Why did the British recruit a German astrologer in World War II ?

Yes,I'm told the astrologer was right when he said Hitler would 'meet a tall fair stranger' but it turned out to be 50,000 of them at a Nuremberg rally

I think that article misunderstands the situation. Hitler was a firm believer in astrology, and had his own astrologer. It only makes sense for his wartime opponents to use an astrologer to get insight into what his counterpart was telling Hitler. (This logic makes the assumption that all astrologer's will come up with the same story given the sames set of birth facts.) I have never read any indication that Britain actually believed the seer was doing anything but giving them insight into what Hitler was being told. The article makes it sound as if British Intelligence believed that the astrologer would see the future.

Of course, sending him to the US was different. Many in the US believed (and still believe) in astrology. We even elected a president who used astrology to "help" him in his decisions.

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Originally posted by DorianGreyed:
Hitler was a firm believer in astrology, and had his own astrologer.

There seems to be some doubt, then:
"After the defeat of Hitler, British agents interviewed his secretary and she confirmed that he had no interest in horoscopes whatsoever. He even joked at a Nazi dinner in 1942 that it would be funny if the British thought he believed in astrology " Cambridge University historian Paul Winter, quoted in the Daily Mail, March 4th, 2008.The BBC said Hitler didn't believe in it,too (no specific source was given), and gave that as one reason why this scheme was bound to fail.

Naturally, Hitler may have lied, not wished to admit this, or might have been against the people trusting astrology, lest they were caused to think pessimistically or fearfully or to distrust the official line.In that case he might deny an interest in it.

Hitler was born on the 20th April, right on the cusp of Aries and Taurus.If he is more Taurean, he may have thought it all a load of 'bull'

Apparently, I was wrong in error. Most of what I could find about Hitler's belief in astrology seems to have come from de Wohl himself. While it seems that Himmler and/or Hess was a believer, Hitler wasn't, as you point out. He did, however, believe in numerology, which makes as much (or as little) sense as astrology. But it is also possible that he would have looked into reading entrails if they had said good things about his plans.

Now about that US president...

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Originally posted by DorianGreyed:

Now about that US president...

Yes, which one was it?

Talking of illogical beliefs: we see tonight that your democratic process weeds out those in one party who believe in ' fair tax' or creationism or think that the Garden of Eden was in Missouri (but leaves in someone who believes that American jobs can somehow, and evilly, be 'exported. So there is still some way to go )

Fred, Ronald Reagan believed in astrology so strongly that he was even sworn in as President shortly after midnight on January 20th (rather than at the public inauguration ceremony) because he was told that was the most favorable time for him to take the oath.

Wasn't Nancy the astrology nut?

She is the one that introduced him to it, yes.