What is Vedic Astrology

Even though there are umpteen schools of thought regarding astrology around the globe, this writeup deals with only Vedic astrology. Arguably it is one of the oldest and the most comprehensive systems of astrology.

Astrology is NOT a deterministic science. It is a Probabilistic art. It was based of empirical observations which the researchers and ‘rishis’ made literally thousands of years back. They related events in a person’s life with their observations of the heavenly bodies they observed in the skies and noted these down as ‘rules’ for prediction. Amazing considering that those were days with no computers, calculators, telescopes and various technologies of contemporary times.

To generalize –

Astronomy (Science)+ Mathematics (Science) + empirical observation based rules = Astrology (Art)

In my researches, I have observed that astrology is deeply complicated even mathematically, which tends to make sense as it is intended to portray the various aspects of life for an individual which in general are complex too. Rarely in astrology is something purely ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but will have mixed influences and shades of effects.

However, how astrology helps is by indicating potential in a person’s horoscope. These can be potential good and bad times for the fructification of events in an individual’s life.

While thinking of astrology, a good analogy is weather prediction (which by the way utilizes computational fluid dynamics – an area in which I did quiet a bit of research). Weather prediction is not a perfect science, however that doesn’t qualify it as a contender in the field of metaphysics. Weather prediction tends to be more accurate as the timeframe of prediction gets closer to the present time.

Another good analogy is Stock market predictions. Predictions related to the fair market value of a particular equity (stock) or overall market indices (Dow, S&P500 etc.) As it happens I have experience in Stock market research as well. As weather, Equity predictions are not a perfect science and yet they are very rational and scientific.

In all these examples, the common thread is a data set which is observable. An analysis methodology which is precise and rationally established. The output, although, is not repeatable under similar conditions with 100% certainty. This is because not all the variables involved in the process can be measured defined and predicted without uncertainty involved.

So you ask, what is astrology worth? The answer can be subjective. In my analysis, astrology can be highly accurate, or not, depending on the accuracy of input parameters, the knowledge and experience level of the astrologer and the understanding, or lack of, of the fact that it is eventually a probabilistic art and hence any and all predictions are not ‘Final’ or Deterministic in nature.