My exploration of astrology began with my painful
experiences of
Indian astrologers. These predictions not only tortured me but also
my parents. The extremes were experienced at the time of
marriage.
Given a choice, I would like to hang these vedic astrologers on the tallest trees in the city! Except one predicition, made by Shri Gopal
Krishna Modi, a warm hearted gujrathi soul who taught astrology to
eminent surgeon Late Dr. B. N. Purandare (who also practised
astrology), not a single prediction by vedic astrologers about me came
out true.
Initially, I studied vedic astrology on my own then with a friend of
mine whom I met in
IIT-B. The encounter with vedic astrology led
only to frustration and I had almost dismissed astrology as
fraud. (I have several objections to what is practiced under the
name of Vedic Astrology).
I can not resist citing here an article by Glen Perry, PhD.
However, the advent of Internet erased the geo-political barriers among
knowledge seekers. In early 90s, when the term web was not yet common,
Usenet groups such as alt.astrology and couple of email lists
were popular for free exchange of ideas. On one such group I met
Mary Downing of
NCGR who introduced me to 90 degree dial, Cosmobiology
and Hamburg School Astrology. Interaction with her changed my way of
thinking. She brought to my notice traditional rule
making process can be misleading manytimes. For example, she told me that wealth in chart should
not be found by studying wealthy people's horoscopes. But it should be
seen in the horoscopes which indicate struggle. So Mars-Saturn
combinations are important precursors to generation of wealth.
My objections to Vedic Astrology and its practitioners
(please read this section in continuation with the article by Glen Mark, PhD) cited above.
Outer Planets Vedic Astrologers have phenomenal ability to shut off their minds to logic and facts - Today ardent supporters of vedic astrology discard outer planets. Their hilarious argument is that some outer planets have not completed one cycle and therefore it is inapropriate to consider them. But these people are not willing to pay attention to the cycles of outer planets studied by western astrologers. Today we borrow and import every scientific and technological adavance from west.
Forget borrowing, but they even do not take even trouble to look at what others have done. And if anyone takes any efforts to take these buffoons to water they will throw mud on you. I was banned number of times from participating in a Yahoo discussion forum for questioning
a. the belief that sages knew every thing, and
b. if the sages were born in present time will they continue to believe what they believed ages ago. The concept of Dasa (Dasha)Entire vedic astrology community has tremendous faith in "Dasha". Dashas are planetary periods. These Dashas unfortunately do not have any real basis. The basic assumption in the calculation Vimshottari Dasha is that human life is assumed to 120 years. Any "scientifically" minded person will use assumptions made by life insurance people as basis for making any worth while predictions. Ideally it should be futher supported by using knowledge of life expectancy in different regions, communities etc.
Commonality between astrological pateerns and linguistic and cultural patternsAstrological patterns change and they evolve just like language and culture. And therefore certain planetary combinations manifest differently according cultural context. But I dont think vedic astrology take cognizance of the same.
To be continued...