We wish to encourage the Department of Health in the UK to support David Tredennick MP in his approval of astrology and other alternative healing therapies. It is essential that an alternative voice to the current restricted medical offer be available for those with different spiritual beliefs.

We note that `belief` plays a substantial part in the healing environment. For instance, research shows that 54% of participants reported the cessation of their headache after taking a placebo. Belief and faith in healing has a part to play.

We also note that astrology clients report feeling better and less stressed after a consultation and that the clients of other alternative/complementary therapies do the same.

If medicine and the pharmaceutical industry has all the answers in the field of health, why are so many patients of the various health services still unwell, clinically depressed or dying?

Within the global community, we believe that those who speak out in defence of astrology and other talking/healing therapies should be respected for their views without fear of ridicule and derision.