COSMIC DISCOVERY CONFERENCE
April 24-26, 2026 | Nashville, Tennessee
Revolutionary Discoveries that are Redefining Astrology
COSMIC DISCOVERY CONFERENCE
April 24-26, 2026 | Nashville, Tennessee
Revolutionary Discoveries that are Redefining Astrology
Where Astrology Meets Inquiry
Welcome to the Cosmic Discovery Conference—a gathering for those ready to test, explore, and evolve astrology.
Hosted by the Cosmobiology Institute, this event invites critical thinkers, researchers, and visionaries to engage with astrology through an evidence-based lens
Cosmic Discovery Conference | April 24–26, 2026 | Embassy Suites Hotel | Nashville South Cool Springs
Speakers and Presentations
Compatibility Reframed:
Challenging Past Beliefs
KeyNote: Santino Mancuso, M.A.
There is a widespread belief in astrology that two people with planets in the same element are compatible.
For example, Gemini and Libra are air signs so they are compatible. This belief is so ingrained in the thinking of some astrologers that it is difficult to believe that it is not true.
However, recent work in psychology suggests that this similarity is not helpful, and the results of astrological research agrees with psychologists rather than with astrologers.
Is it time for astrology to pay more attention to discoveries in related fields and to what the analysis of databases tells us?
The Global Zodiac:
How Latitude Shapes the Signs
by: Vincent Godbout, B.A., B.Sc.
Aries is associated with the burst of energy of Spring, Taurus with plants becoming green and thriving in Spring, etc. However, the seasons are reversed in the Southern hemisphere so, for example, the Sun is in Aries when Autumn begins instead of when Spring begins.
Most astrologers do NOT flip the zodiac signs in the hemisphere, but some astrologers argue that we should.
Vincent Godbout has conducted a sophisticated quantitative analysis of data that very strongly suggests whether the impact of zodiac signs varies at different geographic latitues. The results are clear and for many of us very surprising.
The Cosmic Mirror:
Saturn, Chiron, & the Search for Authenticity
by: Christopher Benton, Ph.D.
People who do not fit into the most common and socially accepted and socially endorsed behavior patterns often face a struggle to express themselves honestly. Social pressures can make it more difficult for them to feel comfortable with who they are and to be authentic.
Being gay is becoming more socially acceptable in some parts
of the world but there is often still the struggle of “coming out” with one’s sexual orientation as parents and others may find it difficult to accept and support. Dr. Benton’s carefully conducted research ndicates that the interaction of Saturn and Chiron are involved in the challenges of being part of a marginalized group and the struggle to feel comfortable and content with one’s life.
Social pressures can make it more difficult for them to feel comfortable with who they are and to be authentic.
Fixed Stars Revealed: Moving Beyond the Archetypes
by: Starlene Breiter, PAC
Starlene employs a research method that has been used very successfully in genetics research to find “a needle in a haystack”.
How do we begin to understand what a fixed star does in astrology when all we have is the anecdotal evidence of astrologers and traditional beliefs? This is similar to finding out which genes among millions are involved in a physical condition. 
By very carefully using Extreme Case Sampling we are like explorers making a path through the jungle to develop ideas that have a much greater chance of being replicated in future studies. Starlene has been conducting this research for years and our confidence in the findings is improving with each new study.
We learn what the latest findings are and what the data is that supports these findings.
Astrological Patterns of the Mind:
Insights into Psychology
by: Angela McRae, B.A.
Angela shares the results of the most recent research studies that give high confidence that there are planetary configurations at the time of birth that are more likely for people who have been diagnosed with various psychological conditions. 
Angela focuses on the most well-designed studies that use shuffled control groups and other carefully conducted procedures that make statistical artifacts unlikely.
The Zodiac Under Scrutiny:
A Data-Driven Look at the Signs
by: Linda Berry, M.A., M.S.S.W.
Linda uses AI Large Language Models to analyze the biographies of people to see if the biographies of people with the most emphasis of a zodiac sign match the description of zodiac signs better than a control group that have no planets or the Ascendant in the zodiac sign.
This research puts astrology to the test to see if zodiac signs really do describe people better than is expected by random chance.
She also analyzes two descriptions of zodiac signs: a set of descriptions based on widespread ideas about zodiac signs that are endorsed by leading astrologers and meanings of the zodiac signs that emerged from research done by Santino Mancuso.
Linda’s research shows whether each of these sets of descriptions of zodiac signs work better than random chance.
Celestial Thresholds:
Astrology at the End of Life
by: Vincent Godbout, B.A., B.Sc.
One use of astrology is to predict the likelihood of a particular event occurring. One of the most dramatic events in a person’s life is the end of life, i.e., death. In astrology Saturn is often associated with time, old age and death.
Is Saturn involved when a person dies?
Vincent has conducted an extremely thorough and sophisticated quantitative research study that shows clear indicators of death compared to the control group.
The results are fascinating. For example, the research indicates that secondary progressions are involved in determining when a person is more likely to die.
In the Zone:
Planetary Patterns & Peak Athletic Performance
by: Santino Mancuso, M.A.
Santino conducted an extensive and detailed study of athletic performance.
Using the Vibrational Astrology theoretical framework and careful implementation of modern research methods, Santino will describe the transit-to-natal planetary configurations that indicate when athletic performance is exceptionally good.
These planetary configurations are different from the kinds of planetary configurations that most astrologers use in their practice.
Astrological Patterns of Illness: Astrology & Human Health
by: Christopher Benron, Ph.D. & Starlene Breiter, PAC
Christopher and Starlene independently conducted research on people with cancer.
They use modern research methods that compare these people with a control group and both of them obtain results that strongly suggest that there really are astrological indicators of vulnerability to this disease.
Christopher’s findings confirm some ideas in modern western astrology and Starlene’s findings confirm some ideas in Vibrational Astrology.
Astrological Predictors of Market Volatility
by: GIANNI DI POCE, B.A.
With help in analyzing the market data from Dr. Christopher Benton, Gianni has identified planetary activity that increases market volatility. In other words, there are astrological indicators of when market prices go up and down more than usual.
Gianni will explain what these astrological factors are and how he uses them to select times to buy and sell stocks and market funds.
These methods are simple and powerful but have not been clearly confirmed using a rigorous statistical analysis with good control groups until Christopher collaborated with Gianni to confirm and improve some of the financial astrology methods used by Gianni.
These methods were introduced by the well-known financial astrologer Ray Merriman.