Astrology – Bunkum

By Upatissa Pethiyagoda –OCTOBER 2, 2021

Dr. Upatissa Pethiyagoda

It is not illogical to consider Horoscopes and Auspicious Times as cardinal factors in Astrology. It is also proper to consider an umbilical connection, however tenuous, between the respectable Science of Astronomy and the contentious practice of Astrology. It is easy to see that measurements of time and space (=distance) are crucial to the tenets of Astrology. The units of both measures are arbitrary. Time derives from the assumption that the rotation of the Earth takes a period which is called a “day” and spans 24 units of a period termed an “hour” which in turn divides itself into 60 minutes and 3,600 (60 x 60) “seconds”. In reality, 24 hours is an approximation, as also the sub-units that follow. Additionally, advances in chronometry further complicate the “unit”. The situation relative to space (distance, size) is even worse. Legend has it that the size of a Royal foot defined the unit from which (same name) all else flowed. Slightly better is the “Metre” which is defined as “the distance travelled by light in 1/299,792,458 of a second” or as “one ten-millionth of the distance from the Equator to the North Pole”. Unfortunately, neither definition is of easy or utility value. A further complication arises. Distance is defined by “a straight line between two points”. Physicists consider a straight line as the trajectory of light. When distances are large enough (e.g planetary distances) light no longer traverses a straight line! Utterly confusing, but to make matters worse, physicists now speak of a “Space-Time Continuum”, presumably meaning that time and space merge into one and presumably become indistinguishable one from the other! This is a Right Royal Mess for Astrology – the ground being literally cut from beneath their feet!

My knowledge of both Modern Physics and of Astronomy can, with even the greatest generosity, only be considered rudimentary. Despite this, as the foregoing shows, I detect serious deficiencies. There is little doubt, that more knowledgeable persons will see several more.

However, let us focus on birth time and planetary position – most significant inputs for horoscope construction. How does one define birth time? Various postulates infer – emergence of the foetus, detachment or severance of the placenta, rupture of the “water bag”, the first breath or even the moment of conception. This is uncertainty enough without taking into account possible errors of the labour room clock or the wristwatches of attending doctor or midwife! This complicates a key variable – assuming of course, that accuracy is important.

Next is Planetary Position. Here, my understanding is rudimentary. I believe that a fundamental error arises from an earth-centric vision. That we are static and the Sun and Nine Planets traverse the Cosmos. The Firmament (of 360 degrees) is divided into 12 sectors. Some Astrologers consider that these are equal (30 degree) segments while others employ systems, which divide them unequally. Then, the resulting “houses” are assigned to different Constellations and the positions of the 9 Planets, The Sun and two hypothetical “nodes” are assigned to the different “Houses” according to their apparent positions at the postulated “time of birth”. I say “apparent” because it is in reality the motion of the Earth and the orbiting Planets that create the illusion of their traversing the Cosmos. Any degree of accuracy or sense in these hypotheses is fanciful in the extreme.

There is no pretence that the individual Astrologer is capable of making these computations on his own and based on the requisite understanding of the relevant “Science”. He has recourse to a Book, (of which there may be several), the most widely used of which locally is “The Epa Panchanga Almanac”. Acceptance of the accuracy of the contained Tables, I leave to more competent judges. The Horoscope Reader then indulges in a series of mystic arithmetical computations that one must of necessity (and due deference) take to be correct. He next moves to other derived Tables to pronounce on all manner of deductions. Credulity and gullibility determines the utility of the exercise.

A fundamental difficulty is that an inordinate degree of accuracy is sort to be superimposed on data that is at best approximate. This manifests seriously in the issue of “Auspicious Times”. Apart from the very obvious quest for evidence of why certain times are auspicious and others not, there is the question of the precision of celestial bodies traversing very hypothetically determined lines in Space. An impossible question too is why, in an environment of billions of celestial bodies, of infinite variability, only a miniscule sample is postulated (by obscure means) to influence human destiny (collective and individual) .

When “Auspicious Times” are further embellished with prescribed “facing directions”, approved garb, prescribed diet and so on, the strain on credulity is increased. An unfortunate reality is that while the Dhamma unequivocally dismisses and discourages occult practices, our temples and priesthood are deeply immersed. So much so that one is constrained to search for some justification for this blatantly aberrant practice. By way of excuse (not reason) it may be pleaded that the Buddha himself encouraged independent evaluation of practices with acceptance of what is truthful, harmless and wholesome without prescribing outright rejection. Further, in return for their reliance on their devotees for all of their sustenance, reciprocation in whatever form, however unsure may still seem well meant.

In matters occult and paranormal, with very few exceptions, “evidence” is anecdotal. This is often the case with tales of premonition and predictive dreams. The problem here is that a stray “hit” is remembered, while hundreds of “misses” fade away in memory. A record needs to be kept of all instances to establish that the occurrence is beyond expectation on chance alone.

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