A friend wanted to know about my thoughts on Astrology—especially vedic astrology. Here is a series of Q & A about Astrology i.e., Vedic astrology—Indian.
What is Vedic Astrology?
Astrology and especially vedic, is rooted in a non-dualistic view of life. It is therefore unscientific because scientific method is based on dualism. Dualism helps us solve many problems on the material plane, but it does not solve problems of the psyche i.e., of the mind. Dualism tells us that you are separate from the world around you, and that you exist on your own. It isn’t true. You are in fact made up of all your memories, experiences, food, climate, and the world around you. Thus you are not actually you, you aren’t even what you think (because what you think is influenced by the world around you).
Vedic astrology (based on vedantic philosophy) is a precise mathematical analysis of the planets at the time of your birth, that predicts your natural tendencies and major life events, if you do not exercise the use of your free will.
These charts show deep soul level tendencies and energies, that are beyond the power of ordinary people to change them, unless they are guided to awaken and integrate all aspects of their mind. You may notice how some people want more will power, whereas others are content to flow with with who they are and their decisions. That desire itself is part of your vedic chart, the place where the soul chooses to be born, and what it chooses to experience. You may imagine you are in charge, exercising control over your life, but your life (the environment) exercises control over you in subtle and not so subtle way. Also, you are not just the you, that you think you are in the body you have, but your mind and awareness extends to many levels of awareness.
What does Astrology do?
Astrology is yet another way to integrate the psyche, when used wisely it helps improve one’s relationships and acceptance of self and others.
Nature makes us a certain way. Fighting with nature is often a useless endeavour, leading to more harm than good. It is far wiser to learn self acceptance and to work with what you have, rather than to fix what you don’t have. This is spiritual wisdom, and good Vedic astrologers should give you that kind of insight that helps you see a way out of your own worst demons. But how they do it, is the thing that spins our noodles and most people get stuck on the Science vs. Superstition dichotomy.
What do Vedic Astrologers do?
Vedic astrologers, (if they determine negative tendencies), give you remedies such as stones, colours, patterns, prayers and whatever else what they see in your chart.
They are trying to get you to use that part of the sub-conscious mind that can resist negative tendencies, a booster pack! So, for example if you wear a certain stone that has contrary effects to the one on your chart, you are giving your unconscious mind a little help to continue to stay more positive. It is exercising a subtle influence at the sub-conscious level.
It isn’t evil. It isn’t superstition. At worse, it is a type of traditional coaching or counselling approach. It isn’t manipulation-at least ethical practitioners will empower you, rather than themselves. The astrologer more often than not is just a professional with some knowledge in the area of the sub-conscious doing his or her best to help you with the kind of stuff they don’t teach you at school.
The number one human problem is anxiety, fear of survival and lack in physiological needs or social needs. We are all trying our best, but our mind can be our friend or our enemy.
What is the role of religion wrt Astrology?
Belief or faith is irrelevant to astrology or the human mind. It is yet another ‘should’. Its benefits are that it simplifies the burden of life, so that there is a strong judgement against certain activities versus others.
But the superficial identity (the face we show to the world) is irrelevant when it comes to your sub-conscious and unconscious mind. People with certain aspects in their charts will be judgemental, if they are convinced of one explanation than they will fight the world so that it fits into their paradigm of ‘how it should be’. Mr Narendar Modi and BJP exemplify that kind of boxed thinking. People like these may be excellent with logic, they may be highly competent, but they have a mind that dislikes uncertainty and it is naturally more anxious than another personality. Certain elements in the body are higher than other elements.
But, not dealing with the stuff that is scary or inappropriate is to push it all away and make a ‘perfect world’, does not work in the long run. Buried tendencies come out when it is safe to express them. Denial only pushes things away for now, but then they emerge far worse. People can get physically sick because of the inner conflict between how it ‘should be’ vs. ‘how it is.’
What is the theory of Astrology?
Astrology theory is based on a profound connection between the cosmos and human mind. Thus the human mind is imagined as being connected to the collective conscious and the collective unconscious. In the non dualistic viewpoint, the basis of Eastern philosophy, nothing arises alone and everything is a part of something bigger than itself.
In this theory, the human body is made up of 5 elements. Everything around is made up of 5 elements. Including the stars. At the time of birth the soul, drawn from the collective invisible unconscious is manifested in the body. At this time the soul is not fully incarnated. It is simply floating potential. The pattern of the stars at the time of incarnation affect the soul. Each star has attributes, negative and positive affects that affect the souls born at this time. Based on their position from the main star in your chart when you are born, they exercise an influence. This is also called your Karma. This is the stuff that you will unconsciously attract, and will have to learn wisdom and exercise judgement to steer yourself away from.
Astrology helps us to navigate life so that we have our adventure that we are meant to have on Earth, such that it doesn’t harm us or others in the spiritual journey.
How do other people affect us?
People have personalities! Someone with a contrary pattern as compared to yours will exercise a negative influence on you. Some will not have any affect on you. Others will have a positive effect.
We are not separate from the world around us. This idea, great spiritual masters tells us is a fallacy.
How to use your Vedic astrology chart?
The vedic chart gives a lot of information about your elemental balance and it was used traditionally to determine what you eat, where you live, who you marry etc. However, that worked in an environment that was quite close to nature. In the present age, the element of Air is high and Earth is lower. Constant anxiety about money and survival drives society.
The element of fire (creativity), and the element of water (emotions) may be restricted in our work environments, thus movies and entertainment is a necessary outlet and coping mechanism in the world of machines.
Vedic charts are enlightening, but I look at them only if a client requests it and wants me to guide them based on their overall picture. Otherwise I look at the Sun, Moon and Ascendent to see the balance of elements.
Is there a pre-determined set future that we step into?
No. The free will is of paramount important. I do not believe that we don’t have free will. We always have free choice.
How can Astrologers predict events?
They look at a conflagration of planets, based on your decades to determine tendencies in your chart.
What is the role of intention and what is the difference between intention and free will?
The psyche when integrated (because of meditation) is able to create a conscious intention or positive affirmation/ prayer. This creates a different vibration than the instincts and drives alone. Free will comes from a self-concept. When the Will, and other components of the psyche integrate, Intention is created. It does not work that well without integration of the psyche. Intention uses a unified mind and co-creates with the world around it.
Astrology makes me feel I have less/more control over my life than I want to have. Is that true?
Astrology or divination in general makes you wonder how much control you really have, and it can help you reflect on your choices in life, to then make wiser decisions and be more positive during difficult times. It also helps people connect more to their higher wisdom.
I recommend better regulations for mind sciences, so that untrained people don’t mess around with our minds.
Thank you!
You can connect with me for more questions regarding how I can help you.
