Some people define astrology as the science of
the stars, others say that it is the art by which the future tendencies are
indicated. It may also be defined as the philosophy of discovering and
analyzing the past impulses and future actions of individuals and nations in
light of planetary configurations.
Astrology explains life’s reactions to planetary vibrations. In Sanskrit, it
is called Hora Sastra or Jyotisha, or the science of time. But all these
definitions do not convey the correct idea of the subject.
It is much more than a science. It is a science of the sciences, the key to
knowledge. It is the knowledge that links man to nature, which demonstrates
the universal interconnectedness and interdependence of all phenomena.
Astrology can be defined as the science of correlations of astronomical
facts with terrestrial events, and demonstrates that microcosm and macrocosm
are but reflections of one another.
Astrology is the science of sciences for it refers to many things ranging
from weather and crop forecasts to State matters and individual affairs.
Astrology is the science which gives insight and guidance to the fortunes
and misfortunes of men, issues of empires and republics, floods and
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, plagues, pestilence and other incidents
concerning terrestrial phenomena in relation to the regular movements of the
planets.
I. How Does Astrology Relate To The Greater Whole?
Just as mathematics is the organizing principle of science when dealing with
inanimate matter, so also astrology is the organizing principle of such
sciences which deal with life and its significance in relation to all living
bodies.
The greatest contribution of astrology is to help the aspirant perceive that
the Eternal Man, The Absolute All, is always breathing through the mortal
coil. This metaphysical philosophy, which is the focus of the great saints
and sages, could be demonstrated by the astrologers in the concept of
Heavenly Man, or Kala Purusha. One of the basic postulates of Vedic
astrology illustrates the different aspects of the individual’s life
corresponding to Kala Purusha, which in turn is in consonance with the
zodiac whose different urges are represented by the planets and their
placement. On the basis of this relationship, one knows that the temporal,
human individual is merely the tip of the iceberg submerged under the water
level of the greater Kala Purusha.
The aphorism “I am God” found in various Scriptures refers to this
relationship between Kala Purusha and Mortal Man.
II. Why Has Astrology Been Criticized?
Although the 19th-century materialistic view of the Universe favored by
scientists drew a lot of popular support, and many felt astrology was a
subject fit for only unscientific minds, Indian society has always been
permeated by faith in the spiritual nature of things. This general
skepticism has been replaced by grassroots support for a thorough
reinvestigation of astrology as a branch of science and the art of life in
general.
Perhaps astronomers and scientists have not yet discovered the unifying
field of intelligence which underlies the Universe, because even though
every element in the cosmos can be found and classified, the essence of the
cosmos itself still remains unknown. The world, as a matter of fact, is so
full of mystery that commonsense materialism can make nothing of it.
So, is it such an irrational idea that in this solar system, so linked
together, there may be mutual influences of all the planets upon each other
and upon the beings of a particular planet?
Astrology affirms that the planets not only affect our bodies but also our
minds.
III. Where Did The Science Of Astrology Come From?
Over 10,000 years ago the ancient sages, in their super conscious state,
cognized that there is energy in planets, and that they send out different
rays at different angles which bear influence on everything animate and
inanimate on other planets. Through their sensitized intuition and repeated
observations these highly evolved souls were able to find out the different
characteristics inborn in the planets and also discovered that each rules a
distinctive part of the human mind/body. It was also found that particular
groups of stars known as constellations have different characteristics, and
that they modulate the influence of the planets.
IV. Does One Become A Fatalist If He Believes In Astrology?
Astrology has been called the science of indications, but it does not follow
that the stars rule our destiny. The stars merely record a destiny that has
already been formed. They are then a symbol, not a force, or if their action
constitutes a force it is a transmitting energy not an originating power.
The planets do not dictate, but indicate the energies that are influencing a
situation in a given time.
There is the law in nature that “like causes produce like effects” which has
also been expressed variously in spiritual texts as “As you sow, so shall
you reap”. This is called “karma” the law of cause and effect. It suggests a
kind determination exists in nature.
V. And How Is Karma Expressed Relative To Man And The Planets?
One could tie this relationship to that of a thermometer and body
temperature. The thermometer does not bring about the fever, just as the
planets do not cause events to happen. Rather, they indicate the challenges
one has to face in life’s pilgrimage due to causes generated by the
individual’s past actions.
Alan Leo, an eminent astrologer of the West views karma and free will
thusly: “the idea seems to be prevalent that astrology teaches fatalism.
Those, however, who have studied the subject knows that it does not teach
absolute fatalism. We are not utterly bound; neither, on the other hand, are
we entirely free. We are limited and restrained by ignorance. The
impressions and samskaras are the primitive emotions and tendencies that
motivate our lives. They are the impressions carried over from our past
lives in our subconscious minds, which motivate desires, and in turn produce
our thoughts and actions. Man reflects his inner ideas on the outer world
and perceives things as he wants not as they are.
All our misfortunes are the result of our imperfect knowledge. Had we even
but little more knowledge there would be so much less suffering.
Put another way, man’s actions move on the lines that his own karma is
tracing for him. But his will is free to fashion his karma. It is
determinism to the extent that it is shadowed by the unchangeable law of
karma, but life which is guided by free will does not follow any preordained
pattern. Determinism thus appears to function as the law which operates
through changes according to the conditions of each person’s circumstances
and environment
Vedic philosophy has always denied the existence of a merciless fate which
would play with man as it pleases. On the contrary, the sages have
undeniably declared that man has control over his actions, but his actions
have not control over their results.
The horoscope shows a man’s character and temperament. It shows that, for
example, when there is a dominance expressed by Mars and Rahu, he would
become a criminal, it does not mean he is fated to become so. What it means
is that he is just the sort of person who will have criminal tendencies but
they can be checked by proper care and training. Suppose emotional or
financial challenges indicated any particular year. One can certainly meet a
crisis better if one knows what it might occur.
*Ref: Dr. B.V. Raman’s writings
To be continued...
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