donald Trump compares (page 6).

1. Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan‘s use of astrology in the White House is probably the most famous account.

“Virtually every major move and decision the Reagans made during my time as White House Chief of Staff was cleared in advance with a woman in San Francisco who drew up horoscopes to make certain that the planets were in a favorable alignment for the enterprise,” wrote Donald Regan, Reagan’s chief of staff, in his book, For the Record.

That woman was Joan Quigley, who claimed she participated in presidential decisions “in a more intimate way than the publicly recognized insiders of greatest importance.”

Next: This president didn’t mind his wife’s astrological help. 

2. Warren G. Harding

Warren G. Harding, the 29th president of the United States, also employed the use of astrology during his presidency. His wife, Florence Harding, mostly took the reins and used the belief system as a tool to both keep her husband safe and guide his presidency towards success.

“Perhaps no First Lady was more expert on the full gamut of the occult and believed more thoroughly in the mysterious powers of the supernatural world than did Florence Harding,” says the National First Ladies’ Library.

Next: This vice president was a stargazer. 

3. Vice President Henry Wallace

Henry Wallace was the 33rd Vice President of the United States, serving a term with Franklin Roosevelt. He was also the 11th Secretary of Agriculture, the 10th Secretary of Commerce, and the founder of the Progressive Party.

According to a Washington Post columnist in 1940, he was also a “stargazer of many cults.”

Next: A first lady who believed in psychics  

4. First lady Dolley Madison

Dolley Madison was the wife of James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. Though there isn’t any evidence that James partook in astrology, there is evidence that Dolley participated in, or at least believed in, psychic readings.

On August 1, 1833, she wrote a letter to her niece, Mary Cutts, that read:

“May your fortune, dearest Mary, be even better than the sybil’s predictions. There is one secret, however, she did not tell you, and that is the power we all have in forming our own destinies.”

Next: How Obama feels about séances

5. Obama once apologized to Nancy Reagan for making a seance joke

In 2008, Barack Obama held a news conference just after winning the election. During the conference he said, “In terms of speaking to former presidents, I’ve spoken to all of them that are living. Obviously, President Clinton — I didn’t want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about, you know, doing any seances.’’

Afterwards, he called Nancy to apologize.

Next: Donald Trump and astrology

6. Donald Trump

The closest thing Donald Trump has to a personal astrologist or psychic is a spiritual adviser named Paula White. White is known for her luxurious lifestyle and celebrity adherents, including such names as Tyra Banks and Michael Jackson.

“Our president 100 per cent is a Christian who understands receiving faith by the grace of the lord, Jesus,” says White of Trump. She believes God elevated Trump to the role of president.

On the astrological side of things, Bustle reports that 2018 is going to be a chaotic year for the whole Trump family, according to the stars and planets.

Next: These are the most common astrological signs among presidents. 

7. The most common star signs for presidents

Out of all the presidents the American people have elected, five of them were Scorpios and five of them were Aquariuses. John Adams, James Polk, James Garfield, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren Harding were Scorpios. William Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln, William McKinley, Franklin Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan were all Aquariuses.

Scorpios are known to be focused, balanced, careful, and secretive, while Aquariuses are known for being rebellious, smart, eccentric, and guarded. Do these sound like presidential qualities to you?

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