What Is Astrology ?

Astrology literally means the study
orscience,depending on how one translates the
Greekword logos) of the stars(astron).Astrology
differsfrom astronomy by confining its attention
to thestudy of correlations between celestial
events andhuman events. Mostpeople are familiar
with only atiny portion of astrology,namely the 12
signs ofthe zodiac as they relate to personality,
and theuse of astrology for divination. What is
VedicAstrology?The father of Vedic Astrology
wasParashar a Muni.He was reported to have
livedaround1500 b.c.and was one of the
firstastrologers to actually castnatalcharts
forindividuals. It is recorded astrology
thatreflected
health,disease,andlongevityissues.Copiesof his
manuscripts are stillinexistence in India.His
greatest work wastitledTheBrihat Parashara Hora
Satra.In addition,he wrote beautiful esoteric
hymns in the Rig Vedathat were mantras to the
planetary deities.Anotherimportant astrologer
wholived during the same erawas the seer
Ranavira.He specialized inrelationship
compatibility,female horoscopy, andthe
psychological aspects of astrology. (Inmodern
astrological practice inIndia, chartcomparisons
for marriage compatibility are stillcommonly
utilized).Vedic Astrology is also
calledJyotisha,which means
luminous,brilliantcelestial,shining,belonging to
the world oflight.It is truly the science
oflight.VedicAstrology attempts to shine the
cosmiclight onanindividual's true life path.It is
the key tounderstanding the soul's intention or
divine planfor this incarnation. Similar to the
function of atrue guru, the Vedic Astrologer
attempts tobethe"dispeller of the darkness."She
apriest,counselor,teacher,andsage."Astronomicalcal
culations
of stellar influences upon a livingbeing are  are
factual,as confirmed inSrimad-Bhagavatam,the holy
book ofHindus(India).Every living being is
controlled bythe laws of nature at every
minute....As stated inthe Bhagavad-Gita(3.9),every
action of the bodyproduces another reaction which
is binding uponus... the law of nature is so
subtle that everypart of our body is incluenced by
the respectivestars.... A man's destiny is
therefore ascertainedby the birth in perticular
constellation of stars,and a factual horoscope is
made by a learnedastrologer. The learned
astrologer refers to thehoroscope and guides the
person who seeks hisadvice.It it impossible to
explain in few pagesabout astrology.  Vedic
Astrology is aoriental(India) tool for the welfare
of men.