Astrologer Natasha Weber aka AstroTash behind controversial star-gazing segment in 6pm TV news bulletin breaks her silence to defend the move Astrologer defends her segment on Seven News Natasha Weber says her segment provides 'levity' READ MORE: Viewers fumes as astrology segment debuts on 6pm News By David Southwell For Daily Mail Australia Published: 05:36 BST, 17 August 2024 | Updated: 05:50 BST, 17 August 2024 e-mail 1 View comments An astrologer has broken her silence around the outcry caused by including her horoscopes in a 6pm TV news bulletin. Natasha Weber, who calls herself AstroTash, has been contributing horoscopes to be flashed onscreen following the weather on Seven's national news bulletin since last month. While the move has been condemned by those who think it reduces the seriousness of the news bulletin, Weber said her 'sun sign horoscopes and are meant to provide inspiration'.
'We are in a climate that is quite heavy with a lot of negative news, so why not introduce some light and levity,' she told the Herald Sun . She said some viewers had the misconception that she was going to elbow Melbourne anchor Peter Mitchell 'off the newsdesk' and do away with 'hardcore serious journalism' but that was 'clearly not the case'. Instead the 'quick infographic' was a suitable way to display the 'ancient wisdom of astrology', according to Weber.
Weber said sun signs, the type of astrology normally presented in newspapers and magazines, were only the 'tip of the iceberg' of the study of celestial bodies, their movement in the zodiac and influence on humanity. 'Some of the greatest minds and philosophers of our time like Galileo, Plato, and Hippocrates were all astrologers,' Weber said. Astrologer Natasha Weber, who calls herself AstroTash, has defended the inclusion of her horoscopes in the Seven 6pm news bulletins Read More Seven slammed for controversial plan to hire astrologist 'Astrology is a tool to help guide us to make the best decisions for ourselves.
' As part of a general 'refresh' of Seven News, the nightly flagship bulletin also now includes a three-minute satirical skit the '6.57 News' presented by comedian Mark Humphries. Both the comedy segment and the horoscopes have sparked a sharply divided reaction from Seven viewers, with some saying that the network was treating them like 'morons' and had lost interest in serious news.
'Channel 7 news now features a horoscope. What rubbish. Looks like they don't really care about news,' one viewer fumed on X.
'Between horoscopes and comedy skits being included in Seven News, might as well go the full hog? How about Denise Drysdale spinning a wheel and giving away prizes, too?,' another said 'Needless to say, I don't expect this (horoscopes) to last long - a very Woman's Day/New Idea concept to me!' said another sceptic. 'Seven News treating the viewers as morons with horoscopes,' another fumed. 'Seriously is this what is going to make us watch Seven News as opposed to 9, 10, 2 or SBS.
Biggest turn off ever. Who are these new muppets making such infantile decisions?' another fumed. Long-time Seven News presenter in Brisbane, Sharyn Ghidella, also pointedly referred to the segment when she was recently made redundant as part of the wider changes at the network.
'I’m also not one to have my evening news served up with humour and horoscopes either, so, to be honest, it is time to go,' she wrote in a Facebook post. However, some viewers defended the inclusion. Weber also now presents a weekly 'Astro tip for the week' on Seven's Morning Show 'Astrology is a science, just like meteorology and ought to be given the respect it deserves,' one wrote.
Weber's horoscopes followed her appearance on Channel Seven's Morning Show in February, where she discussed the effects of five supermoons. Her appearance was applauded by her almost 80,000 followers. 'Absolutely fantastic and very insightful Natasha,' one said.
'You are shining new light into an old system,' another wrote. She now provides 'Astro tip for the week' in a short segment where she instructs viewers 'h ow to use your horoscope and harness the power of the stars'. Aside from her work with the Seven network, Ms Weber is a horoscope columnist for Marie Claire Australia and MamaMia.
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