Some people define astrology as the science of stars. Others say that it is the art by which the future of man can be known. It may also be defined as "the philosophy of discovering and analyzing past impulses and future actions of both individuals and nations" in the light of planetary configurations. Astrology explains life's reactions to planetary vibrations. In Sanskrit, it is called Hora Sastra or Jyotisha or the Science of Time. All these definitions do not convey a correct idea of the subject. It is much more than a science. It is a science of the sciences, the key to all knowledge. It is the knowledge that links man to nature and establishes that order regins supreme in life and that chance and accident have no place. Astrology can be defined as the science of correlation of astronomical facts with terrestrial events. The celestial bodies are conspicuous by the presence of supreme order in their revolutions. While this is the case could chaos exist on the earth and its phenomena? Astrology gave the answer that by juxtaposition of celestial order with terrestrial phenomena, the possibility of making prognostications could not be doubted. When an apparent effect is the resultant of a cause, then astrology becomes a symbol of measurement. The effect of a cause is expressed in terms of what we may call planetary influences.
Astrology is primarily concerned with the application of cosmic laws to terrestrial phenomena in general and man in particular. Hence pure objective science cannot lay down the law for astrology which deals with a different sphere of experience. Much less can it deny its very subject-matter or its relevance for human life or place in human culture which is concerned in the last resort with the art of life, utilizing every facet of experience derived from objective nature and its effect on human life.
Source: B. V. Raman
