Growing up in Pakistan, there is always a very distinct presence of the supernatural in our lives. Our language, culture, and heritage are laced with mysticism and intrigue. We tell each other scary stories about jinns and witches. The languages we speak, for example, flow beautifully from word to word, almost creating poetry. We express our innate fascination with the world outside the physical through many channels – one way that we explore the unknown is through the ancient, almost sacred practice of Vedic astrology.
As children, you may have seen an astrologer on your television. Depending on how your family felt about astrology in general, you may have a different relationship with astrology altogether. Astrologers have had a definite place on Pakistani and Indian televisions for a long time – often during the morning shows when they would do detailed readings and horoscopes for the day.
What is Astrology again? Put, it is a study of the universe around us, and how that impacts human beings based on the positioning of various celestial bodies in the exact time and day that we were born. Some say astrology is nothing more than a case of an uncontrolled Barnum effect – astrologers are experts in creating vague, relatable sentences that most people can relate with a personal meaning. So, astrology is nothing more than just a trick of words. Others claim to see the science behind it and say that exploring astrology helped them discover more about their interpersonal relationships and allow them to understand people at a deeper and more compassionate level. Either way, astrology has been around for a while. And, based on the way it is booming on the Internet, it looks like it is here to stay.
So let’s go back to the core of astrology, and what makes it what it is. Astrology is a practice of observing the movement of the planets in the solar system, as well as other bodies in space, and then studying the way they impact human behavior and personality what we know more commonly as our zodiac signs are actually our sun signs. The combination of our Moon, Sun, Ascendant, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are some of the basics that make up a natal birth chart. This chart is sort of like a detailed map of what the sky looked like when you were born. Astrologers use birth charts for accurate readings and what you see online or on TV is often a very ‘condensed’ version of an astrological reading.
In 2020, Astrology is quickly becoming a returning trend world wide. And, considering the kind of uncertainty that we are currently living in as human beings, it makes sense that millennials and Gen Z are finding some comfort in thinking there is a design to this universe – that we, essentially, have a purpose. You may have come across an Astrology meme at some point, often depicting the signs as different kinds of animals, song lyrics, and even other memes. In the wake of this surge in astrological interest, as always, businesses are catching up. Already, phone applications like Co-Star and the Pattern have made a name for themselves, and most popular blogs and sites now proudly boast an astrology section or even offer weekly horoscopes.
Since its origins more than thousands of years ago, Vedic astrology has spread across the continents and has its influence on ‘modern’ astrological readings. This kind of astrology has its roots in the Hindu belief of rebirth. The idea here is that the time of the birth doesn’t just provide insight into someone’s current life, but also informs of their past and their karma. Like other astrological beliefs, the Vedic system also relies on the movement of planets and their Houses – curating each person’s Kundli – a version of a natal birth chart.
This type of astrology places a significant focus on directional movement – not to get too technical, but what this term means is that the further a planet is from your ‘home’ the more impact it has on you – a concept that’s quite different from other types of astrology.
You must be familiar with Western astrology’s interpretations of the signs. Here is what Vedic astrology considers the twelve zodiac signs of being:
Mesha (or Aries): You carry within you the spirit of Dhatr Aditya – it flows in you through your ability to create and see things outside of rigid systems. You are loyal and stick to your word and always step out into the world with good and kind intentions.
Vrishabha (or Taurus): The noble energy of the Aryaman Aditya is what guides you on your journey in life. You have a respect and love for traditions and values, and your family has a very close place in your heart.
Mithuna (or Gemini): The kind and empathetic spirit of Mitra Aditya is what makes you a compassionate, genuine person. You thrive in groups and work well with information, and have the perfect leadership skills to take your team anywhere.
Karka (or Cancer): the energy that manifests in you comes from the Varuna Aditya – an ancient deity who thrives in the ocean. You have a strong sense of work boundaries and ethics, and may even find yourself lost in your work sometimes.
Simha (or Leo): Within you is the energy of the Indra Aditya – which manifests as someone who enjoys being attended to – you love a bit of show, and are comfortable in your power and position. For some, this may spill into insecurities.
Kanya (or Virgo): Vivasvān Aditya – a spiritual teacher for all – guides your energy. You are blessed with the ability to share knowledge and teach, and you find that you thrive in systems that you know and where you feel comfortable. You strive for perfection in whatever you do and are always on the pursuit of the purest things.
Tula (or Libra): With the blessings of Pusan Aditya, you carry within you a drive for acquiring wealth and leisure. You enjoy challenging the systems around you and always seek to know and travel more. You are also resourceful and can create opportunities for growth for yourself.
Vrichika (or Scorpio): Parjanya Aditya gives blessings to those with a Scorpio sun – you can complete unsurmountable challenges and are an agent of change in the world.
Dhanu (or Sagittarius): Duty, fairness, and a drive to attain knowledge is what propels you forward. With the energy of Anshuman Aditya, you carry a sense of calm and balance about you and strive to achieve justice on a large scale.
Makara (or Capricorn): The deity responsible for prosperity guides you – Bhaga Aditya. You also carry within you a sense of magnificence and dignity. When you commit to something, you are driven towards success – however, your success may come with consequences. You tend becoming cold in the pursuit of your goals.
Khumbha (or Aquarius): Tvashtra Aditya is a spiritual being who architected the world, with all of its illusion and beauty. This energy manifests in you as an outburst of creativity and diplomacy. You have the power in you to change the world, and you draw people’s attention and awe.
Mina (or Pisces): The energy Pisces carries from Vishnu Aditya. The symbol for this sign represents its duality – you have the chance for good (freedom, liberation) and bad (materialism). You are a believer of fate, and sometimes, to achieve something, you are willing to take huge risks, which may or may not pay off.
Vedic astrologers have long had a stronghold in the South Asian region – what they say carries a lot of weight, and is often regarded with a sense of trust and authenticity. Many expecting couples go to astrologers for guidance about their child’s future. Some are looking for love to ask for advice on finding the perfect partner. In 2019, for example, celebrity astrologer Sagar Chug was awarded the Star Achiever’s Award. Astrologers give predictions about everything – from who will win the upcoming elections, all the way to details about Alia Bhatt and her marriage.
The law has always struggled with the practice of astrology and other ‘spiritual’ acts. In 2017, the Congress government passed the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Act, 2017, an attempt to curb superstitious practices in the region. While astrology was initially included within the bill, the widespread opposition, especially by major political force BJP, kept it out of the final form of the bill. They reasoned that any practice derived from Vedic origins should be held outside of the law.
Officially, astrology is still considered a pseudoscience – there is absolutely no scientific evidence that the movement of planets and stars has any real impact on humans. What astrology does offer, especially in an age of uncertainty, is perhaps some comfort. When the world is going up in flames around us, it must be quite lovely to look up to the heavens and see possibilities.
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