Astrology... Is it a lie?

Since long time we have been hearing about astrologers making future prediction using horoscopes but how much of it do we believe? How much of it do we dismiss as mythology? Unlike the media portrayal of astrologers who wear saffron and say incomprehensible things, astrology is a sacred discipline that has been in practice for years and requires intensive study and training for one to actually understand how the sky speaks. Astrology cannot make problems disappear magically or change the future, then why get a reading? Even if we cannot change the future, we have the power to predict and plan for the things awaiting us.

Is it a lie?

No, it is a science. It is computed with intricate calculations with methodical rules, which is why it qualifies a science. It is assumed that Astrology is a myth and prophecies do not come true; those who criticize this discipline are the same people who secretly and frequently look for hope in their horoscopes and rely on a one-liner explanation of their signs in the daily newspaper. Like each individual is unique, so is each horoscope, then how will the single line be applicable to millions of people who share the same sign?

In my opinion, we make mistakes unknowingly, and also get misguided by people who have limited knowledge in this field. This is a science that can be proved; it finds its roots in the intermingling of Mathematics and Astronomy, many rishis, famous scientists, have researched this subject and laid its foundation. It might be a little complex to understand and explain but if you understand this language, the skies speak to you. 

Astrology has many branches like Vedic Shastra, Nadi Shastra, Krishnamurti, Jaimini, Mundane, Palm reading, Vastu shastra, etc. each has its own specialty. Like prediction about Mother Nature, Politics, War, etc. are done using Mundane Astrology.   

Prediction is a skill of estimating as near to accuracy as possible, but keep in mind, it doesn’t matter if you use Vedic Shastra, Nadi Shastra, Krishnamurthy Paddhati or Palm Reading, or any other system what has to happen, always will.

Why should we go for Horoscope Reading?

Prediction can be a way to give moral support and instill hope so they can get a kick-start in life. Performing a deed or event at a given time can increase the relative permanence of the results. Sometimes it may happen so that there could be a positive result but the individual does not get to enjoy it. If any obstacle were going to block the individual from succeeding in his plans, getting awareness of them beforehand might be useful in preparing oneself for the situation. 

Prediction is dependent on the Birth Chart, Mahadasha, Transit, and Divisional Charts. Transit changes every day and so do the effects it has on the individual. We cannot change our future but we can plan for it beforehand.

Why an Astrologer for predictions?

When we use the word Vedic, our mind assumes that all the concepts with the word in it are one and the same, but the term Vedic has six branches, one of which is Astrology. Religious rituals like Pooja, Yadnyas, Shantis, etc. are considered to be the domain of the likes of Pundits and Gurujis and Astrologers, which is where the confusion begins. 

Riddle me this, would you ask a bank clerk about the share market? No, you would visit a share market expert for that. Similarly, asking the latter about insurance would be inappropriate. Even if the base of this is finance, there are specific professionals to consult about a particular discipline. 

Asking an Astrologer to perform havan and asking a Pundit to make predictions would be wrong. A Pundit is a master of Pooja, Rituals and Religion, and an Astrologer knows how to predict the future, present and past, but he doesn’t have adequate knowledge to perform religious rites, although there are a few who can command both disciplines successfully. Not all Pundits are experts in Astrology, but laymen consult them for it which is where we take the misstep.

Astrologer is a learned person who can read the physical and theoretical elements using sky charts to foretell the possible future outcomes. He can also relate the same to tell you the past which will reflect on the future.   

Another misstep is when we match gunas when we are looking for matching horoscopes for a marriage. Instead, comparing and matching the birth charts of the two would provide more accurate results; looking at both of their longevities, will their personalities complement each other, how good will the longevity of the marriage, will they enjoy parenthood; many such themes should be considered and then should the gunas be compared.

How to and What to Ask?

Prashna-shastra is a topic under Astrology which is all about the techniques that should be kept in mind while asking the question and how to answer them. Going to an astrologer and asking them all the questions you have about yourself and your life is a very erroneous notion. It is not possible to do and may as well lead to inaccurate and disorderly predictions. 

While asking questions, one should be as specific as they can be, e.g. “how would my life be?” is a vague and generic question. To answer it, the astrologer needs to examine at least 12-15 domains of the horoscope because your question does not highlight a specific area. This is against the rules of Astrology; an astrologer cannot exceed 3-5 queries in a single sitting. Instead you should ask a question that tends to something that currently bothers you or invokes your curiosity. 

If possible stick to only a couple of topics, for instance, career, financial status, job transfer, if the job is near the home or abroad, are related to the same topic. Even in the case where an inquiry about marriage is concerned, the partner’s nature, whether they would be financially equipped, will they have children are correlational topics. One question about career and the other about ancestral inheritance together, or one about marriage and the other about travelling abroad clubbed together do not make for suitable combinations.

It is a matter of time

There could be a few instances where it is difficult to escape the situation or plan for it and the only alternative to suffering is to let the phase pass and tell oneself that it is a temporary circumstance. It could be possible that taking action on it or recovery is a few days or months away. One needs to persevere with the best of their patience; often waiting for something to disturbs one’s calm and we might take a few steps that might give us the opposite results or delay them. We can only enjoy the benefits of the result when we wait for them with strength and self-control. This is the time where one can prepare themselves for hard times and truly know their potential. Many people visit an astrologer only when they are facing obstacles in their life, when they are at their worst and hence they feel that nothing can be done about it. If one visits their astrologer when they’re enjoying a prosperous time, they can know when they have to battle hardships and start working towards it accordingly.

Medical Astrology

Astrology contributes greatly to the medical field; in fact, Ayurveda and Astrology are sister branches of the Vedic tradition. When we find out about an issue or disease in our body and doctors recommend a surgery, or the issue doesn’t resolve even after a considerable amount of time has passed, we pay a couple more visits to different doctors to listen to their opinion about the ailment. Along with this, an astrologer’s consultation might help; just like you get queries about marriage and career answered, an astrologer can also answer questions about health and find out the root cause of a physiological ailment.

Some individuals respond better to Ayurvedic medicines, some to homeopathic whereas others to allopathic but all of these disciplines can make the body suffer if the patient has to seek all of them but this is where Astrology might play the part of an aide to you. Astrologer can recommend you the right stream according to your horoscope.  

Astrology is not a remedy it’s a guide

Expecting that the astrologer can perform some miracle when they look at the horoscope is an error many of us make. An astrologer is someone who studies the horoscope and makes predictions with which they may be able to guide you to your answers; to follow the suggested advice or not is entirely in your hands.

Many people ask for remedial rites like chanting beads, wearing certain precious stones, performing poojas, yadnyas, charity, and what not. If we think about it, what are these remedies? What do they actually do? 

When an astrologer suggests any of the above, he might do so to give you positive vibes, to give hope and possibly start productive thoughts. These do not directly cause any miracle but instill an optimistic perspective in someone who despairs. Those who feel like they have lost hope benefit from these practices as it gives them something to look up to whereas the more hopeful ones benefit from the counseling itself. Our psychological condition affects our decisions and actions. Our belief in god makes us feel blessed by performing some rituals.  

An individual needs someone who can tell them what to expect from the future, someone who can tell them what they should avoid and then they can easily find a way out by themselves; all these needs can be fulfilled by one person – The Astrologer.

Mrunal  Kulkarni