An astrology-knowing journalist driven by the belief that everything in life is fated as it would be laid down in one’s horoscope confronted me with an interesting question: “Every time I approach you for precise astrological predictions, which you are known for, you try to make me go beyond the boundaries of planetary implications. Would it not mean mocking this divine discipline by using its very own premiseIJ”
Well, those who have not understood the true spirit and tenor of this discipline would infer so. Figuring out how planets influence our lives calls for a look into the premise on which astrology stands. Remember, the universe forms a unitary organism wherein no individual component has a reality which is independent of the totality. In nature’s scheme of things, all dynamic players, including human beings, are set into a complex interdependent mechanism, where all and sundry are playing their part as co-runners. Evidently, they are always in sync with each. That holds good between human beings and the planets as well.
It is pertinent to note here that the planets are not to be seen as mere physical bodies moving in the cosmos carrying the potential to influence the existential order with their gravitational pull alone. Each of them, in fact, points to a particular energy stream exhibiting specific characteristics flowing through a cosmic region marked with a particular planet in focus. Naturally, any variation in the planetary alignment will mean change in the energy flux excited by nature at a particular moment, and with obvious bearing on mankind.
Having said that, let me make it clear that despite corresponding with the human life-cycle, the planets are not to be perceived as the doers of the events unfolding in our lives. For, they are just there, available in equal proportion to all of us, and would not know what role they play. Their intelligence is limited to strictly following their predefined course, with no scope for making any exception.
The question is what purpose would astrology then serve when the planets by themselves are devoid of the capacity to direct our livesIJ Well, the planets are observable and their future courses charted in time-frame. So, taking the planetary alignments at the time of one’s birth as a referral chart, they serve as a measure of how our minds are inherently set, and so is the mind’s probable turns in future. In this sense it could serve as a very effective diagnostic tool.
Would it then not mean that our lives are bound by planetary implicationsIJ The answer is a simple no. For, human beings, on the strength or their power of free will, could guide their actions by choice and discrimination. Having known one’s inherent strengths and weaknesses through astrological analysis, one could hone the inherent potentials and address the infirmities to shape one’s destiny through conscious efforts.
The planetary alignments in an astrological chart point to individual-specific energy frameworks that guide a person’s thought processes and actions. And energy, as we know, does not have its own drive. The way it is directed is how it would act.
For example, jupiter when placed adverse to mars or the sun, points to an inflated ego, which may limit one’s scope of vision. If, however, we consciously try to temper it down and give it a positive turn, it may, on the contrary, augment our creative abilities as it happened in the case of a young man discussed below.
The first pointer in the young man’s chart is mars placed adverse to jupiter, saturn, moon and uranus. That, in the first place, points to his inflated ego. Second, he would be temperamental and irrational at times. Third, he is vulnerable to self-undoing acts. And even more so, because intelligence-signifying mercury is locked in adverse formation with psychic neptune, which points to having an impressionable mind vulnerable to mindlessly getting drawn towards external tempting influences. Venus is also ill-disposed to neptune, which makes him vulnerable to self-indulgences and also calls for watching his reputation.
So, no wonder he picked up drugs in the company of his friends. When he realised at the rehabilitation centre what he had done to himself, not only did he undergo a course for correction, but now also counsels other victims as passionately. See, how his energies, that were playing spoilsport till the other day, have turned positive when he so decided.
The writer is an astrologer, vastu consultant and spiritual counsellor. Write to him at G-5, Basement, Jungpura Extension, New Delhi 14 Tel: 9818037273/24310031 Email: pioneerqueries@bharatastro.com Website: www.bharatastro.com