Should we blame our stars?

by Samangie Wettimuny

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The study of astrology involves an understanding of human nature to a great extent, an ability to assess planetary movements accurately, together with an insight into the seemingly unexplainable phenomena in the universe.

As astrology says, the time at which a person is born is predetermined by the cosmic energy and the karmic energy. As a result life is not accidental. It is the result of the interconnection between the person's karma and the energy force.

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"My dear, this planetary change is good for your star sign." One of my colleagues told me a few weeks ago ,busily keying an article on a 'major' planetary change which was about to take place. I nodded and let her feel that I was happy since it was my sweet colleague's pet topic.

ithout questioning her, I asked myself. "Whether we believe in astrology or not, everyone of us belongs to anyone of these twelve star signs. Does that mean this planetary change is good/bad for everyone who belongs to the same star alike?"

Star signs and its effects' remained an informal, yet a 'serious' topic for a while, until one of our male colleagues revealed how the star sign he got at his birth changed later.

What? Your star sign changed? That could never be true, you are mad" - such were the talk until the poor guy came out with the truth." I was a 'Leo' before marriage, but now I am a 'Taurus'. The 'serious' topic thus came to a halt while I thought of a relative of mine whose wife 'changed over' from 'Virgo' to 'Leo' since he married her! Not a big difference!

nyway Saturn has moved to the Lagna star 'Leo' now. Indeed it was a 'major' change. How do you feel 'Any better' or even worse though your astrologer has predicted otherwise?

serious science

Astrology is a serious science. There's no doubt about that. From the very early days, man has been fascinated by the stars and has tried to find links between the stars and his own destiny. A skillful astrologer can chart the course of one's life and then that person even can adjust his/her life by engaging in meritorious deeds and taking precautionary action.

But what do you think of people who run to the astrologer ever so often, even when they have a dream? "Mrs. Perera visits her astrologer twice a week just as I do my shopping!

Once I met her on the road busily running to meet him as she had had a bad dream. She is in her early fifties now, but I do not see any progress in her life. She is a spinster, ever in debt. I'm sure she'll win a Gold medal if we ever had a 'gossiping' competition!" says her neighbour, Sachindra, a young medical officer.

I know of a better case where the mother keeps on postponing her daughter's marriage saying that this 'periods' bad for her. "Last year the astrologer has said this year is good. But when my mother visited him this year he has said' next year; is good. I wonder whether that 'good' year will ever come" moans her daughter, twenty - four year old Nadeeka while her frustrated lover is fuming!

But as retired medical officer Mr. Nanayakkara says "Astrology is a serious subject. But the problem is nowadays we hardly get people who are thorough in that field. Anyway there are very good astrologers though I can't name them here."

He is a person who has made his life by following the instructions of an eminent astrologer. "Several years ago he exactly predicted my future. He told me where weaknesses lie and where to adjust." This man never panicked, but moulded his life better by engaging in meritorious deeds...

Victims

Charlatans would anyway give astrology a bad name. Fifty year old Palitha was a victim of such a man. "Whenever I go to him, he says Saturn is at the 'wrong' place (he wasn't quite sure of that anyway).

Then he'd say I should wear a talisman." Poor Palitha then worries about finding a person who can do wonders through a talisman. "I can do it myself" the cunning astrologer would then say looking at Palitha's brand new Volvo........

Even the people who scoff at astrology, seek its assistance on the sly. "My husband laughed at me when I went to my astrology class sometime back.

But now when something bad happens, he'd ask me to read his horoscope" a retired school teacher told me laughingly.

Anyway since the opportunity only knocks at the door, but never breaks the lock to gain entrance, you'll be always counting the stars if you let those stars guide you entirely. Then, as William Shakespeare said the fault is not in our stars, but ourselves!

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