HISTORY OF ASTROLOGY

  ASTROLOGY is the science that suggests that the LIFE and BEHAVIOUR of human beings are influenced by stars and planets. By analysing the positions of these heavenly bodies at the TIME of a person's birth, at any given time whenever required, astrologers predict the course of events in the life of an individual. Astrology is a type of divination based upon the idea that information either about the future or about a person’s personality, it is a way of life for many people and cultures.

This science can claim an antiquity of five thousand years and was prevalent in ancient India, Mesopotamia, Greece and China . Now it is popular all over the world. As it is the case in every branch of science, Astrology also developed in accordance with changing times.

It is common knowledge that astrology as practiced in India, especially Kerala, is the most reliable and comprehensive. It has scriptural sanction since it is a limb of the Vedas, ‘vedaangaa' as it is called. It forms the eyes of the vedas, ' Veda-nayanam'. Nayanam or eye is perhaps the most important organ in One'sbody, giving guidance to those who use them. Astrology in short gives guidance, taking advantage of which human beings can plan their future.

Indian astrology is primarily based on the Lunar system. Both the Sun and the Moon expert influence on the earth. The waxing and waning of the moon cause tides in the oceans. During eclipses the behavioral Pattern of human beings as well as animals and plants undergo noticeable changes. Influence of these Celestial biddies thus cannot be ignored. The word ‘lunacy' evolved out of ‘lunar' and one can notice that in the case of the mentally deranged, the intensity of lunacy fluctuates during full moon and new moon days.

The system of casting horoscopes based on the BIRTH STAR was not at all adopted by the western culture, but it is slowly catching up. A fascinating phenomenon not generally observed is that a person's birth – star may very often be close to those of his or her's parents. There is no rational explanation for this. In the case of animals, death often occurs near about full moon or new moon.

Modern astrologers heavily rely on scientific equipments to scan the sky whereas our forefathers did it wits naked eyes and deep meditation.

The importance of seasons in agricultural operations cannot be over-emphasised. Seasons are caused by changing planetary positions and the claim that such changes can influence living beings and plants appears credible. Our sages must have concluded that by analysing the planetary constellations at the time of an individual's birth, a reasonably accurate picture of his or her's life could be forecast. For this, an intensive and thus astrology is comprised of two factors; (a) Astronomy combined with mathematics (golaganitham) and (b) analysis cum interpretation (astrology or Jyothissasthra). Predictions are aligned with the latter.

Indian astrology was at one time looked down upon as manifestations of superstition, but the situation, has changed. Once a phenomenon in the domains of the Hindus, it has now been accepted universally , even cutting across religious barriers. Daily and weekly forecasts carried by newspapers and periodicals have wide readership.

Though analystical forecast of possible events in life is the core of astrology, common people tend to ignore the mathematical part on which interpretations are based. The forecast phase consists of 1. General Horoscope spanning one's lifetime and 2. Interpretations based on current happenings.

Horoscope in Sanskrit is JAATHAKAM, ‘jaatha' is emergence and ‘kam' is head. The birth-star is identified by noting the exact time when the whole head of the infant emerges out. Another school of thought has it that the exact time of birth is when the infant has the first breath of fresh air containing oxygen or starting.

Horoscope gives general guidance but for minute details, further analysis of planetary positions during periods of stress/calamity, failures in office/ventures etc. are imperative. Here verifications in consultation with competent astrologers are indicated. Forecasts appearing in print/audio-visual media usually generalise matters.

All over the western world, people bestow importance only on the date of birth and not the time of birth. Most are ignorant about the stars and phases of the moon when the birth actually takes place. If accurate astrological analysis is to be undertaken, another aspect known in Kerala parlance as' KOORU ' has also to be reckoned with.

KOORU EVOLVES CUT OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE SUN, STARS AND THE MOON.
Rasi indicates the apparent shift of the SUN.

In short, birth star and Kooru are the two most important factors in astrological verifications and predictions. This aspects has to be understood by those seeking advice.

In Hindu methodology there are twenty-seven stars and they are; Aswini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini, Mrigasire, Aaroodham, Punarvasu,Pushya, Aslesha, Maka, Poorvaphalguni, Uthara phalguni, Hastha, Chitta, Swathi, Vishaka, Anuradha, Jyeshta, Moola, Poorvashaadhe, Utharaashaadha, Braavana, Dhanishtha, Sathabhishag, Poorva bhadrapada, Uthra bhadrapada and Revathi.
These are subsequently clubbed into twelve RASIs and certainover lappings also occur.
Aswini, Bharani, Karthika ¼ Mesham - Aries
Krittika ¾, Rohini, Mrigasire ½ Rishabha - Taurus
Mrigasire ½, Aaroodham, Punarvasu ¾ Midhunam - Gemini
Punarvasu ¼, Pushya, Aslesha Ketaka - Cancer
Makha, poorva phalguni, Uthra Phalguni ¼ Simha - Leo
Uthra phalguni ¾, Hasta, Chitta ½ Kanya - Virgo
Chitta ½, Swathi, Vishakha ¾ Thula - Libra
Vishakha ¼, Anuradha, jyeshta Vrischiga - Scorpio
Moola, Poorvashade, Utharashada ¼ Dhanus - Sigittarius
Utharashade ¾, Sraavana, Dhanishtha ½ Makara - Corpricorn
Dhanishtha ½, Sathabhishag, Poorvabhadrapada ¾ Kumbha - Aquarius
Poorvabhadrapada ¼, Utharabhadrapada, Revathi, Meena - Pisces
Nine birth stars thus have two kooru each and this has to be taken into consideration while casting horoscopes. For example Krittika is divided into four parts. Those born during the first quarter will have Aries as Kooru and those born during the remaining three quarters will have Taurus Kooru. This problem will continue in the case of the remaining eight also.

The division followed by westerners as Aries, Taurus ..etc. will not exactly correspond to the Kooru of Kerala system since the former is arrived at by taking into account the dates of birth whereas the latter is arrived at by looking at the star at the time of birth, the Birth Star. The Indian system emphasises the importance of the birth star and also correlates the positions of the birth star and also correlates the positions of the Moon, stars and the most important factors, the SUN , including its planets. If western and Indian systems are compared dispassionately, it will be proved beyond . doubt that the Kerala system is much supeior.