II. Methodologies
Let
us look a little to the methodologies of Vedic Astrology to gain some
understanding as to how its practices reveal this philosophy.
Vedic Astrology
is frequently called predictive astrology. This predictive ability is
due to the refinement in the various systems of the science, and requires
significant subtlety of understanding and perception on the part of the
practitioner.
Vedic Astrology
is based on the Sidereal Zodiac, as opposed the Vernal Zodiac of Western
astrology. We could say the consequence of this difference is a system
which does not give the Sun the same prominence that it has in the Western
system.
While acknowledging the Sun as a significator of the essence, or soul,
more emphasis is placed on the Moon. The Moon represents the mind, which
is seen as the agency of perception, the major determining factor in our
interaction with the world.
Vedic Astrology
is also sometimes called constellational astrology because it takes into
account fixed stars called constellations. As a result, one considers
not only the influence of the planet in a sign, but also the subtle influences
exercised by the constellations. This means that when a planet passes
through a sign, it expresses the influences of the sign and is also tempered
by the influence of the constellation of the sign. To practice predictive
astrology, one must be able to go deep into the subtle influences of the
constellations.
The great
sages in their compassionate nature wanted to help us reduce our miseries
and thus introduces a system of remedial measure for overcoming suffering
from planetary afflictions. Their remedies vary depending on the affliction
and include japas, meditation, chanting of suitable mantras, fasting and
worship.
And how is
Karma expressed relative to man and the planets?
One could
liken 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.
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
actions constitute 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.
Astrology
expresses the natural law of cause and effect which has also been expressed
variously in spiritual texts as “as you sow, so shall you reap”.
This is called
karma, the ultimate law of justice which rules all life. It suggests a
kind of determination exists in nature.
The real
situation regarding karma and free will, as explained by astrology, is
that we are partly free and partly determined. The circumstances of the
major events of one’s life, such as birth, death, or spiritual initiation,
may be due to the uncanny operation of destiny. In other words, one’s
physical nature, heredity and the social position of one’s family
or position in the cosmos are determined. Thus, a person cannot change
one’s parentage, nationality, their place geographically in the
country, even one’s innate temperament or the fund of life-energy
and natural endowments. These are, in the main, determined.
Nevertheless,
these constitute resources which one is in a position to make use of either
to gain a lofty status in life, or to suffer a downfall in the ultimate
analysis of values.
Nature has
endowed human beings with sufficient freedom to make or mar their own
self.
Astrology
never disputes the fact that, so long as the spark of divinity is present
in us, sincere efforts to perform in the right way will be rewarded.
In another
sense, we are predetermined to the extent that each one of us enters the
world with impressions, which in Sanskrit are called samskaras which are
the primitive emotions and tendencies that motivate our lives. They are
impressions carried over from our past lives in our subconscious minds
which motivate desires and, in turn, produce our thoughts and actions.
Thus we reflect our inner ideas on the outside world and our perceptions
of life are colored by our past experiences.
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 know 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. All our misfortunes
are the result of our imperfect knowledge. Had we even but a little more
knowledge, there would be much less suffering.”
Our actions
move on the line that our own karma is tracing for us, but our will is
free to fashion our karma. It is determined to the extent that is shadowed
by the unchangeable law of Karma, but life which is guided by free will
does not follow any preordained pattern.
Vedic philosophy
has always denied the existence of a merciless fate which would play with
us as it pleases. On the contrary, the sages have undeniable declared
that we have control over our actions, but our actions have no control
over their results.
Astrologers
say that there are two forces, Daiva and Purushakara, Fate and Individual
Energy. When individual energy is exercised one can frustrate the possibilities
of fate.
For example,
the stars may indicate that one may die in mid-age, but through determination,
such as care about one’s diet, and a spritual emphasis on one’s
thoughts and actions, one can live to an old age.
Thus astrology
does not say that events must and should happen, but that they may happen.
It gives the benefic and malefic tendencies which can be directed or modified
through conscious effort.
So the horoscope
shows a person’s character and temperament. If it shows that, for
example, for the dominance expressed by the planets Mars and the North
Node, a particular man 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 during his formative years.
Astrology
gives the knowledge to the individual that they are to get the consequence
of the deeds of the past birth or to reap what they have sown, and in
the light of that a person is advised to regulate their future. The individual
is thus made wiser and abler.
Further,
astrology does social good by propagating, though indirectly, that one
must try to sow better so that one might reap better.
III.
Philosophy
The quest
for knowledge, truth and happiness is as old as life itself and all the
choices we make are aimed at attaining this happiness and avoiding unhappiness.
Astrology seeks to guide us in this natural urge towards greater fulfillment
by revealing one’s past karma and the resultant samskaras which
determine the way one perceives the world.
Karma is
the activity of doing and being, which holds the self in bondage. The
sages have understood that the problem of life is to know how to live
within oneself, accepting one’s limitations, while maximizing the
opportunities for growth.
So astrology
has been given to us as a guide by making us conscious of our patterns
and tendencies in this life according to what are called the four Purusharthas.
They are:
1. Dharma or right conduct.
2. Artha or wealth and finances.
3. Kama or pleasure and entertainment in the earthly domain and
the
fulfillment of desires.
4. Moksha or ultimate liberation.
The horoscope
is viewed in terms of the individual’s karma and how it relates
to these four basic aspects of life. These four elements should harmonize
and support one another and should bring progress to our life. As we have
seen, Vedic Astrology is imbued with the philosophy that microcosm and
macrocosm are but reflections of one another. Each being is a universe
complete unto itself and one’s connection to the greater whole is
an expression of the single life force which unites spirit and matter
and operates in all conditions of life, manifest and unmanifest.
Vedic Astrology
is linked to the unity of mind, body, and spirit, the objective being
to bring harmony into one’s life as one grows towards final emancipation.
Vedic Astrology
is God’s gift to humankind to aid us in our journey in the unfolding
of our spiritual nature which is the goal of human experience.
May all people
benefit from this great gift of knowledge
| 
