Jyotish -- some observations on our times and (cyber)space

[Guest guest]

Like most others, I am but a traveller on the path of jyotish --

have been for some years, consistently, so though I am not a

somebody/anybody in the field of jyotish and only a recent member on

this wonderful list, I feel brave enough to share some of my

experiences and observations regarding cyber-jyotish and NOT

specifically about this list. I do not place my views in the open to

hurt or offend anyone or to start a fire-march but just as general

observations:

 

a) Most jyotishis are students, even most teachers. The day when

people will be able to consistently and demonstrably (in the open --

important concept) able to show success and guarantee the results

will true giants in jyotish emerge. Until then we all are pygmies of

different sizes. Some of us probably do not owe our successful

predictions to jyotish. I have seen brilliant readings given with

wrong data and poor readings with good data. The spectrum is mind-

boggling.

 

b) The problem is: often the astrological reasoning is not given

because astrology is not a lookup table matched pattern recognition.

When one is intensely engaged in a chart, often many trains of

thoughts run across the easel of mind. There is more than logic

going on at the same time, very hard to truthfully capture

especially not when it is done after the fact. Often we justify

correct predictions using some of the factors that are visible,

either because after the reading, those are the ones we can identify

or because they make good illustrations for teaching or writing an

article. They represent the truth but not the whole truth, some of

which might be beyond the astrologer's conscious awareness.

 

c) People tend to easily claim the veracity and scientific nature of

jyotish, but get upset when asked for illustrations and explanation

or documentation-even when asked by students with curiosity. The

best way to get into that kind of stance is to only talk of

certainties if one is convinced and can demonstrate that something

is certain. If not, leave a bit of room for doubt or you can send

someone or many on a wild goose chase. This is cruel and immoral at

the very least.

 

d) Not everyone must or can be academically turned on by jyotish.

Not everyone has to. It is not a crime to not be able to or even

want to share all the details, especially with strangers on the net,

but there are polite ways to refuse or to simply state it directly.

And, be prepared and not take personal offence if based on such a

response people do not believe your statement. Not because they

think you are dishonest, but possibly because your reluctance could

mean that you have not researched or searched for the fact or

combination or technique enough to share with others. Often ego gets

in the way. If one finds that ego is getting in the way,

particularly when jyotish matters or questions are asked -- ask

yourself! Am I leading an otherwise balanced and fulfilling life?

Why is jyotish so important for my ego to cling to? If there is

nothing else that is attractive, maybe it is time to turn to

spirituality. I keep reminding myself, when I prove to myself that I

am a total failure in everything, that would be a grand day, for

there would be no reason, no siren song, no distraction standing

between me and my Lover!

 

e) If you run into someone with a bruised ego, or someone who must

have the last say, instead of raining on his or her parade, switch

the topic and try to see if there is something astrological that can

be gained out of the interaction. Maybe, even getting the person's

chart would be a useful purpose of the Jungian/Redfieldian synchrony

that brought the two individuals together. Of course, you might just

not give a gulika for the views or the chart of the individual! You

are human, focus on someone else or elsewhere.

 

f) Just because someone comes across as abrasive or cynical and it

is bothering you, ask yourself? What is pressing my buttons? Is the

thing I am discussing that important or precious, like one's child

criticised, or is it an indication that I am putting too much energy

into an area that is difficult to prove or explore (like what were

you in past life or whether your current love affair is a connection

that lasted the last transition!)? Or is it that you are yourself

not sure about a thing and someone else questioning it is causing

discomfort but you have no time to explore at the moment. So many

possibilities. And use this moment as an astrological moment. Draw a

chart, study it, see if the pattern fits the cosmic symbolic script

that the horoscope represents. Even if it does not, you tried!

 

At a recent encounter on another list, I innocently shared a

combination mentioned by a younger teacher long ago on the same

list. This was not presented as a research finding or anything

absolute but it brought on a very strong response from a senior

astrologer. In fact the individual was kind enough to provide some

horoscopes as illustrations against the principle. I took the

opportunity to study those charts and see if the combination worked

in charts. In many it did, in a few it did not, even in this small

and specifically selected sample. Then the argument came that

jaimini and Parashra principles must not be mixed. Specifically, any

given planet when looking at a jaimini principle should utilize only

rashi aspect and not consider parashari drishti. Since I see both

principles in the same book (BPHS), and no warning against mixing

the two types of considerations, I thought there was flaw in the

logic. Moreover, budha is budha -- it did not make sense to me that

it would only be able to connect with other charakarakas with

jaimini/rashi aspects and at the same time ignore the parashari

drishti sambandhas. The challenge, though a bit unfair (since I was

neither endorsing or touting that it was a well researched view or

one that I had researched thoroughly -- I utilized to brush up on my

exploration. Much later I realized why the kettle was boiling so

hot. It had nothing to do with me, at all! Anyway, even negative

instances show the beauty of jyotish without a trademark and how

vulnerable and human we all are!

 

g) In general, many cyber-astrologers seek entertainment from

astrology, it is a fun subject to discuss and talk about. Such must

not be misunderstood for keen interest in exploring the practical

aspects of jyotish. Serious students, therefore, get frustrated by

many of the claims, discussions and attitudes. Ignore that and

instead focus on your work, focus on your study and amidst all the

distraction, keep rubbing the straw and stick, because one thing is

sure: the fire lies inside it.

 

h) most of the chart discussions on internet will be superficial and

sketchy. It is the nature of the beast. However, it is a great

resource for birth data and the best way to study astrology is not

through reading another book, another clever commentary on a classic

or some narrative extoling the virtues of astrology with all bread

and no salami (pardon my non-vaishnav example, and bologna would be

so inappropriate in place of the salami!), but charts with a willing

individual who is happy to share his human experience so you can see

life unfold through a horoscope and instead of asking others, use

the study material that Internet brought across your computer desk.

There is something very satisfying about hearing an ordinary

person's experience in life and trying to see that unfold in his

chart, than another discourse on rajyoga or a necklace of celebrity

charts which exist in several versions, if you look hard.

 

i) The world is huge. Its nearly 7 billion strong population is well

represented amongst astrologers, but the subpopulation of

astrologers and even fewer jyotishis are miniscule, in thousands and

hundreds of thousands, probably not even a million (I am not

counting the idiot savant or the parrot or the ceremonial bull, of

course!). We may have convinced ourselves that huge bodies of people

believe in or use astrology, the fact is that they are curious about

it but would not come to bat for it. If the few of us that remain,

dedicated to little or large extent to astrology begin to fight

amongst ourselves, we will simply hasten the demise of astrology and

more scarily the body of knowledge it represents. Knowledge is very

unemotional and cruel in a sense. It escapes away from the

unprepared and insincere or undedicated mind faster than a drop of

water that hits a red-hot frying pan!

 

Best wishes,

 

Rohiniranjan