Saturday, December 27, 2008

Divide The World Into Twelve Astrological Stereotypes?

Once in a fete we set up a Gypsy Tent and made predictions looking at a Crystal Ball - an empty fish bowl filled with silver foil and glitter. A very reluctant friend was persuaded to pretend to be a 'Face Reader'. She was horrified at first but agreed, when we advised her to "Say anything, look solemn."

Nobody doubted what she told them. We were, err ... she was a huge hit. Next morning she called and declared that she had discovered that she could indeed read faces! She had to be reminded very firmly that until the evening before she did not even know something like Face Reading even existed. [Does it?]

Astrology can make us dream of fool proof short cuts. Remember the last scene of Lage Raho Munnabhai?

Success comes from hard work not astrological short cuts, just like relationships are made with a lot of love, tolerance and commitment, not perfectly matched horoscopes. Astrology made nobody rich, successful or happy, except perhaps the Astrologer and their agents :)

Any computer can tell you where your planets are placed, the tough part is analysing what the placement means. You can go through famous charts (like Gandhi's) and yes it is a lot of fun, but it would be seriously irresponsible to lead someone to believe you can make any reliable predictions.

Astrology is not about Fortune Telling.

Then why do I bother spending so much time studying it?
Curiosity. And some pleasant surprises. No more.

Also a Pisces love for Astrology. Scorpio and Sagittarius can also make you keenly interested in studying Astrology. So long as you don't base important decisions based on it, Astrology is fine :)

13 comments:

OG said...

Now that is well written....

What you do with your hands is important and not the lines in your hand.....
(from a Tamil songs)

moon said...

I dont think Astrology can make us dream of fool proof short cuts -- Before exams i go to temple daily..my wife commented why did you waste time going to temple instead of studying? i went to temple not because it was a short cut...somehow it made me confident...i think astrology aslo like that...

See if i went to temple only and not studied thnking that i will get good works, can you scold GOD..so similiarly dont blame astrology if someone sits idle believing astrology...it can predict , hey you having good time..provided you work hard...

Eventhough i am not a staunch believer of astrology , but with my own experience i cant say anything negative...

The present best seller book on motivation is - The secret...what it says ..in one line positive attitude...

i feel the same about astrology..how? say you start something on a good day or time...you feel positive...

If someone can feel positive without this ..fine..no need of astrology , GOD etc etc..

once i ignored my mother started on a raghu kalam to a tour. from the beg to end it was a mess..you can argue without that also it could have been...i can go on like that...

My personal experience i found astrology is ok...if people believe that astrology can turn things around, itis not the fault of astrology..it can only give indications..

I feel matching horoscope..it indicates the two can be of good wavelength..thats all...that way love marriages should notfail...it is a continuous process..astrology only indicates...

Indian Home Maker said...

Ajit I agree. It is all in our own hands, when it is in the lines it's like we cannot control it! That's negative.

Sunder If it has a positive effect it's great. There could be problem only if we give up because we feel there's nothing we can do about it.

Dr. Ally Critter said...

IHM, my only problem with astrology is that t is a pseudo science- trickery masquerading as a logical thing. Gemology, Numerology and others all fall into the same category. Done for fun, it is enjoyable, many hours of hilarity and good clean fun ensue. But the "it could be because of" explanations are silly. How is it that none of the asteroids find any place in any astrological system- Western or Indian- they are closer than Jupiter is. And what about Pluto and te bodies on the side beyond that. It reflects the age in which all this was conceived and yet has spawned an industry that survives in giving wrong information, making a fool of people.

Monika said...

lol.... i love the statement
Astrology can make us dream of fool proof short cuts.

but i just hate it... my very own uncle totally just totally gave up studies because one pandit once told him that he is not going to pass metriculate exams so he never took them... this blind belief is dangerous really dangerous...

and why do we spend time reading it... its lots an lots of fun :)

Anonymous said...

Loved what you said about relationships. Absolutely true!

Out Of My Shell said...

Thats quite true IHM, I know many people who are just curious about astrology & predictions and some others who waste their lives attributing their mistakes to their astrological signs/effects(I really pity such people).
I believe in astrology & listen to my sister's predictions about our lives just out of curiosity and but I think I have never/wouldnt base my life decisions based on it.
My grandpa was an astrologer and advised us never to learn it - 'ignorance is bliss' - he said - 'wont life be boring if you knew when you were going to die or what would happen next' - he would ask. Though I think reaching such a level of genius in astrological prediction requires "Bhageeratha prayatnam".
For me, it is an unanswered question all the time - if astrology is indeed a true predictor & if fate indeed cannot fail, why do we do what we do & why do we hope and attempt for things or get excited about it?

Spontaneous Mini said...

I believe in Astrology. I have one panditjee whom I consult since college days..he is very positive and says that anything is possible if we believe and work towards it.
And, I see no fault with my MIL. Guess what sign I fall under? ;))

Mampi said...

As long as it is a harmless fun, it is okay. WHen it interferes with people's lifestyles and disturbs others, it has to be shunned, period.
With due respect to astrologers, and palm readers and face readers, I would say that they are fine as long as it is fun. Nothing more.

Usha Pisharody said...

I do believe in the way sometimes our planetary positions do make us act is strange ways :) It might be a superstition but then there it is.

Liked the balanced views in this post too!

Anonymous said...

Astrology is not mere 'fun' methinks. I believe strongly that it must be a part of something bigger that has been lost down the ages. And having said that, I believe that people should carry on with their life on their own mettle. Living life only according to what astrologer's say only talks of that individual's mentality. That does not take away from Astrology. Maybe in the future more of its secrets will be revealed so that we can make more informed decisions about it. Right now, we do not have enough to eithr believe or condemn Astrology. So why not just keep an open mind and try to unravel more facts and learn just why people thought so highly of it in the past??

BTW, we have all heard of tricksters selling non-existent oil shares and of course there are real oil shares too. I suppose that conveys what I want to say about astrologers.

Anonymous said...

I do believ in astrology, something it really makes me wonder, hw things r happning in the most unexpected way posible...... i can see that u r getting very much interested in this these dayz............. well written

Reema said...

Exactly!! I like reading about sun signs and asking people theirs because I have really observed people having the traits Goodman has written about. So knowing a little about people beforehand tells me what to expect and what not to do!