Philosophy
ASTROLOGY WORKS
Sri Yukteswar: "Mukunda (Yogananda's boyhood name), why don't you get an astrological armlet?"
Yogananda: "Should I, Master? I don't believe in astrology."
Sri Yukteswar: "It is never a question of belief; the only scientific attitude one can take on any subject is whether it is true. The law of gravitation worked as efficiently before Newton as after him. The cosmos would be fairly chaotic if its laws could not operate without the sanction of human belief."
Charlatans have brought the ancient stellar science of astrology to its present disrepute. Astrology is too vast, both mathematically and philosophically, to be rightly grasped except by men of profound understanding. If ignoramuses misread the heavens, and see there is a scrawl instead of a script, that is to be expected in this imperfect world. One should not dismiss the wisdom with the wise.
All parts of creation are linked together and interchange their influences. The balanced rhythm of the universe is rooted in reciprocity. Man, in his human aspect, has to combat two sets of forces- first, the tumults within his being, caused by the admixture of earth, water, fire, air and ethereal elements; second, the outer disintegrating powers of nature. So long as man struggles with his mortality, he is affected by the myriad mutations of heaven and earth.
Astrology is the study of man's response to planetary stimuli. The stars have no conscious benevolence or animosity; they merely send forth positive and negative radiation's. Of themselves, they do not help or harm humanity, but offer a lawful channel for the outward operation of cause-effect equilibriums that each man has set into motion in the past.
A child is born on that day and at that hour when the celestial rays are in mathematical harmony with his individual karma. His horoscope is a challenging portrait, revealing his unalterable past and its probable future results. The natal chart can be rightly be interpreted only by men of intuitive wisdom: these are few.
The message boldly blazoned across the heavens at the moment of birth is not meant to emphasize fate- the result of past good or evil- but to arouse man's will to escape from his universal thralldom. What he
has done, he can undo. None other than himself was the instigator of the causes of whatever effects are now prevalent in his life. He can overcome any limitation, because he created it by his own actions in the first place, and because he possesses spiritual resources that are not subject to planetary pressure.
Superstitious awe of astrology makes one an automaton, slavishly dependent on mechanical guidance. The wise man defeats his planets- which is to say, his past- by transferring his allegiance from the creation to the Creator. The more he realizes his unity with spirit, the less he can be dominated by matter. The soul is ever free; it is deathless because birthless. It cannot be regimented by stars.
Man is a soul, and has a body. When he properly places his sense of identity, he leaves behind all compulsive patterns. So long as he remains confused in his ordinary state of spiritual amnesia, he will know the subtle fetters of environmental law.
God is harmony, the devotee who attunes himself will never perform any action amiss. His activities will be correctly and naturally timed to accord with astrological law.
Sri Yukteswar
DESTINY VERSUS FREE WILL
Some are of the opinion that if we accept that astrology works, we necessarily negate individual free will. This idea is due to a lack of understanding. In actuality, Vedic astrology accommodates both seemingly opposite concepts of destiny and free will.
During the course of our lives, we are constantly required to make choices, to exercise our free will in response to our circumstances. We have the freedom to choose xyz, green, blue or turquoise, positive or negative, to act or not act, etc., etc., as per our inclination. However, once we make a choice and act on it, we are bound by the consequences of those actions. The reaction, or fruit, of our choices is our destiny, or karma. The Sanskrit word karma can mean ‘action’ or it can mean ‘fruit of action’.
An example may be appropriate here. Suppose someone is born in a poor family (this in itself could be seen as the fruit of one’s actions from a previous life). Although born to disadvantaged circumstances, the person could decide to work hard, educate himself, and rise up in life to a better situation, exercising free will. Or, the person could take a different approach. They could take to a life of crime by victimizing others for their own advantage; again, exercising free will. If they chose this path, they would eventually be caught and imprisoned. This could be seen as the fruit, or reaction to the exercise of their free will. But even if they went to jail, they would still have the option to exercise some free will, although it would be greatly restricted. They could decide to better themselves in prison by studying in the library, and becoming a model prisoner. Or, they could choose to become a hardened criminal, further degrading themselves and increasing their tendency to engage in anti-social, negative behaviors.
So we can see that today’s choices create tomorrow’s fate. It is simple cause and effect, basic cosmic laws in action.
With the tool of astrology, we can get a clear picture of what we can expect to experience in this life due to our past choices. We can also use astrology to help us take advantage of strengths and favourable influences so that we can create a more supportive future for ourselves. And ultimately, through the understanding of karma, free will, and consciousness, we can gradually attain expanded awareness that can help us begin the path to transcendence of the cycle of birth and death.