ASTROLOGY–AN ANTIQUITY’S CLASSIC, NOT SHAM SCIENCE

While the modern intellectual mandate is against Astrology, however it should not be forgotten that this science was a product of it’s time and tried to define human destinies in fairly accurate terms keeping in  mind the prevailing socio-intellectual wisdom and the existing belief systems of those times.

Astrology stands for the movement of astronomical bodies and how they impact human destinies. Since the beginning of European Renaissance when modern Astronomy broke away from Astrology to create a more scientific and objective view of the heavenly bodies, many doubts have been raised about the authenticity of the fundamental basis of astrology. Scientists and rationalists have doubted whether extremely remote and inert planets can have any influence on the lives of living human beings. 

Scientists may have their ‘logical’ outlook and be chiefly concerned with the apparent and obvious, however the fact remains that things are not so straightforward. Just as only different models of sociology can handle the functioning of society, academically, so also not many things can be given to science and science alone. 

While astrology is not be accepted in it’s totality, however it should not be rejected outright as well. Astrology was born out of man’s need to control or at least manage his destiny. It used quite substantial infrastructure as it’s basis – the position of Sun, planets and (what we now call as) satellites. To say that Astrology is a sham science, is to assume that we already know a lot about human system and affairs. 

While it’s an error of the highest order to be superstitiously or blindly disposed towards Astrology, but at the same time one must appreciate the wonderful ancient human mind at action when it evolved this novel science. Astrology served as a prelude to Astronomy (The scientific study of heavenly bodies) for several centuries – the former being also associated with blind dogmas and superstition.

WHY ASTROLOGY SHOULD NOT BE REJECTED OUTRIGHT ?

Astrology is believed to be based on some ‘ancient principles’ of heavenly bodies and how they link to human destinies. While it is not clear whether they are right, but at the same time we can’t say with surety that these are wrong either. Ancient people have developed numerous systems to their credit  that form the basis of even the modern society –such as the Vedas and Buddhism in India, the philosophical system of Greek Philosophers like Socrates and Plato which have shaped European Renaissance and hence the modern world, and so on. 

So it is very difficult to say that the ancient principles of Astrology are all wrong. They too have been developed by experts and after exhaustive research work. To say that only scientific logic is right and other systems simply ‘foolish’ is to take gross risks. We have to be humble, accommodating, accepting and tolerant. 

Astrology also focuses on the time of the year and geographical location wherein one is born. The time and place of birth provides a unique identity to the person, besides people who are born in the same place and at nearly the same time share the climatic conditions prevailing at that time. 

CAUTION – ASTROLOGY MUST NOT BECOME AN ESCAPE ROUTE

The great Indian sage Yukteshwar – the Guru of the illustrious Yoganand says , “Our astrological maps (Horoscopes) are true in the sense that they predict to a great extent what destiny we have inherited from our karmas at the time of birth. However in this life we have to make our own karma and hence chart our own future. Man alone is the maker of his destiny.” 

Just like an expert Doctor can diagnose the disease correctly, so also a well qualified astrologer alone can interpret this ancient science in an appropriate manner.

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