St. Louis Post Dispatch, Wednesday, May 4, 1988, Page 1A

WHITE HOUSE STARS FOLLOW THE STARS
By Lawrence M. O'Rourke
Post-Dispatch Washington Bureau

   WASHINGTON - A White House spokesman confirmed Tuesday that Nancy Reagan
follows astrology and checked horoscopes when evaluating events scheduled for
her husband.
   But President Ronald Reagan said that "no policy or decision in my mind has
ever been influenced by astrology."
   Asked whether his schedule had been shaped by astrology, the president said
Tuesday, "You know, I'm still looking for the fellows that tell me every day
what I'm going to do."
   White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater confirmed Mrs. Reagan's use of
astrology the day after the first report on the subject was made by former
White House Chief of Staff Donald T. Regan.
   An aide to Mrs. Reagan said she had consulted astrologers about ideal dates
for public appearances by her husband out of concern for his safety.
   According to sources, Regan will say in a book that will soon be published
that Mrs. Reagan also consulted astrologers to determine the timing of
speeches by her husband and announcements.
   According to one published report, astrology was used to determine the
timing of the ceremony at the White House in December at which Reagan and
Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed their agreement to control medium-
range nuclear missiles.
   "I don't know in any detailed sense" if that is true, Fitzwater said.
   Fitzwater said that he did not know whether the president had consulted
with astrologers but that Reagan had mentioned "lucky numbers" in speeches and
had referred to Abraham Lincoln's ghost living in the family quarters on the
second floor of the White House.
   The Washington Post reported that an unidentified administration official
had said the president was aware of Mrs. Reagan's use of astrology and
approved of it.  Fitzwater said he had no knowledge of the accuracy of the
official's statement.
   Reading from notes at his daily briefing for reporters, Fitzwater said,
"It's true Mrs. Reagan has an interest in astrology.  She has for some time,
particularly following the assassination attempt (on the president) in March
of 1981.  She was concerned for her husband's welfare, and astrology has been
a part of her concern in terms of his activities."
   A White House official said the Reagans were braced for a round of comedic
references to astrology.
   On Capitol Hill, House Speaker Jim Wright, D-Texas, said any use of
astrologists [sic] by the Reagans is "all right with me.  I'm glad he consults
somebody."
   Assistant Majority Leader Tony Coelho, D-Calif., said, "We should check
whether (astrologer) Jeanne Dixon recommended a veto of the trade bill."
   Meanwhile, Joyce Jillson, an astrologer in Los Angeles, said the president
had "used astrology throughout his career, using astrology to pick his
inauguration and other big events," including news conferences.
   "They're usually during a full moon.  He chooses those times to do it,"
Jillson said, according to The Associated Press.  Jillson's daily horoscopes
are distributed to more than 100 newspapers and are read on radio.
   The Reagans regularly consult astrologers, Jillson said.
   Jillson said she had been to the White House and "spent a lot of time"
there after the assassination attempt on Reagan.
   "There was talk that I did charts for all eight (vice presidential)
candidates.  I don't deny that.  I determined the only winnable choice was
George Bush," Jillson said.
   She said the president had set some events according to the phase of the
moon and the signs of the zodiac, the basis for horoscopes.  The president,
born of Feb. 6, is an Aquarius.  Mrs. Reagan, born on July 6, is a Cancer.
   In his autobiography from 1965, "Where's The Rest of Me?" the president
said that Carroll Righter, an astrologer who died Saturday in Los Angeles, was
a good friend of the Reagans.  Reagan also said in the book that he and his
wife consulted their horoscopes every day.
   Fitzwater said he did not know whether Jillson had met with the Reagans at
the White House or had offered her advice through any other means.  "I
wouldn't be surprised if we start hearing from all kinds of astrologers
because of this," Fitzwater said.  He said they would be "coming out of the
walls."
   Fitzwater said the Reagans were displeased by the accounts of their use of
astrology.  "They both feel it's unfortunate and a distraction and hardly
relevant to the business of government," Fitzwater said.
   Lyn Nofziger, a former White House aide and longtime associate of both
Reagans, said the president liked to read his horoscope and "laughed about it
and kidded about it, but I have never seen him take the stuff seriously."