ASTROLOGY

Astrology is a both science and an art. It is a science in the sense that it is based on the pure sciences of astronomy and mathematics. It is an art that it requires sufficient practice to give adequate results. The art portion of astrology requires much time, not mere readings, constant practice and total involvement.

Astrology is the science, that describes the influence of the heavenly bodies upon mundane affairs and upon human character and life. Astrology points out the potentialities, capabilities and limitations of the individual. The other sciences are not capable of explaining the above.

Any person, thing or idea that is born in this universe is born along with the qualities good or bad of the nature as it existed at that movement of time for nothing can or does exist in isolation in this world. Carl Jung says "whatever is born or done this movement of time has the qualities of the movement of time". Each atom or planet is linked to every other atom or planet by known or unknown laws such as law of gravitation etc.

Late Sri B.V. Raman says 'known laws of sciences existing now in this universe can not explain the theory of the astrological facts. In the study of any branch of knowledge theory and practice must go side by side. Theory always remains theory and it will be of no practical use of man. One may have read all the books available on the subject, but if it comes to a question of application, puzzles, confusions and contradictions will mount up". Hence this science of Astrology requires constant practice. Therefore the Astrology is an art.

The earth rotates on its orbits and comes around the Sun. Hence the day and night occur. Likewise, the Moon and other planets also rotate on their orbits. This is called planetary transits or movements. Like the day and night, the new moon (when the moon is conjoined with the sun), full moon (when the moon is 180 degrees far away from the Sun) elipses etc. occur, dut to the transit of planets. In daytime, we get light and heat through the rays of the Sun and at nights, we get coolness from the rays of the Moon. Likewise, transit or movement of planets creates changes in the space, ether and on the earth, consequently it affects human beings, animals, plants, trees, crops etc through their cosmic rays, which may have good or bad effects. Cosmic radiations pouring at the movement on the earth from outer space and coming from stars and planets act on human animal etc.

Every one can easily observe that the tides of the sea will be more on the full moon days than on any other days. Like wise, the people with insane mind will be more affected on the new moon days than other days. Thus, there is a link or connection between the Moon rays and the human brain and tides of the sea. That is why the astrological books treated the Moon as the significator of the mind (Chandrama Manasa Jatha)

The planet Sun is the source of light, heat and energy. The Sun through its rays nourishes all life vegitables, animals and men. Life is simply not possible without Sun. Sun is therefore our protecter and nourisher. Hence the Astrology treats the Sun as the signifactor to father and king. The planetary rays produce vibrations, which affect biological and psychological processes. Let us see some examples.

The astrological texts describe the symptoms before rain comes viz water becomes tasteless, the sky gets the colour of the cow's eys, salt melts, much tumbling of fishes in the tanks, rivers, lakes etc. repeated croaking of frogs, ants lay their eggs without any trouble, snakes mating, the domestic animals such as cows are reluctant to go out of the houses for grazing and shake their heads and ears etc. Therefore the atmospheric conditions before rains in the ether and on the earth get changes through the cosmic radiations and consequently will affect even small creatures.

Most of the economic laws are based on assumptions. The latitude and longitude drawn on maps are imaginary lines only. But in order to determine the distance between one place to other and and arrive at the time of the different countries, these lines are required and necessary also. We are accepting these on the basis of their utility to the mankind.

Whereas the rules or laws of astrology are not framed on asumptions or imaginations. They are based on true transit of planets, which are natural such as occurrences of new-noon, full moon etc. When the Sun in Aquarius (kumba) and the 10th lunarday (Dasami) and Rohini coincide, there will be very heavy rainfall, Sri B.V. Raman says, "these principles can be tested even by laymen and no special technical qualifications are called for". It is therefore crystal clear that the transits, movements, conjunctions etc of planets create changes, in the space, ether and on the earth and consequently affect the human beings, animals etc.

Like other sciences, the Astrology has got two aspects viz. Macro and Micro.

The weather, rainfall, the finance positiion of the country, its developments, its exports, imports, trade with the foreign countries, stability of the government, riots, political turmoil, crops, diseases generally that affect the people and animals, drought and other natural calamities etc. dealt with through the transit of planets come under Macro aspect. The Panchanga (the yearly Almanac) gives all the above details fully and is being prepared for the benefit of the whole mankind.

The matters pertaining to the characters of the individual, his body constitution, family, financial position, education, earnings, happiness, marital status, achievements in his life etc. dealt with through the transit of planets come under Micro aspect. These are to be analysed through the horoscope prepared basing on the movement of time of birth taking the transit of planets at that particular movement. Suppose, the meteorological department announces to the public through television and All India Radio, that the depression in Bay of Bengal moves towards north and thereby the people of coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Orissa, will get heavy rain. Will they be able to announce advice to an agriculturist living in a small village in the other part of the state, who is waiting for the rainfall in order to plough his land? Sri B.V. Raman says "even today it is a matter of common occurrence that village astrologers are right in a sunprisingly high percentage of their weather predictions. These rules are simple and dispense away with costly apparatus. Here also the science of Astrology has got its micro aspect.